Page 18 - Yate Town FC v Tiverton Town 280123

League Review

Only two matches in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South managed to
survive the freezing conditions on Saturday.
Second-placed Truro City had the chance to cut the deficit on leaders Weston-super-
Mare to just two points when they took on eighth-placed Merthyr Town at ‘balmy’ Bolitho
Park in Plymouth. The first half was fairly even with chances at both ends, but it finished
goalless. However, the White Tigers had the lions’ share of the second period but couldn’t
find the cutting edge and the game ended 0-0.
The only other game was at the Powerday Stadium where Hanwell Town took on bottom-
markers North Leigh. The Geordies got a warning that it wasn’t going to be easy when the
visitors took an early 5th minute lead through Levi Steele. It took 20 minutes for Hanwell to
draw level through Callum Duffy. Then on 38 minutes, Dwayne Duncan headed home from
a corner to put the hosts in front at the break. On the hour-mark, Hanwell made it 3-1 with
a goal from Kain Adom and just 2 minutes later, it was game over when Millers` keeper
Adam North dropped a routine cross and Chid Onokwai tapped into the empty net. On 77
minutes, Adom added his second to make it a nap hand for the Geordies, who are now 13th
in the table.

Four matches in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South managed to beat the
freeze on Saturday and they included a first game since Boxing Day for leaders Sholing!
At the Imperial Homes Stadium, the Boatmen came back from being a goal and a man down
to beat Bishops Cleeve 4-1 and go ten points clear at the top of the table.
George Box headed Cleeve in front in the 29th minute. But on 39 minutes, Brad Targett fired
an effort onto a post and there was an altercation as the ball was cleared and he received a
straight red card. Dan Mason equalised with a header 2 minutes before half-time and in first
half injury-time, Sholing took the lead and it was another header, this time from Byron
Mason. The home side added a third just 3 minutes after the break – and it was the fourth
headed goal of the afternoon, this time from Rob Flooks. Lee Wort rounded the visiting
keeper to make it 4-1 in the 63rd minute and 2 minutes later, the on-field numbers were
evened up when Jack Holmes received a straight red card for a reckless tackle.
Second-placed AFC Totton also saw some rare action as they also took the field for the first
time since Boxing Day when they travelled to Bideford. And the Stags looked a little rusty
at the Sports Ground against a Bideford side who started and ended the day in 17th place.
It could have been worse though for the visitors, who fell behind to an 11th-minute Ben
Wood goal. The home ‘keeper, Adam Seedhouse, made several decent saves to keep the
Stags at bay and it looked as though the Devonians were heading for a crucial three points.
However, 2 minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game, Luke Hallett rescued a point
for AFC Totton when his header finally beat Seedhouse.
Evesham United and Exmouth Town swapped places in the table, with the hosts moving
into fifth spot after a 2-0 win at The Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium. The game started
and ended in thick fog. But fortunately, it didn’t get bad enough for the referee to call a halt
to the game. The hosts got off to a great start when Jordan Lymn put them in front after 2
minutes. And in the 14th minute, Lymn was on hand to double his side’s lead. The second
half saw Evesham manage the game well and restricted Exmouth to limited opportunities.
The other game on Saturday saw Tavistock host Westbury United also looking for a
top-five spot. The home side took an 8th-minute lead through Josh Grant. Westbury pulled
level in the 35th minute with a goal from Matt Morris. A hard-fought game was eventually
settled 4 minutes from time when the visitors were awarded a penalty when Joe O’Connor
was adjudged to have fouled Aaron Cockerill and Steve Hulbert duly converted the resulting
spot-kick to win it for Westbury, who are ninth.