With the top two, Woolavington and Railway Club, not in action this weekend as they prepare to go head-to-head this coming Wednesday evening, the focus in division one of the Uxella League switched to the battle for top five places.
Pawlett United were able to leapfrog Red Tile into third spot after winning 5-4 at home to Flag Old Boys. This was definitely a game of two halves with United starting much the stronger and racing to a 4-0 half-time lead after some superb attacking football. Soon after the break they made it 5-0 but that was not to be the end of the action as Flag then set about staging an unlikely comeback scoring four goals of their own in a blistering fifteen minute spell. However, they were also hit by a spate of injuries on the bone dry pitch which reduced them to ten men and this ultimately scuppered their chances of successfully salvaging a point. Lee White, Kevin Wheddon, Karl Winter and Lee Matthews struck the Flag goals while Pawlett's earlier dominance had much to do with a superb showing from hat-trick man Will Beggs and two excellent strikes on his debut from former Yeovil Town youth player Carmen Notaro, one of which was a 35-yard cracker.
Just like Pawlett, Tiger Old Boys were similarly quick out of the blocks in their home game with Maltshovel Sports, taking an early 2-0 advantage through strikes from Paul Meare and Jamie Chillingworth. Former Swansea City man Lee Huntley then made it three before Dean Organ struck back for the visitors. However there was to be no comeback in this game as Chillingworth struck a second to kill the game off and duly secure the three points for the Tigers.
Ashcott's fine form continues as they registered their fifth victory from their last six games as they won 3-1 at home to a depleted Grasshoppers '04 side. Ashcott raced into a 1-0 lead through Jody Tidball after only five minutes but the Hoppers levelled just before the break through a Matt Burgess diving header. The home side then used the wind and slope to their full advantage in the second period and when Hoppers veteran midfielder Danny O'Loughlin limped off soon after the break the ten remaining Hoppers faced a severe examination which eventually saw James Lacey and Chris Murphy score the goals that swung the game decisively in Ashcott's favour.
In the remaining game in the top flight Maxwells showed great spirit to come back from 2-0 down at half-time to win 4-3 at home to Cross Rifles. A Mike Stone penalty gave them a glimmer of hope early in the second half before a Wayne Spencer lob and a second from Mike Stone turned the game on its head to put them in the driving seat at 3-2. However, a Lee Pearce own goal then saw the Rifles restore parity but a last minute goal direct from Danny Palfrey, direct from a free-kick saw Maxwells take all the spoils.
The second division title race looks to be a strictly two-horse race now after Blake Old Boys lost 2-1 away to Cannington despite a 25-yard free kick from Michael Hart.
With Blake now effectively out of the picture the title will be decided between current leaders Commercial and second-placed Quantock Pride who remain five points behind them but with two games in hand. Both sides show no sign of letting up as they both recorded high-scoring victories this time around as they faced the bottom two sides in the division.
Top side Commercial travelled to bottom side Grasshoppers '05 and the script went very much according to the form guide as Commercial came away 9-0 winners after four goals from Robert Trice, a hat-trick from Darren Hill and one each from Alexi Paull and Rob Woolley.
Meanwhile Quantock Pride made the longer trip to second-from-bottom Countryman and ran out 6-0 victors after a hat-trick from James Bawden, a 25-yard thunderbolt free-kick from Liam Nash and further goals from Paul Bawden and John Hill.
Fourth-placed Huntspill Crowns were also in free-scoring form away to an injury and suspension ravaged Bridgwater Wanderers who were unable to field a full side. Despite holding the visitors at bay quite well in the earlier stages of the game as the match wore on Huntspill made their numerical advantage tell as they surged to a 9-2 win. Shane Thompson and Sam Puddy bagged the Wanderers' consolation efforts.
The remaining game in the second division also saw plenty of goals as Woolavington Reserves beat Admirals 5-2 away. Two goals from Tom Presley and one each from Kev Dibble, Paul Atyeo and Gary Butler sealed the three points for the visitors while Andy Cheese and Dan Roberts responded for Admirals.
(Story First Published: 04.04.07) |
