PAUL Shanley has emphatically rejected any suggestion that Bradford Town already have the Toolstation League First Division title as good as sewn up.

Shanley’s men moved 14 points clear at the top of the table as they buried manager-less bottom side Portishead Town under an avalanche of goals on Tuesday night.

Sam Jordan, who failed to find the net in Saturday’s 3-0 derby success at Devizes Town, plundered his ninth hat-trick of the season in the 11-1 hammering to take his remarkable tally to 44.

Dan King, who scored twice at Devizes, also weighed in with a hat-trick and Saturday’s other scorer Steve Hulbert netted again, the others coming from Tom Evans, Nick Ridout, Beau Blakeman and Liam Milburn.

Shanley’s side have scored a staggering 71 goals in 17 league matches, but the manager has dismissed suggestions from other quarters that the title is in the bag.

“There’s a long way to go and I know from previous seasons that teams to have blips and bad runs, so we’ll be keeping our feet on the ground,’’ he said.

“Hopefully we can stay injury and suspension free and just keep doing what we have been doing.

“I was delighted with the lads on Tuesday, they did exceptionally well because it’s not easy to stay focussed when you are 7-0 up at half time.

Bradford travel to neighbours Trowbridge Town in the Wiltshire Senior Cup tomorrow (2pm). Tom Welch is suspended and Shanley has injury concerns over several others.

Westbury United chief Matt Bown reckons his side’s display in Saturday’s 1-1 derby draw at Calne was as good as he’s seen from his squad during his time in charge.

The visitors were awarded a penalty just before the half-hour mark, Nathan Hallett being fouled by the Lilywhites’ Mark Dolman.

Lee Salter, who had scored twice from the spot against Corsham two weeks earlier, hit the post with this effort.

Seven minutes after half-time, Joe Murray was adjudged to have been fouled by Calne’s Marcus Lovesey.

Salter’s kick was saved by Calne keeper Jamie Bartlett, but he buried the rebound.

Calne levelled on 84 minutes as Tom Slater slotted home.

Bown said: “It was heart-in-mouth time when Lee missed the second penalty, but he tucked the rebound away.

“We played ever so well and thoroughly deserved our point.’’

Corsham Town boss Trevor Rawlings concedes it’s a bit of a struggle at the Southbank at the moment – but has urged his squad to stick together.

Town have been beset by injuries and suspensions, while Rawlings has found it difficult to bring in the new faces he desires.

Matters weren’t helped by Dan Lardner upping sticks to join Wootton Bassett Town late last week.

Rawlings, who should have Matt Windle and Nick Holton back for Saturday’s Wiltshire Senior Cup trip to Mere (2pm), said: “We’re just trying to get sides out at the moment.

“It’s hard to get people in. They’re happy to sit on the bench and pick up some money, which we’re not offering.

“I’m still hoping to get one or two in before Saturday but it’s a bit of a struggle.

“We’ve got to try to stick to together and wait for people to come back from injuries and suspensions.’’

Matty Peters scored twice for the home side, with Danny Golden and Lee Gale completing Wincanton’s 2-1 triumph after Ryan Tyrell had made it 1-1 for Corsham.

Melksham goalkeeper Rob Brown debuted as Warminster Town were edged out 2-1 at Chard on Saturday.

The visitors, again led by chairman Pete Russell as the hunt for a new manager goes on, fell behind as Chard’s Jamie Underwood had space on the edge of the box to fire home.

Nathan Glass had Warminster’s only chance of the opening period turned around a post by goalkeeper Jason Hutchins and they fell further behind when the defence didn’t deal with a corner and Sam Clark tucked home from close range.

Lewis Graham went close for the visitors in the second period and they halved the deficit with just under 20 minutes to go.

Sam Worsfold’s run ended with a pass to Jack Miluk and he crossed for Sam Clift to find the net with a header.

Darren Perrin insisted he – not his players – should shoulder the blame for Melksham Town's 5-1 defeat by Bristol Manor Farm at The Conigre on Monday night.

Perrin made six changes from the side that defeated Sherborne Town 4-2 48 hours earlier on Saturday, but the third-placed visitors scored two early goals to set up their ultimately comfortable-looking victory.

The Town chief held his hands up to the selection and tactical errors he believes contributed to his side’s downfall.

“Sometimes you analyse how players perform, but you have to analyse how you do too and most of the blame should be directed at me,’’ he said.

“We had a good win – a very important win – on Saturday, but the ground (on Monday) was very heavy so I utilised the squad and made the changes. We also went with three up front, which was an error from me because we got overrun in midfield.

“The players have done fantastic, but I just have to say that tactically, I got it wrong.’’

Tom Robinson, an own goal, Shaun Benison and Gary Higdon struck to see off Sherborne at the weekend, although Higdon is a doubt for Saturday’s Wiltshire Senior Cup trip to Shrewton United with a groin problem.

Perrin added: “We want to retain the trophy (they won last season), but this is a banana skin tie against a team top of the Wiltshire League.’’

Trowbridge Town have suffered another injury blow after midfielder Ian Groves was discovered to have broken a vertebrae in his neck.

Groves suffered the injury before the 2-0 home defeat by Southbrook on November 2 and boss Mike Alford said: “The injury was only discovered after the pain forced him off at half time. (He) will be out for 6-8 weeks.

The Bees, whose Wiltshire League Premier Division clash with FC Chippenham Youth was postponed because Woodmarsh was waterlogged on Saturday, have lost Paul Gittins for the season with a broken leg and Dan Barnett (fractured ankle).

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