Southern Goalfest

Weekend Review - Division 1 South

Saturday saw something of a goal-fest in the BetVictor Southern League Division One South. There were 36 goals scored in nine matches – and that`s despite there being two 0-0 draws!

Leaders Thatcham Town now possesses a seven-point advantage after winning 4-0 at mid-table Willand Rovers. George Jeacock after 11 minutes and a Felipe Barcelos brace in the 42nd and 45th minutes gave the Kingfishers a comfortable interval lead that Lamin Sankoh eventually added to 5 minutes from time.

Winchester City are a distant third and won 2-0 at The Simplyhealth City Ground against Bristol Manor Farm, for whom this was a third straight defeat. Simba Mlambo after just 5 minutes and Ollie Bailey 12 minutes later were the City scorers.

Paulton Rovers are fourth now after a 5-3 win at home to fellow top-five challengers Evesham United, who dropped to seventh. It was a real see-saw encounter that had Ed Butcher and David Sims-Burgess both bagging braces for Rovers, with Marcus Day adding their final goal in the 67th minute. Paul Sullivan, Lee Chilton and Harry Franklin replied for Evesham.

Larkhall Athletic dropped to fifth spot after being involved in one of the goalless games at home to third-bottom AFC Totton, while Melksham Town are now sixth after a 4-2 success at a Slimbridge side who started the day above them in the table. It`s now ten league games without defeat for Richard Fey`s side who were 2-0 up by the 10th minute through Phil Ormrod and Jake Mawford. Two goals in 2 minutes midway through the second half from a brace of Soloman Wanjau-Smith penalties pulled the Swans level. But Ormrod went on to complete his hat-trick in the 86th and 92nd minutes to win it for the visitors.

Cirencester Town are ninth but only five points behind the top five after winning 5-3 at the Corinium Stadium against Cinderford Town. In difficult conditions as they were throughout the country, Will Welton broke the deadlock to put the hosts ahead on 37 minutes. Four minutes after the break, the Foresters were level through Craig Norman, but by the time he bagged his second on 77 minutes, the home side were 4-1 up with Tom Anderson, Levi Irving and John Dennis efforts. A Blaine Waugh own goal made it a nap hand for John Brough`s side, although Norman did manage to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot 4 minutes into stoppage time.

Basingstoke Town are off the bottom of the table, with Barnstaple Town back in that spot after a 2-0 win for the Hampshire side in Devon. Basingstoke`s first win in five and only their fourth all season and first away, came courtesy of goals from Ben Cook after just 4 minutes and Dean Stow on 35 minutes. With the two teams directly above them both picking up points, this was a crucial win for `Stoke.

Moneyfields are one of those and they were involved in the other 0-0 draw at home to Bideford AFC.

Sholing are just a point better off than Moneys and neighbours AFC Totton after losing 4-2 at home to Mangotsfield United. With the elements, the Boatmen led 2-0 at the breakthrough Stuart Green after 4 minutes and Brad Targett 8 minutes later. But the visitors made the most of their advantage in the second half with a brace from James Ollis sandwiched by efforts from Jordan Rogers and Daniel Demkiv.