As the season enters its "business end" when trophies are won and lost the games have been coming thick and fast over the past week. Wednesday evening saw the first round of the Danny Markall Second Division Cup and already one of the favourites for the competition have been eliminated at the first hurdle after Quantock Pride were knocked out via a surprise 4-2 away victory for Admirals.
Another of the fancied sides, Maltshovel Sports, ensured their safe passage to the second round after a 3-1 win over Bridgwater Wanderers' young side.
The Uxella League's youngest side of all, Grasshoppers '04, comprising mainly of 16 and 17-year-olds, are also in the next round but only after winning a moonlit penalty shoot-out after drawing 3-3 at home to Tor Sports in normal time.
Countryman progressed to the next round after a 2-0 home win over Commercial.
Friday evening then saw Grasshoppers '04 in action again, this time "away" to their stable-mates Grasshoppers '05 in the much-anticipated return league clash and this time it was '05 who emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 margin after John Winter bundled home the winner from a goalmouth scramble in the first five minutes. The '05 veterans then used all of their experience and know-how to successfully keep the young '04 side at bay for the remainder of the game despite sustained pressure and were more than happy to exercise their hard-earned bragging rights over their vanquished clubmates in the pubs of Bridgwater later that evening.
Fast forward to Sunday morning and the Uxella League action continued with a full programme in the First Division.
Clearwater and Tiger Old Boys both warmed up for their Dave Hobbs Cup Final next Easter Sunday with emphatic wins.
Clearwater won their away game at Huntspill Crowns 6-1 after two goals-a-piece from brothers Steve and Wayne Spencer plus single strikes from Carl Gyner and Mike Stone. Jason Roberts replied for Crowns.
Meanwhile Tiger Old Boys went one better as they beat Blake Old Boys 7-1 at home. Their stand-out moments included a 35-yard wonder strike from Lee Huntley who was returning to action after a five week suspension. Team-mate Mark Pope was similarly impressive with a 25-yard screamer of his own and further goals came from the boots of Paul Meare (2), Richard Onslow, Mike Nicholson and Steve Haste.
Woolavington took another giant stride closer towards confirming their status as league champions after yet another victory, their eighteenth in nineteen league outings, with goals from Matt Fursland, Gary Head and Jake Chidgey giving them a 3-1 home win over Ashcott. The Ashcott keeper distinguished himself with a string of impressive saves to keep the scoreline down.
Despite their recent setbacks Railway Club proved that they will continue to chase Woolavington all the way after they also racked up a 3-1 win, with theirs being away to Cross Rifles and being secured following two more goals from Bob Abrams and one from Barry Hardwell.
Flag Old Boys all but confirmed an impressive top five finish in their first season in the top flight after a narrow 1-0 win away at sixth placed Red Tile. Mike Taylor gave them the lead after twenty minutes and that was how the scoreline remained despite considerable pressure from Tile in the second period. Flag were reduced to counter attacking but still managed to fashion further opportunities but were denied a second goal by Wayne Walters who was in impressive form in goal for Tile.
Elsewhere in the top flight, for Tiger Reserves it was a case of "easy like Sunday morning" as they picked up three points without a ball being kicked in anger after their scheduled opponents Squib Madrid were unable to raise a side thereby giving the Tigers second string a walkover.
In the Second Division the last thing that a tired young Grasshoppers '04 side needed was for their third game in five days to be against in-form leaders Puriton United and when '04 fell 2-0 behind early in the game after strikes from United's Josh Harvey and Ryan William's they looked to be in serious danger of being on the wrong end of a hammering. However, a spirited second half fightback from the young Hoppers gave Puriton some cause for concern as 16-year-old Russ Pigden first tapped home to reduce the deficit before almost scoring an equaliser a few minutes later. United have no margin for error though at this critical stage of the campaign and showed their championship credentials as they regained control of the game late on and duly secured a 2-1 away victory that keeps their title bid firmly on track.
Puriton will continue to look over the shoulders though as Maltshovel Sports remain only three points behind and with a game in hand. Such a scenario makes goal difference a crucial factor and Puriton started the day nineteen goals ahead on that front but by lunchtime the advantage was down to eleven goals after Maltshovel put Tor Sports to the sword with an 8-0 hammering. They got off to a flying start after Jordan Meaker and Robert Rowley both scored within the first ten minutes. Dean Organ made it three and then Jordan Meaker then went on to complete a first half hat-trick after two more strikes before the break. In the second half Matt Loveday scored his first goal in over two years after a quick turn and powerful drive from the edge of the box. A fourth for Meaker and a strong header from Stuart Caldwell completed the rout.
Two goals each from Sam Weston and Tom Presley plus a strike from Steve Harris gave Woolavington Reserves a 5-1 home victory over Cannington.
In the final game in the Second Division, Admirals also registered an impressive victory, scoring four goals for the second time this week as they ran out 4-1 winners at home to Countryman after two goals from Stuart Croker and one each from Matt Francis and Kevin Andrews.
(Story First Published: 09.04.06) |
