Premier Comb’n Binding’s double fires Hallen into the next round
GEORGE Binding struck twice as Hallen Reserves’ splendid start to their Bristol Premier Combination campaign continued with a 3-1 second round League Cup success at Shirehampton Reserves.
Parading five wins from five and sitting second in the league’s top flight heading into Saturday’s home clash with AEK Boco Reserves (2.30pm), Hallen marched on in knockout competition too at the expense of spirited Shire.
Binding handed the in-form visitors the lead on 15 minutes, and while his team were dealt a setback by their lower-ranked opponents as Charlie Kempson restored parity, Hallen restored their lead on the hour-mark through Harvey Pritchard, before Binding added his second to wrap up the scoring two minutes later.
In an entertaining rain-soaked spectacle at Penpole Lane, Shire goalkeeper Harry Bridgeman pulled off a string of brilliant saves to deny Hallen a greater margin of victory.
Winterbourne United’s heartened chairman Robyn Maggs hailed “another great performance in dreadful weather” as the undefeated Prem pacesetters overcame gritty Nicholas Wanderers 3-1 on their Dundridge Park travels to progress to the quarter-finals.
All the goals came in the second half. Charlie Davis opened Bourne’s account and Dave Herbert made it 2-1 after third-placed Wanderers, also unbeaten in the top tier, had equalised through a superblystruck James Hubbard free-kick.
Tristan Day settled the contest with a third for Winterbourne, although Nics boss Kevin Pollard was far from dismayed.
“I decided to give opportunities to some of our reserves, fringe players and a player returning from injury and we created lots of opportunities early on in an even first half,” he said.
“It was very pleasing to see six or seven players step up and really have a go at a team sitting top of our division. Hopefully we can get a different result when we meet each other in the league (at home on November 14).”
Jaylan Mogg was at the double and Brandon Hurst grabbed Highridge United’s other goal as they cast to one side their Premier Division difficulties by overcoming Division One Oldland Abbotonians Reserves 3-0 at Lakemead Grove to give themselves a timely lift ahead of this Saturday’s visit by big guns Winterbourne back in league activity (2.30pm).
There was a gripping cup contest on show at the Lawns where Cribbs Reserves fought back from shock 3-0 half-time arrears, to Craig Doyle’s double and Ollie Slade’s strike, at the hands of First Division newcomers St Nicholas, to clinch a 4-3 victory, courtesy of Dan Burgan’s hat-trick and Liam Clayton’s strike and advance to the last eight.
Saints’ stunned assistant manager Paul Williams, nonetheless, emphasised: “It was still a good learning exercise for the lads and showed we are able to compete with the best of the league above.”
AEK Boco Reserves were a relieved and happy side after squeezing past hosts Longwell Green Sports Reserves 3-1 on penalties after Jason Thatcher’s opener in regular time, and a late Longwell leveller, had forced spot kicks following 1-1 deadlock.
The outcome delivered a welcome boost to a Boco outfit now braced for a serious test of their credentials in Premier Division combat away against rampant Hallen on Saturday (2.30pm).
Olveston United will quickly want to put behind them a “difficult match in difficult conditions” in their Alveston Road backyard as the Prem’s winless bottom team Pucklechurch Sports emerged 2-0 winners to raise the spirits approaching Saturday’s next stern test at home against Nicholas Wanderers (2.30pm).
Iron Acton took their fine Division One form on to the cup stage once more as Yame Aibangbee’s goal proved enough to settle a close-fought away encounter with Premier Division Shaftesbury Crusade 1-0 at Bonnington Walk.
It was the second time secondplaced Acton, who entertain Mendip Broadwalk Reserves on Saturday at Sunnyside Fields for a juicy top-three tussle (2.30pm), had dispensed of a top section side following their 3-2 win at home to Seymour United in the previous round.
In the weekend’s only league game, Mendip Broadwalk Reserves had Westley Hawkins’ brace and Matthew Baggott’s goal to thank for a 3-2 win over Greyfriars Athletic in a competitive New Road clash.