Leaders extend advantage
A full set of fixtures in Bath & District League Division 1 kicked off 2019, as Atletico New Inn wasted no time following the winter break, getting off to a flier against managerless Pig & Fiddle Rovers. It took five minutes for the hosts to open the scoring at Manor Road with Danny Carter nodding home Kyle Curtis’s cross, a lead doubled on 20 when Carter turned provider, locating Tom Pitt whose shot on the turn beat Marco Viola all ends up. Joe Husher silenced the home fans by heading one back for Pig & Fiddle soon after, but they were on the back foot in the second half. It took until the 77th minute for the supremacy to show, captain Rob Mallet sliding home at the far post, with Craig Parsons slotting in a fourth five minutes later. Their happiness extended in learning that second-placed GT Sports had been held to a 1-1 draw at Odd Down. It was the second consecutive 1-1 draw for the Downers, and both times they’d scored an own goal, this time Sol Davis putting through his own net. This was cancelled out by Tyler Davies, and leaves GT five points behind New Inn, who they play this Sunday. Both teams sported black armbands at Peasedown Rec in memory of Alex Wright, a former Kingsmead player who sadly passed away before Christmas. Kings dedicated their win over Bath United to him, sealed by goals from Ben Parsons, substitute Ant Conradi and a Jon Dolman freekick. Reece Longhurst was on target for the hosts ending their six-game unbeaten run. Heritage United completed a double over Team Nathan. Having cruised past them three weeks previous, they were made to work harder at Timsbury, eventually winning 5-2. Jac Humphreys claimed a second hat-trick against Mark Blackmore’s strugglers. Division 3 saw the title pendulum swing in Bear Flat’s favour as they ran out 5-2 winners over Lansdown, whereas Olympic Victoria were beaten at Farrington Albion. Tom Smith (3) and Archie Basson (2) netted for Bears with Craig Rogers and Alex Chapman responding for Lansdown, their first league defeat since September. The same fate fell upon Olympic Victoria, who took the lead through Francisco Mora, but were left reeling when Luke Tucker, Ben Rutter and James Swift earned Farrington three points. Division 2’s only clash saw Dribuild run out convincing 8-2 winners at Griffin and Westwood, whose scorers were Duncan Frew and Dave Walton.