Every one a winner!

Saints stun Petherton

in semi-final

Winsham United title hopes dented

AN extra-time winner from Combe Reserves’ striker Steve Every proved decisive as the Saints turned the form book on it’s head and booked a Challenge Cup Final date with Beaminster with a 1-0 win at South Petherton’s Lightgate Lane.

Despite Combe spending the entire season in the wrong half of the Premier Division, recent form suggests the result shouldn’t have come of that much of a surprise - Ashley Fussell’s side have now won their last four matches.

However to have ended Pethy’s 10-game unbeaten home record in such a prestigious game is a fine achievement.

Combe will meet Beaminster in the Good Friday Final at Forton. The Rainbows were far from their best against a plucky Perry Srteet side who certainly had the better of the first half. But Beaminster took their chances and will be favourites on April 22nd.

There was a double celebration at Slades Cross on Saturday evening as Combe B also reached the Kenny Hodges Cup Final with a 5-2 victory over Ilminster Town A. Brad Cleal (2) and Dad Graham were on target for the Saints.

CUPS ROUND-UP

Bill Bailey, semi-final

WINSHAM Reserves’ hopes of a cup double were ended by an injury-time winner from Crewkerne Reserves’ Justin Sweet as The Tigers, who edged home 3-2, earned a cup final appearance against Misterton Reserves.

Arthur Gage

PERRY Street Reserves must end a four-game losing run if they are to progress to the semi-finals of the Arthur Gage Cup. The Mothers, runners-up last season, entertain Netherbury in the quarter-final tomorrow. The winner of tomorrow’s semi-final at Henhayes will be clear favourites to lift the Axminster-based trophy. Hosts Crewkerne are in imperious form having win nine on the spin. But opponents Winsham United will be looking to bounce back after their surprise 3-1 defeat at Lyme Reserves last weekend.

Kenny Hodges

THERE’S a Jocelyn Park derby tomorrow with a place in the semi-final at Waytown Hounds at stake as the Reserve teams from Chard United and Chard Rangers go head-to-head. Rangers will be favourites although United did run free-scoring W & M Chinnock Reserves close last weelend before going down 3-2.

Daisy Hutchings

THERE are tens teams vying for a place in hte last eight tomorrow. Look out for possible upsets at Hawkchurch and South Petherton Reserves where the Division Two hosts could be run close by their Division Three opponents namely Combe A and Luso-Chard. Dowlish & Donyatt and Shepton Beauchamp look well-set for away wins at Crewkerne Rangers and Hinton respectively whilst Misterton Reserves should have too much firepower for Ilminster Town A from Division Four.

Premier

MIKE Whitefield scored four times as Ilminster Town Reserves went goal-crazy at the Rec’ thrashing Misterton 9-4 to record their highest win in more than six seasons. The Blues will look to carry this form into tomorrow’s trip to West & Middle Chinnock. The Chinnock’s went down 4-1 at Farway United last weekend and a swift return to Division One looks increasingly likely. Despite performing well at Beaminster and Lyme Regis in recent weeks Perry Street must turn good performances into victories if they are to extend their five-year stay in the Premier. Expect the Mothers to return with at least at point from their trip to Farway United. After a run of seven games without a win Barrington must have one eye on the drop zone. The Yellow Hammers entertain a Merriott Rovers squad that has been short on numbers in recent weeks (injuries plus brothers Scott and Jack Jennings have returned to Ilminster) and seen their form dip accordingly. This could be a close one. Beaminster and Lyme Regis minds will be elsewhere as they attempt to reach the Final of the Dorset Intermediate Cup. Beaminster entertain Ferndown Town Greenfields whilst The Seasiders travel to Yeovil & District League Premier League high-fliers Normalair RSL.

Division One

TWO of the Division’s lowly sides’ showed their battling qualities last weekend. A first-half strike from Jordan Reeves earned Norton all three points from their trip to Perry Street Reserves. Meanwhile there was a shock at the Davey Fort where Lyme Regis Reserves, put a huge dent in Winsham United’s promotion aspirations with a 3-1 win. The Winsh’s cause wasn’t helped by the dismissal of Tim Break for two yellow cards by referee Tom Richardson. Also in West Dorset Andy Stevenson scored twice as Forton Rangers breezed past doomed Charmouth 3-1 and Adam Whitehouse bagged a hat-trick as Millwey Rise crushed Netherbury 6-0. Thorncombe return to action tomorrow and anything but a win could spell serious trouble for Tommy O’Hare’s team who are teetering on the edge of the relegation places.

Division Two

SAM Murley moved through the 20-goal barrier as Shepton Beauchamp moved two points clear at the top with a 2-0 win over struggling Pymore. Adrian Farrell scored twice as South Petherton ended any lingering relegation fears with a 4-1 win at Forton Rangers who remain four points adrift at the bottom despite a first of the season for veteran Barry Male. Chard Rangers upturn in form continued but they ended up empty-handed as they were squeezed out 1-0 at promotion-chasing Dowlish & Donyatt.

Division Three

A HAT-TRICK from teenager Luke Finn saw Chard United add to the list of shocks last Saturday as Misterton Reserves’ unbeaten league run can to abrupt end in a 4-2 defeat on their own Unity Lane turf.

Division Four

IT’S increasingly looking like a three horse race for promotion from Division Four. W & M Chinnock, Hinton and Waytown Hounds were all tested on Saturday but all three recorded wins. The Chinnocks’ strike duo of Ashley Cooper and Danny Rudge took their combined tally to 49 with one apiece in the 3-2 win over Chard United. The Hounds could have their hands full when they visit Shepton Beauchamp’s Brimgrove Lane tomorrow. Down at the foot of the table Hawkchurch United leap-frogged Chard Rangers with a 3-1 victory.

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