This weekend's Southern League South and West review.
Hereford FC head into Christmas holding a ten-point lead at the top of the EVO-STIK League Southern Division One South & West table after their latest win at Edgar Street against Yate Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
The Bulls won 4-1 in front of an excellent pre-Christmas crowd of 2,668. Jamie Molyneux gave the home side an early sixth minute lead but the Bluebells responded well and levelled through Luke Bryan eight minutes later.However, Mike Symons restored the Bulls` lead 10 minutes before the break and second half goals from Mike McGrath and Jon Mills secured another comfortable win for Peter Beadle`s side.
Tiverton Town and Evesham United remain well clear of the rest in second and third place respectively.
Tivvy won 2-1 at Ladysmead against Slimbridge with goals from Levi Landricombe after 15 minutes and Owen Howe 10 minutes from time after Adam Mace had given the visitors a ninth minute lead.
Evesham were more comfortable 4-1 winners at North Leigh, who are falling behind in the top five race.
Lance Smith bagged a brace for United in the 22nd and 48th minutes, with Carl Brown and Garyn Preen adding the others – George Seacole replying for the Oxfordshire side.
Mangotsfield United and Swindon Supermarine remain fourth and fifth after they shared a 1-1 Cossham Street draw on Saturday in which Lewis Powell`s 14th minute opener for the Mangos was levelled by Callum Parsons three minutes after the break.
Steve Claridge`s Salisbury FC will be looking to mount a top five challenge in the New Year after a 3-1 win at bottom-markers Bridgwater Town leaves them in sixth, three points behind the top five.
Tommy Wright bagged a brace of first half spot-kick for the Whites, with Brandon Munday netting the other 18 minutes from time – Syd Camper scoring a consolation for the home side near the end.
Second-bottom Wantage Town have now conceded the same amount of goals as Bridgwater – 60 – after suffering a 9-0 home hammering by Taunton Town.
The struggling Alfredians are still without a home win this season after Owen Irish and Ross Staley helped themselves to hat-tricks, Craig Duff a brace and Matt Wright the other.
Goals from Toby Holmes in the first half and then Louis Kellaway and Jack Lovell in the second saw Wimborne Town to a 3-0 home win over Barnstaple Town.
Third-bottom AFC Totton won for the first time since Bonfire Night, Dave Allen`s 76th minute effort proving enough at Testwood Park against Paulton Rovers.
Bideford were beaten 2-1 at home by Winchester City, whose Stuart Green and Craig Feeney from the spot scored in the final 15 minutes after Will Tucker`s 42nd minute opener for Biddy.
Bishops Cleeve enjoyed one of their best wins of the season to date – 4-0 at Larkhall Athletic, courtesy of goals from Jack Horrell and James Baldwin either side of half-time and then Jacob Davidge and Joe Bates later on.
Shortwood United led Didcot Town 3-1 at home after 39 minutes with goals from Jake Lee in the eighth and 39th minutes, sandwiched by a Will Morford effort – all after Sam Barder had given the Railwaymen a third minute lead. But a Ben Whitehead brace on 45 and 59 minutes earned Didcot a share of the spoils.