The Uxella League's runaway Third Division leaders Artillery West Huntspill Boys continued their perfect winning record in all competitions this season as they repeated their "giant-killing" feat of the previous campaign by again putting First Division Red Tile out of the cup, this time with a 4-2 away victory where Wayne Barrett and Liam May both scored twice for Artillery. James Hamilton also bagged a brace of his own in response for the home side.
Another First versus Third Division clash saw a more expected outcome as top-flight Woolavington came away from their trip to Sportsman with a comfortable 7-1 away win, thanks to a hat-trick from Matt Blackmore, two from Steve Haste and single strikes from Marcus Butler and Simon Caddy. Jordan Meaker bagged the home side's consolation goal.
In an all-Second Division clash, Cross Rifles went through to the next round of the competition with a 5-1 away win at Ashcott thanks to two from Philip Court and further strikes from Jason Stephenson, Paul Cornish plus a cracker from Mark Farrow who now can't seem to stop scoring after being the subject of playful banter from his team-mates a few weeks ago regarding his complete lack of goalscoring prowess up to that point. Rifles manager Chris Lawson-Blake was in ebullient mood after a sparkling performance from his side and reserved special praise for referee Gary Holiday, whom he described as "brilliant".
Second Division Huntspill Crowns emerged as 5-2 home winners over top-flight strugglers Cobblestones with Richard Cattell bagging four and Jason Roberts adding the other goal for the Crowns.
First Division Clearwater eventually managed to scrape through to the next round against Second Division Cannington but only after being taken to extra time. Cannington put up a spirited resistance, with their goalkeeper in inspired form, saving a penalty and keeping the scores level at 1-1 after ninety minutes. However, Clearwater eventually imposed themselves in extra time with Danny Palfrey and Colin Searle scoring the winning goals to add to an earlier strike from team-mate Mike Stone.
Four goals from Carl Tucker and a further strike from veteran Nigel Gillard gave First Division Railway Club a comfortable 5-0 home victory over Second Division leaders Tiger OB Reserves.
Third Division promotion challengers Puriton United went down 4-2 at home to Second Division North Petherton despite a strike from Ryan Williams and a 30-yard screamer from Lee Harvey. The game was evenly poised during its early stages but ten minutes after the interval, with the score at 2-1 to the visitors, Puriton were reduced to ten men and soon found the game beyond them as Petherton made their numerical advantage tell.
In the pulsating clash between top-flight contenders Pig & Whistle and Second Division promotion chasers Black Horse it was Pig who eventually emerged with a 3-1 home win thanks to two goals from Dave Baker and one from John Richardson. The match saw the awarding of three penalties, one of which was saved by Pig's keeper Steve Baker.
(Story First Published: 09.01.05) |
