KNOCKOUT CUP: Freshford United v Seend United: Freshford played hosts to Seend United in the Quarter Final of the Chantry Digital Limited of Trowbridge sponsored Knockout Cup and had the perfect first half leading 3-1 at the interval with goals from Mark Birleson (2) and Phil Little.

John Hubbard getting Seend’s goal. The second period saw Freshford increase the lead to 4-1 as Mark Birleson scored to complete his hat trick.

Not to miss out on the scoring act Dave Birleson then added a goal to make it 5-1 and a Semi Final spot every closer. With time running out Seend burst into life and made it 5-2 through a goal from Stephen Burns and with the celebrations just over, it then became 5-3 as Ben Grinham scored to set up a breath taking last 10 minutes.

Seend kept on pushing and pulled it back to 5-4 as Burns scored his second goal of the match.

With only one team looking like they were going to score Freshford’ s beleaguered defence managed to hold on for the win and will now play Steeple Ashton in the Semi Final.

North Bradley AFC v Steeple Ashton: North Bradley AFC played hosts to Steeple Ashton and with the game slow to get going it was North Bradley who had the first effort on goal, but it was wasted as Matt Coles shoots over from 25 yards.

Bradley continue to push forward but still couldn’t make the break through. By now the midfields of both sides were taking control of the match and play was beginning to be stifled, however on 32 minutes a cross from Ashton’s Marc Sheppard is met with some power by Dan Martin who heads home for his first goal for the club, 1-0 to Ashton.

The second period saw both midfields dominate again and saw goal chances few and far between. With ten minutes left Ashton secure the victory and a place in the Semi Finals as George Mortimer nets from close range when his shot takes a bobble leaving the keeper no chance.

Westbury United ‘A’ v The Deverills: A fine spring day, pitched Division One basement boys Westbury United ‘A’ against mid table The Deverills FC in the quarter final of this year’s Knock Out cup.

With both sides out of the A&B cup and Seend seemingly running away with the league, this was both teams best chance of silverware this season.

Deverills manager Angus McLellan was away on a scouting trip in Dubai, so team selection was left to team captain Aaron Stevens and currently sidelined star defender Matty Carpenter.

Early pressure from The Deverills and the lion’s share of possession saw Westbury limited to one effort in the first 20 minutes, with Payne nearly breaking the offside trap on 2 occasions only to be flagged offside as he was racing through on goal.

The Deverills left wing combination of Mark Davies and Lee Carpenter was proving dangerous as both players were linking well with the strikers, but the final ball was just not happening, another interchange saw Carpenter fouled and Gary Lewis delivered a teasing free-kick which was just nicked away by the Utd defender.

Westbury were offering little threat, long balls were being gobbled up by Scott Galazi and Adam Lewis at the back with the only danger coming from long range efforts.

The Deverills were getting closer as their passes in the final third started creating better openings, Aaron Stevens played in Gary Lewis, who’s first time shot was well saved by the Westbury Keeper, he was again called in to action as Sean Holton played in Mikey Payne on the right, who’s lob was well saved again. Westbury then had their first clear opportunity as a mix up between Donaldson and Stevens gave their striker a clean shot on goal, but this was well saved by Scott Lewis.

The Deverills pressure finally paid off, Lee Carpenter showed great pace to beat the full back down the left, and his early delivery picked out Gary Lewis, who finished low to the keepers left with a trademark clinical strike to give The Deverills a 0-1 advantage at half time.

The second period saw the Deverills fail to extend their advantage, Galazi and Bunyard both narrowly missing the target with opportunities.

Lee Carpenter then scampered his way through the United defence but failed to score with only the keeper to beat. Westbury were still in the game at 0-1 and equalised with a simple goal, a long ball was allowed to bounce and Dave Castle nipped in between the onrushing Deverills keeper to finish well and lift the crowd. Stand in gaffer Matty Carpenter looked to shuffle his side, planning to withdraw Holton, who seemingly heard his number, as a great strong run from Lewis picked out Holton, who slammed home for his 5th goal of the season restoring The Deverills lead and shelving Carpenters plans to withdraw the player.

Bunyard then capitalised on a defence blunder as he was let in by a Westbury defender who then in an attempt to rectify his mistake upended the blonde dynamo giving away a penalty.

Up Stepped Mike Payne and he duly despatched the kick for his 17th goal of the season.

With the game over, Carpenter looked to shut up shop bringing on the defensive Fellowes for Holton. Fellowes nearly scored with his first touch, Lewis delivered a great ball in from the left, but Fellowes just failed to connect with the goal at his mercy.

Carpenter made his final move of the game, introducing fresh legs up front with Hargreaves and Sprangle on for Payne and Gary Lewis. The game finished 3-1 with The Deverills progressing to the semi finals.

SPRING CUP

Westwood Saturday FC v The Stiffs: This Quarter final of the AM Print and Copy of Westbury sponsored Spring Cup saw strugglers The Stiffs travel to Westwood Saturday FC. The first period saw chances spurned by both sides as defences came out on top and at halftime it was still 0-0.

The second half saw The Stiffs start the better and on 65 minutes they had taken a deserved lead through a goal from Phil Lewis. With twelve minutes of the match remaining a bizarre goal saw Westwood back on level terms, under no pressure a Stiffs back pass caught their goalkeeper unawares and he miss hits the ball which spooned up and backwards into his net, despite his vain effort to try stop the ball.

With their spirits lifted Westwood went in search of a winning goal, which they scored with seven minutes left through Duncan Frew.