The first round of the prestigious Somerset Cup kicked off this weekend with only six Uxella League sides entering this season.
Reigning league champions Woolavington, with a number of key players missing, faced a daunting task as they entertained current Somerset Cup holders Perfecto Allstars. With a side packed full of senior players Perfecto certainly lived up to their name but Woolavington worked hard to give the visitors a game and even managed to fashion a number of chances before going down 7-2 to the Taunton Sunday champions.
Although similarly facing a Taunton league side themselves, Grasshoppers didn't have to travel very far for their away tie with Spaxton Rangers. The first half was a tight affair with Spaxton just about edging it as they took a 1-0 lead just before the break. However, the second half saw the Hoppers fade away again and, despite enjoying the advantage of playing downhill, they struggled to make a convincing impression against a stubborn Spaxton defence and their commanding goalkeeper. The home side eventually scored two more goals on the break to give them a comfortable 3-0 victory.
With a quirk of the draw Railway Club were pitched against fellow Uxella League side Flag Old Boys and the two teams played out an excellent spectacle that was very much in keeping with the kind of football you would expect from a county cup tie. After a tight opening period Flag's Andy White ran into the box only to be upended. Veteran Martyn Allen duly bagged his second of the season from the penalty spot to give Flag a 1-0 lead at the break. Carl Tucker restored parity for Railway after the interval and then Nigel Gillard made it 2-1 before another Andy White run into the box saw him finish coolly with 15 minutes remaining to level the scores again. Flag Skipper Lee White scored the winner four minutes into stoppage time with a superb volley to send the Old Boys through to the second round with a 3-2 victory.
L&G were able to progress to the second round without a ball being kicked after their scheduled opposition East Dundry Eagles pulled out of their tie. That meant that the only other game featuring a Bridgwater side was at Fairfax Park where Cross Rifles lost narrowly 2-1 to Bathpool. Mike Hawthorne scored their consolation goal.
Meanwhile there was plenty of league action with Quantock Pride continuing their impressive early season first division run with a 3-1 home win over Pawlett United. James Bawden scored another two strikes and Nick Stevens scored the goal of the game with a fine left-footed turning volley on the edge of the six-yard box. Scott Slaney gave a man of the match performance with an all-action tackling display.
There was a surprise result at Cossington where Red Tile, who had played some outstanding football in their opening games, went down 5-1 at home to an impressive Maxwells for whom Mike Stone bagged a hat-trick. Wayne Spencer and Sam Mullins added the other goals while Andy Smith bagged Tile's lone consolation effort from a performance to forget.
League leaders Tiger Old Boys made it nine points from their opening three league fixtures but yet again did so the hard way as they trailed 3-0 at half-time at home to Commercial but turned the game on its head in the second half to win 5-4. Ian Bellinger scored his second hat-trick of the campaign since his summer move from Woolavington and Paul Meare and Aaron Whaites, with a 30-yard lob, sealed the win. Robert Trice, Darren Cooper and two strikes from Dan Russell was Commercial's response.
In the remaining top flight game Maltshovel drew 1-1 with Ashcott with Simon Dodden scoring for Shovel.
In division two the top scorers of the day were Admirals who romped to a 10-2 away win at Pawlett Reserves. Man of the match was Stu Croker who came on as a second-half sub for Admirals after 13 months out injured and announced his return with a superb five-goal haul. Kev Andrews joined him on the scoresheet with a hat-trick and Dave Gardiner bagged two.
Cannington made it 26 goals from their opening 3 games of the season as they racked up eight this time in an 8-1 away win at Abbey Moor. Darryl Taylor again led the way with a hat-trick, Josh Harvey and Sam Chillingworth both scored two and Lee Harvey completed the rout.
Blake Old Boys also scored eight for their second league game in succession as they won 8-3 away at Ramblers. Kev Warre bagged five with Jamie Winter, Mike Hart and Shane Thompson also on target.
Young side Sportsman did well to register their first victory so soon into the season as they won 3-2 at home to Coxley Rovers despite losing Ryan Salter to a nasty knee ligament injury after only five minutes. Jack Taylor (2) and Steve Addicott sealed the points for the second division newcomers.
In the remaining game in division two Bridgwater Wanderers ran out 4-2 home winners over Woolavington Reserves for whom a John Wall strike and an own goal were the consolations.
(Story First Published: 16.09.07) |
