AFTER going through the entirety of last season without dropping a single point, the step up of two divisions was always going to be a tough ask for the players of Nationwide Pavilion.

A much-changed side from last year’s team that won all 16 of their Division Four matches have had a mixed start to life in Division Two of the Swindon Sunday League but they recorded their second victory of the season on Sunday.

After going a goal down early on to Penhill United, they were able to turn the game around courtesy of two goals from striker Simon Jenkins, with a little help from the wind.

“We went 1-0 down in the first five minutes and Penhill were probably on top for the first half,” said Pavilion manager Paul Ridgewell.

“Callum Pickles pulled off some great saves to keep us in it at half-time.

“We got a bit more into the game and scored with about 20 minutes to go.

“It looked like it was going to be a draw but with four minutes to go, the ball got caught up in the wind and bounced awkwardly.

“One of their defenders headed it over the keeper and Simon Jenkins ran through to score.

“We’ve had quite a few players missing from last season, either through injury or they have left the club, and that is why our results have been mixed.

“We are starting to get a more settled team and I still think we can get third or fourth spot come the end of the season.”

Pavilion moved up to fifth in the league with the win, one place above West Swindon Wanderers, who also enjoyed their second win of the campaign with a 3-0 away triumph at CH2M Hill.

In the second division’s other tie, Wanborough came out on top of a nine-goal thriller against The Windmill, with the home side claiming a 5-4 victory.

There were no league games in the top division but Greyhound, who currently sit top of the pile, beat bottom-of-the-league Inter Sandgate 7-2 in the Wiltshire Sunday Cup.

In Division Three, AFC Tap and Barrel were able to close the gap on Cleeve Tech as they secured a 3-0 away win over Eldene, with league leaders Cleeve Tech not playing.

Cross Street, however, were unable to keep the pressure on the top two as they slipped to a 9-2 defeat away to FS Swindon.

DPR remain the front-runners in Division Four as they secured a comfortable 7-2 victory over DH Fitness, with the away side slipping to third behind Chiseldon, who won 6-2 away to Stratton Saints.

DBS also won away from home as they beat Smart Movers 5-1 while Old Town United won 4-3 at home to AFC Swindon United.

In Division Five, a brace from Craig Simmons added to a goal from Luke Little as Marlborough Town Casuals beat AFC Greendown 3-1 to remain top of the league.

There were twelve goals in the game between Coleshill Youth and Nationwide as the away side came out 7-5 winners, while PSV Swindon romped to a 5-1 win over Rug Shack.

AFC Freshbrook lost ground on the league leaders as they were held to a 3-3 draw with Cricklade MTA.

Division Six table-toppers Abbey Meads suffered a shock a 4-2 loss at the hands of mid-table Save on Tyres Athletic.