Chippenham & District Sunday Football League last update 31 August 2008

As teams from the Robson Taylor, Chippenham League prepared to kick off the 43rd season, the opening days fixtures were almost thrown into turmoil as high number the planned 30 fixtures came under threat of postponement due to pitches not being ready for the big kick-off day despite plenty of notice, and only the quick thinking of club officials saved the day as all but two matches, were lost with one of those being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. From the 28 matches that took place their were a number of captivating results which included Foresters Arms 3-1 victory away at local rivals Cooper Avon and Maud Heath Sports 2-1 success at home to Westbury Rangers A. On a day of sunshine and showers 180 goals were scored with AFC Melksham leading the way with 18 and Hullavington’s Ed Wilkins taking the individual scoring honours with seven of his teams 11 in their win over Christian Malford.
 

Three time defending Robson Taylor, Chippenham League premier division champions Corsham Centre A under the guidance of new manager Martin Bradfield got the new season underway with a 3-1 success away at Holt who were the team they defeated on the final day of the last campaign that saw them clinch a third top flight title on the spin. The Centre who have seen a number of players depart over the summer were as clinical as ever and had it not been for Holt’s keeper Nick Corbett the scoreline would have been a lot more convincing. Corbett was outstanding and instrumental in keeping the visitors to Holt at bay until the 44th minute when the deadlock was broken by Shane Godsell. James Lye doubled the Centre’s lead and James Cauldwell made the game safe with number three before Alex Pollitt drove home a deserved consolation for the home team after persistency from Phil Miller saw him rob a defender before crossing for Pollitt who fired home from 12 yards.

Bradford based Dog & Fox Ashley are the early leaders of the top flight courtesy of their 7-0 victory away at Miller Sports who are one of the sides who are expected to struggle this season. Dave Appleyard had the perfect debut for the Dog & Fox as he put them ahead after just eight minutes wit ha great strike which saw him thump the ball home after cutting in from the left hand side. The Dog had to wait until the 45 minute before finding the net again and it was Steve Wickings who doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. The Dog had total control of the second half and had it not been for the woodwork which they hit five times would have hit double figures but they did more than enough to claim a convincing victory with goal number three being scored by Steve Roddy on 50 minutes. Wickings made it 4-0 on 60 minutes and a 25 yarder from Nick Ross five minutes later took it to 5-0. A fantastic free kick from Wickings in the 75th minutes saw him complete his hat trick and the scoring was completed by Roddy whose second of the game took the Dog to seventh heaven.

Last seasons runners up Biddestone Social and a new look Box Rovers battled out a five goal thriller which Danny Jones and Dan Lardner’s Biddestone edged 3-2 in a game that was a credit to all those involved and a great advert for the Sunday league. Biddestone who hosted the game at Yatton Road took the lead on 18 minutes when Kris Beasley flicked home a cross from Dan Lardner. Rovers restored parity on 37 minutes through Dan Harvey for whom it was his fist goal for the club. Biddestone regained the lead in the 51st minutes thanks to Danny Jones who poked the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. On the hour mark Biddestone took a two goal lead when Gary Banks deep cross was volleyed home by Lardner from 10 yards. Rovers got themselves back into the game after 71 minutes through Pete Tye, but although they fought bravely looking for what would have been a deserved equaliser they were unable to find a third goal and on this occasion had to settle for second best.

Newly promoted Ship FC defeated Winsley 5-1. Both sides had chances in the first period to open up a sizable lead with probably the better of them going the way of Winsley but Paul Ranger’s side trailed 1-0 at the break to a goal that was scored by Booker Woodford on seven minutes. Woodford had earlier missed two guilt edge chances which on both occasions had saw him set up by Toby Dawson. Woodford made amends for his first half calamities as he scored a second for the Ship at the start of the second half. Jamie Jordan’s single and a double from Toby Dawson wrapped up the win for the Ship while Neil Hannaford scored Winsley’s consolation.

A very depleted Westbury Rangers A outfit traveled to Calne where they faced Andy Townsend’s Maud Heath Sports side who had narrowly avoided the drop last season, but despite seeing many key players move away from the club in the close season came up trumps with a 2-1 success. Even through Rangers might have been under strength nothing should be taken away from the Sports who deserved their win. James Yates making his debut for the Sports gave them a 1-0 half time lead, which was doubled in the second period by Sports top scorer of last season Darren Holcombe. Rangers mounted a fight back but Chris Storey’s stunning reply was too little, too late and they had to settle for a surprise loss on the opening day.

Semington Rovers entertained their old adversaries FC Colerne at St Mary’s, Steeple Ashton and it was the hosts who were left celebrating victory after a late goal earned them a 2-1 win. Semington started the game with Allan Clarke between the sticks and it was his error that gifted Colerne their 35th minute equaliser which saw Craig Aitchison cancel out Matt Russell’s 15th minute effort. With the score line one apiece at the break Semington were forced into making a few unwanted changes to their side, injury forced goal scorer Russell to replace Clarke in goal and despite the replacement keeper being in place, Colerne never really tested the injured Russell as he dealt with everything that came his way. With full time looming and points looking as if they would be shared up popped Semington’s Kelvin Lockwood to fire home the 89th minute winner for the home side and get their second season in the top flight of to a winning start while the losers have now gone eight games without a victory.
                        

If you notice that your results or tables do not appear to be updated from the previous week (but other divisions have been updated) please press F5 on your keyboard this should refresh the page.