Semington Magpies suffered a first defeat of the season in the Gooding Accounts Ltd sponsored-Trowbridge & District Football League, Second Division. Neil Taylor’s side were stunned by a Hilperton Greyhound side who may have ageing legs, but with experienced old heads, led by the ever youthful Matty Hall they fashioned a very impressive 4-1 win at Magpies, Little Marsh base.
Semington Magpies FC 1 Hilperton Greyhound FC 4
MAGPIES BEATEN BY ON SONG GREYHOUND SIDE
Hilperton Captain , Matty Hall, who was a rock in defence
Hilperton Greyhound made a blistering start to the game as they caught their hosts cold and led 1-0 after just 2 minutes though a Gavin Francis effort when he pounced with Magpies defence all at sea. Semington Magpies were almost back on level terms from the restart, Greyhound defender, Adam Stevens was caught ball watching and allowed the ball to bounce to Joe Whiteman whose effort from 25 yards rattled the visitors crossbar.
Greyhound had the chance to double their lead in the sixth minute, Gavin Francis beat his marker and thumped the ball against the bar from close range, when he really should have made it 2-0. It wasn’t long before Greyhound doubled their advantage, on 8 minutes, Josh Lewis fired a shot across the face of goal and it looked to be heading out of play before striking the inside of the post and ending up in the net beyond a bemused keeper Ben Fox.
Jamie Moth was next to try his luck for the visitors, but his long range effort failed to trouble, keeper Fox, at the other end Magpies had a half chance that fell to Cameron Curtis who could only find the side netting.
Midway through the half the woodwork came to Magpies rescue again, Josh Propert who had an excellent game, dribbled his way through the hosts defence, his final effort may not have been the best, but when the rebound fell to Ellis Farion, Greyhound were expecting to see the net bulge, but instead they were cursing their luck as Farion’s shot hit the upright.
Action from Semington Magpies vs Hilperton Greyhound
As the first half drew to a close Magpies had a couple of chances to half the deficit, with the best falling to the unmarked Jiordan Burrell Mendis who should have at least tested keeper Nick Mead from close range, but headed over from a good position.
Taking a 2-0 advantage into the second period, Greyhound were well aware that Magpies would throw everything at them as they looked for a way back into the game. The visitors withstood an early onslaught, however Darren Brewer’s side should have added a third on 52 minutes, Gavin Francis again went close to adding his second of the afternoon and only a goal line scramble kept it at 2-0 and this was after Ayman Rtabi saw his cross come back off the bar.
Five minutes later a brilliant touch by Francis saw him find Josh Propert whose effort hit the underside of the bar and despite looking as if it had crossed the line, the goal wasn’t given.
Greyhound didn’t have to wait long for goal number 3, and when it arrived it was a sublime finish from Ayman Rtabi who met Mason Latchem’s cross with a spectacular overhead finish to make it 3-0.
Semington Magpies had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 68th minute and on 70 minutes, Greyhound ended any hopes of a Magpies comeback when Josh Probert bagged himself a brilliant individual strike, having picked the ball up 40 yards from goal, he skipped passed a clutch of defenders before calmly dinking the ball over the advancing keeper and bundling the ball home for 4-0.
Greyhound were denied a clean sheet, when Nick Mead was beaten in the 77th minute by Mutsim Ibrahim, however despite Magpies having a few more half chances, the goal was little more than a consolation for the hosts who on the day had been beaten 4-1 by the better team and who the win was well deserved.
Semington Magpies (Black & White) suffer a 4-1 home defeat against Hilperton Greyhound (Black & Blue)
South Newton & Barford Hornets FC 1 Calne Eagles FC 5
EAGLES CLAIM FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN
A 5-1 victory for Calne Eagles FC away at fellow new boys South Newton & Barford Hornets FC saw them stretch winning start to the season to four matches and after Bradford Town Reserves 2-0 draw this afternoon, means that they are now the only team in the league with a 100% intact.
Calne Eagles who had according to assistant manager Tom Bull been due to injuries been struggling for numbers ahead of the game, but bull and manager Adam Moody as once Adam Welsh put them ahead they took control of the game and opening up a 3-0 lead by half time thanks to goals from Ewan McConnachie and Brett Cullen.
Karl Sharratt was on target for Eagles in the second half before the Hornets top scorer scored what was a consolation for the hosts. Eagles recent signing from FC Devizes United, Jack Angell scored on his debut to wrap up what was a comfortable win for the visitors ahead of their top of the table clash with The Stiffs at Beaversbrook this coming Saturday.
