24th April 2002 Trowbridge Town 0 Wroughton 1

20th April 2002 Malmesbury Vic Reserves 1 Trowbridge Town 4

17th April 2002 Melksham Town Reserves 0 Trowbridge Town 2

Thanks to Robert Lloyd Smith for providing this match report...

13th April 2002 Trowbridge Town 0 Biddestone FC 1

Biddestone inflicted their first ever win on Trowbridge Town in a typical "end of season" encounter. Both teams fielded weakened sides. Biddestone had two regulars missing whilst Trowbridge had to name management in their line-up once again. Ted Miluk one of the Assistant Managers started the game, Andy O'Pray the other Assistant Manager replaced him at half time and even Manager, Alan Roberts made a late appearance as a substitute. There was little excitement in the first half, Trowbridge created a few chances from set pieces, ably taken by Ted Miluk but it was a long shot that went over the crossbar from Ted that was probably the closest effort after 33 minutes. The father and son combination of Andy and Jerad O'Pray failed to break through the Biddestone defence although that latter did have an opportunity to score in the first couple of minutes, his shot going over the bar after receiving a pass from Jerad. Biddestone secured their points when a free-kick was headed back across goal and Dean Palmer scored with a well placed header. 

11th April 2002 Trowbridge Town 0 Pewsey Vale Reserves 0

Pewsey visited Trowbridge with the intention to defend and gain a point. Trowbridge therefore dominated possession for the entire match and although the Pewsey defenders played well, Trowbridge must be disappointed that they could not find a way through. There were a number of scoring opportunities in the first half but the best chance of all fell to Mark Conners in the second half. Jerad O'Pray doing well to put the ball across the face of the goal and Mark with his first kick of the match after coming on for Dave Mitchell somehow put the ball wide from close range.

9th April 2002 Shrewton United 4 Trowbridge Town 1

Trowbridge had so many players unavailable for this match that they named Alan Roberts (Manager), Ted Miluk (Asst Manager) & Ian Diamond (Goalkeeping coach),  as substitutes. Murden, Saunderson, O'Pray and Mitchell were all missing. Still nothing to worry about it's only Shrewton; top of the league with 100+ goals to their credit this season! Apart from the first five minutes Trowbridge were under immense pressure in the first half and found themselves 2-0 down within 15 minutes. Nick Jones & Shaun Collins the scorers. The only time Trowbridge threatened was from free kicks. The first of these was headed over the bar by Mike Little and the second taken by Paul Ranger found itself in the back of the net courtesy of a deflection via Shrewton's Stuart Mulford. after 24 minutes. This recovery was short lived and despite some good goalkeeping from Adam Sheppard and an appearance by the "experienced" Ted Miluk Shrewton added two more goals before the break. Shaun Collins & Jessie Walters the scorers. In the second half Shrewton continued to dominate the play but thanks to some excellent stops from Adam Sheppard (including a  penalty from Jessie Walters) they failed to add to the score line. Alan Roberts came on halfway though the second half and adopted a forward role but this rather unusual Trowbridge Town line up were no match for Shrewton who are without doubt the best team Trowbridge have played against since re-forming.

6th April 2002 Cricklade Town 1 Trowbridge Town 2

Cricklade defied their league position to put up a strong challenge to visiting Trowbridge in a match that was spoilt by the strong wind. They took the lead from their first attack after eight minutes. Martin Swaddon latched onto a long clearance after a rare mistake by Gordon Saunderson and crossed he ball for David Oram to score easily. Trowbridge attacked for most of the first half but the wind seemed to take the ball away from the forwards and Cricklade occasionally looked dangerous on the counter as Trowbridge left gaps at the back The equaliser came in the 27th minute. Jerad O'Pray received the ball from Brent Murden and ran into the edge of the area from where he struck a blistering shot into the roof of the net. Cricklade had a goal disallowed for offside shortly before half time so it wall all to play for in the second half. Early in the second half Mitchell forced the Crickalde goalkeeper to parry a good shot. The winner came from the penalty spot after 66 minutes, confidently put away by Dave Mitchell after O'Pray was brought down by Aly Ross in the area. Cricklade more than held their own in the second half sharing possession but they could not find a way through and Trowbridge held on for three important points. 

