WESTERN LEAGUE Premier Division round-up week 36
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- Created on Monday, 04 April 2022 16:05
- Last Updated on Monday, 04 April 2022 16:16
- Published on Monday, 04 April 2022 16:05
- Written by TOM HISCOTT Western League correspondent
Tavistock stole a march on their title challengers by beating Saltash United 4-1 at Langsford Park under Friday night lights.
The Lambs don’t have the easiest of run-ins but back to back 4-1 home wins will stand them in fine stead over the next couple of weeks.
Dan Evans headed home an early corner to put Tavistock in front. The remainder of the opening half belonged to the hosts, with Liam Prynn’s penalty making it 2-0, before Josh Parry back-heeled the ball into an empty net to further stretch the Lambs lead.
When Warren Daw headed home a Josh Robins corner to make it 4-0, the title favourites were home and dry, with the Ashes finally getting themselves on the scoresheet when Neil Slateford fired home from well outside the area on a tough night for the visitors.
Second-placed Mousehole moved back within four points of top spot after beating Bitton 2-1.
Having gone in front through Steven Burt during the first half, Mousehole saw their lead disappear within ten minutes of the restart when David Duru levelled for the visitors.
Midway through the second half, Louis Price bundled the ball home from a couple of yards out to restore the Seagulls lead, and they hung to secure all three points.
Third-placed Exmouth kept pace with their title rivals after claiming an impressive 2-1 win at Helston.
Going up against a side who were unbeaten in six, Exmouth started strongly and took the lead after just 18 minutes when Levi Landricombe finished smartly from the edge of the box.
Aaron Denny was then on hand to lay on his second assist of the afternoon, playing the ball through for Ben Steer who doubled the visitors advantage after half an hour.
There was cause for concern in the final couple of minutes after Stu Bowker tucked home a penalty for Helston, but they couldn’t find an equaliser and Exmouth held on for the win.
Shepton Mallet continued their outstanding form, beating Clevedon 3-2 to make it six league wins on the spin.
Joe Morgan struck twice in the first half, sandwiching an unfortunate own goal to put Shepton 2-1 up at the interval.
With the game still in the balance, Clevedon twice had the ball cleared off the line, and the home side surged straight up the other end where Josh Williams was on hand to beat the keeper for a 3-1 lead.
Elliot Nicholson managed to trim the deficit in stoppage time, but it was too little too late and Mallet preserved their winning run.
Mallet’s local rivals Street ended their seven-match win-less run by beating bottom-side Bridport 7-0.
An early double from Kyle Strange put Street in charge, and they didn’t look back, with Toby Davey and Gabriel Plant also finding the back of the net.
The Cobblers star man was Josh Phillips, who bagged a second-half hat-trick on a morale boosting afternoon for all at the Somerset club.
It was a family affair for Wellington, with Miles and Jake Quick both getting on the scoresheet to help the Somerset outfit land a 2-0 win over Millbrook.
In the shortest possible back-to-back rematch, Ashton & Backwell and Buckland shared the points following a 2-2 draw.
Having played the reverse fixture just four days before in Devon, Ashton were looking to gain revenge for their 3-0 defeat and made the perfect start when Shea Bennington-Mannings put them ahead in the early stages.
Bucks drew level midway through the first half thanks to Ryan Bush but were soon on the back foot once again when Zack Ford made it 2-1 just before half time.
Just as it looked like Backwell would be celebrating, they were hit by a late sucker-punch when Charlie Johansen’s long throw found its way to Cieran Bridger who tucked the ball home to equalise in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The points were also shared at Brislington, where Simon Prangley’s 86th minute penalty rescued the home side who trailed after Harry Stevens fired Ilfracombe into a 10th minute lead.
It also took until the final few minutes to decide the destination of the points at Bridgwater, where the hosts triumphed 2-1 over Keynsham thanks to a late winner.
In front of a large crowd, Jacob Spence’s opener was cancelled out by the K’s on 83 minutes.
Bridgwater debutant Troy Simpson struck two minutes from time to help his new side move up to fourth.
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