Freshford United FC 12 Staverton Rangers FC 6
LEADERS HIT STAVERTON FOR 12
Freshford United picked up a fifth win from their opening six fixtures of the season. For Chris Birleson’s side who started the day top of the table, the visit of basement side Staverton Rangers was seen as a David Vs Goliath battle and so it proved as Freshford bagged twelve unanswered goals to run out 12-0 winners that sees them maintain a 3 point gap over he chasing pack.
Freshford had the game won inside the opening 8 minutes as they raced to a 4-0 lead. Mark Maguire opened the scoring on 3 minutes, a minute later Ryan Muirhead made it 2-0. A second from Maguire on 6 minutes took the score to 3-0 and 2 minutes later Dan Birleson had the ball in the net for 4-0. Freshford had to wait until the 35th minute before scoring again and it was top scorer Reece Mortimer who fired home to give the hosts a 5-0 half time lead.
With the floodgates already open, Freshford continued their push for more goals after the break and on 59 minutes a first goal of the season made it 6-0. After that the goals came at regular intervals, Reece Mortimer and his second before his day Ryan scored, an own goal followed as did a second for Dan Birleson and a Conor Green effort before Reece Mortimer fired home his third and Freshford’s 12th of the afternoon late in the game.
Dilton Marsh Wanderers 1 Holt FC 4
DILTON SLUMP TO HOLT DEFEAT
It maybe early days, but Dilton Marsh Wanderers who were tipped to be among the teams challenging for honors come next April may well have after just 6 weeks of the campaign seen their challenge already come off the rails after they suffered an unexpected 4-1 home defeat to league newcomers Holt for whom their victory was their best to date.
Will Findell set Holt on their way, Kieron Plumer made it 2-0 and his second of the afternoon gave the visitors to the Land Warfare Centre a 3-0 half time lead.
Carl Ledbury clawed a goal back for Wanderers in the second half, which was a little more than a consolation as Joe Bakali-Laughton netted to wrap up an impressive 4-1 triumph for Nigel Tripp’s side.
The Stiffs FC 4 Bishops Cannings Reserves FC 0
STIFFS KEEP ANOTHER CLEAN SHEET
The Stiffs who thumped Aces FC 12-0 last weekend, made the most of their home comforts yet again as they consolidated second place in the standing, thanks to a 4-0 triumph over Bishops Cannings Reserves which could have three or four time greater had it not been for the heroics of Cannings keeper Keiran Willis who was exceptional along with the centre-half pairing of Christian Hendy and Steven House who played their part in keeping the score line respective.
Stiffs led 2-0 at the break through goals from David Russam who scored in the 4th minute after being set up by Hayden Glasson and Jake Davies who made it 2-0 on 14 minutes.
Jake Davies went from scorer to provider when he set Bradley Carter’s first goal for the club on his debut that it 3-0 just before the hour mark and a late Tom Wilkes goal created by Billy Wilkins-Pratt took it to 4-0 and sealed win number five of the season for The Stiffs who as well as scoring goals for fun have been very good defensively as this was their third clean sheet in five outings.
Trowbridge Town Tigers FC 1 Aces FC 7
TIGERS MAULED BY 7-GOAL SMART
After suffering a 12-0 hammering at the hands of The Stiffs last weekend, Mike Robbins took his beleaguered Aces side to a Trowbridge Town Tigers side who themselves after a promising start that saw them win their opening two games, have seen the wheels fall off their wagon in recent weeks, with back-to-back defeats ahead of the game.
For the Tigers, it would be fair to say they didn’t know which Aces side they would come up against, on this occasion it was a very good one and in particular they came up against a red hot Junior Smart who was on top form as he scored all SEVEN of Aces goals in their 7-1 triumph.
Aces found themselves 1-0 down to a Jamie Ford goal, but after that it was the Junior Smart show as he scored 4 first half goals before adding another 3 after the break to complete his own incredible performance to earn Aces a morale boosting win. For last season’s League Player of the Season, Smart it took his tally to nine in 3 matches.
Fixtures For Saturday 23rd September 2023
Aces FC v Hilperton Greyhound FC; Bishops Cannings Reserves FC v Trowbridge Town Tigers FC (1.00pm KO); Calne Eagles FC v The Stiffs FC; Holt FC v Freshford United FC; South Newton & Barford Hornets FC; Staverton Rangers FC v Semington Magpies FC. Matches Kick-Off @ 3.00pm unless stated otherwise.