Having taken maximum points from their opening three Uxella League games, long-standing title challengers Tiger Old Boys played host this weekend to the other form side so far this season in newly-promoted Quantock Pride.
It was a very competitive encounter with the Tigers seemingly in control after taking an early 2-0 lead. However, Pride battled hard as the game wore on and mounted a superb fightback before eventually winning 5-3 thanks to an outstanding display from James Bawden who bagged a hat-trick. He was joined on the scoresheet by Ash Webber and Liam Nash and the three points gained puts the first division newcomers top of the league, above Tigers on goal difference and having played a game less. Ian Bellinger (2) and Jamie Chillingworth the goalscorers for the home side.
After a nightmarish performance last weekend Red Tile rediscovered their form in style as they hammered Commercial 7-0 at home. Player-manager Andy Staunton led by example with a fine hat-trick. Andy Smith, James Hamilton and two own goals sealed a win which put Tile third in the table.
Maxwells 37 Club were victorious for the second successive week as they ran out 3-2 away winners at Flag Old Boys. Flag had started the stronger and dominated possession in the opening twenty-five minutes before deservedly going ahead through Danny Crossley. However, Maxwells soon replied through Steve Spencer. Then a superb Andy White shot from the edge of the box gave Flag a 2-1 lead but a couple of suicidal pass-backs allowed Maxwells turn the game around as they first levelled again through a Steve Spencer penalty before his brother Wayne Spencer struck the winner twenty minutes from time.
Injury and absentee hit Grasshoppers '04 travelled to Ashcott with a bare eleven on the back of a less than impressive sequence of results so far this season having lost all three of their opening fixtures and having scored only one goal in the process. However, despite losing Andy Day to an injury early on they fought hard to register their first points of the campaign with a battling 5-3 away win. Teenager Matt Burgess was at the heart of the victory with his tireless forward running and was rewarded with a hat-trick. Marc Crossley and a first for the club from Dean Dunn sealed the victory. Impressive second half sub Chris Bell also scored a hat-trick for Ashcott.
A goal a piece from Lee Mallett and Dean Gooding gave Cross Rifles a 2-0 away win from a tight encounter at Maltshovel.
After various early season cup games reigning champions Woolavington finally kick-started the defence of their league crown with an assured 6-1 away win at Railway Club with the usual suspects of Matt Fursland, Matt Blackmore, Simon Caddy and Marcus Butler all featuring on the scoresheet.
At the top of the second division only goal-difference separates the two sides who have both started the season in blistering form with maximum points.
Cannington sit top of the pile after a 4-0 away win at Ramblers thanks to goals from Josh Turner, Lee Harvey, Josh Harvey and the evergreen Darryl Taylor.
Blake Old Boys lie just behind them in second place after they also extended their sequence of victories with a 6-1 home thumping of L & G. The league's leading scorer Kev Warre bagged two while Matt Milton, Les Pope, Mark Coles and Shane Thompson completed the rout.
Admirals lie third after reaching double figures for the second week running as they went one better than last week's ten goal haul with an 11-1 away mauling of Grasshoppers '05. Martin Cheese hit four, Stu Croker made it eight from his first two games of the season with a hat-trick, Dave Gardiner bagged two and Rich Smith and Matt Francis both got one each.
Huntspill Crowns and Sportsman played out a tight 2-2 draw at Huntspill. John Kear and Wayne Barrett scored for the home side but a Steven Addicott double gave the visitors a well-earned point from their travels.
Ben Puddy's first ever goal for Bower United helped them to a 2-0 home win over Abbey Moor. Scott Capel scored the other.
In the remaining game in division two a double-strike from Adam Kinsey and a further goal from Steve Harris gave Woolavington Reserves a 3-2 home win over Pawlett Reserves.
(Story First Published: 23.09.07) |
