Premier Comb’n Jack leads the way as Hallen cut loose in the second half
JACK Williams spearheaded the goal fest as Hallen Reserves proved too hot to handle for luckless Lebeq Saturday guests who crashed to a 10-1 defeat.
In a Bristol Premier Combination top-flight match, Williams scored four times and the ever-prolific Tom Collett celebrated a treble after it had taken 40 minutes of the first half for Hallen to breach a then-stubborn Lebeq rearguard, when Ash Hardidge did finally pierce it to give the hosts a slender interval lead.
More Hallen pressure after the break led to a complete Lebeq capitulation as Archie Parry and Tony Perry also weighed in with goals to ensure the hosts clinched a fifth win from five games, with Shaftesbury Crusade next up on the road this Saturday (2.30pm).
Nicholas Wanderers are making impressive strides too, although they had to dig deep to eventually shrug off the challenge of visitors Shaftesbury Crusade 4-2.
Nics had begun purposefully enough with Billy Arnold missing the pick of the chances, only for Shaftesbury striker Raphael Waugh, on his return to the club, to exploit a mistake in the centre of the park on 15 minutes to finish well at the opposite end.
Falling behind triggered a fierce Wanderers riposte that led to goals for James Fox and skipper Jack Britton as the home team led 2-1 at the break. Yet again Wanderers conceded possession “too easily,” in the eyes of manager Kevin Pollard, as Waugh struck ruthlessly to restore parity.
Nics raised their game to dominate from then on and score twice, through James Hubbard’s completion of a well-worked move and Mark Ashley’s free far-post header, to wrap up the points.
“It was just the result we needed after last week’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Pucklechurch,” said Pollard, “although we have a tough one next on Saturday at Totterdown for our first away fixture.”
The top tier’s winless bottom sides, Highridge United and Pucklechurch Sports, nonetheless served up a close-fought Lakemead Grove contest played in good spirit.
There was delight for Church’s 17-year-old defender Max Wiltshire, who scored his first goal in men’s football to help his team claim a point from a 2-2 draw, along with Nathan Parker’s strike.
Highridge, who are seeking a new manager, played a full part too and were grateful to goals from Billy Rees and Conor Walker.
Winterbourne United chairman Robyn Maggs admitted his secondplaced side were “fortunate” to steal a point after seeing them held to a 1-1 away draw at Longwell Green Sports Reserves, who scored through a Tristan Day own goal. James Mainstone’s strike at the right end of the pitch at least ensured United maintained their unbeaten form five fixtures in.
Gary Woodman was happy after overseeing a 2-0 away victory for AEK Boco Reserves over Totterdown United at Norton Lane.
They did so with “a good team performance against a strong side” and goals by Sam Hippisley and Ben Sayers, although Woodman pointed out: “Our ‘keeper Jack Madge kept a clean sheet for a third straight week with multiple great saves.”
Wick Reserves are relishing every moment of life in the Premier Combination competition following their summer promotion.
They took their perfect winning streak in Division One since the campaign’s commencement to three games with a battling 3-2 away victory over Iron Acton in Yate, thanks to Mason Davis’ double and Paul Hardiman’s effort.
Cribbs A have made a bright start to their own first campaign at the higher level, one which continued with David Duru’s hat-trick and James Capon, Andrew Capon, Alex Craig and debutant James Crossley-John goals in an impressive 7-2 home success over De Veys, whose Tim Hughes and Ty Owen-Goodall contributed.
Hambrook’s frustrated boss Dave Davies admitted his team had “got what they deserved for gifting four goals” after watching them crushed 6-1 by a rejuvenated DRG SV Frenchay outfit sitting second and unbeaten heading into this Saturday’s quick return meeting with their same chastened opponents at Whiteshill Common.
Matt Norley’s goal was scant solace for a Hambrook team who at least have a swift chance now to atone for that heavy weekend reverse.
Bradley Stoke Town go to Mendip Broadwalk Reserves, who beat Shirehampton Reserves 2-0 at home in their latest outing through Dan Lock’s strike and an own goal, this Saturday still seeking a first win but encouraged to have banked a first point thanks to Tom Harris’ brace in a 2-2 home draw with a Greyfriars Athletic outfit who replied via two Jordan Cox goals.