The clash of the day saw league leaders Clearwater travel to reigning league champions, but relatively slow starters this season, Tiger Old Boys. The Tigers used the game to make an emphatic statement of intent as they proceeded to completely outplay a hitherto excellent Clearwater side before emerging as runaway 7-1 winners and resuming what they will feel to be their natural place at the top of the pile. Mark Pope(3), Mike Nicholson(2) and super-sub Steve Haste(2) scored the goals that put the champions back in pole position. Steve Spencer struck Clearwater's consolation from the penalty spot at the end of the first half.
However, the Tigers are still not completely clear of the chasing pack as they only hold top spot on goal difference from two other sides who continued their winning runs this weekend.
Railway Club move up to second place after their impressive 6-0 away victory at Blake Old Boys. Bob Abrams was again the man with the golden boots as he proceeded to score five goals for the second week running. Veteran Nigel Gillard bagged Railway's other effort.
Flag Old Boys also remain in contention at the top with their fifth consecutive league victory after a well-earned 5-2 home win over struggling Cross Rifles. Both managers agreed that it was a pretty one-sided affair with Flag racing to a 3-1 half-time lead through Jamie Stewart, Lee White and Kevin Wheddon. The next goal after the break was always going to be crucial one and it was Flag who duly snatched it, again through Jamie Stewart. Team-mate Mike Taylor then ended the game as a contest after a superb free-kick. The Rifles then rallied for the final minutes and Carl Jones bagged his and his team's second goal of the game by way of consolation.
Red Tile were certainly in the mood to right a few wrongs following their narrow Dave Hobbs Cup exit at the hands of Tiger Reserves last week as they faced the same side in the league and proceeded to hammer them 9-1. Nathan Forde led the way with a four-goal display while player-manager Andy Staunton bagged a hat-trick and Jason McPheat and Tom Modley, with his first for the club, completed the rout.
Woolavington were also fired up after their own surprise cup exit last week and Bunch of Grapes were their unfortunate whipping boys as they ran out 8-1 away victors. Ian Bellinger(2), James Prowse, Gary Head, Simon Caddy, Jason Jones, Matt Fursland and Jake Chidgey all made it onto an Andrex-sized scoresheet.
Ashcott registered their second win of the season after beating Huntspill Crowns 5-2 following two goals each from Chris Murphy and James Lacey and one from John Bagg.
In the second division, the most interesting fixture of the day saw the two Grasshoppers sides meet for the first time and in a surprise twist that only the beautiful game can throw up it was the underdogs Grasshoppers '04 who emerged triumphant from a highly competitive encounter which saw the youthful hoppers take an early 2-0 lead through 16- year-olds Matt Burgess and Reuben Lee, but which then saw the more experienced '05 side claw their way back into contention after a superb 40-yard free kick from Nigel Woodcock and a clinical low drive from the veteran's veteran, Bob Kippen, to level the scores at 2-2. However, within a minute the youngsters were back in the lead again after one of their older heads, John Kervell, powered home a bullet header from a corner. They then had to survive some concerted pressure from their more experienced clubmates but with the final whistle came their first league victory of the season, by a 3-2 margin, and further confirmation that they are heading in the right direction.
In terms of the league table, with the games between leaders Maltshovel and Woolavington Reserves and high-flying Glastonbury versus Admirals being postponed, the ground was left open for other sides to take advantage. Quantock Pride certainly didn't waste the opportunity as they ran out comfortable 6-1 winners at home to Bridgwater Wanderers and consolidated their second-placed position in the process. Pride's goals came from the usual suspects, James Bawden(3), Liam Nash(2) and Lee Goss.
Puriton United were also happy to get back to winning ways and it was in no small part due to the return of inspirational skipper Lee Harvey who returned to the side this weekend for only his second appearance of the season and completely dominated the middle of the park and created all three of United's goals in their 3-0 home win over Nether Stowey. The team-mates who benefitted from his generosity were Darryl Taylor, Josh Harvey and 60-year-old Pete Dean with an overhead kick from two yards out.
Countryman move up to fourth, just a point behind Puriton but with a game in hand, after a comprehensive 9-1 hammering of bottom-of-the-table Cannington following a four goal salvo from Paul Cole and further strikes from Steve Shepherd(2), Toby Tucker(2) and an own goal. Gary Addicott bagged Cannington's consolation effort before player-boss Ben Dyer missed his first penalty in six seasons. All in all, the heavy defeat capped a thoroughly miserable week for Cannington after their club sponsor Hazel Moore of the Globe Inn passed away on Tuesday. The game began with a minute's silence in her honour.
Ever since winning their first point a few weeks ago, Commercial continue to accummulate further useful results and gained another point today after an entertaining 3-3 draw at home to Tor Sports. Darren Cooper(2) and Alexi Paull were the men on target for Commercial.
(Story First Published: 24.10.05) |
