Uxella League title dark horses Woolavington picked up yet another three points as they continue to make good use of their games in hand and rein in the top two in the process. With neither Railway Club nor Tiger Old Boys playing today Woolavington now move two points ahead of the Tigers and into second place with the same number of games played as the Tigers and still with two games in hand on leaders Railway Club after a hard-fought 3-1 away win at Huntspill Crowns. With a much-depleted side following injuries to key players during the previous day's Saturday League action, Woolavington still fielded enough quality to claim all three points after two goals from Jason Jones and one from John Wall. Neil Niblett responded for Huntspill.
Ashcott ran out convincing 6-1 victors at home to Blake Old Boys thanks to goals from Chris Bell(2), Jody Tidball, Chris Murphy, Chris Wilton and Rob Westlake. They even found time to gift Blake a consolation effort after John Bagg scored for the opposition with an outrageous 18-yard lobbed own goal.
Clearwater had looked good value for a home win themselves when they led Bunch of Grapes 2-0 after goals from Danny Palfrey and Wayne Spencer. However, Bunch showed great fighting spirit in the second half and eventually secured a priceless point from a 2-2 draw after equalising in the final minute of the game.
In a match that was tight for long periods Flag Old Boys came away as impressive 4-0 winners at Tiger Reserves after strikes from Lee White(2), Danny Crossley and Jamie Stewart.
Two strikes from Dave Baker and one from Lee Mitchell gave Squib Madrid a 3-1 away win at Red Tile in Cossington. Tile's player-manager Andy Staunton was again on target for his side in response.
The scheduled fixture between Cross Rifles and Tiger Old Boys was postponed at the eleventh hour after it emerged that the Rifles' pitch was unmarked.
In Division Two leaders Quantock Pride maintain their impressive title hunt as they put Grasshoppers '05 to the sword with an 11-1 home trouncing. The veteran Hoppers had actually put up a solid resistance in the first half and only trailed 2-1 at the interval but the second half saw a complete collapse as Pride made their youthful advantage tell with another hat-trick from James Bawden, two-a-piece from Paul Bawden, Nathan Barnard and Jamie O'Brien and one each from Liam Nash and Sean O'Brien. Turkish striker Erkan scored a good consolation for '05 on his return to action after a long layoff.
Meanwhile, many people's Second Division title-favourites Maltshovel Sports, with games in hand on Quantock Pride, got back to winning ways but only by the narrowest of margins after being made to work hard for their three points at a foggy and frosty Morganians. A youthful Grasshoppers '04 side, led on the day by 16-year-old stand-in skipper Liam Wardle, put up a fine battling performance and even took a surprise 2-1 first half lead before eventually succumbing 3-2 to the visitors. Two good goals from Jordan Meaker and one from Steve Davis sealed the points for Maltshovel but an exquisite chip from Andy Cattle and a superbly executed free kick from 16-year-old Gary Passmore gave the Hoppers hope right up until the final whistle.
Tor Sports excellent recent run of results came to an abrupt end at Pawlett as they crashed to a 6-0 defeat at the hands of a reinvigorated Puriton United. Tor actually looked the better side in the opening exchanges but once United got into the stride that had seen them beat Maltshovel on their previous outing they proved irresistible as they romped to three more points with goals from Darryl Taylor(2), Will Beggs(2), Lee Turner and a first for the club from Brad Gill. Young Lloyd Hackling also distinguished himself in goal for Puriton and was well protected by a superb defensive performance from Lee Harvey.
Bridgwater Wanderers have been playing well themselves of late but had not been getting their just rewards from their performances. However, their luck finally turned in their home encounter with Commercial as their tigerish young side completely dominated proceedings and ran out comfortable 4-0 winners after goals from Kev Warre, Bob Smith, Dean Dunn and Jamie Evans.
A hat-trick from Martin Cheese, two from Stuart Croker and one from Jeff Smith, his first goal for four years, gave Admirals Landing a fine 6-0 win over Cannington.
In the remaining game in Division Two the spoils were shared as Woolavington Reserves and Countryman played out a 1-1 draw with Anton Bolton scoring for Woolavington Reserves.
(Story First Published: 22.01.06) |
