For the second time in three weeks reigning Uxella League Champions Tiger Old Boys came unstuck against one of their main title rivals. Following their recent reverse to Woolavington on this occasion they ended up on the wrong side of a 3-2 result at current league leaders Railway Club. Railway had a point to prove themselves after being knocked out of the Dave Hobbs Cup last weekend at the hands of the Tiger's Reserve side. In this particular encounter the Tigers first string actually had the better of the opening exchanges taking a 1-0 lead after a goal from Paul Atyeo. However, the prolific Bob Abrams soon equalised for Railway and it wasn't long before his side were in the lead after a Carl Tucker strike. The Tigers then came back into it with an equalising goal from Steve Haste but Railway were not to be denied and they snatched all three points after "supersub" John Richards came on and scored a famous winner. Afterwards, Tiger's manager Alan Lott had some strong words to say about the performance of the referee which he plans to repeat to the appropriate authorities.
Hot on the heels of Railway Club are second-placed Woolavington who are now only a point behind them but with a game in hand after beating Tiger Reserves 4-1. Woolavington started slowly and found it difficult in the early stages to break down a strong Tiger Reserves line up who were buoyed by their recent Cup victory over Railway Club and who were looking to do their first team a favour with another upset in this fixture. However, Woolavington gradually found their rhythm as the game progressed and racked up another three points after a hat-trick from Matt Fursland and one from Ian Bellinger.
Flag Old Boys were in irresistible form as they put on their best showing of the season so far to hammer third-placed Squib Madrid 7-1. Flag wasted no time in going about their business as Mike Taylor scored their first effort inside the first minute of the game before any Squib players had managed to touch the ball. Squib did rally for a spell and equalised midway through the first half but three more goals in quick succession for Flag gave them a comfortable 4-1 half-time advantage. Any hopes of a Squib comeback were quickly dashed early in the second half when Flag scored again and they went on to add two more to their tally to eventually finish up with a magnificent seven. Jamie Stewart ended up with a hat-trick, Mike Taylor scored two and Lee Turner and Andy White completed the rout. Striker Lee White also distinguished himself with an excellent performance and while he didn't finish up on the scoresheet four of Flag's goals came as a direct result of team-mates following up on the rebounds from his powerful shots on target.
Clearwater also bagged a magnificent seven as they won 7-1 away to Blake Old Boys on a Mansfield Park mudbath. Steve Spencer completed a fine hat-trick and was joined on the scoresheet by John Spence(2), Wayne Spencer and by Australian supersub Heath Okely.
After putting up an impressive display in their narrow defeat to Woolavington last time out Cross Rifles went one better this week as they bagged three priceless points from a 4-1 away victory at Huntspill Crowns. Phillip Court, Mark Farrow, Chris Goodison and Adam Kinsey scored the goals to secure the win while Paul Burrow responded with Huntspill's consolation.
The spoils were shared in the game between Ashcott and Red Tile which finished up 1-1. James Hamilton was again on the scoresheet for Tile while Chris Bell responded for the home side and Ashcott keeper Steve Bobbett made a superb penalty save.
In Division Two, the biggest clash of the day was between leaders Quantock Pride and title rivals Maltshovel Sports and it was Maltshovel who came out on top with a decisive 5-2 away win. Indeed Maltshovel took a lead within sixty seconds of the kick-off through Mike Skidmore but after ten minutes Pride were level. Then a goal each from Paul Organ, Andrew Barnett and a second from Skidmore gave the visitors a 4-1 lead before Pride got another one back to make it 4-2 at the interval. Quantock then enjoyed a lot more of the possession in the second half but an assured all-round defensive display and a further goal from Dean Organ on the break gave Maltshovel a fine victory which could well have a big bearing on the eventual destination of the Second Division title.
Second-placed Puriton United kept up their own pursuit of the second division championship with an emphatic 8-1 home win over Grasshoppers '05. Yet another hat-trick from veteran striker Darryl Taylor, two from Will Beggs and one each from Lee Turner, Dan Stevens and an exquisite 30-yard lob from 18-year-old Ben White on his debut gave United the three points. The Hoppers showed quality themselves in patches and will draw some satisfaction from their headed consolation goal from Marc Crossley and also from an excellent display by young centre back Dan Pattenden who was chosen as their man of the match.
Meanwhile, youthful stable-mates Grasshoppers '04 were at home to basement boys Cannington and ran out 4-1 winners after goals from a trio of 16-year-olds: Reuben Lee(2), Gary Passmore and Matt Burgess. All of '04's goals were scored before the break and it is fair to say that Cannington then enjoyed the better of the second half, scoring a well-worked consolation through Gordy Addicott. However, despite having the lion's share of possession in the last half hour they were unable to add to their tally and the Grasshoppers finally secured their first victory over their bogey side at the fourth time of asking.
Meare-based Countryman move up to fourth in the table after a 3-2 home win over Admirals after two goals from Paul Keirle and one from Lee Stoodley. Admirals responded with a serving of double-Cheese as brothers Andrew and Martin Cheese both got on the scoresheet by way of reply.
Bridgwater Wanderers' young side were also victorious on their home patch as they beat Woolavington Reserves 3-0 after strikes from Kev Warre, Dean Dunn and Bridgwater Town Youth striker Dan Luce.
(Story First Published: 13.02.06) |
