Police are facing a hammering

From the Wiltshire Times, first published Friday 14th Dec 2007.

Two of the top three sides in Division Two return to league action on Sunday and for both Crown Cosmos, who are the current leaders, and third-placed Cooper-Avon it will be case of Goliath versus Davis as they take on teams in the bottom half of the table.

Crown Cosmos don't have to travel far to take on Chippenham Police at their base at the police headquarters, Devizes.

Will Kibby's Crown side defeated the boys in blue 5-1 in September, with Stuart Skinner scoring a hat-trick and David Lloyd and Eliot Williams adding singles.

It would be a massive shock if the Crown didn't double the scoreline in the reverse match as they are on fire in front of goal while the police have conceded 14 goals in their last two games.

It the likes of Lloyd, Skinner, Julian Alexander, Dean Potter (if available), Nick Taylor and Andy Combes fancy some target practice they will be queuing up to play in this game.

The police will be looking for damage limitation and a lot will depend on the players they have available. Work commitments and injuries have left them short in the past but they will need a full squad available for the match against their local rivals otherwise they are likely to suffer another high scoring loss.

Cooper-Avon v Horse and Groom

WESTBURY-based Horse and Groom have not played a match since they recorded their first win of the season over The Crown Devizes.

They would have liked an easier match this weekend to try and claim back-to-back victories, but the cards have not fallen right and their search for a second win is likely to end in disaster when they visit the Conigre, Melksham, to take on third placed Cooper-Avon, who will still be on a high after sending top flight side Holt out of the Knockout Cup last Sunday.

Cooper-Avon have already beaten their guests this season, as James Worsley (2), Paul Walker, Simeon Mills and Simon Gillatt shared the goals in October's 5-1 win and it would be a surprise if Gary Newman's side didn't give a repeat performance and cruise to their eighth triumph of the season.

Hullavington v Sutton Benger

FOURTH placed Hullavington have the opportunity to narrow the advantage of the teams above them who are all on 16 points.

Hullavington are set to host Sutton Benger at Buckley Barracks and will have Phil Garland back in the squad after his car crash a few weeks ago.

Garland hasn't played since Hullavington's 5-2 home win against FC Bradford in early November, which just happens to be the last time they took maximum points.

Ed Wilkins could be a doubt for Hullavington as a lot depends on if Malmesbury Vics play tomorrow.

Wilkins is set to serve a one-match ban and if the Vics game goes ahead then Wilkins will line up against Benger.

Hullavington's new goalkeeper Gary Waldron is also set for his first start since his switch from Somerford, so the villagers will be making every effort to get the match played.

The teams were due to play each other last weekend until the whether intervened, but, just like then, the signs point to a win for Hullavington.

But Benger, who have won just two of their seven matches so far, are capable of upsetting the odds, especially when the pundits have written them off, and this is one of those occasions that if they get it right they could turn the form book on its head, especially if Matt White and Chris Miles can test the credentials of Hullavington's new number one Waldron.

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