The Uxella League's last remaining representatives in the Somerset Sunday Challenge Cup went out at the third round stage this weekend as Pawlett United visited Bath side Moonshine Gladbach and went down 4-1 after playing the majority of the game with ten men. Ryan Williams scored United's early goal to leave the game evenly poised at one a piece but with the dismissal of a Pawlett player just before half time the Bridgwater side faced an uphill struggle against a Moonshine team with half a dozen senior players in their ranks. As the game wore on the Pawlett players tired and the numerically superior Bath outfit made the game safe in the last ten minutes.
For eighty eight minutes there looked to be a major upset on the cards in the Uxella League this weekend as Woolavington found themselves trailing for most of their game against Flag Old Boys after Kev Wheddon had given Flag a priceless 1-0 advantage which they fought tooth and nail to protect. However, with only two minutes to go Gary Head popped up to equalise for the champions and then, just to compound Flag's misery, Simon Caddy went one better and stole all three points for the league leaders to make it nine wins from ten league games.
Second-placed Railway Club also found themselves in a real game against lowly Bunch of Grapes and it looked to be heading for a draw after Wayne Turner had scored on his debut for Railway only to see Bunch equalise. However, Railway took a leaf out of Woolavington's book and chose the dying seconds of the game to go for the kill with Barry Hardwell making it 2-1 at the death to keep Railway breathing down Woolavington's neck, only three points behind the leaders.
Tiger Old Boys remain in third only a point behind Railway Club after their own victory, 7-4 away to Red Tile. The game was preceded by two minutes silence in memory of Ben Knight, the Bridgwater airman who was tragically killed in the recent Nimrod crash in Afghanistan. Knight was a former Red Tile player and, having attended his funeral on Friday, the Tile players took inspiration from his memory in the early stages of this game and took a deserved lead. However, the Tigers eventually fought back to take control and at one stage looked to be cruising at 6-2 but Tile battled back themselves and reduced the deficit to 6-4 before a final Tigers goal extinguished any lingering hopes of a turnaround. The Tigers' winning strikes were spread amongst the team with Nick Kierle, Justin Lewis, Aaron Whaites, Mark Pope, Paul Meare, Paul Hooper and Max Cushing all getting on the scoresheet. A hat-trick from Andy Smith and a James Hamilton effort kept Tile in the game until the end.
Ashcott are off the bottom of the table and manage to rise four places in the process after their impressive 5-1 away win at Maltshovel. A Chris Bell hat-trick did the damage with James Lacey and Callum Butler scoring the others. Steve Davis responded for Maltshovel.
In the remaining game in Division One, Cross Rifles emerged as narrow 3-2 winners over the young Grasshoppers '04 side after two goals from former Hoppers player Adam Kinsey and a superb mazy solo run and cool finish from Craig McGann. For the second week running 16-year-old Jack Taylor and 18-year-old Tom Seal scored the Hoppers' consolation goals.
In the Second Division, Quantock Pride and Admirals both moved within a point of non-playing leaders Commercial after their respective victories.
Quantock Pride are now second after coming from 2-0 down to win 5-2 at Huntspill Crowns after goals from Sean O'Brien (2), Mark Passmore and a 40-yard wonder strike from Lee Goss. Although he didn't make it onto the scoresheet on this occasion James Bawden was still instrumental in the victory with a man-of-the-match performance and four assists with Martin Clifford creating the other goal. Richard Cattell and Paul Burrow replied for Huntspill.
There was never any doubt who would win from the early stages of Admirals' home encounter with Countryman with Admirals eventually running out 10-0 victors after four goals from Kev Andrews, a hat-trick from Andy Cheese, two from Martin Cheese and one from John Doyle. Special credit must also go to Adam Rawle and Karl Jasinski who both performed superbly on the day. Admirals now leapfrog Huntspill into third on the back of this impressive scoreline.
Blake Old Boys remain only a point further back from the leading pack after their comfortable 2-0 home win over Grasshoppers '05 following another strike from Martyn Milton and a 25-yard screamer from Jason Meare, his first goal for three years.
It is now eight games unbeaten for upwardly mobile Cannington who move into sixth place and lie only three points off top spot themselves after a solid 4-0 home win over Bridgwater Wanderers. Veteran Darryl Taylor again made it onto the scoresheet and was joined by Ash Webber (2) and Josh Harvey.
Wookey Sports also continue their own impressive transformation from former whipping boys into a force to be reckoned with after they won 3-1 at Bower United. Brendon Pope scored Bower's consolation.
In the remaining game in Division Two, lowly Pawlett Reserves leapfrog Countryman after a battling 2-2 draw with Woolavington Reserves.
(Story First Published: 21.11.06) |
