There were a few familiar faces at Cherrywood Road on Tuesday night as Boro dispatched Yate Town.

And while Boro fans would have been pleased to welcome back last season’s assistant manager Ian Savage, the sight of the enigmatic Ray Spence warming up prior to the game was the real talking point.

His appearance certainly set the tongues wagging, and it was confirmed after the game that the striker had indeed signed registration forms to make a dramatic return to the club he left back in January.

Spence became something of a cult figure at Boro last season, announcing himself to the Farnborough faithful with an audacious lob against Godalming Town to score the new club’s first ever competitive goal.

He went on to bag an impressive 14 goals in just 17 starts, but his lightning quick feet and clinical finishing were  overshadowed by off the field fall-outs that eventually led then manager Andy Clement to dispense with his services.

There is no doubting Spence’s ability, and Boro boss Francis Vines confirmed that he was an admirer of the controversial frontman.

“Ray is an exciting player and I have watched him for a number of years,” he said. “I know he left last year in a blaze of glory or whatever, but he had great ability.

“I tried to sign him at my last club [Basingstoke Town] but the finances wouldn’t allow it, but we are just looking for a bit more firepower.

“We are creating a lot of chances but we have to start taking them, and if Ray comes in, gets a game and takes a few chances then great.”

So, the talent is undeniably there, but what about the temperament? Vines insisted he would be taking a firm hand with his latest recruit.

“He is a 27-year-old man so he needs to grow up,” he said. “If you don’t get a game or are on the bench then when you do get a chance, show me that you should be starting.

“I don’t drop players who are playing well. If they play well, then they keep their place. If players are not performing, or not listening to what we say, then they will find themselves sitting in the dugout with me.

“We will have to see how it goes with Ray, but I’m sure he will be a good acquisition.”

Boro fans may have to wait for Spence to return however, as he looked far from fit when he warmed up on Tuesday.

Vines added: “He looked like he could be struggling a bit with fitness, so it may take a few sessions here before he gets a start or a place on the bench.”

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Banbury United boss Kieran Sullivan will be looking for the same qualities his side showed against Cambridge City when they travel to Clevedon on Saturday.

Tom Breward bagged United a deserved point in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Cambridge to end a run of two defeats in the BGB Southern League Premier Division.

"We paid the penalty for a poor 20-minute spell after halftime but we got back into the game and finished the stronger side. We could have won it in the end," said Sullivan, who was full of praise for the younger members of his squad.

"We've got some young lads in the team and they're doing very well. Joe Murrell is having an excellent season and Troy Bryan did another great job up front, holding the ball up.

"He's got a lot of natural talent, is still a bit raw, but he's a great lad to work with as he's always wanting to learn.

"Steve Howkins is only 18 but he showed great maturity and did a very good job for us when we were pushing forward late on."

The United boss has signed Matt Taylor on a month's loan from Oxford United and he will be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Clevedon. But Nicky Gordon may not be risked and Mark Essex is ruled out.

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Chippenham Town skipper Iain Harvey is looking forward to Saturday's Southern League Premier clash with Bedford and says the two clubs know each other well.

Bedford were the team that broke Chippenham hearts two years ago, beating them in the play-off final at Hardenhuish Park.

Since then Bedford have dropped back into the Southern Premier and this Saturday return to Hardenhuish Park.

Harvey though is keen to put the bad memories behind him.

He said: "Bedford came back down last season and will be a tough side to beat.

"They're physical and also know how to play football.

"They beat us two years ago in the play-offs with a last minute goal but that's all done and dusted.

"There's no bitterness, just another hard game that we've got to be up for."

With both teams sitting in mid-table it should be a tight clash.

Harvey said: "I suppose this could be the first six pointer of the season.

"At this stage though we're not as worried about league position, but we obviously don't want anyone getting away from us.

"We have high standards and we're putting pressure on ourselves to win every game."

Looking forward Harvey is keen for his team to get some consistency.

