Allen to the rescue as Down steal point
Odd Down needed a Francois Allen goal eight minutes from time to rescue a point at home to Longwell Green Sports on Sunday in the Toolstation Western League Division One.
The game looked to be heading into half-time goalless before Longwell fired a sucker-punch through Liam Oswin to put the visitors in front at the break. The second half largely followed the first and again was seemingly finishing 1-0 before Allen was able to find the net and secure a draw late on.
Despite the point, Odd Down have now dropped to fifth and have played more games than all the teams below them to Gillingham Town in 13th.
In the Premier Division, Keynsham Town were unable to get 2022 going on the pitch and have already seen this weekend’s game against Street called off due to Covid in the opposition camp. They currently sit 12th but are accruing games in hand on all the teams bar one above them.
Bitton are third, level on points with Bridgwater United having played a game less but 13 points behind leaders Tavistock with two games in hand. They are due to return to action on Saturday at home to Buckland Athletic.
■ HELLENIC LEAGUE Bradford Town got the New Year off to a great start with a 4-0 victory over Royal Wootton Bassett Town to move them up to fifth and just points off second with a game in hand. After a rather tepid first 15 minutes, Bradford’s Jake Brown got in behind the defence and saw his effort saved by the feet of the goalkeeper.
The Bobcats thought they were heading into half-time a goal up when the ball found its way into the net, but it was disallowed for a push and it remained goalless at the break. The deadlock was broken in the second half though when Charlie Walton played a perfectly-timed ball for George Box to score.
Not content with one, Box doubled Bradford’s lead before earning a hat-trick to really get his year off to a stunning start - converting from the penalty spot for 3-0. The scoring was rounded off through Harvey Baker’s header.
That win moved them above Corsham Town, who suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to ninth-place Longlevens. After going a goal down in the opening ten minutes, goals from Gary Higdon and Matt Morris put Corsham 2-1 in front at halftime before two goals in the second period from Longlevens saw them leave Southbank with all three points.
Off the field, Corsham have released a statement regarding the termination of their sponsorship from Restaurant 21.
In a statement on the club’s website, they said: “It is with regret that the club can confirm the termination of the current first and veterans team sponsorship consisting of
Restaurant 21 and The Deli @ No3, with stage payments not being met as per agreed within the terms of the sponsorship, the club has therefore ceased both agreements with immediate effect.
“The first team shirt sponsor will be soon changed to incorporate the Charity ‘Mind.’ Mind is a charity that supports people experiencing mental health problems and gives guidance, support, also promoting awareness and understanding.
“The club has set up a syndicate of first team sponsors and would welcome and encourage local businesses to do so. The current businesses so far agreed to be part of the new sponsorship set up are as follows: Corsham Print, J Martin Roofing Contractor & Sons Ltd, South West Forklifts, Dave Wolf Construction Limited, GRS Stone Supplies Limited, Bewley Property & Development Limited , Crossfit Civitas Limited.
“The closing date for the sponsorship opportunity for the remainder of the 2021/2022 is January 31, 2022. For further information including prices and terms & conditions please email ctfcmarketing@gmail.com.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all our current members, sponsors, playing staff and supporters a prosperous 2022 and to thank everybody involved with the club for their continued contributions.”
■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Fry Club remain sixth in the Premier Division after seeing off Chard Town 2-0 on Monday. Fry began the better and a nicely worked corner from Hugo Brundson and Oli Colcutt saw Max Sawyer give them the lead within five minutes.
Chard tried to get themselves back in the game with a couple of chance shots before Charlie Kelly was forced to save with his feet. Sam Hewitt had a shot blocked at the other end after good work from Nat Phillips and Brundson but it remained 1-0 at the break.
Brundson had a good chance to double the lead early in the second half but fired over and that almost proved crucial as Kelly produced a fantastic save after initially spilling an effort before Jeff Copp had to clear off the line to prevent an equaliser. After soaking up the pressure, Fry managed to get that all important second goal after Brandson squared for Colcutt to fire into the roof of the net.
Keynsham Town Reserves suffered a 3-1 defeat at Mendip Broadwalk to remain 12th in the table.
Timsbury Athletic took advantage of being just one of two games being played in Division One to move back to second after beginning the year hitting Yatton & Cleeve United for six. Timsbury dominated throughout with a hattrick for Rhys Cook and one apiece for Tim Midgley, Jesse Bishop and Ellis Hancock.
The final five minutes saw a red card for Toby Neilson as Yatton scored two consolations to mirror the reverse fixture earlier in the season. In Division Two, Peasedown Miners Welfare fell to a 3-1 defeat at second-place Cheddar Reserves.