Thatcham Back on Top Spot

Thatcham Town moved to the top of the BetVictor Southern League Division One South table on goal difference after they won 4-0 at Mangotsfield United, while overnight leaders Frome Town were held to a 2-2 draw by Paulton Rovers.

The Mangos came into the game against Thatcham at Cossham Street without a win in seven games – and now it`s eight after goals from Felipe Barcelos after 25 and 30 minutes, sandwiched by a Lewis Coyle effort on 29 minutes and then a Steve Kaca own goal just shy of the hour-mark.

Paulton are just two points behind the top five after holding Frome in the derby at Winterfield Road.

Alex Monks had the visitors ahead after 10 minutes.

Ed Butcher levelled 9 minutes later, only for Dan Cottle to restore Frome`s lead 5 minutes before the break.

But a Ben Bament goal 17 minutes from time earned Rovers a share of the spoils.

Larkhall Athletic missed the chance to put a bit more pressure on the top two after going down to a 4-0 defeat at the Corinium Stadium to a sixth-placed Cirencester Town side who are now just two points behind the top five.

Ciren were gifted a 14th minute lead, courtesy of a Tom Warren own goal which Jack Freeman added to within 4 minutes.

That was that until 15 minutes from the end when Levi Irving made it 3-0 and Michael Pook added a fourth 8 minutes from time.

Winchester City moved up to fourth spot after they won 2-1 at Slimbridge and Melksham Town lost 3-2 at home to mid-table Bideford AFC.

Oli Bailey gave the Citizens a 12th minute lead at Thornhill Park and Kieran Douglas eventually doubled that advantage in the 65th minute.

Will Hawes pulled one back for the Swans 4 minutes from time, but the visitors held firm.

Bideford produced a terrific second half comeback to win by the odd goal in five at Melksham.

Albert Hopkins on the half-hour mark and Jack Ball in first half injury-time had given the hosts a two-goal cushion.

Alex Byrne began the comeback 6 minutes after the restart and then Niall Heeney equalised in the 72nd minute, with sub Sean Downing winning it for the Devonians 7 minutes from time.

Cinderford Town are eighth and just four points behind Melksham in fifth after winning 4-2 at the Causeway Ground against AFC Totton.

Alex Haynes gave the Stags a 9th minute lead.

However, braces from Andy Lewis in the 23rd and 64th minutes – the first from the spot – and Blaine Waugh with two in a minute from the 52nd, gave the Foresters a cushion of a three-goal lead which Pat Nolan cut to two in time added on at the end of the game.

Both bottom sides picked up a point apiece, with Barnstaple Town sharing a 0-0 draw at home with Sholing and Basingstoke Town recovering well from their 8-0 drubbing by Thatcham last time out by sharing a 1-1 draw with Willand Rovers in which new loan signing from Hungerford Town, Conor Lynch, equalised on debut 10 minutes into the second half after Craig Veal had given Rovers a 21st minute lead.

But third-bottom Moneyfields won 1-0 at home to Highworth Town, thanks to a 69th minute Connor Hoare effort, to increase the lead over the bottom two to nine points.

Evesham United and Bristol Manor Farm shared a 0-0 draw at the Jubilee Stadium in the day`s other game.