League leaders held to a draw by Langford

Langford Rovers 3

Nailsea Utd 3

LANGFORD entertained current premier division leaders and were unlucky to come away with just a share of the spoils.

In difficult conditions, it was a game full of excitement and one in which Rovers took the early initiative with a Ryan Havard goal, tapped home after a rebound from a post.

Clear opportunities were few and far between but Rovers had two good opportunities to double their lead through Levi Marlow and Joe Ellis before the visitors levelled. A far post corner was poorly marked but the finish was excellent.

The second period was end-to-end but Rovers created more and were the better side. Against the run of play the visitors took the lead with a shot from 20 yards, Jamie Crandon being disappointed not to have kept it out.

Rovers rallied, and created through Grant Giles and Olly Bliss, but it was Marlow who equalised midway through the half, tapping home with ease. Crandon made changes and almost immediately Ross Neads’ solo run saw him finish at the second attempt.

Seemingly heading for a crucial win, the visitors nicked a point in dying minutes when a cross evaded Crandon and the home defence for Nailsea’s striker to head into an empty net.

Weston St Johns 1

Clutton 2

SAINTS fell to a disappointing defeat against one of their main rivals for promotion. Clutton looked lively on the counter attack but Saints defenders Alex Read, Dean Pierson, Dave Wilcox and Mike Carpenter stood firm to keep them out.

With Jack Clark, James Bennellick, James Wotton and Danny Sprague starting to take control of midfield, Saints took the lead. The goal came when Clutton’s keeper mis-kicked the ball straight to Dan Hartley and he made no mistake with a neat finish.

Ross Stockhall and Hartley both had chances, the latter hitting the bar. Just before half-time, Saints were caught out and a Clutton striker made no mistake.

Ian Allchorne made an outstanding save to stop Clutton taking a half-time lead. The second half was dominated by Clutton and Allchorne made several excellent saves to keep Saints in the game.

With two minutes to go, a defensive mistake led to a Clutton striker giving Allchorne no chance with a good finish to make the final score 2-1.

Mike Whitttaker Building player of the match was Ian Allchorne.

Weston St Johns 2

Shepton Mallet Res 1

SAINTS bounced back from their midweek defeat to record a hard-fought win against Shepton Mallet.

Defenders Alex Read, Dean Pierson, Mike Carpenter and Dave Wilcox were strangely out of sorts and struggling to keep the Shepton strikers at bay. Shepton always looked dangerous and they took the lead.

Saints dominated the second half with Dan Hartley, Jack Clark, James Bennellick and James Wotton controlling midfield. The hosts got the equaliser their play deserved with a stunning long-range strike by Hartley.

Saints pushed for the winner and Ross Stockhall and Juzzy Flavell had good chances to give Saints the lead. With time running out, Saints forced a series of corners and Clark fired one across the goal for Danny Sprague to stoop to head past the keeper and give Saints the victory that keeps them top of the table.

Mike Whittaker Building player of the match was Dan Hartley.

Wrington Redhill 2

Creech St Michael 2

WRINGTON-Redhill entertained Creech St Michael at the Rec and were held to a 2-2 draw.

The hosts took the lead after 40 minutes through Neil Andow, finishing a nervy first-half display.

The second half saw the home side increase the lead with a fine display of close control by Craig Burchill, who finished in style.

Throughout the game, Creech looked threatening on the break and they reduced the lead when a forward headed home. The home side paid the price when a long free kick resulted in an equaliser.

Wrington-Redhill would like to thank Naz Hoque of Bombay Palace in Cleeve for his generous sponsorship of the game. The man of the match was shared between Callum Fisher and Craig Burchill.

Wrington are home to Combe St Nicholas on Saturday in a top of the table clash.