Top-of-the-table cracker

Tuesday, March 5, 2013
7:21 PM

Concern about the pitch led the referee to ask players to sign disclaimer forms before he allowed Putford Reserves and Georgeham Reserves to go ahead with their top of the table clash.

They did so and a cracking encounter ensued, with third-placed Georgeham closing the gap on the leaders with a 4-3 win.

Georgeham were in control at the start, going into a 4-1 lead before Putford stormed back with two late goals.

Nick Shilleto (2), Carl Savin and Holby Moore gave Georgeham their goals, with Bradley Prouse, Harry Lathbury and Dave Buckpitt replying for Putford.

Second placed Braunton 4ths also drew closer to the leaders with a comprehensive 6-0 win away to Anchor Chiefs.

Alan Woodcock hit a hat-trick and the others came from Matt Bull (2) and Tom Cheetham.

Buckland Brewer had to withstand 10 minutes of early pressure before they got into gear against North Molton 3rds.

Sean Freeman then poked Buckland Brewer ahead from close range and doubled their lead on the half hour mark when he rose tallest to head home a Simon Adams free-kick.

Five minutes later and the points were all but safe when Marcus Jarvis fired a third from the edge of the area. Buckland continued to press in the second half with the best chances falling for Ben Dooley, Maurice Knuckey and Arran Brooks, but they failed to capitalise.

Missing players

Woolsery Reserves and Lynton Reserves fought out a 1-1 Sunday stalemate with a bizarre start.

Lynton’s opportunity to pull clear of Woolsery at the foot of the table was hindered by a car full of players not turning up until just before half-time. They had somehow ended up in Woolsery, near Crediton, blaming their sat-nav!

Despite the referee and Woolsery’s generosity delaying the kick-off by 15 minutes, the Lynton players were 1hour, 40minutes away when they realised. Lynton started with 10 men and with manager Alex Spice having to play, despite being unwell, and veteran midfielder Mark Bithell in goal.

Lynton coped well, but went 1-0 down half way through the first half when Bithell was beaten. The missing players arrived and keeper Jordan North took over between the sticks.

With substitutes made, Lynton took a grip of the game in the second half but only equalised with 10 minutes to go when Chris Coles was fouled in the box and substitute Max Smith scored from the spot.