Pethy keep marching on - but Rovers slide continues
Showpiece Challenge Cup tie up next
ANOTHER thumping victory has extended South Petherton’s lead at the top of the Premier Division to two points.
The latest team to fall under the wheels of the Pethy goal-machine were Ilminster Town Reserves who were crushed 6-0 at Lightgate Lane on a day of red-cards, penalties and heavy scoring.
Rich Hebditch scored twice for the hosts - the second a 20th minute penalty after Blues’ defender Lewis Scutt had been red-carded by referee Simon White for deliberate handball.
Merriott Rovers’ outside title-hopes are effectively over after they went down 6-3 at Misterton where Neil Hawkins took his recent tally to five in three with a brace. Jack Jennings scored twice for the Rovers who remain winless in 2011.
Beaminster jumped above Merriott and into second place with a 3-1 win at Barrington.
Lyme Regis needed Julien Simier’s last-kick-of-the-game penalty to finally break the Perry Street resistance at the Davey Fort. Although The Mothers were themselves denied twice by two superb late saves by Ashley Caddy.
A double from Rob Glentworth helped Combe Reserves take another step towards Premier Division safety as they won 3-1 at West & Middle Chinnock who remain bottom.
The Chinnocks are involved in one of only two top division games tomorrow (due to the scheduled Challenge Cup ties). Manager Nick Eckland and his squad head into Devon for the clash with Farway United.
The other game sees Ilminster Reserves entertain Merriott Rovers with both sides desperate for a win to reignite their ailing season’s.
DIVISION ONE
A Tom Symes goal was enough to keep Winsham United top after a hard-fought win over depleted Lyme Reserves. Winsh’ defender Dan Isaacs was sent-off on the hour for a clash with Lyme’s teenage ‘keeper Will Meech.
Second-placed Crewkerne Town had a much easier time of it as they took their combined league total against Perry Street Reserves to 20 with Harry Charles and Kev Wheeler both scoring twice in an 8-1 rout.
Forton Rangers had a day to forget as they were on the wrong end of a 9-3 score line at Millwey Rise.
Norton tasted victory for the first time since October as they beat Thorncombe 3-0. The Thorns have now lost three on the spin and are now in the relegtion dog-fight.
Ilminster Colts look to be heading in the opposite direction as they extended their unbeaten run to three games with a 3-2 win over Charmouth. Matt Wood smashed home a long range screamer for his first goal in five seasons.
Pick of the games tomorrow is Netherbury’s visit to MIllwey whilst Winsham and Crewkerne have, on paper, good chances to keep their promotion hopes firmly on track when the visit Perry Street Res and Norton respectively.
DIVISION TWO
SHEPTON Beauchamp are clearly one of the form teams in the league. Still unbeaten, Anthony Smith’s side stacked up another big win when they thrashed struggling Crewkerne Rangers 6-0.
Sam Murley moved up to 19th for the season with two as Shepton continued their remarkable scoring sequence which now reads; 6-0, 6-1, 6-1, 5-0, and 6-0 - 15 love!
It was tighter at top of the pile Beaminster where a solitary Josh Hunter goal robbed South Petherton of point.
Down at the bottom Chard Rangers excellent form continued as they took their recent points haul to 11 from 15 as they fought back from two down to draw 2-2 at Hawkchurch.
DIVISION THREE
WARREN Gabbidon’s second hat-trick of the season lifted Combe A above opponents Chard United and into fourth place following a 3-0 win at Slades Cross.
Meanwhile league top-scorer Marco Quedas had his shooting boots on. The Portuguese striker struck four times and went through the 30-goal barrier as Luso-Chard beat Drimpton 5-2.
DIVISION FOUR
HOT on the heels of Quedas is Ashley Cooper who moved up to 24 with a hat-trick in second-placed West & Middle Chinnocks’ 6-0 win at Thorncombe.
But Hinton remain seven points clear at the top after a 4-1 victory over Shepton Beauchamp who stay third.
CUPS ROUND-UP
REG EGLON
A MATT Read goal did for Combe B in the Reg Eglon Cup quarter-final at Waytown Hounds.
DAISY HUTCHINGS
THE anticipated cup upsets never materialised as Forton Reserves and Farway Reserves lived up to their higher division status and disposed of Winsham Reserves (4-1) and Barrington Reserves (4-0).
The other tie needed extra-time before Dowlish and Donyatt edged past Uplyme 4-2.
CHALLENGE CUP
THE undisputed pick of the games tomorrow is at Lightgate Lane where PSL heavyweights South Petherton and Lyme Regis go toe-to-toe.
Lyme are cup holders and have won their last nine matches. There appears to be nothing between the sides - each have won two and there have been two draws in their last six encounters - but I make Pethy very slight favourites based purley on home advantage.
The other two ties could also be close with Perry Street, who lifted the trophy four seasons ago, travelling to Barrington and Misterton entertaining improving Combe Reserves.
TOMMY TABBERER
A GOOD accumulator bet in tomorrow’s ties would be four away wins. Crewkerne must correct a run of five straight defeats if they are to hold off the challenge of visitors Hawkchurch.
Over at Hinton Shepton Beauchamp will feel they can beat anybody at the moment whilst Beaminster Reserves have beaten Uplyme in their last five meetings.
The most intriguing tie is at Forton where the Rangers Reserves, last season’s runners-up, entertain Chard Rangers with both sides on an upturn in form.
BILL BAILEY
Pick of the ties is at Forton where Luso-Chard take on Misterton Reserves. Crewkerne Reseves should have too much firepower for Drimpton whilst home advantage should see Combe A and Winsham Reserves home against Farway Reserves and Lyme Bantams.
KENNY HODGES
ILMINSTER A’s grip on the trophy will be sorely tested by the visit of Hinton and Combe B should be in the hat after their trip to Hawkchurch.
But the other two matches are far too close to call with West & Middle Chinnock off to face Waytown Hounds and a sure-to-be fiesty Chard derby between the United and Rangers’ second strings at Jocelyn Park.
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