CHEDDAR never quite hit the heights in this hard working performance at Taunton.

Taunton Blackbrook 0

Cheddar 2

CHEDDAR never quite hit the heights in this hard working performance at Taunton.

Cheddar’s starting XI featured no less than nine 19-year-olds in the side, ably supported by Adam Jones (21) and Tom Manning, the team veteran at 23.

They looked solid defensively, Mitch Smit, Sam King, Josh Underhill and Ben Dancey on form. After half an hour, Cheddar started to gain a midfield foothold, despite losing Ryan Hawkins, with Chris Beers, Rob Edwards and Tom Manning starting to get their passing game going.

McManus and Marquiss started to see more of the ball and chances started to come, but Taunton defended resolutely to take the score into the break scoreless.

After the break, Cheddar took the lead on the hour when Callum McManus rounded the keeper to score. Taunton thought they had scored on the 90 minute mark, but the ball was cleared off the line by substitute Richie Matthews and Cheddar wrapped up the game when Manning broke away and crossed the ball for Jones to score his 13th goal of the season.

Watchet Town 0 Cheddar 0

CHEDDAR felt this was a point gained rather than two lost at the end of this tough, hard fought encounter in windy conditions.

Watchet showed how to counteract the conditions by working extremely hard when they did not have the ball and keeping it short and sharp when they did and as a result Cheddar never got into their stride and created very little in the way of chances.

The Cheddar side, whose 19-year-old back four and keeper belied their young age to resist everything the hosts were able to launch at them.

Cheddar’s midfield, admirably led by Tom Manning, also got on top and they were able to control the game and take the fight to their opponents. Cheddar went close when Adam Jones was just wide.

With under a minute to go, Cheddar had a let off when a header hit the bar and the rebound was headed over.

Weston St Johns 2

Saltford 0

ST JOHNS produced a good second half performance to earn a deserved Division 1 victory.

The game got off to an even start with both defences dominating. Saints defenders Dean Pierson, Ash Flavell, Mark Hearne and James Bennelick restricted Saltford to a couple of shots that flew into the side netting.

Mark Adams and James Wotton worked hard in midfield, and up front, strikers Levi Marlow, Ross Stockhall, Juzzy Flavell and Ryan Hodrien were limited to long-range efforts.

Saints thought they had taken the lead when the ball appeared to cross the goal line, but the keeper scooped the ball out and the referee waved play on as the half remained scoreless.

The second half was a different matter as Saints forced Saltford on the defensive. Stockhall burst clear, but the keeper saved his well struck shot and then Marlow had a good shot saved.

At the other end, keeper Joe Malik made an outstanding save when he pushed a shot on to the crossbar to keep the scores level. Substitute Andy Young was creator of the opening goal when he and Hodrien exchanged passes before Young set up Marlow for the first goal.

Near the end, Saints sealed the victory when following a quick break, Marlow’s shot forced the keeper to make a good save, but the ball rebounded kindly to Stockhall and he made no mistake from close range.

Bookers Wholesale player of the match was Dean Pierson.

Worle 2 Yatton 3

A DRAW should have been the least that Worle deserved from this fixture at high-flying Yatton, who currently lie in third place in Division 2 West.

Worle welcomed back Matt Hill in goal and the returning Brad Thomas at centre half. Vincent and Hannam were tried as a partnership up front and they ran Yatton ragged at times.

The visitors took the lead midway through the first half with a free-kick from Hewish that deceived the keeper. Worle kept up the pressure, but a defensive error let Yatton back into the game as the teams went into the break level at 1-1.

The away team took the lead again when a Yatton defender made a rash challenge resulting in a penalty that the impressive Wood scored from the spot.

Worle seemed to sit back on their lead and this allowed Yatton to equalise when top scorer Bird beat Hill to level the scores again. Vincent then had a glorious chance to put Worle back in front, but his shot went just over.

With the scores level and both sides going for the win, it was Yatton who took all three points when they netted from the penalty spot. Man of the match went to Vincent.

On Saturday, Worle host Churchill, who include mostly Weston-based players and a large crowd is expected (2pm kick-off). Worle Reserves are away to Cheddar A in the cup.