DIVISION 1:
In a much reduced Uxella League programme as a result of heavy rain the previous evening, only two games took place in Division One. In soggy conditions, Durleigh made the biggest splash of the day as they dispensed with struggling Cobblestones in a 15-0 thrashing. Leighton Ballentine bagged four for the home side, Lee Blewitt and Ian Bellinger both racked up hat-tricks, while Will Munn(2), Brett Trowbridge(2) and Neil Peek also weighed in with strikes. Durleigh can now enjoy a two-week Christmas break comfortable in the knowledge that they are on a red-hot run of form, having racked up an amazing thirty three goals in their last two games of 2004.
The other encounter in Division One saw Woolavington win 6-1 away at Red Tile thanks to a hat-trick from Jason Jones, two from Simon Caddy and a Red Tile own goal. James Hamilton scored Tile's consolation strike but the home side were distinctly off-colour on the day. The result puts Woolavington back on top of the table on goal difference but having played four more games than second placed Tiger Old Boys.
The action didn't end there though as there was to be plenty of further activity in the Division One table as a result of a specially convened Uxella League meeting earlier in the week at which a number of disciplinary measures were confirmed. The most significant involved the recent 3-3 draw between title rivals Pig & Whistle and Tiger Old Boys, where Pig were found guilty of fielding a player whose registration had been withdrawn by the league. As a result of this indiscretion Pig & Whistle have had three points deducted from their total so far while Tiger Old Boys themselves have been awarded an additional three points. The game in question, which took place on 12th December, has been declared null and void and will not be replayed. The decision means that the Tigers 100% winning league record is now back in place.
A further ruling took place which has a bearing on the Division One table, with Durleigh being deducted three points for non-fulfilment of their recent scheduled game against Tiger Old Boys.
In a similar fashion, because of Admirals Landing's non-fulfilment of this weekend's fixture against Pig & Whistle, they have also had three points deducted, with the game to be replayed at a later date.
DIVISION 2:
There were only two encounters in the second division as well, with two of the chasing pack both achieving important victories.
Third-placed Black Horse came away from their trip to Ashcott with a hard-won 4-3 win thanks to goals from Andrew Burnett, James Taylor, Vince Kennedy and Jason Clapp.
Cross Rifles consolidated their fourth place position with a comfortable 3-0 away victory at Woolavington Reserves with Jason Stevenson(2) and Craig McGann both getting on the scoresheet.
DIVISION 3:
With Artillery's game being postponed at the eleventh hour second-placed Puriton United kept up the pressure on the leaders with a 5-1 home win over Middlezoy thanks to goals from Lee Mitchell(2), Darryl Taylor(2) and Rich Harvey. The bad news didn't end there for Middlezoy though because they were also affected by a ruling from this week's league meeting where they were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in their victory over Admirals Reserves on 17th October. As per Uxella League regulations, Middlezoy have been deducted three points and the game has been declared null and void with no replay to be scheduled.
While Middlezoy suffered at the hands of the league's disciplinary panel, Admirals Reserves benefitted with the award of three additional points to their season's tally. They celebrated this early Christmas present in style by securing another three points from a fine 2-1 away win at Countryman, taking them level in the table on fifteen points with Backpackers and Pig & Whistle Reserves.
High-flying Sportsman continued their fine sequence of results with a narrow 2-0 home win over an injury-hit Bridgwater Grasshoppers. Andrew Skidmore and Darryl Cocks bagged the goals that keeps Sportsman in third place in the table, three points behind Puriton but with two games in hand.
(Story First Published: 19.12.04) |
