IT WAS the beginning of an new era for the Melksham Cosmos, playing at their new home The Conigre and they could not have wished for a better start to life in Division Three after a 5-2 victory over the much-fancied Old Road side.

Cosmos got off to a flyer when summer signing Alex Shaftoe raced on to a through ball early on and expertly finished beyond the onrushing Old Road goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

However, shortly after Old Road equalised when Dan Stevens capitalised on a long ball over the top to level the scores.

Cosmos did not let their heads drop and restored their lead 10 minutes from half time when Danny Griffiths rounded the Old Road keeper to finish into the empty net to put Cosmos 2-1 up. Despite Cosmos creating a few further chances which were well saved by Josh Bewley in the Old Road goal the score remained 2-1 at half time.

There was still a lot of work to do in the second half, but Cosmos started brightly again with Shaftoe scoring his second with a curling 20 yard effort beating the keeper into the top right corner.

Cosmos seemed to take their foot off the gas once the two goal lead was restored and Old Road again capitalised to peg them back, with Stevens scoring his second to make the score 3-2.

For the next 10 minutes the Cosmos looked nervous and worried about conceding an equaliser and throwing away a two-goal advantage, but with Old Road driving forward they were caught out when a long ball over the top reached by Danny Griffiths, who was then fouled inside the penalty area.

Up stepped AlexShaftoe to slam the ball home to seal his hat-trick.

Five minutes from time centre back Adam Potter burst down the right flank and his cross was met by a great header from substitute Jason Hull to wrap up a great win for the Cosmos.

Christian Malford 2 Worton & Cheverell (Sunday) 4

CHRISTIAN Malford are still looking for their first league win after visitors to Kington Langley, Worton & Cheverell took the points with a 4-2 win.

Malford certainly had the better of the early play and only some fine saves from Worton keeper Ben Strange denied Malford on two occasions.

Malford did open the scoring after 15 minutes when Craig Fisher collected a through ball from Gerald Fawcitt before beating two defenders and slotting the ball home for a 1-0 lead.

Malford were again denied by the Worton keeper on two more occasions as they continued to press forward.

Worton however equalised in the 32nd minute when substitute Kyle Davies' fine shot from outside the area flew into the net.

This seemed to spur Worton and Malford were grateful to their keeper Matt Hutchings who saved low to his right.

He could not however do anything to stop Declan Blandford’s long range shot which gave Worton a 2-1 lead in the 42nd minute.

Both teams had early chances but Worton extended their lead in the 54th minute with another fine shot from outside the area this coming from Benjamin Tylee.

Malford then began to press but the Worton defence held firm until the 75th minute when following a corner and a scramble in the Worton penalty area Kadir Ayhaw scored to reduce Worton’s lead to 3-2.

Malford continued to press but Worton held firm and in the 88th minute Declan Blandford chased a defensive clearance before rounding the advancing keeper to score his second and give Worton a 4-2 victory.

The game was well refereed by Anthony Frith.

FC North Wiltshire 0 Trowbridge Town Supporters Club 1 (abandoned after 32 minutes)

FC NORTH Wiltshire’s match with Trowbridge Town Supporters Club was abandoned after 32 minutes following an injury to the supporters’ club Ashley Rendell, who was taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle.

At the time of referee Neville Dennett calling a halt to proceedings the supporters’ were one-up thanks to an 18th minute goal from Andy Williams.

The fixture will now be rearranged for another date.

Pig & Whistle United 0 North Star B 11

AFTER opening day losses both Pig & Whistle United and North Star B met at Awdry Avenue, in what had been predicted to be a close game and so it was the first 45 minutes with the Star winning 2-0.

After the break the floodgates opened and the Star ran in nine more unanswered goals to run out 11-0 victors on a crazy morning in Melksham.

Goals from Mike McKeller and Jack Taylor gave North Star their half-time lead and after the interval the vistors went goal crazy.

Taylor rattled in another five to take his tally for the game to six. McKeller, who had started the ball rolling, added another one and goals from Pepe Petrov. Karl Sharratt and Mickey Taraskevics completed the rout.

Sportzcoach Dragonz United 11 Wren FC 0

AFTER picking up their first win for over a season when they defeated Pig & Whistle United 7-2 on the opening day, Calne-based Wren FC came crashing back down to earth with a massive bang as they were beaten 11-0 at Sportzcoach Dragonz United.

Dan Moore had a debut to remember as he scored five of the Dragonz goals.

Moore helped himself to a first-half hat-trick with James Stone netting the other that gave them a 4-0 half-time lead.

After the break Moore scored another two to make up his five timer. Stone added his second of the morning, Lee Clark got his name on the scoresheet as did Ashley Barnett whose treble made up the 11.

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