2nd April 2002 Trowbridge Town 2 Devizes Town Reserves 0

23rd March 2002 Trowbridge Town 3 Melksham Town Reserves 2

I was unable to attend this match due to a family bereavement but am extremely grateful to regular supporter Nigel Vile for providing information that has enabled me to compile the following notes....

Trowbridge returned to winning ways in this closely fought local derby  They took an early lead after just five minutes. Dave Mitchell turned nicely on the edge of the area and fed the ball to Tim Waylen. When Tim's shot rebounded from the goalkeeper, new signing Lee Davis was positioned to score from close range. Melksham drew level after 12 minutes when Adam Gingell's free kick found the net via a post . Five minutes later the lead was restored, Mitchell scoring from close range. The same player making it 3-1 after 20 minutes with a neat flick-header. Melksham fought back again and the fifth goal of the game after only 25 minutes was scored by Calvin Lockwood with a header. Although there were no goals in the second half there was plenty of incident. Lee Wilson came on for Mike Little in the 50th minute and set up a promising attack through the middle. Unfortunately, this broke down due to an offside. After 56 minutes, Adam Nunn was replaced by Shipley after suffering injury to his nose and Trowbridge, without the normal pairing of Saunderson and Shanley at the back found themselves under immense pressure. With five minutes remaining Dave Mitchell was dismissed by the referee for throwing a punch and Melksham had a good appeal for a penalty turned down shortly afterwards. Having been under pressure during these later stages, Trowbridge were relieved to hear the final whistle and gained the three points that moved them back up to fourth place in the league.

9th March 2002 Trowbridge Town 1 Purton Reserves 2

Trowbridge stumbled to a disappointing defeat in a match that they could easily have tied up by half time. Purton were facing a strong wind and heavy hailstones during the first half and as a result found themselves under immense pressure. Despite this, it wasn't until the half hour that Trowbridge created a scoring opportunity. Dave Mitchell did well on the edge of the penalty area and  Adam Nunn only just failed to reach his cross with an attempted diving header. The breakthrough came after 36 minutes, Ben Gardener scoring with the outside of his foot from just inside the area. In the second half, Trowbridge still had most of the attacking play despite playing against the wind but it was Purton who nearly scored against the run of play. A poor free kick by Brent Murden lost possession and the resultant break saw Harris beaten in the Trowbridge goal. However,  Murden was back to make up for his error and cleared off the line. Trowbridge were still having the best of the play with Mitchell going close after a brilliant turn that beat two players but Purton equalised after 77 minutes, Wright latching onto a through ball which he slotted comfortably past Harris. Purton grabbed their winner in the last minute just after Brent Murden went close with a header for Trowbridge. Once again it was Wright on the break, this time with a confident lob into the net.

2nd March 2002 Trowbridge Town 2 Aldbourne 1

Trowbridge moved back up to third in the league by defeating much lower placed Aldbourne. The early stages saw Trowbridge attacking but the forwards found it difficult to avoid the off-side trap that was clearly an intentional ploy by the visitors. It was therefore totally against the run of the play when Aldbourne took a 23rd minute lead.  A corner by Steve Hewlett found it's way into the net via the far post. Ten minutes later, some good play in midfield by Ben Gardner set up Jerad O'Pray but the result was only a corner. O'Pray then set up Adam Nunn following some excellent play from Gordon Saunderson but again the result was a corner, due to a fingertip save by the goal-keeper. Aldbourne continued to employ the off-side trap in the second half and were finally made to pay in the 51st minute. Ben Gardner timed his run perfectly onto a through ball and his shot went under the goal-keeper to bring the scores level. There was really only one team likely to win the match after that but chance after chance seemed to be wasted every time the offside trap failed. Andy Doel shot over and Paul Shanley had a free kick saved before the winner finally came in the 80th minute. A good cross from Matthew Penman was headed over the goalkeeper by Jerad O'Pray. Ben Gardner nearly added a third in the last three minutes following a short corner but in the end Trowbridge had to settle for the points with a close margin.

