It was semi-finals day for the Uxella League's premier knock-out competition, the all-divisional Dave Hobbs Cup and two closely contested ties eventually produced the two finalists for the 2005-06 campaign.
In the first encounter there was very little to separate Division One rivals Clearwater and Squib Madrid for long periods as the game was contested in a very competitive manner, with neither side giving an inch. It was always going to be the kind of game where a single goal would settle it and so it proved as Clearwater's Wayne Spencer broke Squib hearts with the winning strike fifteen minutes from the end.
The other semi-final saw an intriguing clash between the reigning league champions Tiger Old Boys and current Second Division leaders Quantock Pride. The young Pride side did not look out of place in such distinguished company and, if anything, perhaps were the better side on the day. As such, it came as no surprise to see the scores remain level at one-a-piece after ninety minutes after Wilf Davie had scored for the Tigers and Mark Passmore had levelled for Pride. Then, in extra time, Pride pushed on to try and claim an upset when Ricci Williams gave them a 2-1 lead and, had it not been for an outstanding string of saves from the Tigers' man-of-the-match 'keeper Chris Ford, the young pretenders may well have extended their lead and progressed to the final. However, that prize eventually went to the Tigers as they regained their composure and were duly rewarded with a Richard Onslow equaliser. Then, in the final minutes, Dave Pople sealed a 3-2 away victory and a place in the final against Clearwater when his free kick soared into the top corner to settle matters in favour of the top flight side.
In the First Division of the Uxella League Flag Old Boys registered an impressive 4-2 home win over second-placed Railway Club. Lee White put Flag in ahead after only ten minutes and the home team then spurned a number of opportunities to further extend their advantage before Railway equalised to leave the score at 1-1 at the break. Only a few minutes after the restart Lee White struck again for Flag only to see Railway equalise for a second time. Then Mike Taylor put Flag 3-2 ahead with only 25 minutes remaining and it took an excellent defensive display and a superb save from Flag's keeper Tim Griffiths to keep Railway at bay and prevent a third equaliser. Then, with a few minutes to go, Danny Crossley broke away on the counter-attack to score Flag's fourth and decisive stike and secure the three points.
While their first team was in action in the cup, the other Tigers side, Tiger Reserves, racked up another fine league victory with a 5-0 result away to Blake Old Boys after two goals from Paul Irvine and one each from Nick Keirle, Darren Jeffreys and Michael Organ.
In the First Division basement battle between third-from-bottom Huntspill Crowns and bottom side Bunch of Grapes it was the lower placed team Bunch who surprisingly emerged victorious with a 6-2 away win despite consolation goals from Huntspill's Ian Howgate and Liam Fowler.
Meanwhile, in the Second Division, the race for the title is now getting very tight indeed as both Puriton United and Maltshovel registered emphatic victories while start-of-the-day leaders Quantock Pride were otherwise engaged in their cup semi-final.
Puriton move into top spot after a very impressive 7-1 away win at Countryman's tricky sloping pitch. Will Beggs took his season's tally to 34 goals after an excellent hat-trick while young team-mate Josh Harvey scored two superb efforts, the first being a 30-yard screamer into the top corner and his second being a solo run from his own half, beating three players before shooting low into the bottom corner of the net. Ryan Williams and veteran striker Darryl Taylor also got on the scoresheet for United to help secure three points which now leaves them seemingly in the driving seat in the championship race, being a point ahead of Quantock Pride having played the same number of games and with a far greater goal difference than third-placed Maltshovel who still have a game in hand on the top two.
Maltshovel kept themselves in the three-horse title race by registering a 7-1 victory of their own, at home to Bridgwater Wanderers. Second half substitute Steve Davis stole the show with a hat-trick and was joined on the scoresheet by Dean Organ, Paul Davis and Andrew Barnett.
It is now three defeats in their last four games for fourth-placed Tor Sports as they again came unstuck on the road, this time away to Woolavington Reserves who ran out 4-1 victors after two goals from Gary Head and one each from Olly Weston and Gary Cook.
In the remaining game in the Second Division Admirals beat Commercial 2-1 at home after strikes from Dave Gardiner and Stuart Croker. Robert Trice replied for Commercial.
(Story First Published: 02.04.06) |
