The second week of Uxella League action this season saw another battle of the giants in Division 1 as Squib Madrid and Tiger Old Boys went head-to-head in a highly physical contest that eventually ended all square at 1-1. Dave Baker gave Squib an early lead after a mistake from the Tiigers' stand-in keeper and the home side then managed to keep the league champions at bay until the 50th minute when the prolific Mike Nicholson bagged yet another goal to put the Tigers back on level terms. Soon after Nicholson's team-mate James Hamilton continued his good form for his new club and could well have secured all three points for the visitors when he hit the crossbar. Tigers manager Alan Lott was satisfied with the point after the game, pointing out that his side were significantly under-strength and would be a different proposition when they have all personnel available again.
The game between Railway Club and Flag Old Boys also proved to be a scoring draw, with the match eventually ending 2-2 after Carl Tucker bagged a brace for Railway while Andy White and Jamie Stewart responded for Flag.
Red Tile put their opening day defeat behind them as they came roaring back to win 7-1 away at Huntspill Crowns. Player-manager Andy Staunton again led the way with two goals and was followed onto the scoresheet by Damon Jennings, Simon Bone, Paul Hancock, Adam Evans and Tom Parsons. Paul Baker struck back with Huntspill's consolation effort.
Clearwater's super siblings, Steve and Wayne Spencer, were again on scoring form with Steve bagging a hat-trick and brother Wayne scoring one to add to further strikes from Danny Palfrey and Lee Pearce in their 6-1 home win over Ashcott. The club have certainly made an impressive start to the campaign having already registered a previous 6-1 victory on the opening day.
A strike from Paul Hunt and an own goal from a Bunch of Grapes player were enough to give Blake Old Boys a 2-1 win over Bunch at Mansfield Park.
Despite taking an early 1-0 lead and also holding a 2-1 advantage late into the game, Tiger Reserves conceded two late goals to go down 2-3 at home to a reinforced Woolavington side.
Cross Rifles got their campaign off to a belated start with a 2-0 away win over North Petherton after goals from Jason Stevenson and Craig McGann.
In Division Two the match of the day was between Puriton United and Maltshovel Sports. The game was a tight affair throughout and eventually ended 2-2 after two well-taken strikes from Puriton veteran Darryl Taylor were cancelled out by goals from Maltshovel's Jordan Meaker and Andy Barnett.
It was also honours-even in the game between Bridgwater Wanderers and Tor Sports which eventually ended up 3-3. Two goals from Wanderers' Jamie Evans and one from Dean Dunn secured a point for the former Pig & Whistle Reserves side but it could quite easily have been a win had Evans not missed a last minute penalty that would have sealed not only a victory but also a hat-trick for himself.
Meanwhile the early season pace-setters in the second flight appear to be Glastonbury Town Sundays who registered a second consecutive victory after a comfortable 2-0 win over Nether Stowey. Their goals came from the boots of James Shaw and Joynal Ali but the most pleasing aspect for manager Pete Somers is at the other end of the park where the Glastonbury defence has so far chalked up two successive clean sheets.
It was a case of varying fortunes for the two second division sides that represent Bridgwater Grasshoppers FC. The youth-oriented Grasshoppers '04, this week featuring no less than five 16-year-olds in its starting line-up, were very unfortunate not to come away from their trip to Woolavington Reserves with anything after creating numerous chances and giving the Woolavington second string a severe examination, before eventually losing 1-0. As well as having a second-half Les Hobbs equaliser ruled out after a prolonged discussion between the referee and the linesman, they were denied on numerous other occasions by an outstanding goalkeeping performance from Woolavington's Craig Berry.
Meanwhile the more experienced Grasshoppers '05 entertained Commercial at Chedzoy Lane and chalked up the club's first point of the season from a 1-1 draw, having been awarded a penalty which was successfully converted by Nigel "Filthy Animal" Woodcock. Gareth Clarke was on target for Commercial.
New side Quantock Pride finally got their campaign going with a home game against Countryman but eventually lost 1-2.
Gutsy Cannington bravely decided to proceed with their away game at Admirals Landing despite starting the game with only eight men. However, after 55 minutes, and with the score already at 8-0 to Admirals, the Cannington keeper suffered a bad injury and was rushed off to hospital. At that point it was decided that the game should be abandoned and the league committee will decide in due course whether the result should stand or whether the game is to be replayed.
(Story First Published: 11.09.05) |
