Latest Round-ups:

Midweek Action: In the Premier Division on Wednesday night, Cadbury Heath came from behind on three occasions, including grabbing a 92nd minute equaliser, during their 3-3 draw away at Bradford Town. Sam Jordan gave Bradford their first lead of the evening after just 13 minutes, before the prolific Sacha Tong levelled things up for the travelling Heath. The next goal came on the hour mark from Bradford’s Karim Rendall, but once more the away side drew level less than five minutes later with Kristian Lee scoring his first of the night. In keeping with the remainder of the contest, Bradford surged ahead once again, this time thanks to an own-goal, but for the third time they relinquished their lead when allowing Lee to poke home an equaliser two minutes into stoppage time, bringing the curtain down on an enthralling affair. There was also a pair of cup fixtures during the week, with a momentous meeting on Wednesday evening pitting Chippenham’s two senior sides against one another for the first time in over 60 years. It was Chippenham Town who booked their spot in the semi-final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup after they came from behind to defeat Chippenham Park 3-1 at Hardenhuish Park. Jamie Norman gave Park an 18th minute lead, before Town forged back behind a brace from Alex Ferguson, plus a goal from Andy Sandell to book their spot in the last four. Meanwhile, in the Somerset Premier Cup on Tuesday, goals from Liam Monelle, Dave Sims, Jack Ball and Josh Morgan-Williams saw Paulton Rovers claim a 4-0 win away at Wells City.

Premier Division: At Shellards Road, Street stretched their winning run in the league to 12 games following a 3-1 beating of bottom side Longwell Green Sports. After Craig Herrod had put Street ahead, the home side grabbed an surprise equaliser, but order was restored prior to half-time by Herrod before David O’Hare flicked home a third for the Cobblers. Hengrove Athletic’s recent upturn in form peaked on Saturday afternoon when they claimed a 7-1 win at home to Wells City. The early proceedings belonged to Rhys Hickery who put Hengrove ahead directly from a corner in the 7th minute, before the same man doubled his tally from outside the area just prior to the hour mark. Brendon Abood got Wells back into the game soon after Hickery’s second, but the home side took little time in restoring their two goal lead when Brandon Feehely turned the ball home. Joe Brimble headed home a fourth for Hengrove, with the home side adding gloss to the scoreline thanks to a late double from Jack Fillingham either side of a Toby Jones own-goal. Bradford Town left it very late before claiming all three points against Wellington, with Sam Jordan scoring the only goal of their game eight minutes from time to claim all three points.

Season #21

Action from Westbury United’s 5-0 win over Corsham Town, courtesy of John Cuthbertson

Another late show took place at Oakfields where Melksham Town scored three times in the final eight minutes to claim a 3-0 triumph at home to Hallen. With the game seemingly headed towards a goalless draw, Luke Ballinger sent in a free-kick which the luckless Hallen skipper Scott Cousins deflected into his own net. Gary Higdon then knocked in a second for Melksham three minutes later after meeting Joe Stradling’s pin-point cross, before Jamie Lyons adding a long range third in the dying moments. Following three away fixtures, Buckland Athletic made a successful return to Homer’s Heath, beating Chipping Sodbury Town 2-1 thanks to two goals in the opening quarter. After Lloyd Gardner had fired them ahead with a left-footed drive after just six minutes, Jared Lewington slotted home a penalty in the 22nd minute after he had been fouled in the visitors box. After reappointing former manager Adam Castle earlier in the week, Buckland came close to keeping a clean sheet in his return to the club, but the visitors made it a nervous final ten minutes, scoring what turned out to be a late consolation. 16-year-old Jack Sell scored a late equaliser for Clevedon Town in their 1-1 draw with Bitton, who had taken a 15th minute lead through Dean Griffiths earlier in the contest. Cribbs made it back-to-back wins at the Lawns, with first half goals from Jacob Hodgson and Sam Iles cancelling out a strike from Tom Hill during their 2-1 victory at home to Shepton Mallet, and at Ironmould Lane Brislington defeated Bridgwater Town 2-0 thanks to a pair of second half goals.

First Division: Keynsham Town extended their lead atop the division to four points, after a 35th minute goal from Matt Curnock handed them a slim 1-0 victory at home to bottom side Portishead Town. Westbury United moved up into second place following a comprehensive 5-0 victory at home to Corsham Town. Jamie Jordan was the star of the show for the home side, bagging a second half hat-trick, with Dan Kovacs adding further goals either side of the break. At Oaklands Park, promotion hopefuls Roman Glass St George relinquished a two-goal lead during their 2-2 draw at home to Chard Town. It was the dangerous Ryan Radford who did the early damage for Roman Glass, scoring two first-half goals to give them control of the game, but they were unable to hold on and goals from Liam Cleal and Max Westlake helped salvage a point for Chard. Welton Rovers claimed a 3-2 victory at home to Cheddar in an entertaining game at West Clewes. Welton twice found themselves behind in the first half following goals from Callum Ham and Robbi Maggs, but managed to grab quick-fire equalisers on both occasions thanks to Shak Green and man-of-the-match Callum Elms. That left the game evenly poised going into the second half, and with 64 minutes on the clock, Francois Allen scored the vital goal which saw Rovers claim all three points.

