Salisbury Slip Up Again

With Taunton Town, whose game on Tuesday night was postponed, already crowned champions, the race is on for the second automatic spot.

Salisbury looked nailed-on certainties to claim that place a few weeks back, but one win in six now for Steve Claridge`s side has given the likes of Wimborne Town and Bristol Manor Farm hope of catching the Whites after they were pegged back at the Ray Mac against Winchester City.

And that after being 2-0 up, taking a 3rd minute lead when Stuart Green’s cross was converted by Owen Howe in off the post.

And then on 31 minutes when Lewis Benson`s cross saw Howe have time to control and drill the ball home.

Winchester reduced the deficit on the hour-mark when Jamie Barron’s free-kick was parried by Tom Roberts and Adam Tomasso fired home the loose ball.

Salisbury had the chance to kill the game off in the 83rd minute, but Zack Kotwica headed wide from point blank range.

And then on 85 minutes Barron hit the bar for Winchester, who did grab the leveller a minute later when Josh Harfield headed in a corner via the underside of the crossbar.

Evesham United slipped into the top six after winning 3-0 at Yarnton Road against mid-table Kidlington.

Adam Mann gave the visitors a 37th minute lead that Garyn Preen added to 2 minutes into the second half.

Ewen Dunbar made sure with a third for United with 14 minutes to go.

AFC Totton`s play-off hopes now look slim after they shared a 1-1 draw at the Athletic Ground against Paulton Rovers.

The Stags fell behind to an early 8th minute Omar Simpson goal before pulling level through Callum Chugg just past the half-hour mark.

But the Hampshire side were unable to find a winner and are now six points behind Evesham.

Cirencester Town, however, are coming with a late run and their best-of-nine win at the Corinium Stadium against neighbours Cinderford Town leaves them just three points behind the top six.

It was certainly not a night for defenders to remember!

Henry Spalding gave the home side an early 5th minute lead, but the Foresters raced into a 3-1 lead by the 34th minute with goals from Lorcan Sheehan, Joe Hunt and Richard Greaves.

Ben Whitehead reduced the arrears from the penalty spot 4 minutes later and then 11 minutes into the second half, Spalding added his second to restore parity.

Whitehead bagged his second in the 70th minute to make it 4-3 and Spalding completed his hat-trick 7 minutes later to make it a nap hand for Ciren, although Craig Norman had the last word with a fourth for Cinderford 3 minutes later.

Bottom-markers Bishops Cleeve are almost requiring snookers to avoid finishing bottom after losing 3-0 at home to Larkhall Athletic, whose Greg Peel just before the break and an Alex Lambert brace soon after it were on the mark.

Third-bottom Barnstaple Town can`t relax yet though after they were also beaten at home, 3-2 by Yate Town, who twice came back from behind to goals from Billy Hopcroft after 16 minutes and Harry Stevens after 28 minutes – 4 minutes after Trey Anderson had equalised.

Ben Brooks restored parity on 38 minutes and then Steve Davies won it for the Bluebells a minute from time.

Source Pitchero Non League