He said: "We need to go on a bit of a run and build some momentum.

"So far we've been a bit up and down and suffered some contentious refereeing decisions.

"We've not got going so far, but hopefully we're getting where we want to be."

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Tiverton Town boss Martyn Rogers admits he still needs to add to his squad following Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Bedford Town.

The Yellows created only one clear chance all match — and that was in the closing stages when already two goals down — as they suffered their second successive 2-0 Ladysmead loss.

With just three strikers on the Tivvy books, youngsters Paul Wyatt, Tom Knighton and Matt Groves, Rogers is keen to add a bit more creativity and goal threat for the rest of the Southern League Premier Division campaign.

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Butlin Road has always proved a lucky hunting ground for Chippenham with three wins and a draw from their previous four visits.

That run was extended as Sam Allison's first goal of the season secured the points that Chippenham so badly required to kick start their season.

In truth this was another below par performance from the Bluebirds who again created a glut of chances but lacked incisiveness inside the 18 yard box.

Fortunately, lowly Rugby were even lower on confidence and far more bereft of ideas although the Bluebirds were indebted to Ross Adams's clearance and a couple of smart saves from Chris Snoddy.

Adie Mings restored central midfield duo Ashley Williams and skipper Iain Harvey to the starting eleven as Chippenham took the field in what has often proved their lucky yellow kit.

Scott Lye's quickly taken 3rd minute throw caught the hosts napping and Allison's flick saw Dave Pratt cut inside before hitting his shot over the bar.

Four minutes later Williams turned provider as Pratt again volleyed high. At the other end Kevin Banner's shot on the turn suffered a similar fate as both sides seemed content to launch high balls in the Warwickshire sunshine.

Cortez Belle and Allison had both failed with headed efforts and Luke Gullick had dragged his shot wide before the one moment of magic in the match sealed the win.

A neat move from just inside their opponents half culminated with Kevin Halliday slipping the ball to Lye whose deft cross was powerfully headed into the net by Allison on 29 minutes.

You would have expected the goal to have settled Chippenham's nerves instead it galvanized their hosts who went on to have their best spell of the game.

From the restart Dykes's effort saw Snoddy dive forward and spill the ball on landing. Curtis's follow-up effort flashed past the stranded keeper but fortunately Adams was standing behind to stop the ball from entering the net.

A minute later David Kolodynski shot wide before the same player fed Dykes who drew a fine save from Snoddy.

Rugby then wilted in the heat as did their ideas; Snoddy snatched the ball off Kolodynski's toes at the start of the second period and then blocked another Dykes effort a quarter of an hour from time and that was all Rugby could muster in the second half.

Chippenham fared little better as the tireless Pratt was often left on his own to chase lost causes as the Bluebirds determinedly held onto their lead.

However, seven minutes from time Allison played Williams into the box but despite controlling the ball the ex-Yate man hit his effort over the bar with only Andrew Stevens to beat.

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Despite a much-improved performance, Banbury United slipped to their second successive defeat, going down 1-0 to a late winner from Jeremy Tarr at Bashley.

It was a brave effort by United especially considering they started without the strike pairing of the injured Nicky Gordon, the unavailable Scott Bridges, captain Mark Essex and the injured Kameron Abbassi.

By half-time United had also lost Aaron Stringfellow, Tom Breward and Stephan Morley, leaving the bare bones of a squad to battle against a good Bashley outfit for the rest of the match.

But United kept denied Bashley any scoring opportunities in the first half only to have to come out for the second half missing more key players.

The all-important goal came in the 70th minute shortly after a Lewis Travers shot had evaded home keeper David Elm and the ball was cleared off the line by Pete Castle. It put Justin Keeler in the clear and he played the ball forward to Richard Gillespie who crossed to the far post where Tarr rose to power in a header past Joe Murrell.

United pushed forward, looking for the equaliser and in the 88th minute they were almost successful when Steve Howkins turned in the box and sent in a powerful right foot shot which beat Elm, but unfortunately just beat the far post.

