A BRACE from Jerome Dodson helped Rodbourne Real to an important win over DH Fitness in the context of the Division Two title chase.

Only seven points separated the two teams heading into the weekend, with DH Fitness having two games in hand on the league leaders, but Rodbourne have hauled themselves further clear with a 5-2 win.

Dodson’s double and strikes from Richie Wells, Declan King and Scott Macleod saw the hosts home as they were forced to come back from a 2-1 deficit shortly after the break.

“It was a good result all round,” said Jon Reeves.

“We spent the first half playing too many long balls and they were just running through to their keeper, so I just tried to shorten up the game.

“In the second half, we played really well and scored some good goals and got the ball down and played the way we normally do, just getting the ball down on the deck and passing it to feet.

“We did go 2-1 down and it kicked us into life a little bit, and we scored two really quick goals and the last quarter of an hour. We turned the screw and scored a couple more.”

With DPR recording a 4-0 victory over Your Sport Swindon, Rodbourne have an eight-point cushion at the top, having played three games more than their nearest rival.

However, with the reverse fixture against DH Fitness this weekend and a game against DPR still to play, Reeves knows their title hopes are firmly in their own hands.

“It’s a big game this Sunday because we have got DH Fitness again and I am sure they’ll be up for it,” he added.

“We’ve only lost one game this season and that is to DPR. I think, when they catch up on all of their games, they can go a point above us.

“We have still got to play them as well, so it is all to play for and we’ll see where it takes us.”

In the only other game in Division Two, Fairford Town Sunday recorded a 6-3 victory over basement side Wanborough.

In the only fixture in Division One, Greyhound were 6-2 winners away to Penhill United to move them top above AFC Gas, who didn’t have a game.

AFC Cricklade closed the gap on Division Three leaders Haydon to just three points, with three games in hand, with a 5-2 win over the table toppers.

Croft Junior were comfortable 3-1 victors at home to Crown, while Purton Freshbrook edged a seven-goal thriller with Willowgreen Hotspur 4-3.

Chiseldon Sunday and Rudis are level on 12 points in Division Four after the former completed a 3-2 victory at home.

While in Division Five, leaders Highworth Town Sunday strolled to a 6-2 win over Save on Tyres Athletic, and Purton Red House were 6-2 winners at home to bottom side Swindon Rovers.

Northern Lights picked up their fourth success of the season with a 4-3 win over Sevenfield United, while Paxton House United beat Cricklade Park Rangers 5-1.

In the Swindon Sunday League Knockout Cup, first division Walcot were dominant in their 13-0 demolition of fourth division Smart Movers.