STORM DENNIS PROVES TOO BE A MENACE

A week after Storm Ciara decimated the fixture programme of the Shoestrings-chargrill Chippenham Sunday League, Storm Dennis proved to be more of a menace as only one of this Sunday’s scheduled 17 league and cup fixtures somehow beat the elements.

Eight days on from their 2-2 draw on the 3G pitch at Beversbrook and after seeing off everything Ciara threw at them, Division Two sides Steeple Ashton and London Road Inn squared up against each other fought out a 4-4 in what were dreadful conditions at St Mary’s.

Host’s Steeple Ashton took the lead through Aaron Burbidge, only for Harrison Wicks to restore parity for London Road with his first goal for the Chippenham based side.

Billy Wilkins-Pratt’s first goal for Ashton saw them regain the lead which was short lived as goals from Jamie Smith who broke his duck for the club and Patch Whitlock with his twelfth of the campaign put the visitors 3-2 up. With half time fast approaching an over hit back pass from Mark Smollens levelled things at three apiece.

With the conditions worsening as the rain continued to fall, Steeple Ashton got their noses back in front, thanks to a second of the morning from Aaron Burbidge, however Ashton had to settle a share of the spoils as David Mullins grabbed a late equaliser for London Road in a what that both teams will probably think shouldn’t have started, but once it did it was played in great spirit by the players and well refereed by Daniel Davis.

FIXTURES FOR SUNDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2020

Shoestrings-chargrill, Chippenham Sunday League: Premier Division, AFC Melksham v Faded FC, Bath Road v Bromham, Semington v FC Lacock, Westbury Rangers v Box Rovers; Division One, Kingfisher v Foresters Arms, Lion & Fiddle v North Star, New Inn Wacker v Sporting Box, Old Road v Biddestone; Division Two, Chippenham Icons v FC Devizes Utd; London Road Inn v Bremhill View, Pack Horse v Royal Oak, Spartak Rudloe v Misfits, Steeple Ashton v Wednesday Warriors.