Neil Taylor’s, Second Division outfit Semington Magpies claimed the shock result of the day in the first round of this season’s Chantry Digital sponsored Knockout Cup following their 2-1 triumph away at first division FC Devizes United who lost out in last years final to Heytesbury, who began their defence of the trophy with a 6-3 triumph at home to Melksham Town Development.
FC Devizes United 1 Semington Magpies FC 2
MAGPIES SHOCK DEVIZES IN KNOCKOUT CUP
First division outfit, Semington Magpies may not have won the Knockout Cup, but their celebrations after beating last terms beaten finalists FC Devizes United in the first found of this season’s Chantry Digital sponsored competition suggested otherwise and nothing should be taken away from Neil Taylor side whose 2-1 win was the result of the day and worthy of celebrating.
It would be fair to say that the league form of FC Devizes hasn’t been the best so far, but when Jack Brain gave them the lead, Evan Webster’s side would have expected to kick on, and build on their good start, however that wasn’t to be the case as Magpies fought back and restored parity courtesy of Mutsim Ibrahim which took the teams in the break locked together at 1 apiece.
With everything to play for in the second half, both teams went in search of a winner and it was Jiordan Burrell-Mendis who came up trumps when he netted what proved to be the winning goal for Magpies.
The Semington Magpies team who produced the shock of the day by beating FC Devizes United 2-1 in the first round of the Knockout Cup
Bromham FC 0 Bradford Town Reserves FC 3
BRADFORD WIN TO REACH LAST 16
A week after Bromham FC were unable to raise a team for their league meeting with Bradford Town Reserves the teams met in the First round of this season’s Chantry Digital sponsored Knockout Cup and it was the later who emerged victorious from their trip to Bromham’s New road ground where a 3-0 win booked them a place in the last 16.
Goals from Ottis Young and Ben Doughty gave Bradford a 2-0 half time lead.
Bradford sealed their victory a 3-0 success when Arthur Dolan netted his fourth goal of the season.
Freshford United FC 1 Frome Collegians Reserves FC 1 AET
Frome Collegians Reserves win 5-4 on penalties
SPOT ON COLLEGIANS END FRESHFORD’S CUP HOPES
Second Division leaders Freshford United gave a great account themselves against an inform Frome Collegians Reserves side, however Chris Birleson’s side came up just short as they suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 penalty shootout loss, after 120 minutes of their Chantry Digital sponsored Knockout Cup encounter failed to find a winner after 120 minutes saw the teams locked together after a 1-1 stalemate.
Freshford after taking a second half lead through Conor Green looked to on course to cause a cup surprise, but they could hold on to their slender lead as Alfie Roberts netted for Karl Freeman’s side and take the tie to extra time, where neither team could fine a winner.
It came down to the dreaded penalty shootout and successful spot kicks from Reece Craddock, Nathan Burrows, Dan Berryman, Joe Simenton and Josh Keay sealed Collegians place in the draw for the second round
Heytesbury & Codford FC 6 Melksham Town Development 3
SPRATT SAVES TWO PENALTIES AS TOWN HIT FOR SIX
Heytesbury & Codford claimed a 6-3 triumph on home soil against a Melksham Town Development side who like their earlier league encounter had two penalties saved by Heytesbury keeper Sam Spratt, who in saving the second spot kick suffered a broken wrist.
Heytesbury & Codford had the tie won in the first 45 minutes as they took a 5-1 lead. Bradley Edwards slotted home the opener and he doubled the hosts lead before Chris Steele made it 3-0 with his first goal for the club. Bradley Edwards then completed a first half hat trick before Ben Howlett added number five, which came after Sam Alford had pulled a goal back for Melksham from the spot.
If the hosts bossed the first half, Melksham had the better of the second half and when Oliver Farrell reduced the deficit, it really was game on. Sam Alford had the chance to add his second and a third for the visitors, but couldn’t believe it when Sam Spratt kept out his spot kick.
Melksham put the penalty miss behind them and a second from Oliver Farrell kept Melksham in the game and at 5-3 they had another chance from the spot, but yet again Spratt came to his teams rescue, this time keeping out Farrell’s effort 12 yards, but in saving the penalty, Spratt fell onto his wrist.
The confirmed break will mean the loss of the keeper to Heytesbury & Codford will be a major blow for the villagers as Spratt was undoubtedly the hero for his team, but the win was confirmed when they won a penalty of their own in the 90th minute which was converted by Ben Howlett to make the final score line 6-3.
Warminster Town Reserves FC 2 Holt FC 1
OWEN AT THE DOUBLE FOR WARMINSTER
After failing to win any of their last four Division One, fixtures, Warminster Town Reserves would have relished the opportunity of a visit from Second division outfit Holt FC for their first round encounter in this year’s Chantry Digital sponsored Knockout cup.
Warminster may have edged the contest 2-1, but they didn’t have everything their own way as Holt made their hosts work hard for their second round place.
Jake Owen proved the difference between the two sides, Owen scored both goals to hand Warminster their triumph, both goals sandwiched Matt Goodwill’s effort for Holt, and all three goals came in an action packed first half.