Winsley take over at the top

Leaders Corsham Centre found themselves without a game when opponents Holt had to pull out due to a lack of players and Winsley took advantage to take the lead in the title race.

In a game that was a fine advert for the league, very competitive and played in the right spirit, Westbury made the brighter start and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when the Winsley goalkeeper collided with a forward.

Winsley took the lead on the quarter hour following good interplay between Dean Ranger and Ricky Hulbert, freeing Dan Kovacs to beat Lewis Porter from inside the box.

The same players combined again five minutes later for Kovacs to grab his second. And shortly afterwards the same trio combined to free Chris Birleson who placed his shot through the keeper's legs.

As the half drew to a close Marc Lanfear pulled a goal back for Westbury, running through a couple of challenges to finish well.

Winsley restored their advantage when a short free kick released Ricky Hulbert who turned and struck an unstoppable shot from 30 yards into the roof of the net for the best goal many have seen on a Sunday morning.

The second half was a completely different game, with Westbury totally dominant and restricting Winsley to breakaway attacks. Westbury clawed ever closer when Paul Smith pulled one back with a neat finish, then Lanfear, after wasted numerous clear cut chances to pull things back, ensured a tight finish by taking advantage of the modern offside law and raced through to finish as Winsley appealed for offside.

Winsley could have killed the game but Chris Tricker's flick went over the bar from close range with the goal at his mercy.

With Halloween only days away, third-placed Biddestone Social came up against a side possessed in the form of Spencer Sports. The Social side went ahead three times only for the Sports to pull it back and then finally get the better of the home side with an impressive 5-3 win.

James Eatough (2), Tim Knight (2) and Gary Hignett scored for Spencer Sports, with Dan Lardner (2) and Jamie Lyons replying for the home side.

There were goals aplenty in the game between Trowbridge Harriers and Box Rovers. On paper this could have appeared a basement battle, but it turned out to be a real thriller. In the first half Box went ahead three times only to find a resilient Harriers hit back with goals from Naseem Abourachid, Lee Frisby and Micky Spong.

With both sides level at the break it could have gone either way but Box seized the initiative and finally ran out 7-4 winners, with goals from Warren Jones (2), Tom Smith (2), Jamie Harrison, a first for the club from Andy Keogh and Sam Sibbick, for the third consecutive game. Harriers got their second half goal from substitute Cameron Henley.

After last week's Team of the Week' performance, Bradford News suffered a 7-2 defeat at Maud Heath Sports. The game was already beyond them at half-time, when they trailed 6-0, although they did make a fight of it in the second period. Sam Bliss came off the bench to score from close range and Russell Francis scored a good goal, but Maud Heath completed the scoring with their seventh goal despite losing one player through somewhat bizarre circumstances when a collision between two of the home team resulted in one leaving the field and another feeling groggy.' The home side's goals came from Matthew Waite (2), Chris King, Simon Hillier, Dave Herring and Graham Dean.

Mark Gerrish may have well thought that it was going to be one of those days when he missed a sitter in the first minute of the game for Dog and Fox Ashley in their game at Sherston Town, but he made amends for his early miss. Sherston were without a recognised goalkeeper so had to put top scorer Antony Vizzard between the sticks but this did not hinder them from taking the lead in the fifth minute through Gavin Thompson.

Jim Burbidge levelled soon after the Dog were forced to make a substitution when Steven Rose had to leave the field with an injury. This changed the game and Gerrish made up for earlier misses by finding the net twice before half-time. In the second period it was all one-way traffic as the Dog and Fox took control to score further goals through Mark Robinson, Danny Fowler, Russell Whatley, substitute Steve Roddy and another from Mark Gerrish to complete his hat-trick.

Division One

LEADERS FC Colerne were without a game so the chasing pack took full advantage and relegated them to fourth spot.

North Bradley moved up one place and took over top spot following their 3-1 win at Hullavington, with goals from Chris Gale (2) and Andy Colebrook. The home side got one back from Phil Garland.

Semington Rovers came away with the win when they visited Potterne FC on a warm Sunday morning. After 14 minutes Potterne went ahead when Peter Huntley's cross was knocked into the path of Ben House, whose first time strike found the back of the net. Semington drew level in the 30th minute when Stuart Barber turned after receiving the ball from Richard Allum and squeezed his shot between goalkeeper and post.

Kelvin Lockwood then put Semington ahead a minute into the second half when his attempt was palmed out by Potterne's James Down, only to bounce back into his path and his diving header gave Down no chance.

Semington Rovers extended their lead after 64 minutes when Kelvin Lockwood's looping header found Potterne goalkeeper Down off his line. Stuart Barber then slotted home Semington's fourth after great build-up play from deep in their own half. Stuart Barber completed his hat-trick and gave Semington Rovers a 5-1 victory with a well taken strike from seven yards in the 82nd minute.

In a match played in excellent spirit and which could have gone either way, Atworth came away with the points. Atworth certainly settled quicker and soon worried the Christian Malford defence. After seven minutes they took the lead following a corner when Ashley Wheeler headed home a ricochet off a colleague.

