All in all it has been a remarkable week. It finally stopped raining allowing a full Uxella League programme to take place for the first time in many weeks. An even bigger surprise however was served up at Chedzoy Lane where Grasshoppers 05, bottom of the league and without a point to their name at the start of the day, proceeded to achieve their first victory of the season from an amazing twelve goal thriller against Pawlett Reserves which they eventually won 7-5 after many twists and turns. In keeping with their "age is no barrier" philosophy the Hoppers second string had veteran poacher Andrew Cattle to thank with his well-struck hat-trick while his equally grizzled brother-in-law Rob Whiterod also chipped in with a goal. Further goals came from the boots of youngsters Dan Saunders, who twice slotted home coolly when one-on-one with the visitors' keeper, and from Les Pope who capped an outstanding battling display with an effort that he more or less willed over the line. Pawlett shrugged off the loss of their normal goalkeeper with Leeroy Izard and Nick Brown taking it in turns to deputise between the sticks. The visitors based their approach on the old adage that attack is the best form of defence and were duly rewarded with a brace from Matt Bain and one each from Steve Palmer, Jake Aidy and Martyn Milton.
Meanwhile, in the top flight there were also goals galore in the game featuring the Pawlett first team as they rued the excellent quality of their Cannington College pitch when facing one the best footballing sides in the league in visitors Red Tile. Tile took full advantage of the well maintained surface to run out 7-2 winners after a hat-trick from the excellent Shane Thompson, two from player-boss Andy Staunton and one a piece from Andy Smith and Adam Chappell. Tile now go level on points at the top of the league with Tiger Old Boys but have played three games more than the league leaders.
With the Tigers not playing it was a good opportunity for champions Woolavington to play catch-up and this they did in some style with a 9-1 home thumping of Ashcott. Jason Jones led the way with a four-goal salvo, Matt Blackmore struck two and Matt Fursland, Jake Chidgey and Marcus Butler completed the rout.
Quantock Pride remain in third spot after a 7-1 home demolition of old rivals Maltshovel Sports. Pride led 2-0 at the break after first half goals from James Bawden and Ash Webber. Then, from the kick-off at the beginning of the second period Bawden scored his second of the game with an amazing lob that went in just underneath the crossbar. Webber then struck a second of his own before James Taylor, Liam Nash and an own goal sealed a fine win. Paul Organ responded with Shovel's consolation effort.
Maxwells will rue their sleepy start at home to Cross Rifles as the visitors surged to a 4-0 lead within the first fifteen minutes after some sloppy defending on Maxwells part. A Mike Stone penalty and a James Leader effort then reduced the deficit before half time but there were no further goals in the second half and the Rifles shot home with the points.
It is now five wins from their last six outings for Flag Old Boys after a 3-2 home victory over Railway Club. Sebastian Mic and Jamie Stewart gave them a comfortable two goal cushion at the break and Stewart then added his second to leave them seemingly home and dry. However, Railway made a game of it in the final quarter reducing the deficit to a single goal after a well-struck free kick and a converted penalty after a handball in the area.
Back in division two leaders Cannington kept their title ambitions intact with a 7-1 home thrashing of Sportsman. Liam Barnett and Sam Chillingworth both scored twice and were joined on the scoresheet by Nathan Chillingworth, Mike Hart and Dean Taylor. Jack Taylor struck back for the young Sportsman side.
A single Vince Kennedy strike gave Bridgwater Wanderers a narrow 1-0 home win over Abbey Moor that keeps the Wanderers in second spot, two points behind Cannington and with no less than three games in hand.
Admirals remain well-placed in third spot just off the leaders and having lost only one league game all season. This time they had to settle for a point from a 2-2 home draw with Huntspill Crowns after goals from Jason Bale and Stu Crocker.
In a bad-tempered battle of fourth versus fifth the young Bower United side, who have similarly only lost once in the league, emerged as narrow 3-2 away winners after goals from Luke Manley, Scott Capell and Shaun Turner. Josh Speed, on his debut, and the prolific Kev Warre responded for Blake.
Woolavington Reserves also won on the road, winning 4-1 at L & G despite a Lee Fury strike for the home side.
In the remaining Second Division game Coxley Rovers and Ramblers played out a 2-2 draw.
(Story First Published: 27.01.08) |
