Quartet of contenders keep up form

THE top four teams in the Premier Division all won and continue to be separated by just four points as the title race hots up.

Leaders Willand triumphed 4-0 at lowly Hengrove, second-placed Bridgwater had a 70th-minute strike from Jack Taylor to thank for a 1-0 home win over Hallen, while third-placed Westbury won 3-0 at home to Roman Glass St George, courtesy of a strike from Jamie Jordan and two penalties from Dan Kovacs.

Fourth-placed Bitton, with games in hand on the teams above, gained a 4-2 success at Bridport. Veteran Bridport striker Mark Salter, a former Bitton man, had a 21st-minute penalty saved before Bitton opened the scoring through Dean Griffiths.

Kameron Andrews volleyed home a 49th-minute equaliser, only for Griffiths to strike again a minute later. An own goal gave Bridport a second equaliser, but Bitton secured the points thanks to two goals from Ben Bament, the second a penalty.

Clevedon lost 2-1 at home to Plymouth Parkway, who could still emerge as title contenders. An Adam Carter penalty and a Will Palfrey strike put Parkway two up in the first half, before Glen Hayer reduced the arrears on 81 minutes.

Shepton Mallet and Bradford, eighth and seventh respectively, battled out a thrilling 4-4 draw at West Shepton. Tyson Pollard (2), Francois Allen and James Billing scored for Mallet, while Jamie Lyons and Will Hailston, with a last-minute equaliser, were on target for Bradford, who also benefited from two own goals.

A 26th-minute strike from Sam Bailey gave Cadbury Heath a 1-0 home win against Shortwood.

Jason Vincent gave Cribbs an early lead at home to Odd Down, who hit back to win 2-1 with second-half goals from Adnan Hiroli and George Lloyd.

Steve Fitzpatrick and Tom Fry scored for Chipping Sodbury in a 2-2 draw at home to Brislington, who had taken a two-goal lead in the match through Mike Rimmer and Mason Dagger.

First Division leaders Cheddar won 3-0 at Welton, with a hattrick from Adam Wright.

Ashton & Backwell kept themselves on the fringes of the promotion race with a 2-1 win at bottom side Bristol Telephones, who have been much-improved of late. A Miles Hardidge goal and a late Paul Uppington strike gave the visitors the three points.

A 68th-minute goal from Toby Watson gave Bishop Sutton a 1-0 win at Devizes, while Longwell Green Sports came away from Sherborne with a 4-2 victory. Danny Carter (2), Jason Adams and Ben Allen scored for Green.

Elsewhere, Chard won a thriller 4-3 away to Chippenham Park, while Bishops Lydeard were 2-1 home winners over Radstock in their all-Somerset clash.