The 2007-08 Uxella League season kicked off with a flurry of goals as a number of teams hit the ground running while others still looked stuck in pre-season.
This contrast was certainly in evidence at Cossington where a vibrant and hungry Red Tile outfit put on an impressive showing as they hammered visitors Grasshoppers '04 7-1. Tile raced into a first minute lead and gave the Hoppers a stern examination in the first half hour before the visitors eventually awoke from their slumber to equalise with a fine effort from Dan Luce. However, this only served to send Tile up another gear as they continued to play their fluid passing brand of football which in turn produced a succession of well-worked goals. Tile's scorers were Damon Jennings (2), Andy Staunton, Adam Wall, Adam Chappell, James Hamilton and Andy Smith.
Despite defeating league champions Woolavington in the Presidents Cup Final on the previous Wednesday evening, Tiger Old Boys also appeared uncharacteristically slow out of the blocks this weekend. Opponents Maxwells could not believe their luck as they went in at the interval 3-1 ahead before increasing their lead to 4-1 midway through the second half thanks to goals from Sam Mullins, Wayne Spencer(2) and James Leader. However, the fourth goal provoked the "Tigers Roar" as the visitors commenced another of their legendary fightbacks, scoring goal after goal until, with a certain inevitability, they bagged the decisive strike two minutes from the end to run out 5-4 victors. Jamie Chillingworth scored the winner after a superb hat-trick from Ian Bellinger and a further goal from Justin Lewis.
Newly promoted Quantock Pride demonstrated their readiness for the new campaign as they won 4-2 at home to traditional top flight heavyweights Railway Club. James Bawden opened his first division account with a couple of goals and was joined on the scoresheet by Sean O'Brien and Liam Nash.
Maltshovel Sports also made it a winning start to the season with a 4-1 away victory at Ashcott. Scott Clarke gave the visitors a deserved lead after 20 minutes and two strikes from Shaun Smith gave them a comfortable 3-0 half-time advantage. Jordan Meaker then confirmed the victory with a fourth goal after the break before Ashcott grabbed a late consolation through Chris Fletcher.
Pawlett United put their close season player exodus behind them as they also bagged three points away from home, winning 4-2 at Commercial after strikes from Marcus Slade (2), Simon Coombe and a 20-yarder in off the crossbar from Rich Jennings, his first goal for 5 years. Gareth Clark and Lee Gough replied for Commercial.
In the remaining game in Division 1 Cross Rifles and Flag Old Boys played out a tight 1-1 draw with Flag's effort coming from the penalty spot from veteran campaigner Martyn Allen.
In the second division last season's Danny Markall Cup Winners Cannington set out their stall to be one of the promotion favourites this time around as they won 9-1 away to Grasshoppers '05. The scoreline doesn't completely tell the story as the Hoppers Reserves actually took a 1-0 lead through Martin Warzybok and the scores were only 1-1 at the break. The second period was a different story, however, as Cannington ran riot with goals from Josh Harvey (2), Darryl Taylor (2), Lee Harvey, Sam Chillingworth, Nathan Chillingworth, Mark Modley and Shaun Roberts.
Blake Old Boys also started their season with a bang hitting only one less than Cannington as they won 8-2 at home to Abbey Moor.
Huntspill Crowns were in similarly prolific form as they shot down newly-elected Ramblers 7-0 thanks to strikes from Wayne Barrett(2), Jeff Read(2) and a hat-trick from second-half substitute John Kier.
The other newly-elected side, Sportsman, also conceded seven goals as they lost 7-1 away to L&G, formerly Bunch of Grapes, who were in impressive form. Andrew Riley scored twice for the home side and was joined on the scoresheet by Dean Fury, Simon Chidgey, Rob Griffiths, Richard Meek and an own goal.
Although they didn't start the season with an eye-catching scoreline the new-look Bridgwater Wanderers will almost certainly be one of the main contenders in the second division due to the calibre of players at their disposal and they duly started the 2007-08 campaign with a solid 3-1 home win over Admirals after goals from Dave Baker(2) and Darren Hill.
In the remaining game in Division Two an afternoon kick-off saw Bower United win 3-1 against Pawlett Reserves thanks to two goals from Steve Hall and one from Jarrid McKay.
(Story First Published: 02.09.07) |
