DIVISION 1:
Champions Tiger Old Boys' fixture against Durleigh was cancelled at the eleventh hour when Durleigh were only able to raise a starting line-up of eight men and Pig & Whistle were without a fixture so, for the second week running, third placed Woolavington kept up the pressure on the Uxella league's top two with another victory, this time by a margin of 3-0 over Railway Club. The result means that Woolavington move into second place in the table, level on points with Pig & Whistle but with a one goal superior goal difference but also having played two games more than the teams immediately above and below them.
Woolavington managed to take an early lead thanks to a strike from Steve Haste but then seemed to make heavy weather of the game, only spluttering into life for small spells and it took a 30-yard scorcher from Jason Jones to stir them from their self-imposed stupor. This second goal allowed them to settle into a more fluid playing style and Marcus Butler eventually popped up to score a decisive third goal for the home side.
In the First Division's only other game, plucky Cobblestones managed to keep the score down to a more respectable 7-0 deficit at home to Clearwater for whom Steve Spencer(4), Wayne Spencer(2) and Mike Stone all scored.
DIVISION 2:
Like their first team counterparts, Division Two leaders Tiger OB Reserves also found themselves up against an opponent with only eight players but in this instance a depleted Cannington side admirably decided to fulfill the fixture and then went on to put up a spirited rearguard action, holding the score at only 2-1 at half-time before eventually going down 5-2. Jamie Chillingworth(2), Paul Cook, Craig Palmer and Kered Pople did the damage for Tiger Reserves and Paul Ham bagged a couple in response for Cannington. Cannington keeper Charlie Guy then capped a fine display by saving a penalty from Leigh Hurford to send the eight men of Cannington home with their heads held high.
Black Horse show-jumped over Ashcott and non-playing Cross Rifles into third place in the table following an impressive 10-0 home victory over bottom placed Woolavington Reserves. Andrew Barnett led the way with four goals and was joined on the scoresheet by Vince Kennedy(2), Matt Milton(2), Jamie Winter and James Taylor who bagged his first goal at this level.
North Petherton made up some ground on the leading pack with a good 3-0 away victory at Ashcott thanks to goals from Jason Bines(2) and Lee Chamberlain.
DIVISION 3:
The 100% record now extends to eleven games for Division Three's runaway leaders Artillery West Huntspill Boys who ran out 3-0 winners at home to Admirals Reserves thanks to two goals from Liam May and one for veteran John "Minty" Winter.
Bridgwater Grasshoppers demonstrated their impressive team spirit by again staging a late comeback to grab a point from a 3-3 draw away to Pig & Whistle Reserves. A youthfully exuberant Pig Reserves side started the game the brighter and took an early lead thanks to a 30-yard screamer from the only "old man" in the side, 41-year-old Pete Standerwick. Gavin Riddle then distinguished himself in the Grasshoppers goal with a string of impressive reflex saves before Jamie Evans eventually struck a second for Pig. However, the Grasshoppers managed to quickly respond when veteran Scottish striker Bob Kippen blasted home a superb goal from close range following a long pinpoint cross from Jimmer Nichols on the right flank to make the score 2-1 at the interval. Jamie Evans then bagged his second for the home side soon after half-time to seemingly put Pig back in the driving seat but the Hoppers were not to be denied as John Kervell capped an awesome "dogs of war" midfield display with a clinical tap-in before hot young prospect Adam Kinsey ran on to a "Turkish delight" of a through-ball from Erkan to smash the ball home and clinch a hard-earned point that extends the Grasshoppers unbeaten run to four games.
Second-placed Puriton United were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw at home to Glastonbury Town Sunday despite goals from Lee Mitchell and Lee Harvey. This meant that Sportsman's narrow 2-1 home win over Countryman, only a place below them in the table, could prove to be very significant when the season reaches its climax because Sportsman now stand only a point behind Puriton but with two games in hand. The three points were achieved as a result of an easy tap-in from Daryl Cock after a great run from Steve Davis before Jordan Meaker kept up his run of scoring in every game so far this season to seal a fine win.
In an eventful Glastonbury derby, Backpackers secured bragging rights as they emerged as 6-4 winners over Tor Sports despite having two players sent off. Ben Harmon bagged a hat-trick for the 'packers and Matt Vowles(2) and Stuart Chant also chipped in to seal all three points for the away side.
(Story First Published: 05.12.04) |
