THATCHAM FIRED BY BARCELOS BRACE

THATCHAM TOWN showed exactly why they are runaway leaders in the South Division with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Willand Rovers despite the absence of key man Kyle Tooze.

With 14-goal talisman Tooze unavailable, the Kingfishers underlined their status as title favourites with three first-half goals.

Rovers tried to turn the screw in the second half but were outclassed at the Stan Robinson Stadium, with Thatcham extending their lead at the top to seven points with Frome Town not in action.

They led on seven minutes when George Jeacock’s cross cruelly deflected off Louis Morrison and looped over keeper Michael Searle.

Felipe Barcelos took over late in the first half, bagging a quickfire brace, first beating the offside trap and finishing confidently before a close-range effort in first-half injury time.

Rovers had a good shout for a penalty turned down on 72 minutes, before Lamin Sankoh had the final say with a fourth late on.

Elsewhere, James Ollis inspired Mangotsfield

United to stun Sholing with a clinical second-half display to battle back from 2-0 down to triumph 4-2.

The hosts came roaring out of the blocks with Stuart Green dragging an effort just wide and Brad Targett testing the goalkeeper inside the first five minutes.

Green got the goal his early intent deserved as Jakob Glover’s weak punch clear fell into his path and he controlled his volley on the stretch high into the net.

Just as Mangotsfield gained a foothold, the Boatmen doubled their lead as Green played Targett into acres of space to finish clinically.

Whatever Field boss Oliver Price said at halftime certainly worked as Jordan Rogers preyed on an under-hit backpass, rounded Ryan Gosney and calmly finished. Sholing had chances to put the game to bed with Lee Wort and Green coming close, but two goals from Ollis and a Daniel Demkiv strike helped the visitors claim a dramatic win.

Larkhall Athletic

clung onto their berth in the play-off places after a 0-0 draw with lowly AFC

Totton.

Phil Bater’s outfit thought they had broken the deadlock on the hour when Lewis Powell had the ball in the net but it was flagged offside.

It was the hosts doing all the pressing and Alex Lambert came close with a rising half-volley that whistled past the post with 15 minutes to play.

Bideford’s wait for an away win continues after a

scrappy 0-0 draw at

Moneyfields.

Central Division bottom side

Wantage Town

collapsed to a humbling home defeat to Welwyn Garden

City, who climbed to fourth with a 5-1 victory.

The Citizens were soon ahead through Callum Stead and although Trevor Mutero got a goal back, David Keenleyside’s wind-assisted punt and a cute finish from Jay Rolfe sunk the basement boys. Jack Vasey chested home a fourth on 36 minutes and Elliot Bailey made it secure on the hour mark.

Despite holding identical records in the league, there was a huge gulf in class as Biggleswade FC downed AFC Dunstable

3-0. Ryan Inskip brought up a half-century of goals for FC on six minutes and Joe Leslie pounced on defensive indecision to make it two just before the hour mark to form the backbone of the win. Second-bottom St Neots

Town threatened a shock when they took an early lead only for Mitch Piggon and Luke Keen to seal a 2-0 success for Bedworth

United.