Malford were spurred into action and after 16 minutes Atworth goalkeeper Joe Menghini could only palm out a Chris Pitman cross to Paul Boorman who headed home. The play went from end to end after that but neither team could score before half-time.

In the second half Atworth again started strongly, although Malford had chances on the break. After 62 minutes Atworth took the lead when the Malford defence failed to clear a corner and Ross Menghini volleyed home from inside the area. Three minutes later Ashley Wheeler beat two defenders before shooting home an excellent individual goal to give Atworth a 3-1 lead.

In a match played in such a good spirit it was a shame that Malford's Ben Munns ended up being sent off for a second bookable offence of dissent.

Despite this Malford began to come back into the game. An excellent cross field ball from Declan Flood led to Chris Pitman volleying home for Malford after 87 minutes. However time ran out for Malford and Atworth came away with a 3-2 victory.

Chippenham Police continued their winless run but were unlucky to go down 3-0 to a spirited Foresters Arms. It was an even game with chances at both ends but Foresters Arms went 1-0 up before the break thanks to a Steve Peglar goal. Police nearly levelled just before half-time when Jason Roberts' 25-yard shot was pushed on to the bar by the Foresters' goalkeeper.

In the second half the Police again hit the woodwork with a James Parfitt free kick but the game was beyond them when a penalty was converted by Peglar to make it 2-0. Steve Peglar completed his hat-trick and put Foresters 3-0 up with 15 minutes left, but the police were again unlucky in front of goal when Nathan Beck screwed his shot the wrong side of the post at the end.

Kingfisher upset the form book and won a physical battle with Kings Arms (Trowbridge) 6-2. Paul Maddox and Marcus Young scored for Kingfisher in the first half only to see things levelled by Scott Askew and Tarick Yachou for the Trowbridge side at the break.

In the second half a penalty converted by Maddox and a further three for Young gave Kingfisher a win following the dismissal of Kings Arms stand-in goalkeeper Chris Carr.

North Star A moved up to second slot only one point behind the leaders following their 2-0 win over Chippenham Sports and Social. Goals from Ronny Kallmeier and Darren Legg were enough to seal victory against a Chippenham side who have now failed to score in their last two matches.

Division Two

THE top match in this division saw honours shared between second-placed Rowde FC and fourth-placed The Ship FC in an exciting 3-3 draw.

The Ship led 2-0 at half-time, through goals from Dave Percival, and increased their lead in the second half when a deflected Ashley Bennison free kick was knocked in by Daniel Crease. Rowde immediately hit back and gained the psychological advantage with a goal from Marcus Wallen. Jamie Mullings pulled the scores even closer before a Nathan Moffat penalty gave Rowde a deserved equaliser.

AFC Calne stayed top but only after the narrowest of victories over Southwick Sports. A single goal from Jason Matthews was enough to win it for Calne but they have goalkeeper Aaron Ward to thank for pulling off a string of excellent saves.

FC Bradford scored twice, with goals from Jason Harford and Steve Bryant, but it was not enough to prevent Biddestone Arms coming away with all the points. They only had two goal scorers, Andy Davis with five and Paul Dixon with a hat-trick in their 8-3 victory.

The Horse and Groom moved off the bottom for the first time this season following their 2-2 draw with Sutton Benger. Alex Lutskes and a bullet header from Rich Hunt, who scored for the second week running, were enough to give the Groom a sniff of victory before Benger equalised in the 85th minute.

Pig and Whistle United climbed one place to sixth following their 4-1 victory over Fascia Graphics. Gareth Evans gave the Whistle the lead but this was pegged back by Mark Smith before half-time. In the second half Pig and Whistle exerted their superiority to win by 4-1, with further goals from Evans to complete his hat-trick and one from Stephen Robinson.

Crown Devizes ran in five without reply to record their first win of the season against White Horse. Goals came from Gary Lavery (2), Chris Quinton, Mark Roberts and Darren Thorpe. The win moved the Crown team out of the bottom four but left White Horse propping up the table.

Division Three

TWO teams at the top of of the table met at The Beeches but it was the team who started in fourth who came out on top against the team in second.

It took until the 17th minute for AFC Pilot to start the scoring when a run from Chris Bishop resulted in a good finish from Greg Wilmot but only 10 minutes later Blue Circle replied to make it 1-1 with a goal from Garic Hopkins.

Circle took the lead with a good lob on 29 minutes from Neil Watts, but four minutes later a great 30 yard strike from Rob O'Harrow levelled it up and the teams went in 2-2 at half-time.

AFC Pilot came out a different team in the second half and after 47 minutes Mark James slotted home a good pass from Chris Bishop to restore Pilot's lead. Chris Bishop's tireless display was rewarded when he made it 4-2 after beating three players and slamming the ball home from 20 yards. Bishop got his second and Pilot's fifth after 80 minutes and in the 86th minute Rob O'Harrow got the best of the lot with a fine run and 25-yard finish. Pilot now go above Blue Circle in the table.

