FROME Town Sports are through to the second round of the Trowbridge League Chantry Digital Ltd-sponsored Knockout Cup after an extra-time victory over Freshford United.

Freshford were without their first choice goalkeeper James Moody and Russell Stritch bravely volunteered to wear the gloves.

In an excellent cup-tie between two very well matched sides, Frome took the lead just before the interval through Dale Rowland, but Freshford reorganised at half-time and equalised soon after the break through Mark Birleson and then took the lead with a neatly executed free kick from Paul Mockridge, which was tucked away by Dave Birleson.

Freshford seemed to be coasting to victory when Paul Bendall equalised to make it 2-2 at the end of normal time. In extra-time Frome proved to be the fitter side and went 4-2 ahead, with goals from Ian Kennedy and a second from Rowland, before Paul Mockridge pulled one back for Freshford. United then went all out for an equaliser but could not deny the visitors their 4-3 victory.

Bradford United's inability to convert their chances nearly cost them dear yet again in their Chantry Digital Ltd-sponsored Knockout Cup first round match against Lavington.

Despite dominating play throughout they missed three easy chances in the first 30 minutes before Lavington took the lead through Myles Hickton with their first real attempt on goal.

Bradford eventually equalised with a lucky strike from Jack Bottomley but it was not until two minutes from the end of extra-time that a rasping shot from Simon Morris gave them the victory.

Seend United scored through Chris Styles but it was not enough to see off North Bradley Saints who scored twice to go through 2-1.

Semington Magpies more than matched AFC Trowbridge Town Youth Reserves for the first 45 minutes with neither team creating many chances. Trowbridge scored early in the second half when Lee Heyward ran on to a long ball played over the top and beat the Semington goalkeeper.

Magpies battled on but Trowbridge's extra fitness was too much for Semington and they scored two late goals, through Sam Meredith and James Vince, to put the game out of reach of the village side .

St Andrews and Heytesbury fought out a ten-goal thriller, which saw six goals scored in the first half. Tom Colla (2) and Harry Brooks scored for St Andrews, with Steve Wyatt, Jason Greatley and Nick Bungay replying for Heytesbury.

The second half saw Heytesbury score three more through a hat-trick from new signing Adam White. Ed Zedlewski scored for St Andrews to give a final score of 6-4 to Heytesbury.

AFC Trowbridge Wanderers matched their First Division opponents FC Northbridge all the way to extra-time, which eventually saw FC Northbridge go through to the next round thanks to an Ian Huntley goal.

First Division class told as the Deverills beat FC Chippenham Reserves 4-2.

Ross Twicken and Aaron Donaldson scored the first half goals for The Deverills, with Speare replying for FC Chippenham. The second half saw The Deverills double their goal tally with strikes from Aaron Stevens and Lee Carpenter and Luke Turvey scored Chippenham's second.

Division Two

MIDTABLE Bratton and second placed Steeple Ashton shared the points in a 2-2 draw.

Ashton opened the scoring from a Lee Frisby corner, with Bratton's stand-in goalkeeper Kev Belchin credited with an own goal after fumbling the ball into the net. James Sweetman struck a 20 yarder for Bratton's equaliser to make sure that it was all-square at half-time.

The second half saw Bratton awarded a penalty. Dan Cox's spot kicked saved by the Ashton goalkeeper only for Dave Jenks to pounce on the rebound and score. Nathan Holloway scored late on to tie the match for a second time.

The Lamb Inn condemned Frome Town Sports A to their seventh defeat of the season in a seven-goal thriller. Kevin O'Conner and Mark Billett scored The Lamb's first half goals with Frome Town replying once. The second half finished even with both teams scoring two each, Sean Daniels and Damien Hartley netting for The Lamb.

A well played game between Hilperton United and Westbury United A saw two evenly matched teams battle it out. Westbury took a 3-0 lead into the break, with Matthew Friendship and Tim Coombes (2) scoring their goals. Credit to Hilperton in the second half as their heads never dropped even after going 4-0 down to an Ian Jefferies strike. They fought back, with goals from Sam Simpson and a penalty from Leigh Ovens giving them the better of the second half.

Division Three

THE Eleven Statues beat The Stiffs 6-4 in a goal scoring festival.

The half time score was 4-4, with second placed Statues scoring through Phil Webberley, Jason Power (2) and Dan Walker and fourth placed The Stiffs replying with goals from Jason Richards (2), Keith Stevenson and Nathan Litterick. The Eleven Statues wrapped up the points thanks to two second half goals from Richard Hudson.

Cross Keys Rowde put seven goals past Calne Eagles. Jamie Mullens, Matthew Stevens and Darren Morris scored Rowde's first half goals, with Alfie Archer scoring for Calne. The second half saw Matthew Stevens complete his hat-trick and Jamie Mullens and Darren Morris score their seconds. Stuart Field doubled the Eagles' scoreline.

Two of the league's new boys met, with Mere Town taking a 2-0 half-time lead against Melksham Park.

The second half saw a further six goals scored, all for Mere to give them an 8-0 victory. Their goal scorers were Chris Parfitt (3), Gavin Parfitt (2), Sean Snook, Dave Martin and Chris Sheppard.