With a significant improvement in pitch conditions there was a lot more action in the Uxella League this weekend and the big fixture of the day saw league leaders Woolavington travel to second placed Railway Club who started the day level on points with the champions but ended it three points adrift after going down 4-1. For Woolavington it proved to be a relatively comfortable run out thanks to two goals from Matt Fursland and one each from Matt Blackmore and Marcus Butler. John Richards responded for Railway.
Third placed Red Tile continue to rack up points after beating Cross Rifles 5-3 in a game that had plenty of action at both ends. James Hamilton (2), Andy Staunton, Neil Thompson and Simon Bone, with a cheeky backheel on the goal line, scored the goals that sealed the three points for Tile. A brace from Craig McGann and an Adam Kinsey effort was the Rifles' response.
It is now three games without a win for Pawlett United who appear to have hit a mid-season 'sticky patch' after their trailblazing start to the campaign, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Ashcott with James Lacey scoring for Ashcott.
With Pawlett dropping two points Tiger Old Boys were able to take full advantage and now leapfrog them into fourth place on goal difference after a comprehensive 9-1 win over visitors Maxwells 37 Club. The ever-youthful Paul Meare led the way with a five-goal salvo and Jamie Chillingworth was also in fine form with a hat-trick, one of which was a penalty. Matt Washer completed the rout with Steve Spencer responding for Maxwells.
It is now three wins from their last four outings for the young Grasshoppers '04 outfit who continue to improve at a rate of knots after running out 5-1 winners at home to Bunch of Grapes. Again fielding a side mainly composed of teenagers they were thankful on this occasion to their veteran player-manager Dean Waghorn for opening the scoring after a tight opening period as he proceeded to astonish everyone present, including himself, with a 40-yard wondergoal. A penalty from Tom Seal then made it 2-0 to the Hoppers at the interval and the irrepressible Jason Hitchcock added to their lead soon after the break. However, Bunch never gave up and their admirable 'never say die' spirit was duly rewarded with a well-taken first goal in his 25-year footballing career from Rich Neale. Despite this set-back the Hoppers kept going forward and with the introduction of further young legs from the bench made the game safe in the final period with yet another goal from 16-year-old Jack Taylor and a second spot kick of the game from Tom Seal.
The Second Division title race looks like it will go right to the wire as the two main front runners, Quantock Pride and Commercial, both continued their winning ways.
Pride entertained Cannington and went behind early on to yet another strike from the veteran Darryl Taylor and that was how the scoreline remained until just before the break when the home side equalised. However, parity only lasted a minute or so as Cannington took the lead once again with an immediate reply from Nathan Chillingworth. A Mark Passmore goal midway through the second half put Quantock back on equal terms again and they then went on to steal all three points in the last five minutes when James Taylor successfully converted a penalty.
Commercial remain hot on Quantock Pride's heels after coming away from their trip to Woolavington Reserves with another three points of their own after a 6-2 victory. Olly Pearce and Scott Hawkins both scored two and were joined on the scoresheet by Robert Trice and Rob Wooley. Commercial still have a priceless game in hand on the leaders which may prove decisive in the final reckoning.
In the battle between fifth and sixth in the Division Two table, Bower United's young side went down 1-2 at home to Blake Old Boys despite another goal from Steve Hall. This result sees Blake move up to third in the table.
Although fielding only ten men Bridgwater Wanderers were still able to run out narrow 4-3 winners on their trip to Countryman after a double strike from Kev Warre and one each from Jamie Evans and Dean Dunn.
In the remaining game in the second flight due credit must go to lowly Pawlett Reserves after they registered a surprise 3-2 home win over high-flying Huntspill Crowns thanks to goals from Simon Coombes, Ryan Cresswell and Aaron 'Krazy' Kroll.
(Story First Published: 15.01.07) |
