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DAVE HOBBS CUP SECOND ROUND REPORT |
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As cup fever gripped fans around the country the Uxella League followed the example of the FA Cup by staging the next round of its own challenge competition, the Dave Hobbs Cup, with five of the scheduled second round ties surviving the weather and producing plenty of action in the process.
The nearest we came to an upset was in the intriguing tie at Victoria Park between second division high-flyers Bridgwater Wanderers and division one leaders and current Dave Hobbs Cup holders Tiger Old Boys. It proved to be a fiercely contested match with no quarter given by either side. If anything the Wanderers were unlucky not to take the lead early on with the Tigers having their outstanding keeper Wayne Trapnell to thank for keeping them in the game as he foiled no less than three one-on-ones. Being such a tight contest the game looked to be heading for extra time when Nick Kierle popped up in the dying minutes of normal time to score the winner for the Tigers, ensuring their passage to the next round by the narrowest of margins.
Reigning league champions Woolavington also progressed to the next round via an altogether different scoreline as they ran out 8-0 away victors at fellow division one side Ashcott. After something of a stuttering campaign to date Woolavington looked to be back to their best on this showing and were aided by the inclusion of Marcus Butler after a long absence. Butler bagged a hat-trick on his return to the side while Matt Fursland went one better with a four-goal haul. Matt Blackmore was also on target.
Red Tile were similarly in goalscoring form as they also hit eight on the road in an 8-2 win at second division Huntspill Crowns. Tile had a pair of Adams to thank with Adam Chappell and left-back Adam Wall both hitting hat-tricks. James Hamilton and Jason McPheat completed the rout. Andy Kitch and Simon Maffingham hit back with Huntspill's consolation efforts.
In a topsy turvy tie at Cranleigh Gardens L & G spurned three gilt-edged chances to open the scoring after enjoying the better of the early part of the game only to end up being beaten 5-0 by visitors Maxwells after goals from Wayne Spencer(2), Danny Palfrey, Danny Russell and Jim Livingstone.
Second Division leaders Cannington travelled to fellow high-flying division two side Blake Old Boys and had to come from behind twice during normal time before eventually winning 3-2 in extra time. Rich Harvey and Josh Turner scored the goals that kept Cannington in the tie before Liam Barnett struck the winner during the additional period.
The ties between Cross Rifles and Woolavington Reserves and Abbey Moor versus Flag Old Boys were postponed due to poor pitch conditions and will be rescheduled for a later date.
While the cup action was taking place there was something of a cup tie atmosphere at ROF, Puriton where basement boys Ramblers and Grasshoppers '05 went head-to-head in a frantic division two encounter. The Hoppers reserves took the lead on twenty minutes through a superb Matt Burgess strike but by half time Ramblers had gone 2-1 up. Burgess' cousin Sam Peppin then levelled the scores again for '05 from the penalty spot five minutes into the second period but as the game wore on the Ramblers demonstrated far more desire and reaped the rewards of their labour by pulling clear to eventually win by a comfortable 6-2 margin and leave the visitors still searching for their first point of the campaign. Matt Bell (3), Graham Furze, Joe Cresswell and Martin Portlock were the men who secured a first ever victory for Ramblers since their formation at the beginning of the season.
There was a further league game in the second division with Admirals and Coxley Rovers playing out a 3-3 draw. Jason Bale, Kev Andrews and Rich Smith all scored for Admirals for whom goalkeeper Adam Rawle was their undisputed man of the match.
(Story First Published: 06.01.08) |
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| | | | | | | | Div 1 Table Summary
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| Team |
Pts |
| Maltshovel | 30 | | Red Tile | 27 | | Tiger Old Boys | 19 | | Quantock Pride | 17 | | Cannington | 16 | | Abbey Moor | 15 | | Blake OB | 14 | | Flag Old Boys | 10 | | Middlezoy | 9 | | | | |
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| | | | | | Div 2 Table Summary
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| Team |
Pts |
| Highburn | 44 | | Grasshoppers | 41 | | New Foresters | 36 | | NM Sports | 34 | | R.O.F. | 34 | | Puriton | 33 | | Huntspill | 22 | | Knowle | 16 | | Admirals | 14 | | Q. Pride Res. | 10 | | Ramblers | 8 | | North Petherton | 4 | | | | |
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