Penalty joy for Icons in KO Cup

Chippenham Icons who had already claimed the scalps of FC North Wiltshire and New Inn Wacker, hosted first division Sutton Benger looking to cause another AM Print & Copy sponsored Knockout Cup upset and the second division newcomers duly obliged as a 5-4 penalty success saw them book a semi-final spot. A Carl Johnson own goal gave Icons a 1-0 interval lead which was cancelled out by Craig Askew’s late equaliser to take the game to extra time where neither team could conjure up a winner. With both teams missing a penalty from their first five it was Icons who kept their cool in sudden death as successful kicks from Matt Hooper, Adam O’Keefe, Danny Baker, Clinton Hartley and Rich Hudson saw Icons home.

Semington FC suffered a 6-0 defeat at home to FC Lacock who proved too strong for their fellow top flight opponents. Josh Hard had a match to remember as he bagged himself a four-timer, Josh Bright and Aaron Masson added the others.

Having squeezed past second division leaders Royal Oak in the previous round, Cup holders Box Rovers faced a tricky quarter-final tie at top flight rivals Westbury Rangers, but Rovers kept their cup defence on track with a 5-1 win. Adam Shipman and James Gardner put Box 2-0 up at the break. A second for Shipman made it 3-0. Mark Young’s 64th minute effort threw Rangers a lifeline which didn’t last long as a quick-fire double for Darrin Moss sealed Rovers spot in the last four.

Second division, FC Devizes United booked themselves a quarter-final meeting with Bath Road FC after getting the better of premier division opponents AFC Melksham. With both defences on top throughout most of the tie, it took Dan Skinner’s second half effort to win it for Devizes.

Menghini puts Wacker on course for semis

With two of this seasons four Westernsport Trophies – sponsored WG Parr Trophy semi-final places already decided, First division stablemates Kingfisher and New Inn Wacker met in their First Round – First Leg encounter and it will be New Inn who will be favourites to progress after beating their guests 4-0. New Inn led 2-0 at the break, Emilio Menghini scoring both, the second being a sublime strike. Menghini completed his hat trick and Luke Whittard’s single put the visitors in the driving seat.

North Star extend lead at the top

With New Inn Wacker in WG Parr Trophy action and Lion & Fiddle dropping points, Calne based North Star Club’s nail-biting 4-3 triumph over Old Road saw them extend the lead at the top of the Shoestrings-chargrill Chippenham Sunday League, First Division. Aaron Clegg saw his opener for North Star cancelled out by Louis Hoof. Ben Tylee regained the lead for the Star prior to half time and his second of the game saw them lead 3-1. Seamus Mooney narrowed the gap for a second time only for Tylee’s hat trick goal to double it once more. A late Zak Sallows penalty made things interesting, but Star were able to see out time to claim maximum points.

Biddestone who face Sporting Box again in a couple of weeks will head into that game full of confidence and already with a 4-1 triumph to their names as they proved too strong for their opponents in the home clash. Keenan Burnell, a Gino De Antonis own goal and a double on his debut for Louis Harris his second a spectacular 25 yard effort made it 4-0 before Lee Grelish claimed a consolation for Sporting Box.

Poor finishing, coupled with and excellent display from The Foresters Arms keeper Dave Butler saw Lion & Fiddle drop their first points of the season after they were held to a 2-2 draw by their hosts at a very boggy Bowerhill. Conner McKay scored both goals for the visitors to take his tally to 25 for the season. Jim Sandiford and a late Ian Dowell effort earned Foresters their share of the spoils.

With their pitch at the Beeches unplayable, Westbury Railway switched their game with FC Libby to Leighton Sports Centre, Westbury and a 5-1 victory saw their efforts in getting the game played rewarded. Steve Jackson scored the first two goals for the Railway men, Drew Adams made it 3-0 and a 30 yard thunderbolt from Frankie McEntegart took it to 4-0 before Shaun Heathcote fire home the rebound after he had a penalty saved for Libby. Drew Adams completed the scoring after the break with his second of the morning.

Flawless Royal Oak make it 13 on the spin

Division Two leaders Royal Oak put their 100% record on the line when they entertained second place Lavis FC at Sandfield and despite it being their thirteenth league outing of the campaign it wasn’t to prove unlucky as the hosts coasted to a 6-1 success. Leading 4-0 at the interval courtesy of 2 goals apiece from Rob Mitchell and Paul Tandy, they stretched their lead when Tandy completed his hat trick. Bradley Edwards pulled a goal back for Lavis before Ashley Poms scored a stunning own goal for the leaders sixth of the game.

Over at Bromham, it was the battle of the basement sides as bottom of the table Misfits hosted a Steeple Ashton who are just above them in the standings and having conceded nearly 150 goals between them while on scoring 18, the least likely outcome would have been a goalless draw, however that is exactly what happened as neither team could bag a winner. For Misfits it was their first point of the season.

A 2-1 victory for Spratak Rudloe over Wednesday Warriors saw them avenge their 3-2 from October. After a goalless first period, Mark Wallis gave Warriors the lead, Andy Woods restored parity for Spartak and a second from Woods earned them all 3 points.

Bremhill unable to claim Sunday Cup upset

At the third time of asking Bremhill View got to play their delayed Wiltshire Sunday Cup tie against back-to-back cup winners Tidworth Town from the Andover Sunday League who had to overcome a 2-1 half time deficit against a spirited Bremhill outfit before claiming a 5-2 win. Jake Taylor scored both goals for the Chippenham league outfit.

Results For Sunday 5th January 2020

Shoestrings-chargrill, Chippenham Sunday League: Premier Division, Faded v Bromham A/W; Worton & Cheverell v Bath Road H/W.

Division One, Biddestone 4, Sporting Box 1; Lion & Fiddle 2, Foresters Arms 2; North Star 4, Old Road 3; Westbury Railway 5, FC Libby 1.

Division Two, FC Trowbridge v Pack Horse A/W; Misfits 0, Steeple Ashton 0; Royal Oak 6, Lavis FC 1; Spartak Rudloe 2, Wednesday Warriors 1.

Knockout Cup (sponsored by A M Print & Copy) Second Round, FC Devizes Utd 1, AFC Melksham 0; Quarter-Finals, Semington 0, FC Lacock 6; Sutton Benger 5, Chippenham Icons 6 aet&penalties; Westbury Rangers 1, Box Rovers 5.

WG Parr Trophy (sponsored by Westernsport Trophies) First Round – First Leg; Kingfisher 0, New Inn Wacker 4.

Wiltshire Sunday Cup, Third Round, Tidworth Town 5, Bremhill View 2.

Fixtures For Sunday 12th January 2020

Shoestrings-chargrill, Chippenham Sunday League: Premier Division, FC North Wiltshire v Bath Road, Semington v Faded, Westbury Rangers v AFC Melksham.

Division One, Biddestone v North Star, FC Libby v Kingfisher, Sporting Box v Foresters Arms, Sutton Benger v Westbury Railway.

Division Two, FC Devizes Utd v Lavis FC, London Road Inn v Chippenham Icons, Pack Horse v Misfits FC, Royal Oak v FC Trowbridge, Steeple Ashton v Spartak Rudloe, Wednesday Warriors v Bremhill View.

Wiltshire Sunday Cup, Third Round, Bulford WMC v FC Lacock, Box Rovers v New Inn Wacker, Bromham v Halfway House, Lion & Fiddle v West Harnham, Old Road FC v Worton & Cheverell.