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Kieran Sullivan had no excuses following Banbury United's 5-1 defeat in Monday's BGB Southern League Premier Division clash which ended their unbeaten start to the season.

And Sullivan, although acknowledging Swindon's football, was critical of his players.

"No excuses, we were well beaten. Swindon played well but we made them look even better than they were. We didn't close them down quickly enough and didn't defend as a unit, not just the back four, but from front to back," said Sullivan.

"We made the best start we have this season but once we scored it all went downhill and I don't know why. There were far too many players having an off day, you can cope with one or two but not nine. It's the first time this season that we've gone behind and I didn't get the reaction I wanted."

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Only a fantastic goalkeeping display from Farnborough’s Lyall Beazley ensured his side took all three points from their Bank Holiday clash with Hemel Hempstead Town at Cherrywood Road.

The young stopper made two brilliant saves to preserve Boro’s narrow lead, and then capped them with a 94th minute penalty save to secure the victory.

Beazley’s heroics aside, it was a disappointing effort from Francis Vines’ men, and one that was in stark contrast to the dominant performance they put in to beat Tiverton Town two days earlier.

In Devon, Boro controlled proceedings from the off, and although they were in charge and ahead by the break against the Tudors, they failed to push on afterwards in the second half.

As the game wore on at 1-0, the visitors began to crank up the pressure on the home defence, and when Boro did create chances to seal the win, they were squandered.

Still, a victory against one of the last few sides in the league with an unbeaten record is hardly a bad result, and thanks to Michael Charles’ third goal of the season, they now sit in second place in the BGB Southern Premier, with ten points from four games.

After the game Vines was full of praise for his keeper, but far from happy with such a below par performance.

“Lyall has pulled off three wonderful saves today and that has got us the points,” he said. “He kept us ahead with a great save at the end the first half and then he made another brilliant save and obviously kept out the penalty as well. Saving the penalty was in the end as good as scoring a goal.

“We looked a bit tired today, and it wasn’t a good display. We were caught on the ball too often and were open to the counter attack too often. People were running off us and we lost our discipline and shape, and our intelligence to be honest.

“As good as it was on Saturday, it was as poor today, but at the end of the day it was the same result — a win."

Vines made just one change from the Tiverton triumph, with Nic Ciardini getting the chop at left back, replaced by Ian Oliver, to take on a Tudors side that had taken seven points from their first three games.

The visitors started brightly and forced two early corners, but Boro then took control of the game, and Charles headed just wide after Darren Wheeler had cruised past two players.

Boro seemed in command but they enjoyed a huge let off after 12 minutes, when Steve Wales curled a freekick into the penalty area. Beazley missed the ball and it fell to Harry Hunt just inches from the gaping net. However the striker took an age to get it under control, and somehow Adam Doyle was able to get back and clear the danger.

After that reprieve Charles and Doyle both went close to opening the scoring, flashing headers over the bar, before a sublime pass from Ryan Scott set Charles free, only for him to lose the ball under his feet.

Rob Saunders then planted a precise freekick straight on Doyle’s head, but the centre-back could only head wide. Boro were knocking on the door, however, and the goal came just three minutes before the break.

Mark Gamble beat Mark Coulson for pace down the right and fired in a low cross. Charles was quickest to react as he slid in with Hemel’s goalkeeper Ian Brown and Adam Martin, forcing the ball over the line to open the scoring.

Buoyed by the goal, Boro almost doubled the lead seconds later when Saunders crashed an effort against the bar from the edge of the area, but they were almost undone in stoppage time when Chris Herron broke free and his powerful drive was brilliantly turned away by Beazley.

The second half began with an anxious moment, when Gamble went down in a heap after clashing with Simon Sweeny.

After all the striker’s injury problems last season it was a worrying sight to see him stretchered off, but after heading straight to hospital a scan revealed that there were at least no broken bones.