23rd February 2002 Stratton Crosslink 3 Trowbridge Town 2

Trowbridge hardly ventured from their own half of the pitch during the first twenty minutes of this league match although during that time time there were no clear chances created.  The main event of the first half until the 23rd minute was the heavy downfall of hailstones until Jerad O'Pray forced a corner when he may have done better after beating two players but his shot was deflected for a corner by the Stratton goal-keeper. Shortly after, Mitchell set up O'Pray again but his shot went over the bar as the goal-keeper advanced. With four minutes of the first half remaining, Stratton took the lead with a fine left foot shot from outside the area by Jerry Wright. When the second half began, Stratton really took control and added two more goals in the first 5 minutes. The first flew in from the right hand side of the penalty box from Martin Groundsell, then Steve Shaw took advantage when Chris Vaughan misjudged a high ball into the area to make it 3-0 from close range. In the 57th minute, Trowbridge had Brent Murden sent off, being the last line of defence when giving away a penalty and the match should have been all over. However, Groundsell's penalty went wide of the left post and there was still some hope. Stratton continued to press and struck the crossbar before Trowbridge finally came to life. Dave Mitchell was brought down and Paul Shanley stepped up to convert the penalty. Mike Little then came on as a substitute and he too was fouled in the area. Paul Shanley stepped up again and it was now 3-2 with all to play for. Now playing with more belief, Trowbridge pushed forward looking to grab a point and had to be careful as they left gaps at the back, time however, was against them and Stratton held on for the points that they deserved.

16th February 2002 Bradford Town 2 Trowbridge Town 2

Trowbridge returned to action with another local derby, this time sharing the points with rivals, Bradford Town. Expectations were high following the weather enforced break with Trowbridge being boosted by the return of old favourite Dave Mitchell. A good sized crowd saw a lively start with Trowbridge making most of the play and they were rewarded after 13 minutes. Jerad O'Pray finishing well following a pass from Dave Mitchell. Bradford nearly levelled just two minutes later but a shot was cleared off the line. After 25 minutes, Andy Doel should have increased the lead after some good hold up play by Mitchell, but his shot struck the goalkeeper and went for a corner. Three minutes later Bradford were level, Robbie Simmonds heading over Guthrie the debutant Trowbridge goal-keeper. Both teams had a chance to gain a half time lead, O'Pray heading just over for Trowbridge following a free-kick but it was Bradford who took their chance. Guthrie dropped a fairy easy take and John Burt was in the right place to finish comfortably.  The Trowbridge equaliser came after 56 minutes. Mike Little had a shot parried by the goal-keeper and was then fouled. The resultant free kick taken by Paul Shanley, was met by Dave Mitchell, heading just inside the post. Trowbridge looked the most likely in the remainder of the half but were often caught on the break by the lively Bradford forwards. The draw keeps Trowbridge Town third in the league whilst Bradford added another game to their unbeaten run which stretches back to September.

12th January 2002 Westbury United Reserves 1 Trowbridge Town 1

Trowbridge made the short trip to Westbury but could only return with one point. A draw was probably satisfactory for the home side although neither club would have been satisfied with the entertainment level. Trowbridge lost debutant, Jack Heard with an early injury and Ben Gardner returned to first team action.  The first third of the game became a physical encounter with little goalmouth action until the 27th minute. Steve Wickins, also making his debut, provided a good cross and Ben Gardner struck a sweet shot in to the top left corner from all of 20 yards. Shortly after, Trowbridge nearly increased their lead when a Brent Murden header was deflected towards goal by a defender but the goalkeeper saved. Just before the break, Westbury should have equalised but Chris Vaughan saved well in a one-on-one situation and Murden then managed to clear. In the second half Trowbridge started the stronger, Wickins heading wide from an Andy Doel cross but as time went on, Westbury came back into the match and deserved their equaliser. Paul Beavers capitalizing when Chris Vaughan failed to deal with a high ball into the area. A fair result to a very dull game.