In a wild game at Weymouth Street, Rob Mitchell plundered a hat-trick during Devizes Town’s 7-3 victory away at Warminster Town. A brace from James Vincent, plus a goal from Lewis Graham saw Warminster level just after half-time, before a late blitz from Devizes handed them all three points. Mitchell was the main beneficiary, scoring three times, while there was also a double from Jack Hopper as well as goals from Matt Russell and Jay Walters. There was a return to winning ways for Bristol Telephones, who had goals from Leon Britton and Zane Alime to thank during their 2-0 victory over Almondsbury, while Oldland Abbotonians defeated Calne Town by the same scoreline thanks to goals either side of the break from Courtney Charles and Josh Williams. Jordan Lovibond got on the scoresheet twice during Bishops Lydeard’s 3-1 home victory against Ashton & Backwell United and at Hardenhuish Park, Will Thomson was Chippenham Park’s goalscorer during their 1-1 draw with Malmesbury Victoria. Elliott Mann scored a pair of equalisers, before goals from Tim Trevett and Harry Vandervell put the game in Sherborne Town’s favour during their 4-2 triumph over Radstock Town, while at Lakeview, Bishop Sutton defeated Wincanton Town 2-1.

Be sure to check out the Western League Podcast which recaps all of the games from the Premier Division, First Division and Cup competitions. The latest broadcast can be found on the league’s official website at the following link: http://www.toolstationleague.com/podcasts.php

There is also a survey for listeners of the podcast to complete, so that your views can help shape the future of the broadcast. All feedback is much appreciated, and the survey can be completed by following this link https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=151238214221

Les Phillips Cup Second Round draw:

Chard Town vs Bridport, Warminster Town vs Buckland Athletic, Shepton Mallet vs Devizes Town, Wells City vs Cribbs, Bridgwater Town vs Wellington, Bitton vs Bishops Lydeard, Brislington vs Melksham Town, Street vs Chippenham Park.

Ties to be played on Saturday 17th February

Wells City 0 Paulton Rovers 4Somerset Premier Cup 2 nd Rd – 12.12.17 Referee Savvas Yiannia and his two officials must have had a direct line to the Met Office on Tuesday evening as all three emerged from the dressing rooms miked up and wearing woollen gloves writes Kerry Miller. What could have been a slightly bizarre mode of dress for a referee was justified moments after kick-off as ice cold rain began to fall in bucket loads. It was a testament to the club groundsman that the pitch held up well and the game

Western League StatisticsPREMIER DIVISION LEADING GOAL SCORERS (League only):Gary Higdon, Melksham Town – 17Steve Murray, Street – 15Jared Lewington, Buckland Athletic – 15

PREMIER DIVISION TOP ATTENDANCES:Melksham Town 3-0 Odd Down, Monday 14th August 2017 – 392Melksham Town 1-0 Clevedon Town, Saturday 4th November 2017 - 377Melksham Town 4-0 Cadbury Heath, Monday 7th August 2017 - 354

FIRST DIVISION LEADING GOAL SCORERS (League only):Matt Brown, Keynsham Town – 15James Rustell, Radstock Town – 13Adam Jones, Cheddar – 13James Quick, Bishops Lydeard – 12Ken Oni, Roman Glass St George – 12Tom Slater, Devizes Town - 12

FIRST DIVISION TOP ATTENDANCES: Bishops Lydeard 2-3 Cheddar, Sunday 8th October - 264Welton Rovers 3-1 Keynsham Town, Saturday 7th October– 247Ashton & Backwell United 2-1 Bishop Sutton, Friday 6th October – 225

LEADING SCORERS IN ALL COMPETITIONS:Steve Murray, Street – 21Gary Higdon, Melksham Town – 19Mark Salter, Bridport – 16Matt Brown, Keynsham Town - 16James Rustell, Radstock Town - 16Sacha Tong, Cadbury Heath - 16Luke Mortimore, Willand Rovers – 15

Latest Match ReportsTo read all of Kerry Miller’s latest match reports, please follow this link:

http://www.toolstationleague.com/reportblog.php

Wells City 0 Paulton Rovers 4Somerset Premier Cup 2 nd Rd – 12.12.17 Referee Savvas Yiannia and his two officials must have had a direct line to the Met Office on Tuesday evening as all three emerged from the dressing rooms miked up and wearing woollen gloves writes Kerry Miller. What could have been a slightly bizarre mode of dress for a referee was justified moments after kick-off as ice cold rain began to fall in bucket loads. It was a testament to the club groundsman that the pitch held up well and the game