Marcus Richardson came on in Gamble’s place, fresh from his brilliant headed goal in the win over Tiverton, and he found Wheeler in space on the left after 68 minutes. The winger hung a cross up to the back post and Leigh Rumbold arrived late in the box but could only head wide as Boro looked for a second goal.

But that goal never materialised. Too often the final pass went astray. As the game moved into the closing stages, with Boro just a goal up, nerves began to set in as Hemel started to force the issue.

With 90 minutes on the clock the vistors came close to an equaliser, when the ball fell to Herron on the box. His low drive took a wicked deflection and flew towards the top corner, but Beazley managed to change direction and turn the ball over the bar one-handed in dramatic style.

The drama continued into stoppage time as Boro then wasted a golden chance to wrap up the points when Dave Woozley played the ball through to Charles in the box. He initially seemed to think he was offside, but when the flag stayed down he attempted a lob over his shoulder and Brown easily held the tame effort.

Worse was to follow seconds later, as a long ball into the box was almost Boro’s undoing. Doyle, who minutes earlier had been announced as the man of the match, gave Chris Dillon the slightest nudge and the Tudors’ striker went down as though he had been beheaded. It was a little harsh but the referee pointed to the spot without a moment’s hesitation and it was left to Beazley to defy Steve Bateman’s side once more.

Substitute Jon Stevenson stepped up but Beazley dived to his right to make the save, receive the adulation of his team-mates and keep up Boro’s 100% home record.

Next up for Vines’ men is another long trip, this time to Worcester as they take on Evesham United on Saturday.

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A high court ruling has saved Merthyr Tydfil FC in the midst of a struggle for ownership between the board and its Supporters Trust.

Directors travelled to London to gain a six-week reprieve on a winding-up order totalling £21,000, which would have frozen the club’s financial assets and driven it into extinction.

The board are now confident they will be able to pay the funds in time, and have said that ‘provisions will be made’ for the funds needed.

But the club has stated it needs an immediate amount of at least £12,000 to help towards urgent bills, a request that begun an unexpected takeover attempt.

This money was to be obtained from fans’ group the Martyrs To The Cause Supporter’s Trust, but, after arguments over the transfer of funds, the money failed to materialise.

Merthyr owner Wyn Holloway offered 25% of the club’s shares for help, but the trust demanded a controlling stake on the morning of Merthyr’s first game of the season against Brackley.

The trust claimed it rejected Mr Holloway’s offer as their proposal was the only way to protect the club’s future.

Club directors rejected the deal and in a public meeting on Monday detailed the £300,000-plus of accumulated debt to the fans in attendance which, along with rates, bills and wages, make up the club outgoings.

Around £200,000 is owed on mortgage repayments, £96,000 to the brewery that supplies the Strikers clubhouse and between £30,000 and £40,000 is due to creditors.

In the past the club’s debts have been met with at least £500,000 in contributions from directors, although they will not be claiming their money back in the near future unless certain financial projects go ahead.

Examining the club accounts up until 2006, Supporters Direct, who organised formations of AFC Wimbledon and FC United by fans, advised the Merthyr Supporters Trust to reject the 25% offer and proposed that it should take the club off the board outright to cut all ties with the previous administration.

This would leave the directors paying off their own debts and outstanding club debt, supported by monthly “goodwill” contributions from the trust.

Director Perry Johnson said the trust had little knowledge of what a club needs to survive, and their own contributions had removed many previous club debts.

He said: “As a club, we now either move forward in creating a new supporters club or work with the trust for a solution – but at this stage we have run with the trust long enough.

“They have contributed a lot to this club, we do not question that, but unfortunately we are having problems with the way it has been dictated to and guided.”

The club’s ad-hoc plans for a new supporters club, proposed at Monday’s public meeting, would see supporters directly contributing to the club in the form of a trust fund – and push the current trust to the margins.

In a statement, The Supporters Trust said its takeover would relieve the directors from “their current over-burdening commitments, which must cause significant stress.”

