The 2008 Uxella League title race took what could prove to be a decisive turn this weekend as the two main contenders, long-standing leaders Tiger Old Boys and reigning champions Woolavington, went head to head. Both sides have known for some time that there would be little margin for error with their records having been so similar during the campaign. A fortnight ago the Tigers suffered a setback when they lost to Railway Club and it was imperative that they made up for that defeat with a win against Woolavington today. However, it simply wasn't to be as Woolavington deservedly ran out 3-0 away winners after goals from Matt Blackmore, Matt Fursland and from a superb Danny Mira free-kick. However, their celebrations were short-lived when it emerged that their assistant manager Steve "Ged" Collard suffered a possible stroke after the game and is currently in Musgrove Park Hospital. It goes without saying that the players thoughts are with him at this time.
While Woolavington's victory allowed them to leapfrog the Tigers in the table it did not put them top of the pile for the moment. That accolade currently goes to the increasingly consistent Red Tile who won their own key battle with fellow high-flying Quantock Pride 2-0 to provide a pointer as to who could finish third. A first half strike from Shane Thompson and an Andy Smith goal after the break gave Tile a six point cushion between them and Pride although their opponents have three games in hand.
Maxwells ran out narrow 1-0 winners at home to Ashcott thanks to a first-half, 30-yard piledriver from Dougie 'Gerrard' Thresher into the top left corner.
Pawlett United's renaissance continues with a 2-1 home win over Railway Club through a double-strike from Simon Coombes.
Flag Old Boys won 2-0 at home to Cross Rifles, sealing the victory before the break with a goal from Sebastian Mic and via a Lee White header from a corner.
In the remaining game in Division One second-bottom Grasshoppers '04 entertained Maltshovel Sports, only a place above them in the table and went down 3-5 to the visitors after yet again giving away three sloppy goals early on and leaving themselves another mountain to climb. The mountain got even steeper just before the break when Nigel Woodcock received his marching orders for a second bookable offence. The Hoppers then demonstrated superb battling qualities in the second half to make light of their numerical deficiency but Maltshovel made the game same as the match wore on. Maltshovel's winning goalscorers were Dean Organ (2), Andrew Skidmore, Steve Davis and Lee Blewett. Matt Burgess, Sam Peppin and Dan Luce responded for '04.
Meanwhile, in the second division, there was also a key result which might just have a bearing on the destination of the division two title as leaders Bridgwater Wanderers crucially dropped two points from a 4-4 draw at home to Sportsman. A Lee Gough hat-trick and a Dave Baker effort for the Wanderers were cancelled out by 2 strikes from Sportsman's James Pethers and one each from Thomas Remazeski and from the impressive Jack Taylor. While Wanderers remain top they might just have allowed an opening for Bower United to exploit when they use up their games in hand.
Bower were victorious yet again with a 4-1 home win over Ramblers thanks to goals from Steve Hall (2), John Harriot and Brendan Pope. Bower lie in fourth place, five points behind Bridgwater Wanderers but with two games in hand.
Cannington retain second place after a narrow 1-0 away win at L & G who worked so hard to keep Cannington at bay and were desperately unlucky to end up on the losing side.
Third-placed Admirals put last week's shock hammering at the hands of Blake Old Boys behind them as they ran out convincing winners themselves with a 5-1 away win at Coxley Rovers. Two goals each from Kev Curran and Andrew Cheese and one from Richard Smith did the trick for the visitors.
Blake suffered the opposite of fortunes as they put last week's fine 7-2 win behind them to lose 1-5 at home to Huntspill Crowns. Their only consolation was an excellent 18-yard bullet header from Matt Loveday.
Woolavington Reserves were the highest scorers of the day, putting eight past bottom side Grasshoppers '05. It was a case of return of the old boys as former Hoppers Adam Kinsey (3) and Sean O'Grady (2) weighed in with most of the goals. Anton Bolton, Sam Weston and Keith Irish completed the rout.
In the remaining game in division two Abbey Moor won 2-0 away to Pawlett Reserves.
(Story First Published: 24.02.08) |
