Gunners up next for seven-goal Petherton

Tigers through to Div One Final

IT’S obviously going to take something special to prise South Petherton’s grip from the Somerset Junior Cup.

Cup holders Pethy crushed the Parson St Old Boys 7-2 to move serenely into the last 32 where they have another away-day at Bath Arsenal - conquerors of Crewkerne Town in round one.

The other remaining PSL representatives Merriott Rovers made the trip to the seaside only to find their game with Weston St John’s Sportsbar postponed - Rovers manager Martin Case was not a happy man! - rthe two teams will try for a third time on Saturday.

LEAGUE CUPS ROUND-UP

A second-half Jamie Spurdle free-kick was enough to earn Crewkerne Town a place in the Division One Cup Final. Crewkerne became the first team this season to shut-out the Netherbury strike force as they won 1-0.

Standing between the The Tigers and the trophy on January 3rd will be Lyme Regis Reserves who surprisingly knocked-out the free-scoring Millwey Rise side 3-2 after extra-time at the Davey Fort.

As predicted in this column last week division three outfit Chard United did indeed give division two table-toppers Beaminster Reserves a run for their money before courageously going down 4-3 in extra-time in round one of the Daisy Hutchings Cup.

Meanwhile hat-tricks from Marco Quedas and Ricky Smith helped earn Luso-Chard (5-1 v Thorncombe Res) and Misterton Reserves (8-3 v West & Middle Chinnock Reserves) a place in round two.

They will be joined by the Crewkerne pair - Rangers and Town Reserves who saw off Waytown Hounds (4-2) and Lyme Bantams (3-2) respectively.

PREMIER

BARRINGTON welcome West & Middle Chinnock tomorrow buoyed by a 6-3 win over struggling Misterton last weekend.

Tom Perry struck twice for the Yellow Hammers who could close the gap on fifth placed Ilminster Reserves to just a point with a win.

There’s an early season relegation six-pointed at Unity Lane tomorrow where Misterton welcome Combe Reserves with both sides still chasing their first league win of the season.

DIVISION ONE

A SPARKLING individual performance from Lee Goodland inspired Forton Rangers to a fine 5-1 win over Thorncombe.

Goodland struck four times for the Rangers (the first player to do so since Alex Thompson bagged five in a 6-0 win over Chard United in a Division One cup tie two years ago) who moved up a place to sixth ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Charmouth.

Meanwhile Ilminster Colts, fresh from a routine 4-1 win over doomed Charmouth, become the latest team to attempt to bring an end to Winsham United’s proud 100 percent league record.

Norton will look to end a three game mini-slump when they visit Millwey Rise. They will do we to do so - the East Devon side are not likley to give up their well publicised 28-game unbeaten league run without a fight!

Crewkerne Town will look continue their quest for an instant return to the Premier division when they welcome Perry Street Reseves to Henhayes.

DIVISION TWO

THERE were goals aplenty in last weekend’s two fixtures.

Dowlish & Donyatt hammered seven past struggling Pymore and kept their first clean sheet of the campaign.

South Petherton Reserves went one better battering Chard Rangers 8-2 with manager Barry Kench getting in on the act with number eight after clambering off the bench.

Tomorrow’s solitary game could be a cracker with Shepton Beauchamp, currently fifth, travelling to third placed Hinton. Both sides need a win to re-enforce their promotion ambitions.

DIVISION THREE

Ryan Hobby scored his fifth of the season as Combe A beat bottom of the table Winsham United Reserves 2-0. The Saints entertain fellow mid-tablers Chard United at Slades Cross tomorrow.

Runaway league leaders Misterton Reserves could extend their lead at the top to six points with a win at Farway United Reserves - that’s if the East Devon pitch survives the forecast cold snap.

Crewkerne Town Reserves lock horns with Lyme Bantams for the second time in a week tomorrow.

The Tigers travel to Venlake with an opportunity to join Luso-Chard in joint second spot - but wary that last week’s 3-2 cup win over the Seasiders could have gone either way with both teams feeling they had perfectly good goals ruled out.

DIVISION FOUR

A DOUBLE from Dale Hutter, who took his tally to four in three, helped Chard Rangers Reserves end a seven game losing streak with a 3-1 win over fellow struggers Hawkchurch Reserves. Rangers entertain Combe B at Jocelyn Park tomorrow.

At the other end of the table Mark Pearce and Ken Forbes both scored their eighth goals of the campaign as Hinton Reseves won 3-1 at Ilminster A to move four points clear at the top.

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