TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE

NORTH Bradley Saints fought back from a goal down to beat FC Northbridge 5-2 in their top of the table battle in Division One Northbridge made the entire early running against leaders Saints.

With a strong wind behind them, Northbridge went ahead in the fifth minute when Steve Jackson slammed home a neat flick-on by James Starr, and three minutes later an identical move gave Jackson the chance to double the score, but he was foiled by a smart save by the visiting keeper.

Further pressure from Northbridge saw a long-range lob from Starr headed off the line and a 35-yard screamer from Kye Leather fly just inches over the bar.

Saints fought back and after 20 minutes equalised when Scott Askew converted a low cross from the right, and almost immediately the same player put them ahead when he neatly finished off a crisp move.

In the second half Northbridge quickly drew level when Steve Jackson scored with a well placed effort in the 50th minute, but, only five minutes later Tom Pang restored the visitors' lead when he rolled the ball into an empty net after slack marking in the Northbridge defence.

This disheartened the home team and the Saints maintained the pressure to make the game safe with late goals from Askew, who completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute, and Richard Bliha added a fifth in the 88th minute.

Warminster Town Reserves' poor start to the season continued as they lost 3-0 at home to Blue Circle.

Cain Scott put the visitors 1-0 up with a 17th minute penalty, but they had to wait until the final four minutes to increase their lead, with Darren Maxwell scoring twice.

Champions Freshford, who are making a slow start to the defence of their crown, were held to a goal-less draw by Frome Town Sports.

Heytesbury finally kick-started their season into gear with an emphatic 6-0 win over The Deverills, who now ground-share with Heytesbury.

Steve Perkins (3), Andy Ridout (2) and Steve Bidgood shared the goals.

Division Two

THE midtable clash between Semington Magpies and St Andrews had all the characteristics of a 0-0 draw until the second half when Dudley Philpot scored the winner for St Andrews.

Steeple Ashton ran out 3-1 winners in their top of the table clash with Westbury United A.

Andy Goodenough (Westbury) and Guy Rowley (Ashton) scored in the first half before Steeple Ashton stepped up the pressure after the break and scored through Sam Stephens and George Mortimer.

Leaders AFC Trowbridge Town Youth Reserves had a comfortable 3-0 half-time against Bratton, with two goals from Pete Spong and one from Dan Crease.

Bratton hit back with three second half goals, but Trowbridge maintained their 100 per cent record as Lee Kennedy scored the winner.

Lavington kept up the pressure on Trowbridge Youth with a 4-0 win over newly promoted Trowbridge Wanderers.

All of Lavington's goals came in the second period through a Myles Hickton hat-trick and a single from Darren Gale.

Division Three

GOALS by Mark McGuire and Andy Donald gave Bradford Town A a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Melksham Park, whose reply came from Rob Jerries.

Bradford United Reserves went joint top of the table with a 3-1 win over The Eleven Statues.

After a goal-less first half, Simon Morris (2) and Scott McKinley scored for United, with Danny Walker replying.

An inspired team talk from player-manager Chris Penelhum saw The Trowbridge Ship claim their first points of the season with a 6-1 win over a strong FC Chippenham Reserves side.

Chippenham dominated the first half and scored through Warren Allison.

After the break, The Ship fought back bravely and Tom Barnett broke free to equalise.

Nigel Penelhum made it 2-1 and, although Chippenham battled hard, Paul Matthews smashed home a right foot shot to make it 3-1.

Steve Morris, who was introduced to the game after half-time, burst past the right back and slotted the ball across the area for Chris Penelhum to score the fourth.

Shortly after Chris Penelhum again was sent through with a pin-point through ball and he rounded the keeper and put the ball into the back of the empty net.

Five minutes later Nigel Penelhum beat the offside trap to finish the scoring with his fifth goal of the season.

Wilts Junior Cup

BRADFORD United beat league newcomers Mere Town 4-1.

But had Mere shown as much fight in the first half as they did in the second the result might have been in doubt to the end.

By half-time Bradford had established a comfortable four goal lead with strikes from Ryan Mortimer, Dan Alford, Mark Williams and Matt Shepherd.

Mere's extra efforts in the second 45 minutes were rewarded with a goal by Chris Parfitt, but it was too little, too late.