LOWER Stratton manager Alan Spring was chuffed to see his side take their chances and keep themselves in the thick of the Swindon & District League Division One title-battle.

Spring’s team, who have moved up to third in the table, ran out 4-0 winners over Haydon Wick, Steve Norriss and Rich Clark scoring in the first half before Jamie Saunders’ second-half double rounded things off.

The two teams drew 5-5 on February 11 and the Stratton boss was delighted that his troops made things a lot more straightforward this time around, even if his side weren’t completely clinical in front of goal.

“It was quite an even first half. Haydon Wick were dangerous, like they always are, but Chris Tewkesbury, who’s one of their better players, went off injured and that changed the game a bit,” said Spring.

“We stepped up a gear in the second half and we took our chances – in other weeks, we don’t do that.

“Rich Clark did miss a sitter, though. The ball has been crossed to him in front of an open goal and all he had to do was tap it in, but he’s tried to stoop down and head it in, and the ball has gone over the bar – he made up for it by scoring soon afterwards.

“It makes it enjoyable that it’s competitive at the top of the table.

“There are a lot of teams that can win the title and anything can happen between now and the end of the season.”

Leaders Lyneham remain two points ahead of Spring’s side following their 7-1 shellacking of Old Town United, who have dropped to fourth, and that scoreline was bettered by second-in-the-table Sport 4 Pinehurst, who ran out 8-1 winners over Stratton Juniors.

Jonathan Peachy-Score and Arron Welland hit hat-tricks, while Brad Stanners and Luke Richards also notched.

Meanwhile, Marlborough Reserves returned to winning ways as they thrashed Moredon 6-0, while Core Construction were awarded an away walkover for their trip to Wroughton Reserves.

In the Premier Division, Bassett Bulldogs took advantage of Tawny Owl’s cup commitments to move three points clear at the top of the table.

Jason Hudson’s goal handed them a 1-0 victory over FC Dorcan but the Bulldogs have played five games more than unbeaten Tawny.

A brace from Tom Ballard and a Jason Hodson goal weren’t enough for North Swindon WMC to avoid a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Sportz Central, while Ramsbury beat basement boys Spectrum 2-0, with Leigh Harris and substitute Matthew Darvell on target.

Tawny were in action in the Wiltshire Junior Cup and have county glory fully in their sights after beating Trowbridge & District League side Three Daggers 5-2 to reach next month’s final.

They will take on Luxol St Andrews, who beat reigning champions Stockton & Codford on penalties in their semi-final, on Saturday, April 8, in Westbury.