BEN Hogg’s Holt side, who started the day as Division Three leaders, and title favourites White Horse FC put their unbeaten records on the line at Leighton Sports Centre in Westbury and it was the hosts who kept their 100 per cent record intact after they saw off their visitors with a 3-2 winning score line.
White Horse led through a Pete Ayton goal but they were unable to stay ahead as Holt who more than matched their hosts in the first half restored parity via a first of the game from Jed Osborne which took the teams into half time level at one-apiece.
After the break White Horse regained the lead courtesy of an Ayton penalty but back came Holt to square things up for a second time and like the first half equaliser it was Jed Osborne who found the net for the villagers.
White Horse then called on all their experience as they went in search of a winner and despite having plenty of chances to score a third they had to wait until the 75th minute before it arrived with Stuart Barber planting home their winner and stretch their winning run to seven matches.
For the losers, their first defeat of the season saw them drop down to second spot.
Trowbridge Rangers 1 Marshfield FC 2
WITH one eye on the changing weather conditions and with no changing facilities at their home ground at the Stallards, Trowbridge Rangers are to be commended for making a decision earlier in the week to move their game to their home of their opponents Marshfield where they had already suffered a 2-1 loss at the start of September.
It was a case of deja-vu for James Goddard’s side who suffered another 2-1 defeat, this in somewhat controversial fashion.
Rangers to the dismay of both themselves and Marshfield had Jake Cooper sent off early in the first half before Jeremy Bond gave the home team a 12th-minute lead.
The second half was shrouded in more controversy as Marshfield second goal which was scored by Andy Jefferies appeared to be scored from an offside position but was allowed to stand despite protests from Rangers.
Ben Forester pulled a goal back for Rangers, and although the had chances to get something from the game it proved little more than a consolation as Marshfield held on to take all three points from a game that was spoiled by a few debatable referring decissions.
United FC 5 The Lamb Reserves 2
THE match at Clarendon Academy between Trowbridge-based rivals United FC, who started the afternoon in second place, and The Lamb Reserves who were six places and 14 points below them at the start of play went to form but United had to work really hard for their 5-3 win which coupled with a defeat for Holt takes the Trowbridge-based side to the top of the table.
United were in a confident mood before the game as they started it in a new kit sponsored by Miroslaw Telej owner of the New Polish Deli in Trowbridge and their confidence would have been boosted when they took the lead following a good move involving Agim Ilijaz and Jakub Koman who provided the cross for top scorer Shavon Allen to finish superbly for 1-0.
United then sat back as they thought the game would be easy but although the hosts still created plenty of chances they didn’t expect Lamb to take the game to them which saw them equalise through Kieran Palmer. United reclaimed the lead via Jakub Koman but once again they switched off allowing Lamb to net a second with Adam Stevens scoring from the penalty spot to tie it at two-apiece.
The second half saw United make a change bring on Arkadiusz Jedrejewski and the substitute was on target almost immediately as he connected with a Shavon Allen cross to make it 3-2.
United then made another substation with Kamil Czerwonka coming off the bench which changed the game and with some excellent individual skills he scored two goals to earn United their 5-3 win.
Paul Smith was the Lamb’s other scorer in a game that saw them test their hosts' promotion credentials to the full.
Zeals FC 3 The Stiffs 3
AFTER edging a seven-goal thriller at The Stiffs back in September, Zeals were expecting another close encounter to match their previous 4-3 success when the teams locked horns in the return clash and the two teams didn’t disappoint as they shared six goals with the points being shared on this occasion as a late goal earned Zeals a 3-3 draw.
Goals from James Weeks and Jose Gualda put Zeals two-up but a spirited reply from the Stiffs saw goals for Adam Freeland and Dave Carroll get Ade Giles side back on level terms before the interval.
After the break Stiffs dominated proceedings and were denied by the woodwork three times and a strings of fines saves from the hosts keeper before Simeon Player put them ahead.
With time running out it was looking as if Stiffs trip to Zeals would reap them a much needed victory but with virtually the last kick of the game Ben Talbot snatched an equaliser for Zeals to leave Stiffs having to settle for a point in a game they looked odds on to win but left Zeals having drawn 3-3.
MATCH OFF: Polenez Westbury v Drummer Boy.
TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE ROUNDUP, STATS AND PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport and @WTSport
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here