22nd December 2001 Trowbridge Town 0 Corsham Town Reserves 2

There were to be no Christmas celebrations for Trowbridge as they played Corsham in their only December fixture. A decent crowd was in attendance on a bitter cold afternoon but there was nothing about the performance to provide warmth. In a dismal first half the first chance went to Corsham.  An opportunist effort after 12 minutes from 20 yards going just wide of the left post. A few minutes later Mike Little played a through ball to Jerad O'Pray on the right but having beaten a defender his shot was saved easily by the goalkeeper. Corsham took the lead in the final minute of the half, a ball was played across goal and Steve Davies was available at the far post to score easily. Corsham made sure of the points on the hour when a player was brought down in the area and Tommy Laver stepped up to make no mistake from the resultant penalty. This was slightly against the run of play during the second half but the overall performance from Trowbridge, who were missing one or two regulars, was very poor and any honest Trowbridge fan would have to agree that Corsham deserved their win. They successfully frustrated the home forwards with good use of the offside trap and on the occasions when they did get through the final penetration just wasn't there. Alan Roberts later described the performance as "awful" and must have been further disappointed when he learned that Shrewton had been held to a draw by Devizes Town Reserves.

24th November 2001 Biddestone FC 1 Trowbridge Town 2

17th November 2001 Wroughton  2 Trowbridge Town 2 (after extra time)

Wroughton won 4-2 on penalties. 

10th November 2001 Marlborough Town 0 Trowbridge Town 1

Trowbridge gained important points to maintain their league challenge by defeating a much improved Marlborough team. The only goal of the match coming after just five minutes, Mark Conner the scorer after Jerad O'Pray  passed from a long clearance by Sheppard. Trowbridge nearly increased their lead through Adam Nunn a few minutes later but the ball went straight into the goalkeepers arms. After fifteen minutes Marlborough very nearly equalised, they had two efforts cleared of the line with Sheppard beaten. Although Trowbridge kept up the pressure for the remainder of the first half particularly though Adam Nunn down the left wing, there was always a chance that Marlborough might get back into the game. The second half proved to be a tough encounter as Trowbridge held on to their slender lead. They produced more goal-scoring opportunities than Marlborough though. O'Pray headed over the bar from a good Chris Henry cross after 47 minutes and a fine solo run from O'Pray five minutes later produced good save from the goalkeeper. Three minutes later the same player was denied again, having rounded the keeper his goal bound shot was cleared by a defender. Later, Adam Nunn also had two vicious shots saved by the Marlborough goalkeeper. Marlborough looked dangerous on the break and forced one or two corners in the later stages but despite their efforts were unable to take anything from the match.

3rd November 2001(ASC) Trowbridge Town 1 Bradford Town 1 (after extra time)

Bradford won 5-4 on penalties. 

