DIVISION 1:
It was another instalment of "Mis-match of the Day" as reigning champions Tiger Old Boys extended their 100% winning record in the Uxella League's top division with a comfortable 8-1 away win at Cobblestones, whose own record is just as consistent but with defeats in every league outing so far this season. As always, the Tigers goals were shared around the team with Mike Nicholson, Paul Hooper and Rob Fearn all bagging a couple of goals a piece with Paul Atyeo and Lloyd Dean completing the scoring. One of Fearn's efforts stood out in particular, being a delicate chip over the goalkeeper from 20 yards out in the style of one of Eric Cantona's most memorable efforts.
Woolavington also sealed another three points from a 7-1 victory over a battling Admirals Landing side. Two goals a piece from Matt Fursland and Simon Caddy, plus further goals from Gary Head, Olly Weston and Wayne Barry made for a good day's work for Woolavington.
In the other fixture in Division One, the spoils were shared as Red Tile came away with a point from their trip to Pig & Whistle after a battling 2-2 draw. Tile had made the trip with a "bare bones" side but with plenty of hard work surprised themselves by taking a 2-0 lead thanks to strikes from Jason McPheat and James Hamilton. However, Pig came roaring back into the game with a goal soon after and then secured a point with an equaliser in the dying seconds of the match.
DIVISION 2:
In the second flight Flag Old Boys eased past Cannington with a comfortable 3-0 home victory thanks to goals from Jamie Stewart and Lee White plus an own goal from the Cannington keeper.
It was another case of top versus bottom with a similar outcome as high-flying Cross Rifles put Eastover Wanderers to the sword in a 6-1 home win with Dean Fury racking up his fifth goal in his last four outings by way of consolation for Eastover. If it were not for a fine performance between the stick from Eastover's Pat Roberts the defeat could well have been heavier still.
For Andrew Barnett of Black Horse it was a case of four goals from one outing as he hit his own quadruple strike in his side's 5-3 home win over Huntspill Crowns. Vince Kennedy bagged Horse's other goal.
DIVISION 3:
The majority of the action in this weekend's Uxella League programme took place in the Third Division and the clash of the day saw first versus second. All-conquering Artillery West Huntspill Boys entertained second-placed Purition United and saw their perfect winning record come to an end as United came away from Chedzoy Lane with a point from a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Artillery's goals were scored by Liam May and Pete Thompson while Rich Harvey and Lee Mitchell bagged United's strikes.
Bridgwater Grasshoppers bagged three more invaluable points from a tough encounter away to a strong and determined Glastonbury Town Sundays side at the rearranged venue of Ashcott due to the condition of the pitch at Glastonbury's Abbey Moor Stadium. A fine early goal from long-standing Grasshopper Lee Gannicott, followed by later strikes from teenagers Adam Kinsey and Sean O'Grady, gave the Hoppers what turned out to be a hard-fought 3-0 victory, in the process making it two consecutive clean sheets on the trot for the visitors. However, the victory was never completely safe until O'Grady's strike in the dying minutes of the game with Glastonbury giving it their all from first minute to last as they tried in vain to keep their own impressive unbeaten run going.
Countryman got back to winning ways following their heavy defeat at the hands of the Grasshoppers in their previous outing by dishing out a thumping themselves as they ran out 8-1 victors at home to Middlezoy Athletic thanks to a hat-trick from Dan Bovington, a couple from Dave Little and further strikes from Jason Birch, Jeremy Whitehouse plus a "Rooneyesque" volley into the top corner from Steve Shephard.
In the other fixture in Division Three, Glastonbury Backpackers went down 8-1 away to Pig & Whistle Reserves, for whom Kevin Warre bagged four goals and was joined on the scoresheet by Jamie Evans(2), Aaron Head and Tyler Nodwell. Pig Reserves' manager Geoff Head was highly satisfied with his side's performance and reserved special praise for referee Geoff Kirton whom he described as "outstanding throughout".
(Story First Published: 06.02.05) |
