Lavington cruise into cup final (From Wiltshire Times)

Lavington cruise into cup final

11:20am Monday 26th March 2007 in News 2007/08

LAVINGTON cruised into the final of the Bradfords Building Supplies Limited of Trowbridge-sponsored Division Two Cup final by sinking The Lamb Inn 5-0 in the second leg of their semi-final to complete a 10-1 aggregate victory.

The home side were two up at the break, thanks to a double from Rob Jenks, and the second half didn't improve for the visitors as John Paul Chenoweth, Myles Hickton and P J Simmonds added further goals.

With a comfortable first leg lead, AFC Trowbridge Town Youth Reserves entertained Steeple Ashton at Seymour Road and by half-time they had taken a two goal advantage, with Peter Spong scoring twice. The second half saw a much improved Ashton side appear and they soon pulled a goal back through Uliam Serafimov. The match then settled down, with both sides coming close, and eventually Andy Hallett forced home a late equaliser for the visitors, but it was not enough as the aggregate score finished 7-2 to Trowbridge.

Spring Cup

THE AM Print and Copy of Westbury-sponsored Spring Cup semi-final between The Eleven Statues and Bradford United Reserves produced a seven goal, extra-time thriller.

The Eleven Statues took an early lead through Richard Hudson and held onto it at the break. Dan Walker extended the lead in the second period only for Luke Davison and Scott McKinley to score and tie up the match for Bradford.

Extra-time then saw The Statues secure a place in the final as they scored a further three unanswered goals through Phil Webberley (2) and Richard Strandling.

Cross Keys Rowde will face the Eleven Statues in the final after they overcame Calne Eagles 2-0 in their semi-final.

The home side scored a goal in each half, Martin Robinson scoring in the first and Jamie Mullings in the second.

Division One

BRADFORD United inflicted yet another defeat on The Deverills.

The visitors held out until the second half before succumbing to a goal from Jake Davison.

Another late show allowed Warminster Town Reserves to move up to third from bottom in the division as they overcame FC Northbridge 2-0. A James Sykes strike and a late effort from Luke Pinnell secured the spoils.

Freshford United v North Bradley Saints Freshford United lived up to their reputation as poor starters against North Bradley Saints, scoring an own goal after just five minutes then gifting a second to Scott Askew with some very poor defending.

Freshford then gathered themselves and hit back with a tremendous move started and finished by Tony Brett. He won possession in his own half, switched the play to Mark Birleson who then hit an inch perfect return ball which he controlled instantly then past two defenders before striking an unstoppable shot past the fully stretched Saints goalkeeper.

Stuart Arnold then wound up the first half score line when he finished off another excellent build up with a fine strike from yet another Mark Birleson cross.

Both teams started brightly in the second half but it was North Bradley who regained the lead when Askew was gifted a second goal when he found himself completely unmarked and calmly found the back of the net.

Freshford hit back once again when Stuart Arnold claimed his second with a fine header. Freshford then took control and seemed to be the most likely winners until very near the end of the match and completely out of the blue, Jamie Young spun and hit a wonderful strike from about 25 yards, leaving keeper James Moody no chance. This was a game from which Freshford should have at the very least salvaged a point.

Frome Town Sports gained their seventh league win of the season as they thrashed bottom placed Heytesbury 6-1.

The home side had a 3-1 lead at the break thanks to a brace from Paul Bendall and a single strike from Dale Rowland. Jason Greatley scored Heytesbury's consolation goal. The Somerset men then dominated the second period as Dale Rowland grabbed his second before Frank Alexander and Ian Kennedy also got in on the scoring act.

Blue Circle's dip in form continued as they went down 2-1 away to Seend United. Dave Castle had given the home side the lead only for Darryl Maxwell to bring the score level at 1-1 at the break. Seend then maintained second place in the table as Chris Styles grabbed the winner.

Division Two

LOWLY Frome Town Sports A held out for a draw against mid-table Semington Magpies.

Nigel Hall opened the scoring for the Magpies which was followed up by Adrian Bourne getting their second. Joe Upshall pulled one back for Sports, giving them hope at the break. Upshall then grabbed his second and the equaliser for the visitors to give them a well earned point.

AFC Trowbridge Wanderers took a two goal advantage into the break, only for St Andrews to fight back in the second half and take a share of the points.

Chris Brown and Tom Colla scored for Saints.

Westbury United A cruised to an 8-1 home win over Hilperton United.

Tim Coombes and Dan Martin (2) had given Westbury the lead at the break.

The second period saw the home side score a further five goals with only one coming in reply from Hilperton. Dan Martin scored another to complete his hat-trick, with Ian Jefferies scoring a brace and Matthew Mead and Chris Storey getting one each. Steve Sykes knocked in Hilperton's goal.

Division Three

BOTTOM placed Melksham Park upset high flying FC Chippenham Reserves by winning 4-3.

Tom Highmore had given the home side the perfect start only for two goals from Jamie Murphy to give Melksham the lead which they then never lost.

Dan Pearce increased the lead in the second half before Matt Spear closed the gap again for the home side. Sam Jones then made it four for Melksham, but a late strike from Luke Turvey pegged a goal back for Chippenham but it was not enough.

Mere's push for promotion was maintained after they came away with a 4-2 victory against The Stiffs.

Nathan Literick opened the scoring for The Stiffs only for Chris Parfitt to level the match at the break. Chris Parfitt then knocked in his second to give the visitors the lead and it was not long before Gavin Parfitt got his name on the score sheet, grabbing two goals to give Mere a 4-1 lead. Peter Ross scored a second for The Stiffs, but it was too little, too late.