Trowbridge had to concede defeat to local rivals Bradford Town via a penalty shoot-out. The match although lacking much excitement started brightly with the visitors mounting the first attack. Despite this, Trowbridge opened the scoring after just five minutes. Jerad O'Pray headed the ball towards goal and in the scramble that ensued the ball bounced up against the arm of a defender and somehow found it's way over the line. Bradford would have equalised in the 28th minute but for some good defending and a good blocking save by Sheppard. In the second half after 57 minutes, Ricky Trott tried a sort of lob/shot and this time Sheppard failed to deal with it and Bradford were level. With everything now to play for both sides tried to take the upper hand but neither could really stamp their authority. On the hour Chris Tricker nearly gave the home side the lead when a cross rolled along the top of the crossbar. Trowbridge mounted a number of attacks but the Bradford defence, at times a little physical but not malicious, stood firm and extra time was inevitable.  During the extra time period the game could have gone either way but the best chance came in injury time. Substitute Lewis Haldane playing very well since coming on for Chris Tricker, set up Jerad O'Pray.  Unfortunately for the home side, John Fox, the Bradford Town goalkeeper, turned his well-hit shot round the post. With the sky darkening the match finished and it was decider time. Simple really, Bradford scored all five and the unfortunate Haldane was the only player to fail from the spot for Trowbridge, Fox again saving well. Hopefully Haldane will recover quickly from this disappointment, he played his part well and will do so in the future. Bradford's reward is a tie with Devizes Town Reserves.    Thanks to Kathy Crisp for providing these photographs. Paul Shanley successfully shields the ball during the match and later Alan Roberts suffers with the rest of us during the penalty shoot-out.

27th October 2001 Trowbridge Town 3 Malmesbury Victoria Reserves 0

Trowbridge returned to winning ways on Saturday, successfully breaking down the Malmesbury defence in the second half. There was no doubt that the visitors came to defend and in the first half managed to frustrate the Trowbridge forwards. The first half produced very little excitement, Malmesbury had just one opportunity that went over the cross bar and Trowbridge whilst dominating possession failed to test the visiting goalkeeper. Mike Little did produce a good shot that went wide of the post but the first half finished goalless. The second half could only get better and did but Trowbridge had to wait until the 72nd minute for the opening goal. Jerad O'Pray scoring with a header from a cross by Gordon Saunderson. Three minutes later Chris Henry was pulled down in the area and Paul Shanley stepped up to make no mistake from the resultant penalty. Trowbridge then forced a number of corners from which Brent Murden often looked likely to score. With two minutes left, Lee Wilson beat the Malmesbury offside trap on the right and crossed the ball for O'Pray to make it 3-0 from inside the penalty area. Manager Alan Roberts said that he was pleased with the result, all the players showing character to bounce back after the defeat last week. Credit should also go to Adam Sheppard, the Trowbridge goalkeeper. He buried his nightmare from last week and recorded his fifth clean sheet in six appearances, a record that he can be proud of.

20th October 2001 Wroughton 3 Trowbridge Town 1

If an outfield player makes a mistake he quite often gets away with it but when you're a goalkeeper you can often be hero or villain in a very short space of time. Poor Adam Sheppard the Trowbridge Town goalkeeper must take the blame for this defeat following a disastrous performance against a very competent Wroughton team. Trowbridge were without doubt the better side on the day producing some of the best flowing football to date this season. Sheppard's nightmare started early when he let a ball slip through his hands in the fourth minute. On this occasion though, he recovered the ball quickly. Trowbridge had a strong claim for a penalty turned down when Andy Doel was tackled from behind in the area but it was Wroughton who took the lead after half an hour. The ball was crossed into the area and Glenn Armstrong just beat Mathew Penman to the ball to score with a low shot. Jerad O'Pray had the ball in the net a few minutes later with a strong header but it was adjudged to be offside. Five minutes from half time Chris Henry intercepted well to set up a chance for Paul Shanley but his shot went straight at the Wroughton goalkeeper. Mark Connor who put in an excellent performance created another chance for Trowbridge before the break but Andy Doel couldn't capitalise. Three minutes into the second half, Sheppard allowed a very weak pass to go through his legs and Stuart Phillips was on hand to score from close range and double the lead for the home side. In the 55th minute Trowbridge were back in the game with a goal from Andy Doel, heading in a Chris Henry corner. It now looked as if the superiority may pay off but Adam Sheppard came racing out of his goalmouth just one minute later giving Stuart Phillips the opportunity to chip the ball into the net from long range.Even with the score at 3-1 Trowbridge fought to the end but there just wasn't enough time to make up the deficit

