Only two games went ahead in the First Division of the Uxella League with the others being victims to the weather and waterlogged pitches.
Fourth-placed Pawlett United move within a point of third-placed Tiger Old Boys after coming away from their away trip to Maxwells 37 Club with a narrow 4-3 winning margin after two goals from Vince Kennedy, one of which was a spectacular 40-yard effort, and further strikes from Will Beggs and from man-of-the-match Lee Turner. Carl Gymer (2) and Sam Mullins responded for Maxwells.
Red Tile remain just behind Pawlett in fifth position after their 4-1 away win against Grasshoppers 04 which was actually played at Cossington after the Hoppers base at Morganians RFC also fell victim to the weather. The young Hoppers side again demonstrated their potential in the first half and went in at the break with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 lead after a superb chipped goal from 16-year-old stand-in captain Jack Taylor, taking his seasons tally to eleven goals. However, the combination of a half-time hairdryer team talk to his players from Tile player-boss Andy Staunton and the now customary second-half Grasshoppers wobble allowed Red Tile to surge to victory in the second period after a James Hamilton penalty equaliser and then two fine strikes from Andy Smith and a spectacular overhead kick from Damon Jennings. The winning margin might even have been greater had it not been for an outstanding display of goalkeeping from the Grasshoppers young custodian Gavin Riddle.
In Division Two it was a different story with only one game being postponed, namely the Admirals v Grasshoppers 05 match which was due to take place at the Bridgwater Sports and Social Club.
Meanwhile, in a mirror image of the days Premiership showdown between Man United and Chelsea, the top two also went head-to-head in the second flight and the outcome proved to be similar with a point a piece being shared between second-placed Quantock Pride and leaders Commercial after they played out a 3-3 draw. Shaun OBrien was superb throughout the game for Pride and worked tirelessly for the cause until receiving a red card close to the end. Gordy Addicott, Darren Hill and Adam Butler were all on target for Commercial to ensure that they remain a point clear at the top of the table.
It is now nine games unbeaten and counting for Cannington who now rise to third in the table, level on points with Quantock Pride and only behind them on goal difference, after they came from 2-1 down to win 5-2 at home to Woolavington Reserves. The game proved to be a tighter affair than the scoreline suggests but the difference between the two sides on the day was Ash Webber who bagged four goals for Cannington, with skipper Ben Dyer adding the fifth. Steve Harris and Gary Butler replied for Woolavington.
Another much improved side who came from behind to register three more points are Wookey Sports who trailed 3-1 to Bridgwater Wanderers with only ten minutes remaining after goals from Jamie Evans, Kev Warre and Mike Hart had seemingly put a dominant Wanderers side firmly in the driving seat. However, late strikes from John Osman, Phil Johnson and a Craig Rothwell penalty added to Joynul Alis earlier effort and gave Wookey all of the spoils as they ran out 4-3 victors.
Bower Uniteds young outfit were also victorious in their home encounter with Huntspill Crowns. A hat-trick from Steve Hall and further goals from Shaun Turner and from the old man of the side, Darryl Puddy, ensured that Bower secured a 5-3 win.
In the remaining game in the second division, surprise strugglers Countryman put their recent run of defeats to an end with a battling 2-2 draw at home to Blake Old Boys, in the process clawing back one of the three points deducted from them following a recent non-fulfillment of a fixture.
(Story First Published: 26.11.06) |
