Tuesday 17th August 2021 – Division One Review
Grassroots football is truly back with a bang as a busy week in The Trowbridge Windows and Conservatories sponsored Trowbridge and District league saw most teams playing two games over the week with plenty of goals and excitement and league tables beginning to take shape.
Hilperton Second Win On The Bounce
After opening the season with a thumping 8-0 victory over Freshford United early Trowbridge Windows and Conservatories sponsored Division One leaders Hilperton United followed that victory up with a 5-1 Tuesday night success away at Semington Magpies.
Hilperton put pressure on their hosts from the start and only a number of fine saves from Magpie’s keeper Gary Clements kept the score at 0-0. The deadlock was broken on 15 minutes when Clements was unable to keep out an excellent strike from Joey Cunningham.
Magpies may have been down, but restored parity on 25 minutes with Alfie Little making it 1-apiece. The host’s joy was short-lived as just a few minutes later Hilperton regained the lead courtesy of a second of the evening from Joey
Cunningham.
Hilperton had chances to increase their lead before half time, but a combination of good defending and poor finishing kept the score at 2-1, however they visitors went into the break feeling very aggrieved as they had what looked like a nailed-on penalty appeal turned down.
The second half started with Magpies on the front foot without failing to trouble Hilperton keeper Kierran Ramsey while at the other end of the pitch the visitors wasted a great chance to add a third, however on 57 minutes and after hitting the post, Jake Samuel turned the ball home from close range to make it 3-1.
Hilperton then killed the game off with a fourth of the evening and a hat trick goal for Joey Cunningham who applied a great finish to an excellent team move when he fired home a sublime Liam Millburn cross on 63 minutes.
Hilperton extended their lead further with another quality finish which was started in their own half by Kyle Matthews who fed the ball forward where it finally arrived to Liam Millburn whose pinpoint cross picked out Rhys Fricker who it has to be said was lucky to be on the pitch after an earlier reckless challenge, but on the pitch he was and his delightful finish made it 5-1.
It maybe early days, but on the showing their first two outings Hilperton should be among the teams challenging for silverware come the end of the season. While Semington for whom it was a second straight loss can take a lot of positives from the game as they look to rebuild under new manager Andy Dyer after they almost called it a day prior to the start of the season.
High 5 For The Duke
The Duke FC collected their second straight victory in The Trowbridge Windows and Conservatories sponsored Division One with a 5 – 3 win against a spirited Freshford United team. Mark Lanfear opened the scoring for Freshford before Drew Adams levelled for The Duke.
Adams scored again to put The Duke ahead before Max Whittaker and Adams again, to complete his hat-trick made it 4- 1 putting The Duke in control. Freshford refused to lie down and came roaring back into the game with strikes from James Cox and Andrea Pintore to reduce the deficit to just one.
It proved to be just not enough thou as Mark Young popped up to score the fifth for The Duke to ensure they collected all the points to continue their perfect start to the season.
Westbury Edge 11 Goal Thriller
Westbury United Reserves staged a remarkable comeback to beat Warminster United 6 – 5 in this exciting Division One encounter. Losing 5 – 3 with just 20 minutes remaining Westbury rallied together to take all the points proving they are going to be very hard to beat this season. Louis Wilkins led the way for Westbury with a brilliant hat-trick with goals from Chris Steele, Hamza Radam and Tyler Gane completing the scoring.
New Comers Staverton Stutter
Heytesbury United started their season with an excellent 3 – 0 win against Division One newcomers Staverton Rangers. After a goal-less first half Callum Hotine opened the scoring heading home a Myles Woodward cross. Hotine repeated his feat two minutes later, this time nodding home a cross from Adi Vintileanu.
Adam Casserly completed the scoring rounding the keeper and scoring from 18 yards in the 61st minute.