Reigning champions Woolavington continue to march on at the top of the Uxella League as they pushed three points clear of second-placed Railway Club with a Christmas Eve 3-0 away win over Flag Old Boys. However, the scoreline didn't do justice to a determined Flag team who were defintitely the better side in the first twenty-five minutes of this encounter, controlling the game and creating three gilt-edged chances, none of which they could convert. Woolavington then took a 1-0 lead against the run of play and that was how the scoreline remained until ten minutes from the end when Flag pushed forward in search of an equaliser only to be picked off by two more Woolavington strikes. Matt Fursland (2) and Marcus Butler were the Woolavington goalscorers.
There was a shock result in the game between second-from-bottom Grasshoppers '04 and high-flying Pawlett United as the young Hoppers side ran out deserved 3-1 home winners to make it back-to-back victories for the first time in their brief tenure in the top flight. Yet again the Grasshoppers were grateful for their youth policy as a trio of 16-year-olds bagged their goals. The impressive Sam Peppin put them ahead midway through the first half with a cool finish. After the break Jack Taylor made it 2-1, notching his thirteenth goal of the campaign. Then, in the final ten minutes, a superb cross from the byline from Peppin was gratefully gobbled up like a Christmas Dinner by Jason Hitchcock who powered home a header at the back post.
Fifth-placed Red Tile were also victorious at home running out 5-1 winners over Bunch of Grapes. This was a much-improved showing for Tile compared to their previous outing as they rediscovered their passing game and gave Bunch plenty of problems with the fluidity of their football. Player-manager Andy Staunton scored two and was joined on the scoresheet by Rich Ball, Liam Evans and Damon Jennings.
In the Second Division Quantock Pride continue to lead the way as they emerged as narrow 3-2 winners at home to Blake Old Boys after coming from behind. Pride actually took a very early lead with John Hill putting them in front with a first minute headed goal but a Matt Loveday header and an Ollie Bale effort made it 2-1 to Blake before the break. A Lee Goss wonder goal then levelled the scores once again in the second half and the game looked to be heading for a draw before the irrepressible James Bawden snatched the victory for Pride in the dying seconds.
Second-placed Commercial remain hot on Quantock Pride's heels after another victory of their own, this time a narrow 1-0 away result at Bridgwater Wanderers in a game that was very tight for long periods with some great football played by both sides.
The new look Cannington continue their excellent run of results and remain only a point behind Commercial in third place after an impressive 9-0 home win over bottom side Grasshoppers '05. Veteran marksman Darryl Taylor bagged yet another hat-trick and was joined on the scoresheet by team-mates Ben Dyer, Sam Chillingworth, Nathan Chillingworth, Josh Harvey, Josh Turner and Darren Johnson.
In the battle between two sides who had both started the campaign brightly but fallen off the pace somewhat in recent weeks, Huntspill Crowns got back to winning ways with a 4-3 away victory at Admirals after goals from Ian Howgate, Jeff Read, Brian Read and John Kear.
In the remaining game in Division Two the young Bower United outfit racked up yet another three points and move up to fourth in the table after running out 6-3 winners away to Pawlett Reserves thanks to two goals from Steve Hall and one each from Scott Capel, Shaun Turner, Luke Morgan and Jarrid McKay.
(Story First Published: 28.12.06) |
