Northbridge through at second attempt (From Wiltshire Times)

Northbridge through at second attempt

1:18pm Monday 19th March 2007 in News 2007/08

FC NORTHBRIDGE took advantage of a second chance to reach the semi-finals of the Chantry Digital Ltd of Trowbridge-sponsored Knockout Cup.

AFC Trowbridge Town Youth Reserves won the original tie quite comfortably, but a replay was ordered after Trowbridge played an illegible player in the first match.

Second time around it was FC Northbridge celebrating as they emerged 4-2 winners.

At half time it was all square at 1-1, Steve Jackson scoring for Northbridge and Lee Haywood on target for Trowbridge.

The second period saw Tom Mann knock in the home side's second only for Mike Towler to grab Trowbridge's second equaliser. The game then swung FC Northbridge's way as they scored their third and fourth goals through James Starr and a D Appleyard own goal to progress to the semi-final where Frome Town Sports await them.

North Bradley Saints booked their place in another final by overcoming The Lamb Inn 5-0 in their Knockout Cup semi-final.

Scott Askew scored a brace in the first half to give the visitors a lead at the break. The second half saw a spirited fight back by The Lamb but they could not break down Bradley's defence. The visitors then wrapped up the game by scoring a further three goals, Martin Little, Jamie Young and Tom Pang all adding their names to the score sheet.

This was one of those days for The Lamb when the result did not reflect the way they played.

Division One

HEYTESBURY started their match against Bradford United with only nine players, but after 15 minutes they snatched the lead from a James Vincent free kick awarded to them after the visitors' goalkeeper held onto the ball too long.

Bradford then seemed to wake up and began to apply the pressure and midway through the half they got their just rewards when John Williams lashed his shot past the Heytesbury keeper to make it 1-1 at the break.

The wind and playing with only nine men then began to take its toll on Heytesbury and it was not long before Bradford gained the lead, John Iles getting the goal, and a couple of minutes later it became 3-1 when John Andrews got in on the scoring act.

Jake Davison scored Bradford's fourth and it got worse for Heytesbury when the finished the match with eight men as they lost a defender to injury with ten minutes to go.

Seend United moved into second place after a 2-0 away win at Warminster Town Reserves.

The first half finished as it started all square. The second period saw all out attack from the visitors and they came away with the points as first Mike Haines and then Steve Burns scored.

Division Two

BRATTON'S appaling run continued as they lost to a first half goal scored by Ian Galloway of Lavington.

A midtable clash saw Semington Magpies leapfrog their rivals St Andrews in the table after they came away with a 2-1 victory. Andy Harrison scored Semington's opener to give the visitors the advantage at the break. The second half saw attacking play from both sides and St Andrews were soon on level terms, thanks to Tom Colla.

The Magpies continued to push forward and wrapped up the point when Andy Harrison scored his second goal.

With AFC Trowbridge Town Youth Reserves in cup action, Steeple Ashton opened up a seven point gap at the top of the table with a 2-0 home victory over Hilperton United. The points were wrapped up thanks to a second half brace of goals from Anthony Pritchard.

Division Three

AFTER a well deserved 6-1 victory at Bradford United Reserves, Mere go four points above their hosts in the race for the runners-up spot.

Both teams displayed the passing game in a sportingly played contest.

The visitors scored after 10 minutes through Gavin Parfitt and he got his second midway through the half. They then scored three more goals in the last seven minutes, through a headed goal from a corner, Gavin Parfitt's hat-trick, a good strike from some 13 yards from Chris Sheppard and a penalty from Chris Parfitt.

Within three minutes of the restart they made it six when Greg Sheppard scored. Bradford came more into the game towards the end and Luke Davison scored a consolation with ten minutes left.

Cross Keys Rowde held on to second place in the Division after coming away with a point from a 2-2 draw against FC Chippenham Reserves.

All four goals were scored in the first half, Matthew Spear scoring Chippenham's goals and Ben Whitehouse scoring Rowde's. Rowde are second on goal difference from Mere.