A spokesperson said: “We wish to make it clear that we seek a solution that sees the future of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club secure in its community, and that further we believe that this can only really happen in the hands of the supporters, through a democratic, open and transparent vehicle.

“It is time to end the culture of living hand to mouth, of only just getting by. The fans and community of Merthyr deserve better.”

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Chippenham Town manager Adie Mings has revealed Kye Holly came close to quitting the club last week -but he is now determined to stay and fight for a place.

The cultured midfielder told assistant manager Tommy Callinan and coach Gary Kemp he was considering walking away from the game after struggling to get back into the team after an injury-plagued pre-season.

But Holly -who made his return as a late substitute in the Bluebirds' 2-0 defeat at Evesham on Tuesday -has since had a change of heart and assures Mings he is raring to go.

Mings explained: "Kye came to see Kempy and Tommy last week and wasn't sure if he was going to stay.

"He was planning to just go and play local football with his mates.

"He was frustrated in himself more than anything, he has been struggling with a back injury.

"But we had a chat on Saturday and he's retracted everything now -it's just something he said.

"He's got his hunger and desire back. He came on for the last quarter of an hour on Tuesday and he did well."

Now Holly is back in the fold, Mings says the playmaker remains a key part of his plans.

Mings said: "He's going to be a major player for us this season.

"If Kye is fit he's as good as anyone in this league. He's back now and fit and he wants to do well.

"He was raring to go against Evesham."

Holly was not in the squad as Chippenham kicked off their 2008/9 league campaign with a classy 3-1 home win over Cambridge City on Saturday.

But the Bluebirds were quickly brought back down to earth with a bump as they lost to Southern League Premier Division newcomers Evesham.

Mings is now preparing his side for the trip to Hemel Hempstead this Saturday before they host last year's fellow play-off semi-finalists Bashley on Bank Holiday Monday.

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A thumping header from captain Nathan Rudge ensured Tiverton Town's good start to the season continued with a 2-2 draw against Gloucester City last night.

With time running out and the Yellows facing a first defeat of the season, the Tivvy skipper rose highest at the back post to nod Bobby Hopkinson's corner into the top corner.

For long spells of the second half it looked as though the Tigers would hold on to the 2-1 lead gifted to them by two penalties. Yet Tivvy's prowess from set-pieces meant they went home with a well-deserved point.

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Banbury United had to be content with a share of the spoils following a 1-1 draw at Stourbridge, where a Stephan Morley own goal gifted the hosts a late equaliser.

Banbury led at the break from another Nicky Gordon penalty in the 32nd minute but were undone in the 68th minute when Morley deflected a cross past Joe Murrell. But it's still a creditable four points from their opening two games in the BGB Southern League Premier Division for Kieran Sullivan's side.

United had an early chance in the 11th minute when a Lewis Travers corner sailed over the home defence for Tom Breward who ghosted in from the far side but his effort fell just wide. Two minutes later Callum Martin cut in from the right but Murrell closed the player down well to force him to shoot wide of the far post.

Shortly after, Stourbridge's Ross Collins was lucky to stay on the pitch when he caught Ollie Stanbridge with an elbow, which saw the referee show only a yellow card, with the United midfielder forced to leave the pitch for a prolonged period.

Banbury went ahead in the 32nd minute when Collins handled on the edge of the six-yard box and Gordon put the spot-kick wide of keeper Lewis Jolly.

The second-half saw United forced back on the defensive for longer periods, as Stourbridge got the better of things, but in the 54th minute they could have gone further ahead. Scott Bridges beat the offside trap, cut inside, beat his marker and tried to flick the ball past Jolly but the keeper made a tremendous save at the second attempt.

At the other end, Murrell's positioning was first class on more than one occasion as he thwarted everything that Stourbridge threw at him. But in the 68th minute Stourbridge got a deserved equaliser when a cross from the left hit Morley and rebounded into the net.

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