First blood to South Petherton after cup classic

Crewkerne back on top in Division One

CHALLENGE CUP, Quarter finals

Barrington 1 Perry Street 2

AFTER A goal less first 45, goals from brothers’ Kieran and Jay Bailey in the last 10 minutes helped Perry Street battle back from 1-0 down to book their place in the last four.

Misterton 1 Combe Res 2

STEVE Every was amongst the goals as Combe secured a semi-final date with South Petherton after a hard-fought 2-1 win at Unity Lane.

South Petherton 3 Lyme Regis 2 aet

THIS game had been billed as arguably the clash of the season so far - and a sizeable crowd at Lightgate Lane weren’t disappointed as South Petherton and Lyme Regis served up a thriller.

The early exchanges were tight, Pethy striker Rich Hebditch’s pace caused the Lyme defenders one or two anxious moments. But it was the visitors who went closest to opening the scoring when Julien Simier found space in the box before crossing to the far post where Rob Thomson guided a side footed effort onto the post with ‘keeper Jardine MacKenzie beaten all ends up.

Ten minutes before the break Ashley Caddy did well to deny Dean Ritchie but the opener was just around the corner. A complete mix-up on the edge of the Lyme box presented Ritchie with the simple task of slotting into an empty net.

With Lyme’s 4-5-1 formation failing to create too many clear-cut chances, the hosts missed a golden chance to double their lead 10 minutes after the restart when Hebditch weaved his way to the byline before crossing to the far post where Smith, at full stretch, failed to keep his effort down with the goal gaping.

Hebditch latched onto a long through ball for a one-on-one chance nine minutes from time but Caddy stood tall and saved well.

With just six minutes remaining Lyme sub Harvey Brimicome jinked his way past four tackles before being impeded on the edge of the Petherton D. Up stepped Mark Bailey to curl home the resulting free-kick to force extra-time.

There was drama within seconds of the restart. when Joel Gosting flashed a shot into the net over Jardine MacKenzie’s shoulder.

But Lyme couldn’t hold on. Mike Gilyatt made it 2-2 five minutes later and the winner came from Dean Smith in the 102nd minute.

There’s a home semi-final against Perry Street at stake when Merriott Rovers, still seeking their first win in 2011, travel to Beaminster tomorrow.

TOMMY TABBERER CUP, Quarter finals

Forton Reserves 1 Chard Rangers 2

A LAST minute John Mason penalty proved decisive as resurgent Chard Rangers knocked-out last season’s runners-up.

Hinton 1 Shepton Beauchamp 3

CUP Favourites Shepton Beauchamp disposed of hosts Hinton courtesy of strikes from Sam Murley, his 20th of the season, Dan Smith and George Pugson.

BILL BAILEY CUP, Quarter finals

Combe A 2 Farway Utd Reserves 1

CENTRE-Back Chris Haynes’ sending-off proved the turning point as the Saints came from behind to win after extra-time with goals from Darren Brown and Mark Biss.

A Cup Final against either Winsham Reserves or Crewkerne Reserves at Beaminster awaits Combe or tomorrow’s semi-final opponents Misterton Reserves. This one could go all the way to the dreaded spot-kicks.

Drimpton 1 Crewkerne Reserves 6

THE leaky Drimpton defence was breached half a dozen times as Aaron Hodges moved to 19 for the season with a hat-trick for the Tigers whose other marksmen were; Richard Crabb (2) and Nick Francis.

Luso-Chard 3 Misterton Reserves 6

JERRY Hill and Connor Fletcher both scored twice as Misterton Reserves beat Luso-chard for the third time this season. League top-scorer Marco Quedas took his tally to 31 with a penalty.

Winsham Reserves 5 Lyme Bantams 1

WINSHAM'S hopes of a cup double are still alive after a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Lyme Bantams at Baker’s Field.

All looked good for the Seasiders when Rob MacKenzie fired them into a seventh minute lead. But the hosts were level before on the half-hour through player-manager Richard White.

The second-half was one-way traffic and the hosts cruised through to a semi-final with Crewkerne Town Reserves with further strikes from Brian Tillotson, Rob Long, Danny Slade and Steve Long.

KENNY HODGES CUP, Quarter finals

Hawkchurch Res 1 Combe B 6

JON Smith’s goal was a rare highlight as the Hawk’s were well beaten by the Saints for whom Jay Stewart struck twice.

Ilminster A 3 Hinton Reserves 1

SINGLES from Josh House, Adam Cox and Tom Wallis helped the Blues cruise through to the last four.

Waytown Hounds 4 W & M Chinnock Res 3

A DAN Rudge double couldn’t save The Chinnocks as they crashed out 4-3 at the Hounds’ kennel in Netherbury.

ARTHUR GAGE CUP

CREWKERNE Town, with eight straight wins under thir belts, will be slight favourites as they entertain Millwey Rise in the pick of tomorrow’s quarter-finals. Winsham United are also looking powerful - expect them to edge past Forton Rangers at Baker’s Field Last season’s runners-up Perry Street Reserves could have their hands full when they entertain Netherbury. The other tie looks like a close one. But Ilminster Colts’ improving form may prove too much for struggling Thorncombe.

JACK VENN CUP

CREWKERNE Rangers’ alarming slide (no goals in three games, six back-to-back defeats) makes them rank outsiders ahead of the visit of Beaminster Reserves. A high scoring encounter looks likely as Dowlish & Donaytt entertain Hawkchurch whilst Shepton Beauchamp’s fine run could be extended as visitors Uplyme have lost several key players. South Petherton Reserves’ poor form ‘on the road’ could give Forton Rangers half a chance in the day’s other tie.

REG EGLON CUP

THORNCOMBE will be underdogs as they travel to Waytown Hounds in tomorrows semi-final. The other tie is too close to call with Barrington entertaining Chard United.

PREMIER DIVISION

IT’S 16 months since South Petherton were last beaten in a league game on their own Lightgate Lane turf. The victors that day, Barrington, are Pethy’s tomorrows opponents. With only one win in 11 it would be a remarkable effort if the Yellow Hammers were to pull off a repeat - especially given Pethy’s imperious form this season. West & Middle Chinnock must beware a Lyme Regis backlash as they look to recover from their Challenge Cup exit last weekend. Despite their next-to-bottom position Perry Street will be slight favourites for the trip to take on an Ilminster Reserves side that have lost their last five and shipped 25 goals in the process. With the Division clearly split into two groups, Misterton can climb to the top of the lower group with a win against Farway at Unity Lane.

DIVISION ONE

Norton Ath 1 Crewkerne Town 2

NORTON Rangers have picked up a couple of players and it showed as they stretched title-chasing Crewkerne Town to limit in a game packed full of chances. Adam Dawe put the Tigers ahead but they needed Kev Wheeler’s late header to secure the three points and a return to the top spot.

DIVISION THREE

WINSHAM and Crewkerne should both return home with the points after trips south to take on Farway and Lyme Bantams respectively.

DIVISION FOUR

Chard Rangers Res 3 Chard Utd Res 1

THE Jocelyn Park-derby was decided by a second-half brace from top-scorer Luke Finn.

Thorncombe Res 6 Barrington Res 4

THORNCOMBE Reserves trailed three times before finally seeing off with six players on target against Barrington Reserves in a goal-fest at Horseshoe Lane.

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