DIVISION 1:
Uxella League giants Tiger Old Boys were, for once, given a real run for their money at home to a spirited Red Tile outfit. Tile started the game with real purpose before the Tigers eventually got into their stride and eventually ran out as 3-1 winners following a fine hat-trick from Mike Nicholson. Tile's task was made all the harder by the fact that their usual goalkeeper was unavailable, but with central midfielder Jason McPheat peforming heroics between the sticks, and with a fine goal from James "Action Ham" Hamilton, they pushed the Tigers all the way.
Railway Club emerged as 5-3 winners at home to Durleigh thanks to two goals from Carl Tucker and one each from Terry Hodge, Lee Hemsley and Barry Hardwell. The result means that Railway leapfrog Durleigh in the table, moving up one place to fourth.
The game between Woolavington and Pig & Whistle was abandoned just before half-time when the referee refused to continue following a sustained period of foul and abusive language from a number of players. The matter will now be referred to the Somerset F.A. for further action.
DIVISION 2:
Division Two leaders Tiger OB Reserves continue to set the pace following an impressive 5-2 away victory at third-placed Black Horse. In a fiercely competitive encounter the Tigers eventually bagged all three points thanks to a hat-trick from Leigh Hurford and two from Jamie Chillingworth.
Second-placed Flag Old Boys continued their good form with a 3-1 home win over Eastover Wanderers. Mike Taylor, Lee White and Andrew White were Flag's goalscorers while Andy Riley again got on the scoresheet for Eastover. Special mention must also go to Eastover's stand-in goalkeeper, Aaron Chidgey, who had a superb game and was instrumental in keeping the scoreline down to a respectable level.
Cross Rifles took full advantage of Black Horse's slip-up by winning 3-1 away to Huntspill Crowns. Lee Stentaford(2) and Mike Hawthorn got the all-important strikes for the Rifles while Crowns' consolation goal came from Richard Cattell. The result means that Cross Rifles now move level on points with Black Horse but remain in fourth place on goal difference.
North Petherton ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at home to Cannington. Goals from Lee Chamberlain(2), Craig White and Mark Mantyk were the difference between the two sides.
DIVISION 3:
Story of the week must surely be the first victory of the season for Bridgwater Grasshoppers who followed on from their amazing 6-6 draw last week by beating Middlezoy Athletic 3-2, a result which means that they move off the bottom of the table for the first time during the campaign. Last week's four-goal hero Adam Kinsey got the show on the road with a looping thirty-yard strike midway through the first half before Middlezoy struck back to first equalise, and then take a surprise 2-1 lead against the run of play, with both goals coming from the boots of George Jones. However, a cool finish from Hoppers striker James "Jimmer" Nichols levelled the scores and also dealt Middlezoy an important psychological blow just before the interval. The introduction of veteran Grasshoppers striker Andy Cattle at half-time then reaped immediate dividends as he struck a fine goal from a tight angle within thirty seconds of the restart. The Hoppers then continued to push forwards and should probably have scored more, with numerous chances falling to the lively Nichols, and also to Turkish "super-sub", Erkan.
A hat-trick from Wayne Barrett and further strikes from Brian Read and Liam May ensured that Artillery West Huntspill Boys maintain their 100% Uxella League record with a 5-1 away win at Tor Sports. Artillery are now nine points clear at the top of the table.
Puriton United, who started the day in second place, appear to be suffering a hangover from their defeat to Artillery last week as they surprisingly went down 5-1 at home to Countryman despite a fine 30-yard strike from Ryan Williams. The result means that Puriton drop one place to third on goal difference with Sportsman moving up into second following a 4-3 home win over Admirals Reserves.
The Sportsman result is all the more impressive because they played most of the game with ten men following a somewhat clumsy challenge from Matt Loveday in the tenth minute. A penalty save from Paul Organ and a goal just before half-time from Jordan Meaker gave Sportsman a 1-0 lead at the break.
The visitors started the second half with two quick goals but Steve Davis then rifled home an equaliser for Sportsman from just outside the box. A well-worked move then allowed Daryl Cock the simplest of tap-ins but Admirals responded once again to level the scores at 3-3. With three minutes left on the clock, Paul Organ found Steve Davis with a clever back-heel and Davis, with a lot to do, found the bottom corner with pinpoint precision to seal a hard-earned victory for the home side.
Pig & Whistle Reserves also move up one place in the table, to sixth place, following their 5-3 home victory over Glastonbury Town Sunday, where the Pig goals came courtesy of Aaron Huxtable, Sam Puddy, Mike Hart and Jamie Evans.
(Story First Published: 15.11.04) |
