Woolavington continued their rapid improvement this season as they racked up the most impressive Uxella League scoreline of the day, winning 8-1 away to Cross Rifles. Marcus Butler led the way with a fine hat-trick and was joined on the scoresheet by Gary Head, Matt Blackmore, Tim Netto, "Fuzzy" Fursland and Jake Chidgey. Lee Stentaford struck back with Rifles? consolation goal.
After the game the Cross Rifles secretary, Chris Lawson-Blake, was highly complimentary about his team?s conquerors commenting: "I have to congratulate Nick Presley for assembling a very effective and talented Woolavington side which possesses a huge attacking threat. Having already faced Tiger Old Boys earlier this season I would have to say that there could well be a shift in the balance of power this season as Woolavington really look the complete package this time around".
Talking of the Tigers, William Blake once famously wrote "Tiger, Tiger burning bright..." and it was a huge desire to win in-club bragging rights that burnt brightly in the long-awaited Tiger-Tiger clash between Tiger Old Boys and their own Reserves side, who now find themselves competing against each other in the top division of the revamped Uxella League.
Anyone who questions the likelihood of a properly contested game between two sides from the same club should have been present at this game to witness an intensely competitive encounter which saw no less than five bookings. The game was evenly poised at 0-0 at the interval but in the second half the Tiger?s first eleven made certain adjustments which ultimately proved to decisive. One of them was the introduction of Lee Huntly who immediately set about tearing the Reserves apart. Huntly scored the first goal of the game before Steve Haste rose majestically to head home at the far post for the second. Then "Mr. Reliable", Steve Woods, sealed the victory for the first string with a 25-yarder from midfield. An own goal from Jason Marsh gave the reserves a consolation goal to make the final score 3-1 to the reigning League Champions over last season?s Second Division winners.
Clearwater remain on top of the First Division for the time being on goal difference as they racked up another victory, this time winning 3-1 away to North Petherton thanks to first half goals from the prolific Spencer brothers, Wayne and Steve, and from player-manager Lee Pearce who scored with a header despite being far and away the smallest player on the pitch.
Red Tile continued their impressive start the season as they notched up another victory, this time winning 3-0 at home to Ashcott after goals from Damon Jennings, Liam Evans and from player-manager Andy Staunton who hit the back of the net with a thunderous effort.
Blake Old Boys also secured another victory as part of their own fine early season form, winning 5-4 at home to Huntspill Crowns thanks to a brace from Matt Milton and one each from Steven Clapp, Ben House and Craig Watts.
A goal-a-piece from Carl Tucker and Barry Hardwell gave Railway Club a 2-0 home win over bottom-of-the-table Bunch of Grapes.
In the remaining game in the top flight, a very tight encounter saw Flag Old Boys eventually secure an impressive 1-0 away win over Squib Madrid when Lee White scored with a header from a corner with nine minutes remaining.
In the Second Division unbeaten Maltshovel Sports assume top position after a 2-0 win at home to Countryman. The game remained goalless until the second half when Steve Davis broke the deadlock with a 25-yard strike. Then Andrew Barnett bagged a second from a goalmouth scramble to seal all three points for the home side.
Glastonbury Town Sundays remain only a point behind Maltshovel after another victory of their own, this time with a 2-1 home win over Bridgwater Wanderers thanks to an own goal from Wanderers? Bob Smith and a winning strike from player-boss Pete Somers. Dean Dunn bagged Wanderers? effort.
Quantock Pride racked up another three points as they won 3-1 away to Admirals Landing thanks to two goals from James Bawden and one from Lee Goss. A major factor in their victory was the outstanding midfield performances of Liam Nash and Sean O?Brien.
Puriton United remain in touch with the top of the table after they got back to winning ways with a 5-1 win over an extremely youthful Grasshoppers ?04 outfit. The scores were level at the interval after a Lee Turner close range header for Puriton was cancelled out by a superb chipped strike from 16-year-old Grasshoppers midfielder Liam Wardle. However, Puriton found another gear in the second half while the young Hoppers appeared to lose concentration as the game wore on and they were ultimately made to pay as Lee Turner went on to complete a hat-trick before Sean Cox and Irish hotshot Will Beggs completed a comfortable win for United at their new Pawlett home ground.
It was not all doom and gloom for Grasshoppers FC though as their more experienced side, Grasshoppers ?05, racked up their second victory of the campaign with a 3-2 home win over Woolavington Reserves after two goals from Les Hobbs and one from Marc Crossley, his first for the club. Steve Harris and Tom Presley responded for Woolavington.
In the remaining game in Division Two, Commercial ran out 6-1 winners away to basement boys Cannington after two goals each from Ozkan Deve and Rob Woolley and one-a-piece from Mike Palmer and Alexi Paull. Paul Ham responded for the home side who played a large part of the game with nine men after injuries took their toll.
The scheduled game between Tor Sports and Nether Stowey was postponed after Stowey?s bus broke down on the way to the Glastonbury.
(Story First Published: 03.10.05) |
