It was quarter-finals day in the Dave Hobbs Cup and after the four ties had been played the remaining quartet of sides in the competition bore an uncanny resemblance to the four teams at the top of the Uxella League.
Quantock Pride won the prize for most convincing passage into the semi's with a 10-1 battering of Maxwells. For once it was Paul Bawden who stole the headlines by bagging four goals. His brother James Bawden hit a hat-trick and Liam Nash (2) and Dan Spencer completed the rout.
Woolavington also romped through to the last four with a 7-1 home thumping of Cross Rifles. Matt Fursland struck four goals, Matt Blackmore hit three and Marcus Butler got the other.
Cannington, the last remaining Second division side in the cup, put on a great showing in the first half of their away tie at Red Tile and deservedly held a 1-0 lead over their high-flying top flight opponents at the interval. However, Tile came out for the second half with a new determination and turned the game on its head to win 5-1 through goals from Rich Ball (2), Andy Staunton, Adam Chappell and from an Olly Smith penalty.
In the battle of the Old Boys Tigers eventually emerged triumphant despite going 2-0 down early on to Flag. Sebastian Mic and Kevin Wheddon put Flag ahead but by half-time the Tigers were in the driving seat after strikes from Ian Bellinger, Jamie Chillingworth and Nick Keirle. Flag then levelled again after the break through Fred Hemmings but the Tigers pulled clear in the last ten minutes through a Max Cushing header and a strike from young sub Aaron Whaites to make the tie safe for the home side by a 5-3 scoreline.
There were two games played in Division One.
Railway Club ran out narrow 2-1 winners away to Ashcott after goals from Chris 'Bertie' Lynham and Nigel Gillard. Chris Fletcher responded for Ashcott.
Grasshoppers '04 went down 3-4 at home to Pawlett United after yet another sleepy start saw them fall 3-0 behind early on. In the previous meeting between these two sides before Christmas Pawlett's Will Beggs helped United to a convincing victory with a four-goal haul. He repeated the trick on this occasion scoring all four of Pawlett's efforts. Two good strikes from Dan Luce and a battling effort from Luke Morgan reduced the deficit to 4-3 late in the game.
Meanwhile, in Division Two, Bridgwater Wanderers consolidated their lead at the top with a 4-2 away win at Coxley Rovers. Two goals from Darren Hill, one from John Cook and an 18-yard screamer from John Richardson sealed the three points for Wanderers.
Third-placed Admirals slumped to only their second league defeat of the campaign and in some style as they lost 7-2 at home to Blake Old Boys. The prolific Kev Warre hit five for Blake and was joined on the scoresheet by Josh Speed and Ben Howes. Martin Cheese scored both of Admirals efforts.
Bower United maintained their pursuit of leaders Bridgwater Wanderers with yet another victory, winning 4-1 at home to Grasshoppers '05. Jon Harriott, Jarrid Mackay, Brendan Pope and Scott Capel were the men on target for Bower while Dan Saunders replied for the Hoppers reserves with a superbly struck free-kick.
Only two places separate Abbey Moor and Sportsman in the lower half of the second division table but on the day the difference in goals between the two sides was considerable as home side Abbey ran out 8-1 victors. Shea Speakman, Nathan Argent and Craig Chant all scored twice and Dave Little and Alan Cummings hit one each. Callum Walters scored a consolation for Sportsman who lost their goalkeeper just before the interval.
Huntspill Crowns won 3-1 away to L & G despite a Lee Fury strike for the home side.
In the remaining game in the Second Division Pawlett Reserves won 5-4 away to Ramblers. Jake Aidy, Dom Clark, Martin Milton, Simon Newbury and Matthew Bain all chipped in with a goal each for Pawlett.
(Story First Published: 17.02.08) |