13th October 2001 Aldbourne 0 Trowbridge Town 2

With Aldbourne lying near the bottom of the table, Trowbridge were expected to win this match comfortably. In the end they did but it took a long time for them to prove their superiority by turning possession into goals. There were few goalscoring opportunities in the first half, Chris Tricker having shot over the bar and Adam Nunn going close with a shot across goal. Aldbourne had one good chance but the forward headed over the bar when he really should have at least hit the target. In the dying seconds of the first half, Chris Henry scooped the ball over the bar when he too should have hit the target. The second half performance was better although not spectacular, Paul Shanley beat the goalkeeper on 55 minutes but the shot went just wide. Chris Tricker should have scored by heading in a cross after 66 minutes but was grateful to Chris Henry who gained possession and put the ball back into the six yard area where Tricker made no mistake from close range. Once the opening goal was scored, Trowbridge were the only team likely to score again. There was another opportunity for Tricker when he rounded the goalkeeper well but hit the post as he tried to cut the ball in from a tight angle. In the 72nd minute Tim Waylen wrapped up the scoring, heading in a free kick taken by Paul Shanley.  

6th October 2001 Trowbridge Town 0 Stratton Crosslink 0

Neither side could break the deadlock in this top of the table clash and a share of the honours was probably a fair result. Both goalkeepers were on  top form, Sheppard being the first to be called in to action when he saved well from Sratton's Jerry Wright in the 17th minute. There were two further chances for Stratton in the first half. In the 20th minute a long range effort was pushed over the crossbar and then with three minutes remaining a shot went wide of the post with only Sheppard to beat. In the second half it was Trowbridge who failed to take their chances. The first of these followed a superb run by Matthew Penman, but when the ball was put into the path of Tim Waylen via Jerad O'Pray he failed to find the target. There were also efforts from Brent Murden and two from Paul Shanley in the second half, one of which was superbly pushed over the crossbar for a corner by the Stratton goalkeeper. Stratton nearly stole the points with 5 minutes to go but Sheppard also saved well. The old cliché of football being a game of two halves came to mind, with neither team deserving to be losers on the day. The only winner was the strong wind which, at times spoilt the match as both sides did their best to produce the football.

29th September 2001 Trowbridge Town 6 Westbury United Reserves 0

22nd September 2001 Trowbridge Town 4 Purton Reserves 0 (Addkey Senior  Cup)

Trowbridge breezed into the first round proper of the Addkey Senior Cup against a Purton Reserve side that tried to compete but were outclassed throughout. In the early stages Trowbridge forced a number of corners that failed to produce a result. The home crowd saw their team camped in the Purton half but had to wait until 25 minutes for the first goal. Mark Conners did well on the right and crossed the ball to Chris Henry who after controlling the ball picked out the top corner with an shot from the edge of the penalty area. Thirteen minutes later Paul Shanley scored the second from the penalty spot after a blatant hand ball that was originally missed by the referee. Fortunately the assistant referee stood his ground and the kick was awarded after consultation. Trowbridge nearly added to their tally on the stroke of half time but for a good save by the Purton goalkeeper. At the start of the second half, Purton had an early chance when debutant goalkeeper Adam Sheppard parried a shot but then recovered well when out of position. In fact Sheppard looked confident when called upon, having spent most of his time watching rather than being called into action. The only other Purton chance came on the hour when they did manage to find the back of the net only to have the goal ruled out for off-side. It was all Trowbridge after that, Chris Henry shaving a post with a powerful shot. Then, shortly afterwards Chris Tricker grabbed a third for Trowbridge by taking the ball round the goalkeeper. Finally, Jerad O''Pray  wrapped up the scoring with about twelve minutes left.

