If ever a game could be described as a "six-pointer" it was the much-anticipated clash between reigning Uxella League champions Tiger Old Boys and this season's pretenders to their throne, Woolavington, a team who many observers have been tipping to go all the way this season. After a fiercely competitive but ultimately entertaining encounter Woolavington justified the rave reviews they have been getting by running out 4-3 winners despite trailing 2-1 early on and having a man sent off. This setback only served to stiffen their resolve and with a gutsy display they eventually found themselves leading 4-2 with a few minutes to go before the Tigers got one back at the death from the penalty spot. Woolavington had Matt Fursland to thank for their victory after his hat-trick while Gary Head scored the other. Paul Atyeo, Paul Mear and a Rob Fearn penalty gave the Tigers hope right up until the final whistle but for the first time in a number of years the title race has been blown wide open.
Current leaders Railway Club continue to keep their own championship bid on track after an emphatic 9-1 hammering of Blake Old Boys. Carl Tucker led the way with a hat-trick and was joined on the scoresheet by Lee Hemsley(2), John Neal(2), Barry Hardwell and Neil Thompson. Railway have played two games more than Woolavington and currently lead them by four points but it looks like they will be looking over the shoulders with increasing concern over the coming weeks.
Adapting a well-known cry from the early days of the American West: "There be goals in them there Hills", it certainly appeared to be the case for Squib Madrid as one of their number, Darren Hill, scored all five of his team's goals in their 5-0 home win over Cross Rifles.
Red Tile racked up another three points after a 4-2 victory over Bunch of Grapes. James Hamilton was the outstanding man of the match with a fine hat-trick while player-boss Andy Staunton added yet another to his season's tally.
For the second week running Clearwater threw away a two-goal lead and had to settle for a point after a 2-2 draw with Flag Old Boys. They had started well enough, racing into a 2-0 lead after strikes from Danny Palfrey and Sam Mullins. However, Jamie Stewart gave Flag a lifeline when he got a goal back for the visitors just before the interval. The second half then saw Flag come firmly back into the game and they eventually got their just rewards two minutes from time when Jamie Stewart bagged his second of the match to level the scores and snatch a point for Flag.
It was not all doom and gloom in the Tigers camp as Tiger Reserves racked up a comfortable 3-0 win over Hunstpill Crowns.
Quantock Pride made it yet another victory, albeit a narrow one on this occasion, as they continue to hold top spot in Division Two. Goals from Sean O'Brien and Nathan Barnyard gave them a comfortable cushion in the first half of their away game at Tor Sports. Tor then rallied well in the second period and gave themselves a late glimmer of hope after a goal from Mark Randall in the last five minutes. However, Pride hung on to seal a further three points which they will regard as an excellent day's work after it emerged that their main title rivals Maltshovel could only manage a 1-1 draw away to Countryman.
Dean Organ scored the goal that eventually secured a point for Maltshovel but their form of late has been less convincing than earlier in the campaign when they appeared to be unstoppable and niggling doubts may be starting to creep in as they continue to endure what is proving to be, by their high standards, something of a sticky patch, having taken only four points out of the last nine.
Meanwhile, just above them second placed Puriton United continue to keep themselves in the title picture after they ran out as comfortable 7-1 winners over Grasshoppers '05 at Morganians. For the second week running Turkish striker Erkan bagged the Hoppers' consolation effort.
In contrast, the other Hoppers outfit, Grasshoppers '04, provided further confirmation that they have improved immeasurably since the beginning of the campaign after coming away from their trip to Admirals with all three points after a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Despite yet again fielding a side featuring no less than seven 16-year-olds they went toe to toe with their more experienced opponents and triumphed after goals from young skipper Liam Wardle and from fellow teenager Russ Pigden on his debut. Mike White responded for Admirals who will be looking for swift revenge when the two teams meet again next weekend in the Dave Hobbs Cup.
Plucky ten-man Cannington never stopped battling for the duration of their encounter with Bridgwater Wanderers. However, despite scoring three goals through Ben Dyer, Anthony Finka and Lee Chamberlain, they were unable to make any real impression against an equally determined Wanderers side who eventually finished up 9-3 victors after two goals from Dean Dunn and one each from Dick Eckley, Aaron Head, Bob Smith, Dan Luce, Kev Warre, AJ Mountain and Mark Coles.
Commercial secured an excellent 4-2 away win over Woolavington Reserves after two goals from Robert Trice, one from Scott Hawkins and an own goal. Tom Presley and Mark Pope scored for the home side.
(Story First Published: 30.01.06) |
