Coleford Athletic will be representing the Mid-Somerset League in the final of the Somerset Junior Cup.
It was a really tough game last Saturday for Coleford away to Weston Zoyland in the Semi-Final, it was 0–0 at half-time with the visitors creating several good chances, but failed to put the ball in the net – the home team rarely threatened.
Just after the start of the second half, the home team broke the deadlock, bundling the ball into the net, aided by what looked liked a foul on the visitors’ goalkeeper.
After fifteen minutes of the second half, two reckless challenges resulted in one of the Weston Zoyland players being shown a red card; this didn’t deter them, nearly increasing their lead when Coleford’s centre half, Nick Young, slipped, allowing the forward a one-on- one with the excellent Coleford keeper, Reece Croker, who made a great block, denying a certain goal. With twenty minutes remaining, the visitors were level, with Dan Schuster getting to the ball before anyone else from a corner and forcing it home. There were no more goals, so the game went to extra time, following the same pattern with Coleford pressing. It was no surprise when Curt MacInerney popped up to net the winner.
The other semi-final involved another of the league’s teams, Frome Collegians, who were away to Perry Street and Yonder Hill. Unfortunately they lost 5–2 with the report back being that they were beaten by a better team.
The outstanding result of the day was in the Charity Cup, where Third Division side Timsbury Reserves beat Wells A, from the Premier League, 5–4 at home. Timsbury were two up after eight minutes, with the visitors getting back to level after just fourteen minutes and went 3–2 up before the home team equalised 3–3 then going ahead, 4–3 before Wells again levelled at 4–4. Because of two injuries, the referee had to add eleven minutes in the second half, just enough time for the home side to get the winner on 100 minutes.
Also in the Charity Cup, Interhound beat Mells 3–0 with goals from Luke Sellers, Lee Tadd and Jamie Barnes. Victoria Sports won at home against Temple Cloud 5–1, with their goals scored by Dan Linham (2), Mathew Day (2) and Jon Hampton. Clutton Reserves won at home against Farrington, 4–3, with scorers Jake Hawkins (2), Sam Rilli and Tom Bull. Peasedown
Albion fell over the line away to Frome Town Sports Reserves, winning 3–2. Getting the goals were Scott Baker (2) and Dan Hucker. Bath Villa won away to Glastonbury, 3–1. Westfield Reserves move into second place in the Premier League with a comprehensive win over Welton Arsenal, 5–1.
In the First Division, Belrose had a good win at home against Chilcompton Reserves, 4–1 and High Littleton continue their improvement with a very good 1–1 draw at home to promotion contenders, Westhill Sports. The Second Division saw Evercreech surprisingly losing at home to Westhill Sports Reserves, 4–0.
Peasedown Albion Reserves continue to dominate the Third Division, thrashing bottom team, Pilton Reserves, 8–3. Their goal scorers were Jack Hemmings (3), Rico Sobers (2), Tom Pielesz, Arron Vine and Ricky Jenkins. Third-placed team, Old Crown, played out a 2–2 draw, and Purnell A just lost at home, 4–3.
This Saturday all eyes will be on the league’s five teams left in the Somerset Intermediate Cup – Baltonsborough, Victoria, Bath Villa, Belrose and Timsbury Reserves. Good luck to you all from the Management Committee.
Bryn Hawkins