Somerford lived up to their village title of Great' with their performance against Chippenham United ROAB. With both sides at the wrong end of the division there was everything to play for and it was the villagers who emerged with pride restored.

A hat-trick from Alex Whitehall and singles from Scott Hattan, Phil Conrath and brothers Darren and Ben Clark, who scored his first goal for 10 years.

ROAB's goals came from Ben Smith (2) and Alan Woodward.

Sir Audley's Arms rushed to a three goal lead against Wheatsheaf only to see the visitors peg back two goals, one an absolute screamer from 40 yards by Terry Cox just before half-time which added to a Paul Taylor goal two minutes earlier. That was that for Wheatsheaf as Sir Audley's took control and ran out 7-2 winners. Goals came from Mark Nolan, who was making his debut, Dave Nolan, Luke Gullick, James McLaughlin (2) and Craig Manley (2).

Biddestone White Horse took points off of a team a few places above them in the table when they beat Corsham Park Rangers 3-1. White Horse went ahead after 10 minutes when Paul Clifford passed through to Tamlyn Goodrich who found the back net as you would expect from a player in a rich vein of form.

Clifford himself doubled their advantage in the second period and Goodrich scored his second and the team's third after Scott Fleming had missed a penalty. Rangers managed an 81st minute consolation goal through Chaz Young.

Shane Thornton got Cooper-Avon off to a good start against Pack Horse Rangers who got back into the game thanks to a Craig Doare lob over the keeper and at half-time things were still close, with the home side leading 2-1. After the break Cooper-Avon stepped up a gear and Pack Horse found the pace too hot eventually finishing up on the wrong end of a 6-1 defeat.

Cooper-Avon's other goals came from Simon Gillat (3), Paul Walker and a first goal for ten years for super-sub Jason Roach.

Leaders The Southgate Inn moved six points clear of second place with a convincing 7-1 win over Westbury Rangers B despite feeling a little sore headed after top scorer Dave Lloyd's wedding the day before.

Goals for the leaders came from Stuart Skinner (2), Nathan Sheridan (2), Jamie Gale, Stuart Beavan and Andy Coombes.

Division Four

THE Crown FC continued to put the pressure on the leading pack with a 3-2 win over rivals Chippenham West End Club.

Scorers were Dean Potter (2), and Nick Buckle. The win takes them above West End in the league.

AFC Melksham got back to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 win over the Churchill Arms. In large part the victory was thanks to a clean sheet and an outstanding debut performance in goal for the Melksham side by Shaun Bryant, who made some cracking saves.

AFC played some good football early on but it was close with both sides having chances. The first of the Melksham side's goals was scored by Steve Kew who profited from a good cross from Luke Ballinger to power his header past the goalkeeper at the far post.

The second goal came after Andy Harrison outfoxed the defence with some good dribbling and then smashed a shot which was pushed away by the goalkeeper only for Matt Russell to hit a cracking volley straight into the corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Churchill came out of the blocks well in the second half and pressed the visitors but a final nail was put in the coffin as Ashley Fletcher came off the bench to score his second goal of the season. This good performance from Melksham ensured that they pick up another two points to get their season back on track.

Little George ran out comfortable winners against a lacklustre Wanderers side who were missing three of their regular defenders. Three up at half-time, through a Nat Auckland brace and Tom Jones, Little George were allowed a bit of breathing space in the second half and extended their lead with an Alex Orledge goal. Things could have been worse for Wanderers had it not been for a string of fine saves from their goalkeeper Scott Carrick, especially from a Ben Husband penalty. Finally the Wanderers did put some play together and regained some respect with two goals from Damien and Domonic Shepherd.

In a game that could have gone either way, North Star B finally emerged victors in a closely contested 4-3 win over The Rising Sun. It took a last minute winner from Steve Barratt to finally sort this one out as the two sides had been neck-and-neck throughout.

The other goals for North Star came from Dave Lymath, Paul Herring and Simon Clifford, with Chris Walker, Julian Fielding and a debut goal from Shane Goodship making up the Risers' tally. Had Darren Folkard converted a twice taken penalty, things could have been a lot different.

AFC Bell could have gone top if they had protected their goal a little better in their away game against Corsham United. They gave away a 2-0 half-time advantage - both goals scored by Craig Townsend - and let the Corsham side back into it with goals from Alex Mitchell and Dean Hodges soon after the break.

Townsend completed his hat-trick and Adam Taylor added a fourth before once again they left the door open for Bradley Scott to score from the penalty spot. The Bell finally secured the points late on with a Chris Underwood goal.

A clinical volley from John Walters and a penalty from Peter Barby were not enough for to prevent Trowbridge Town Supporters' Club suffering an away defeat at the hands of Bromham (Sunday). The villagers have now discovered a run of consistency and won the match 4-2, thanks to goals from Danny Fennell (penalty), Sean Kingsbury, Kevin Hamersley and the prolific Freddie Paget.