SOMERSET CUP, SECOND ROUND:
In their rescheduled Second Round Somerset Sunday Cup clash away to Rangers Init FC, Uxella League champions Tiger Old Boys made light work of their Williton-based opponents, eventually running out 8-0 victors thanks to a commanding performance from captain Lee Huntly who scored one and was a massive influence throughout the game. The Tigers other goalscorers were Paul "Grimmy" Irvine, who bagged a hat-trick but also squandered a host of other opportunities, Paul Atyeo, who struck twice, Rob Fearn who converted a penalty and Keith "Magic" Irish who also scored from the penalty spot and hit the bar with another chance - all in all putting on a magic display when you consider that he was playing as goalkeeper upon his return from a long-term injury.
DIVISION 1:
While the Tigers were away, the Woolavington boys were at play, enjoying a veritable goal-feast at the expense of plucky Cobblestones, eventually finishing the game as 17-0 away victors. Steve Haste bagged four goals, Matt Blackmore and Matt Fursland both racked up hat-tricks, Paul Entwhistle struck twice and was joined on a rainforest-threatening scoresheet by Scott Collard, Marcus Butler, Simon Caddy, Wayne Barry and an own goal from Cobblestones.
Pig & Whistle secured a comfortable 4-0 home victory over Clearwater thanks to strikes from Jon Richardson(2), Tony Cook and Dave Baker.
In a hard-fought encounter at Admirals Landing, away side Railway Club eventually emerged as 4-3 winners despite being reduced to ten men after half an hour. Railway's goals came courtesy of veteran Nigel Gillard(2), Carl Tucker and Lee Hemsley while Admirals responded through Danny Roberts, Stuart Croker and Keith Scobie.
Red Tile improved significantly on their previous week's performance as they ran out 1-0 winners away to Durleigh thanks to a Sam Walker goal. It also took a great all-round goalkeeping performance and late penalty save from Kev Braund to secure three more valuable points for Tile.
DIVISION 2:
Flag Old Boys bagged another three points on their travels as they beat Eastover Wanderers 3-1. Flag dictated most of the play with Wanderers being forced to defend deeply for large parts of the game due to sustained pressure from the visitors. Midfielder Andrew White eventually broke the deadlock for Flag midway through the first half and that was how it stayed up until the interval. The visitors then struck with an all-important second goal early in the second half when, for the second week running, Martin Allen scored directly from a corner. The Eastover goalkeeper was then forced to make a series of excellent saves before Kevin Wheddon sealed all three points with a fine header. There was still time for a late consolation goal from Eastover's Mike Frost but the result was never in doubt.
Ashcott secured another three points of their own by winning 5-3 away at Woolavington Reserves despite goals from Matt Weston(2) and Mark Brooks for the home side.
Cross Rifles continued their impressive run of form with a comprehensive 8-3 home win over Huntspill Crowns. Craig McGann and Lee Stentaford both weighed in with hat-tricks and Tommy Modley also struck but the stand-out moment was what has been described as a "goal of the century" by many present at the game. The Rifles manager Chris Lawson-Blake had previously gone on record as stating that he "would never live long enough to see Mark Farrow score" but Farrow rammed those words down the gaffer's throat in spectacular fashion with a strike that was fit to grace any stage.
The scheduled games featuring Tiger OB Reserves v Black Horse and Cannington v North Petherton were both postponed as a result of action from the Somerset FA to suspend the Black Horse and Cannington clubs.
DIVISION 3:
It is now three games unbeaten for a rapidly improving Bridgwater Grasshoppers side who came away from Middlezoy's compact ground with an impressive 5-1 victory. The atmosphere was somewhat subdued with players from both teams observing a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of Middlezoy legend Darrell Cornish who tragically died in a car accident the previous evening. In the good-tempered encounter that followed the visitors secured the three points thanks to another looping effort from Steve Hembery, a superb low drilled shot from outside the box from Turkish phenomenon Erkan, a powerful headed goal from Wayne Court, a classic poachers effort from young debutant Johnny Shearlaw and a scrambled header from midfield powerhouse John Kervell. Midfielder Court was later carried off with what looks like a serious knee injury but the Hoppers continued to create chances until the final whistle and are starting to prove that they are no longer the pushovers that they appeared to be in the early weeks of the campaign.
Division Three's runaway leaders Artillery West Huntspill Boys continued their 100% record with an emphatic 9-0 home win over bottom-of-the-table Tor Sports. The goals were shared around the team as Wayne Barrett(2), Liam May(2), Steve Jones, Larry Mills, Jeff Read, Pete Thompson and man-of-the-match Paul Jones all weighed in to ensure that Artillery maintain their six point lead at the top of the third flight.
Puriton United definitely seem to have put their "wobble" behind them as they exacted revenge for their 5-1 home defeat at the hands of Countryman two weeks previously by running out 3-1 winners away to the same side thanks to strikes from Darryl Taylor, Daniel Jennings and Ryan Williams. Steve Shepherd responded for the Countrymen.
Sportsman's young side continued their own fine run of results with a 5-2 away victory at Glastonbury Backpackers thanks to goals from Andrew Skidmore(2), Steve Davis, Tyne Govier and Jordan Meaker. The Backpackers consolation strikes came from Ben Harmon and Glen Langford.
(Story First Published: 28.11.04) |
