With the rain holding off for the time being the Uxella League enjoyed a full set of fixtures for the second week running but conditions remained difficult with an extremely gusty wind to contend with.
It's "as you were" at the top of the league with all four of the leading pack racking up victories.
Leaders Tiger Old Boys played host to bottom side Grasshoppers '04 but for the first two thirds of the game there was little between the two teams as the Hoppers gave as good as they got and even took a 2-1 lead at one stage through two calm finishes from their outstanding teenage man of the match Sam Peppin. However, the Tigers once again demonstrated their strong finish tendencies, subjecting the wind-battered visitors to a merciless onslaught in the final quarter which saw them pull clear to record a 6-2 win. Jamie Chillingworth led the way with a hat-trick and was joined on the scoresheet by Aaron Whaites, Ian Bellinger and Max Cushing.
Second-placed Red Tile remain level on points with the Tigers after a 5-1 away win at Railway Club. Tile took a 2-1 advantage into the interval after first half strikes from Shane Thompson and Adam Chappell. Successfully converted penalties from James Hamilton and from keeper Chris Ford plus a Simon Bone effort made the points safe in the second period.
Quantock Pride stay third after a 2-0 away win at Ashcott. They had the Bawden Brothers to thank for the victory as Paul and James Bawden struck either side of the break.
Champions Woolavington remain in fourth spot for the moment having played a number of games less than the top three. However, if they win their matches in hand they will find themselves level on points with the Tigers so goal difference could well be crucial in the final run in. With this very much in mind they set about Flag Old Boys with a vengeance, cruising to a 4-0 half-time lead. Flag then briefly rallied early in the second period with Andy White pegging the scoreline back to 2-4 but as Flag chased a third goal they were made to pay as Woolavington clicked back into gear again to score five more and run out 9-2 victors. Matt Blackmore (3), Matt Fursland (2), Wayne Barry, Jake Chidgey, Simon Caddy and Gary Head were the men on target for Woolavington.
A single Steve Spencer strike was enough to give Maxwells a narrow 1-0 home win over Maltshovel Sports.
In the remaining game in the first division Pawlett United got back to winning ways with a 2-1 away victory over Cross Rifles at Fairfax Park. Marcus Slade and Will Beggs sealed the points for the visitors while Mike Hawthorne struck back for the Rifles.
There was a shock result at the top of Division Two with start-of-day leaders Cannington crashing to a 5-1 defeat away to Blake Old Boys. The scoreline doesn't tell the whole story as both sides carved out a number of chances but it was Blake who were the more clinical in front of goal. Josh Speed (2), Kyle Winter, Kev Warre and an amazing 25-yard screamer from Iain Grubb won it for the home side.
With Cannington slipping up Bridgwater Wanderers were able to take full advantage away to Grasshoppers '05 where they won 5-1 after goals from Gordy Addicott (2), Dave Baker, Lee Goss and Darren Hill. Veteran striker Matt Weston responded for the Hoppers. The three points gained sees the Wanderers ascend into top spot a point ahead of Cannington and with the added bonus of having three games in hand on the second-placed side.
Admirals stay third on the back of a point gained from a 0-0 draw with L & G. Visitors L & G worked their socks off to more than match their high-flying hosts and also suffered an horrific injury to Richard Meek in the final minutes of the game.
Having played the fewest number of games in the division fourth-placed Bower United remain the team most likely to catch Bridgwater Wanderers and they continued their impressive sequence of results of only having lost one of their last eleven games with a 3-1 win over Huntspill Crowns thanks to two goals from Sam Puddy and one from Rich Eckley. If United can win their two games in hand on Bridgwater Wanderers they will be only a point behind the leaders.
Hotshot of the day was Woolavington Reserves frontman Adam Kinsey who fell only one goal short of his pre-match prediction that he would bag a double hat-trick as he proceeded to hit five in his side's 6-4 home win over Ramblers. Steve Harris added the other from the penalty spot.
Meanwhile, the highest scoring side of the day in the second flight were Pawlett Reserves who put last week's shock reverse at the hands of bottom side Grasshoppers '05 behind them to run out 8-4 winners over Sportsman. Pawlett's man of the match award was shared between their two hat-trick men Nicky Brown and Jake Aidy. Aaron Denis and Tom Clarke sealed the win. Sportsman reduced the deficit through Callum Walters, Bob Hughes and two from new signing Tom Remiszewski.
In the local derby between the two "out of town" sides, Coxley Rovers and Abbey Moor, it was Coxley who emerged triumphant with a 5-1 home win. Jake Greenhalgh, Shaun Rothwell, Craig Rothwell, Tom Hawkins and Jack Howard were the Rovers goalscorers. Shay Speakman struck Abbey Moor's consolation from the penalty spot.
(Story First Published: 03.02.08) |
