Page 29 - Yate Town FC v Dorchester Town 010122

The Pitching-In Southern League Division One South lost just two of its Bank Holiday
Monday fixtures at Cinderford Town and Winchester City.
The gap at the top of the table was cut to four points after leaders Frome Town were held
to a draw. A fantastic crowd of 1,103 at Badgers Hill saw Frome and Melksham Town
produce a thrilling derby. Melksham looked like spoiling the day for the majority in the big
crowd when they led 1-0 at half-time, thanks to Aidan Chainey, and then 2-0 within five
minutes of the restart, courtesy of Sam Hendy. But Danny Greaves’ side battled back to level
through Jon Davies after 55 minutes and Rex Mannings in the 73rd minute, only for the
recently re-signed Kyle Tooze to restore Melksham’s lead three minutes later. However, three
minutes into stoppage time, Alex Hallett rescued a point for the hosts.
AFC Totton moved into second after hammering Hampshire neighbours Lymington Town
7-1 at the Snows Stadium. A crowd of 759 saw a stunning performance by the Stags. The
visitors suffered a real blow after 34 minutes when they had Nathan Hurst shown a straight
red card for a poor challenge on Ben Jefford. Four minutes later and the ten-men conceded
the first goal to a Jordan Ngalo effort. Right on half-time, Shaquille Gwengwe doubled the
Stags’ lead only for Harry McGrath to pull the visitors back into the game in first-half injury-
time. But the second period saw the hosts make the most of their extra man as Jack Hoey
bagged a brace on 66 and 75 minutes, Sam Griffin made it a nap hand a minute later,
Hisham Kasimu added a sixth in the 80th minute and Harry Medway the seventh just three
minutes from the end.
Cirencester Town are third after recording a 3-1 win at the Corinium Stadium against
Evesham United. Aidan Bennett gave the Centurians a 26th-minute lead that Tom
Anderson doubled 5 minutes before half-time. Eight minutes after the restart, John Brough’s
men made sure of the points with a third goal from Josh Nelmes, rendering Brandon
Smalley’s goal in stoppage time as a mere consolation.
Paulton Rovers lost ground and are now fifth after going down to a 2-1 defeat at Plain
Ham to Larkhall Athletic, who are now tenth. Alex Lambert scored the only goal of the
opening half after 38 minutes to give the Larks the lead. Harry Simons then made it 2-0 to
the hosts in the 72nd minute, with Jack Ball replying in the final few seconds for Rovers.
Bristol Manor Farm moves to within two points of Rovers in sixth after a comfortable 3-0
win at Cossham Street against second-from-bottom Mangotsfield United. It wasn’t until
first-half injury-time that Farm managed to break the deadlock through Aron Robbins. But
then just two minutes after the break, Jayden Neilsen doubled Farm’s lead.
Jake Gosling added a third in the 3rd minute of stoppage time.
However, result of the day has to be Barnstaple Town finally achieving their first league
win of 2021/22. A terrific crowd of 618 at Mill Road saw Barum beat Devon rivals Bideford
1-0. Bideford were knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup by Barnstaple back in August and
then beat them 1-0 in the August Bank Holiday Monday league fixture. But Barum gained
revenge when former Biddy player Billy Tucker converted a hotly disputed 49th-minute
penalty after he had been adjudged to have brought down in the area.
Bideford went down to ten-men seven minutes later when Aaron Taylor was dismissed for a
reckless challenge on Ashley Mitchell and Barum held firm for their first win at the 20th
attempt.
Plymouth Parkway are ninth with games in hand after winning by the odd goal in seven
at Willand Rovers. In front of 379, Parkway produced an excellent comeback after finding
themselves 2-0 down at half-time to goals from Rikki Shepherd after 15 minutes and recent
signing Joe Wylie on 31 minutes. River Allen reduced the deficit just past the hour-mark, only
for Ben Griffith to restore Rovers’ two-goal advantage just three minutes later. Shane Krac
pulled a second back for Lee Hobbs’ side in the 82nd minute and then just three minutes
later, Rio Garside equalised with Jack Rhead grabbing the visitors’ winner in the 88th minute
of a Devon thriller.