Battling Rams keep a grip on top spot
North Village Rams fought hard to stay top of the Commercial A Division by coming from two goals down to beat Dandy Town Roots 3-2.
Roots took the game to Village from the opening whistle and were awarded an early penalty that was smartly converted by Mark Trott. They then went two-up when Michael Wells drove the ball home from 12 yards after Village had failed to clear.
Village pulled a goal back just before the half when Maceo Dill’s 25-yarder rolled into the corner of the net as the Roots keeper slipped in the wet conditions. And Rams levelled early in the second half when Damon Wade thundered a right footed shot into the top corner from 18 yards.
Jamal Smith blasted home the winner from a direct free kick.
Roots pushed hard for an equaliser and Trott had a spectacular overhead kick saved off the line while Village keeper Andre Manders went full length to save a drive from Lorenzo Simons but Village held on for the vital three points to keep them at the top of the table.
Key West moved up to second after overcoming Robin Hood who were left shorthanded by the tidal wave rumours which spread panic at Southampton Rangers when they turned up to play.
Hood, who kicked off with nine men, were four goals down by the time they had a full team out — with a least one player pulled out of the pub to make the game.
Quinton Burgess netted two for Key West who also netted through Wayne Augustus and Leroy Stevens while Hood, who are appealing over the debacle, scored through Colin McQueen.
BAA slipped down the table after a shock home defeat to Lobster Pot.
Martin Godley put the visitors in front while Martin Jones equalised ten minutes into second half.
Pressing for a winner, BAA got caught on the break when veteran Colin James beat the offside trap and slotted past John Doran in 80th minute for Pot’s winner.
Tuff Dogs and Island XI drew 1-1. A Ben Pewter corner found an unmarked Nathan Atcheson who scored with a bouncing header for Island XI. Tuff Dogs equalised when Reed Gaglio sent in a hard cross which was met at the back post by Joe Carolo who steered a fierce header past keeper Jason Simons whose heroics had kept Island XI in the game.
Tuff Dog’s Darren Xuereb thought he had scored the winner when he smashed home a parried free kick but it was ruled out with a controversial offside decision.
A second-half fightback enabled PHC to earn a point at Southampton Oval after MR Onions A had taken a two-goal lead at half-time.
Both teams had chances early in the game with Colin Keane hitting the post and Onions’ keeper Greg Fraser saving from point blank range. Onions took the lead after 25 minutes when Eoghan O’Dwyer converted from a Keane pass. Onions scored again just before half-time when O’Dwyer converted a penalty after a foul on Keane.
John Lally missed a chance to extend the lead further when he shot over the bar from six yards out.
PHC dominated possession in the second half and substitute Keith Bell pulled a goal back after a sharp turn inside the box. They then equalised with 15 minutes remaining after a hopeful ball into the box found Sheridan Ming unmarked, allowing him to shoot past Fraser.
In the B Division St. George’s All-Stars’ winning streak ground to a halt when they were held 1-1 by visiting Devonshire Lions.
St. George’s broke the deadlock in the second half when sub Kenneth Wade received a fine ball on the right, eased his way past a defender and centred for Kenneth Bartram to strike home. Lions stepped up the pressure and tucked away a penalty late in the game when All-Stars skipper Carlton Richardson handled in the area.
A rampant Valley demolished Boulevard 9-1. Donovan Hensdiek stuck away two, Fitgerald Williams, Sean Smith and Jonathan Eve all scored one while substitute Craig Smith capped a memorable debut by banging in four.
Somerset Extros went one better with a ten-goal salvo against Prospect/Fire. Rodney (The Key) Bascome grabbed five, Mark Grant got a brace while David Burchall, Troy Govia and Kent Bascome also tallied. Roger Saints and Warren Bundy netted for Prospect/Fire in the 10-2 rout.
Pest Control picked up three points when Devonshire All-Stars failed to raise a team while Vasco bagged a similar win over five-man Somerset Bridge.
In the C Division, MR Onions Real Men C had a gentle warm-up for Saturday’s Commercial Cup clash with Boulevard by beating Prison Officers 9-1.
Striker Stevie Nowell grabbed four, Nick Wills netted two as did substitute Colin Couper while manager Jason Roberts also scored. Prison Officers’ consolation came via Jay Warren.
Meanwhile tsunami nonsense also put paid to the Wolves versus Dockyard Falcons clash which will be replayed on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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