SOMERSET CUP (1ST ROUND):
As reigning league champions, Tiger Old Boys flew the flag for the Uxella League in the First Round of the prestigious Somerset Cup and emerged as convincing winners with a 6-3 victory over Bath side Odd Down Social Club. The Tigers held a narrow 2-1 advantage at the interval and Odd Down did briefly manage to level the scores at 2-2 before the powerful Bridgwater side took full control of the game and will progress through to the next round of the competition thanks to goals from Mike Nicholson, Richard Onslow, Paul Hooper, a rare strike from Jason Marsh, a Rob Fearn penalty and, to cap a fine performance, a spectacular 30-yard screamer from Lee Huntly.
DIVISION 1:
Pig & Whistle capitalised upon Tiger Old Boys' absence from the Uxella League programme by making up ground on the leaders and moving into second place with an emphatic 13-0 away victory at Cobblestones. Dave Baker set the agenda with a superb double hat-trick, Tony Cook bagged three, Darren Hill weighed in with a couple and Kevin Warre and Ryan Hobbs also got on the scoresheet.
It was a point a piece for Durleigh and Clearwater who played out a closely fought 5-5 draw. In an end-to-end game Clearwater's scorers were Steve Spencer(2), Martin Webb(2) and Lee Pearce with an excellent solo effort. Durleigh's goals came from Ian Bellinger(2), Alan Tait, Craig Thompson and George Panatiotides.
Railway Club registered their second win of the season and moved up two places in the table with a 4-2 home victory over Admirals Landing, thanks to goals from Bob Abrams, Carl Tucker, Jon Neal and Steve Woods.
DIVISION 2:
Division Two leaders Tiger Old Boys Reserves chalked up a comfortable 4-1 home win over North Petherton with Jamie Chillingworth and Paul Cook both scoring twice.
In an eventful encounter at Cannington second-placed Flag Old Boys won 7-0 during the 70 minutes that were actually played before Cannington, who had started the game with ten men, eventually had to withdraw once successive injuries had reduced their ranks to only six fit players. Flag's goalscorers were Mike Taylor(2), Andrew White(2), Jamie Stewart(2) and Lee White.
Third-placed Black Horse also racked up a convincing scoreline with a 6-1 victory over Cross Rifles. Black Horse's goals came from Matt Milton(2), Vince Kennedy(2), Ben Hobbs and Andy Barnett while Cross Rifles will rue the fact that they managed to miss three open goals and a penalty at crucial points throughout the game.
Ashcott were also in free-scoring form as they ran out 8-0 winners at home to Eastover Wanderers. Chris Bell was their main man with a fine hat-trick.
It was a closer affair at Huntspill Crowns where the home side ground out a narrow 2-1 victory over Woolavington Reserves thanks to goals from Paul Burrow and Paul Baker.
DIVISION 3:
In a keenly-contested local derby Glastonbury Backpackers won 3-2 away at Glastonbury Town Sunday, courtesy of strikes from Martin Pople, Chris Hunt and Matt Brown.
In another local derby at Chedzoy Lane an accomplished Artillery WHB side beat Bridgwater Grasshoppers 6-1. With some impressive early passages of play Artillery surged to a 5-0 half-time lead thanks to two goals from Jeff Read, one a piece from Pete Spellman and Steve Jones and a penalty from Brian Read. The second half saw the 'Hoppers stage a spirited fight-back and a fine lobbed goal from Jimmer Nichols gave them a glimmer of hope. As the half wore on the Grasshoppers continued to bombard the Artillery goal with a number of good efforts, most notably from Adam Kinsey, John Kervell and from tricky Turkish striker Erkan. Indeed, it was only thanks to a series of spectacular saves from legendary keeper Andrew "Beaver" May that Artillery were able to preserve their healthy advantage until a late toe-poked effort from Mark Raymond sealed the victory for the home side.
Middlezoy Athletic chalked up their second successive victory with a 3-2 home win over Admirals Reserves. In a somewhat scrappy game Middlezoy had taken an early two goal lead before Admirals bagged a couple to level the scores. However, a third goal for the home side clinched the three points and the scoreline could have been greater but for a penalty that was blasted over the bar. The Middlezoy strikes came courtesy of an own goal from Admirals and one each for Tom Lind and George Jones.
(Story First Published: 17.10.04) |
