Seagulls dump rivals out of another competition

WESTON-SUPER-MARE knocked Somerset rivals Taunton out of a second competition of the season with a 3-2 home victory in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

The Seagulls thrashed Taunton 5-1 in the FA Cup earlier in the campaign, and came through again in the Trophy despite having to work considerably harder.

Taunton led at the break thanks to Jake Wannell, but Weston took just four minutes of the second half to level courtesy of Nick McCootie.

Wannell restored the visitors’ lead 20 minutes from time, but Scott Laird soon cancelled that out and the same player bagged the winner six minutes from time.

Salisbury are also through to the next round following their 2-1 win at Gosport with Tom Blair and Sam Ashton responding quickly to the hosts’ early opener, but Yate could not repeat their FA Cup heroics as they were beaten 2-0 at home by visiting Willand.

Elsewhere, Larkhall won 5-1 at fellow Somerset side Paulton.

Lewis Powell converted a spotkick in the opening minutes to put the Larks one up and Dan Crumb soon made it two.

Tom Fry made it three before the half-hour mark, although Leighton Thomas got the home side on the board shortly before half-time.

Matt Baker effectively settled the tie midway through the second period, and Powell completed his personal double to make it five.

Frome, meanwhile, triumphed 3-2 over Poole. The Robins went behind to a Will Fletcher goal, but Kane Simpson drew them level.

Rex Mannings then put Frome into the lead and Jon Davies got the home side’s third. Luke Burbidge cut the deficit, but Frome held on.

Zach Drew and Ben Brooks were on target for Cinderford in their 2-2 drew with Thatcham before the Gloucestershire side won 5-4 on penalties, while Melksham were beaten 2-1 at Hartley Wintney.

Swindon Supermarine’s tie away to Tiverton was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, while yesterday Cirencester’s game at Truro was called off for the same reason.

■ Four matches were played in Division One South West of the Southern League on Saturday, with Bristol Manor Farm moving up to third position in the table with a 2-1 success at Highworth.

Owen Howe and Mike Bryant scored second-half goals for the visitors, with Sean Wood scoring a late reply for the Worthians.

Elsewhere, Slimbridge slipped to a 4-0 defeat at Winchester, while Mangotsfield went down 3-0 away to Lymington, and Evesham were 1-0 winners in their match at Bideford.