In the first of a potentially Uxella League Title-deciding back-to-back clash of the titans, current league leaders Railway Club travelled to second-placed Woolavington and it was Woolavington who were to finish the happier of the two sides after a closely contested game eventually finished 2-1 to the home side. Matt Fursland and Marcus Butler scored the goals that secured a priceless victory for Woolavington which now leaves them very well placed, only a point behind Railway Club and with two games in hand. Bob Abrams scored Railway's consolation and he and his team-mates will be hoping to exact swift revenge in seven days time when the two teams meet again in the league at Railway's home ground.
Huntspill Crowns, who started the day second from bottom, chalked up a shock 2-1 home win over high-flying Flag Old Boys after goals from Ryan Elliott and Paul Burrow, while Lee White responded for Flag. The victory allows Huntspill to leapfrog Blake Old Boys in the table and this sets things up nicely for next week's encounter against Blake themselves.
Blake Old Boys started today's away game at fellow strugglers Bunch of Grapes well enough and deservedly held a 3-1 half-time advantage. However, Bunch staged an astonishing second-half comeback which saw them score six times and eventually win the game 7-3 after goals from Dean Fury(2), Richard Meek(2), Andrew Riley, Lee Fury and Daniel Russell. The goal of the game was undoubtedly Dean Fury's strike which saw him slot home after a solo run from the edge of his own box.
Squib Madrid also held a comfortable advantage at the break in their game against Clearwater, leading 4-1 after two goals each from Vinny Kennedy and Dave Baker. However, Clearwater almost retrieved the situation in the second half with a comeback of their own but ended up finishing a goal short of a point as they went down 4-3. Their goals came courtesy of John Spence, Sam Mullins and Danny Palfrey. With the three points from this encounter Squib now move up to third in the table.
In the final game in the top flight, Ashcott and Cross Rifles played out a 1-1 draw after Chris Bell scored for Ashcott and Jason Stephenson replied for the Rifles after getting on the end of a low cross from Paul Cornish and scoring with a superb bullet header.
In Division Two the title race remains tight with two of the three main candidates in action and with both registering away victories.
Leaders Quantock Pride came away from their trip to Bridgwater Wanderers with all three points after a 6-2 win thanks to a hat-trick from the prolific James Bawden and further goals from Liam Nash, Sean O'Brien and directly from a long clearance by their goalkeeper Chris James. Sam Puddy and Aaron Head, with a well taken volley, responded for Wanderers.
Meanwhile, third-placed Maltshovel, who still have three games in hand on Quantock Pride, ensured that they remain in touch with top spot after running out 3-1 away winners at Cannington after a brace from Dean Organ and one from his brother Paul.
Grasshoppers '04 and Tor Sports have the distinction of having played out the Uxella League's first 0-0 draw of the season, an exceedingly rare result at this level of football, and one which highlights the significant defensive improvements that have taken place in both clubs since the beginning of the campaign. Indeed, both clubs have actually conceded less goals than leaders Quantock Pride but will want to improve on their finishing if they hope to compete for the top honours next season.
The other Hoppers outfit, Grasshoppers '05, further extended their spirit-reviving unbeaten run to five games and counting after coming away from a tough trip to Admirals with a valuable point from a 1-1 draw after a late screamer into the top corner from Scottish "Fiftysomething" Bob Kippen cancelled out Stuart Crokers opener for the home side.
In the remaining game in Division Two, Countryman and Commercial also ended up with a 1-1 draw with Commercial's goal being struck by Robert Trice.
(Story First Published: 20.03.06) |