15th September 2001 Trowbridge Town 3 Cricklade Town 1

8th September 2001 Purton Reserves 1 Trowbridge Town 3

Adam Nunn

Trowbridge made their trip to West Swindon worthwhile by returning with all three points. With the game only four minutes old,  Mike Little did well near the line to get the ball to Adam Nunn. Adam played a good one-two with Chris Henry to score the opening goal. After that the game settled but Trowbridge always seem to be the better side until the thirtieth minute when possession was lost in the Purton half and the resultant break allowed Robert Preddy to level the scores. Preddy almost gave Purton the lead just before half time but goalkeeper Chris Vaughan did well to push the ball round for a corner. The second half saw Trowbridge take control and they took the lead after 52 minutes. Chris Henry centred the ball to Mike Little who found space and time to beat a number of players and then turned well to slot the ball past the Purton goalkeeper. Purton tried to get back in the game but never really troubled the Trowbridge defence led by the excellent Gordon Saunderson. Trowbridge had further chances to increase their lead including a typical Shanley free-kick which went just over and it was the same player that wrapped up the scoring from the penalty spot after Chris Henry was bundled off the ball by the goalkeeper. Manager Alan Roberts was pleased to get back on the winning trail after the disappointing performance last week, praising all the players for their attitude and determination to bounce back.

1st September 2001 Pewsey Vale Reserves 3 Trowbridge Town 1

Trowbridge suffered their first defeat of the season at Pewsey in a match where despite having much of the possession they lacked the necessary bite up front to create goal-scoring opportunities. Chris Tricker gave the visiting supporters an encouraging start with an excellent chip shot which was just turned over the bar by the Pewsey goalkeeper but it was the home side who took the lead when a thirty yard effort from Dorland bounced up on the hard surface and went over Chris Vaughan into the net. Paul Shanley squared the match with a thirty yard free kick that David Beckham would have been proud of! On the balance of play Trowbridge would have felt quite confident at the start of the second half but it was not to be. Pewsey took the lead through Tom Ritchie after 62 minutes and Mark Field added a third to wrap up the scoring. Trowbridge pushed Brent Murden up front to try and salvage something from the game and he did have a headed attempt turned round the post by the goalkeeper but they never really looked like scoring. A disappointing performance against a competent but not spectacular Pewsey Vale Reserve team.

18th August 2001 Trowbridge Town 3 Marlborough Town 0

Match report courtesy of Rob Lloyd-Smith. He submitted it to the Wiltshire Times but they did not bother to publish it!!

Two goals from midfielder Matthew Penman helped Trowbridge Town to a comfortable victory in their opening game of the new Skurray's Wiltshire League Premier Division campaign, held at a rain-sodden Woodmarsh on Saturday. Playing against last season's bottom-placed club, Trowbridge rapidly asserted a strong grip upon the game despite the slippery conditions, and could have taken the lead within the first five minutes, Tim Waylen somehow missing an open goal from six yards following an incisive run and cross from Chris Tricker. However, superior possession was soon made to count as defender Brent Murden scored Trowbridge's first goal on ten minutes, powerfully heading home a free-kick at the back post. The home team continued to press strongly, marshalled from the back by Lea James on his return to the club from last year's Screwfix League runners-up Chippenham Town, and almost extended their lead just after the half-hour mark as Tricker headed narrowly wide from Gordon Saunderson's long free-kick, rapidly followed by a long-range strike from Lee Wilson which brought a good low save from Marlborough keeper Alan Spencer. However, it was Penman's goals either side of half-time which sealed the game, the first a low 20-yard shot after Tricker held up a long ball on the edge of the area, the second an even better effort with a first-time hooked volley from a very narrow angle after chasing a long ball many would have given up for dead. The goals, Penman's first ever for the club following his elevation from the Trowbridge youth team, must have particularly pleased manager Alan Roberts, who has been forced to call upon many youth recruits in pre-season owing to injuries and unavailability of several established first-team players. To their credit, Marlborough didn't collapse after going three-down and pulled themselves more into the game once the rain had finally abated. However, their forays forward resulted mostly in long-range efforts which Trowbridge keeper Chris Vaughan had little problem in dealing with. The home team continued to carve out the better chances until the end, with both Waylen and substitute Mark Connor going close, and a late Chris Henry effort ruled out for a push on a defender.