Freshford United FC 2 Semington Magpies FC 0
VINTAGE BIRLESON HELPS UNITED SEE OFF MAGPIES
The top two sides in the Gooding Accounts Ltd sponsored-Trowbridge & District Football League, Second Division, went head-to-head at Brown’s Park, Freshford where Chirs Birleson’s table toppers Freshford United hosted Neil Taylor’s Semington Magpies side who started the day 6 points and 1 match adrift of the villagers.
In what was a keenly contested battle between the division’s top two sides, it was Freshford who thanks to a Player of the Match performance between the posts from the hosts manager Chris Birleson and the woodwork and two second half goals the hosts overcame their guests to claim a 2-0 triumph which has put them in the driving seat for a return back to Division one as champions of Division two.
Tyler Dagger struck the bar for Magpies in the first half and with Birleson rolling back the years with a couple of great saves the score line remained goalless at half time.
Matt Bond eventually made the breakthrough for Freshford who despite Magpies pushing for an equaliser held onto their lead as the woodwork denied Harvey Frisby what would have been a deserved equaliser.
Chris Birleson was having a fine match in goal for the leaders and his efforts were rewarded when Reece Mortimer bagged his thirteenth goal of the campaign to seal what was a hard fought for but all important 3 points as them stretched their lead at the summit to 9 points.
Aces FC 6 Calne Eagles FC 2
LATE STARTERS ACES HIT TOP FORM AT HOME
Having suffered a 1-0 loss in their last outing away at Freshford United, Calne Eagles would have been looking for a return to winning way from their visit to Aces FC who are the most unpredictable teams in the division. With Calne Eagles and the match referee turning up for a 2.00pm kick off, Aces couldn’t have picked up the memo as the match eventually got underway at 2.30.
Despite the later than expected start it was Calne who actually took the lead courtesy of Ewan McConnichie, however Aces weren’t behind for long and once Mike Little got them back on level terms, the Bath based side ran riot as they ran away with the remainder of a half that saw them take a 4-1 lead, Ryan Gumm, Marc Harewood and Alfie Little from the penalty spot doing the damage.
A second from Marc Harewood extended Aces lead after the break and although Connor Mizen scored a second for Eagles it was nothing more than a consolation as Lewis Baldwin added a sixth for the hosts to wrap up was a fine but belated win for Aces.
The Stiffs FC 2 Holt FC 2
STIFFS FIGHTBACK TO CLAIM SHARE OF POINTS
With, Semington Magpies suffering defeat away at table toppers Freshford United, 2-2 draw for The Stiffs at home to Holt FC saw them move into second spot on level points with Semington and Hilperton Greyhound but with a better goal difference.
At half time things didn’t look that good for the Stiffs as they found themselves trailing 2-0 to goals from Matt Goodwill who scored after 9 minutes and Alfie Propert who after being set up by Jordan Smith doubled the lead on 37 minutes.
If Holt had the better of the first 45 minutes, the second half saw The Stiffs turn things around with two goals of their own to claim a share of the points. Luke Saunderson cut the arrears for the hosts before Jake Davies netted a 71st minute penalty to earn Stiffs a draw.
Fixtures For Saturday 2nd December 2023
Bishops Cannings Reserves FC v Holt FC; Calne Eagles FC v South Newton & Barford Hornets FC; Freshford United FC v Aces FC; Staverton Rangers FC v Hilperton Greyhound FC; Trowbridge Town Tigers FC v Dilton Marsh Wanderers FC. Matches Kick-Off @ 2.00pm unless stated otherwise.