Latest ResultsTuesday 12 th December Somerset FA Premier CupWells City 0-4 Paulton Rovers 60Wednesday 13 th December Premier DivisionBradford Town 3-3 Cadbury Heath 61Wiltshire FA Senior CupChippenham Town 3-1 Chippenham ParkSaturday 16 th December Premier DivisionBitton 1-1 Clevedon Town 41Bridport P-P Cadbury HeathBrislington 3-0 Bridgwater Town 35Buckland Athletic 2-1 Chipping Sodbury Town 118Cribbs 2-1 Shepton MalletHengrove Athletic 7-1 Wells City 50Longwell Green Sports 1-3 Street 123Melksham Town 3-0 Hallen 285Odd Down P-P Willand RoversWellington 0-1 Bradford Town 91First DivisionBishop Sutton 2-1 Wincanton Town 38Bishops Lydeard 3-1 Ashton & Backwell United 24Bristol Telephones 2-0 AlmondsburyChippenham Park 1-1 Malmesbury Victoria 51Keynsham Town 1-0 Portishead Town 86Oldland Abbotonians 2-0 Calne Town 35Roman Glass St George 2-2 Chard Town 46Sherborne Town 4-2 Radstock Town 64Warminster Town 3-7 Devizes Town 81Welton Rovers 3-2 Cheddar 78Westbury United 5-0 Corsham Town 75

Upcoming FixturesWednesday 20 th December Wiltshire FA Senior CupWestbury United vs SalisburySaturday 23rd December (KICK OFF AT 3.00PM UNLESS NOTED)Premier DivisionBradford Town vs Longwell Green SportsBridgwater Town vs StreetBrislington vs HallenCadbury Heath vs CribbsChipping Sodbury Town vs BittonClevedon Town vs Hengrove AthleticOdd Down vs Melksham TownWellington vs Wells CityWilland Rovers vs BridportFirst DivisionAlmondsbury vs Welton RoversCalne Town vs Warminster TownCheddar vs Sherborne TownCorsham Town vs Oldland AbbotoniansDevizes Town vs Chippenham ParkKeynsham Town vs Ashton & Backwell UnitedMalmesbury Victoria vs Westbury UnitedRadstock Town vs Bishops LydeardRoman Glass St George vs Bristol TelephonesWincanton Town vs Chard Town

League TablesPremier Division

Team P W D L F A GD PTS1 Street 20 16 2 2 51 14 37 502 Willand Rovers 17 13 2 2 51 9 42 413 Bradford Town 18 12 5 1 36 14 22 414 Melksham Town 18 10 5 3 47 17 30 355 Buckland Athletic 19 11 2 6 39 31 8 356 Shepton Mallet 21 9 2 10 28 30 -2 297 Cribbs 20 8 3 9 38 33 5 278 Bridport 15 8 2 5 34 25 9 269 Bridgwater Town 17 8 2 7 25 21 4 26

10 Clevedon Town 19 7 5 7 28 26 2 2611 Odd Down 17 7 4 6 25 21 4 2512 Brislington 21 7 4 10 28 39 -11 2513 Bitton 16 6 6 4 23 26 -3 2414 Hengrove Athletic 18 6 5 7 27 23 4 2315 Chipping Sodbury Town 19 6 3 10 30 33 -3 2116 Wellington 18 5 2 11 23 44 -21 1717 Cadbury Heath 14 4 4 6 27 35 -8 1618 Hallen 17 3 4 10 19 38 -19 1319 Wells City 20 3 2 15 17 61 -44 1120 Longwell Green Sports 20 0 2 18 9 65 -56 2

First DivisionTeam P W D L F A GD PTS

1 Keynsham Town 22 14 4 4 65 34 31 462 Westbury United 21 12 6 3 47 15 32 423 Roman Glass St George 21 12 5 4 61 27 34 414 Welton Rovers 21 10 7 4 45 28 17 375 Cheddar 20 12 1 7 42 27 15 376 Radstock Town 20 10 4 6 39 30 9 347 Bishop Sutton 22 10 3 9 37 40 -3 338 Bishops Lydeard 21 10 1 10 38 48 -10 319 Oldland Abbotonians 18 9 3 6 30 24 6 30

10 Devizes Town 22 8 6 8 42 40 2 3011 Malmesbury Victoria 19 9 3 7 36 38 -2 3012 Bristol Telephones 19 9 2 8 43 37 6 2913 Chard Town 22 8 5 9 37 37 0 2914 Wincanton Town 20 8 4 8 30 34 -4 2815 Chippenham Park 23 6 9 8 26 38 -12 2716 Almondsbury 23 7 3 13 31 40 -9 2417 Calne Town 21 6 5 10 30 49 -19 2318 Corsham Town 20 6 4 10 20 35 -15 2219 Warminster Town 22 5 6 11 36 48 -12 2120 Ashton & Backwell United 23 5 6 12 24 41 -17 2121 Sherborne Town 20 4 4 12 31 49 -18 1622 Portishead Town 22 3 5 14 23 54 -31 13*