Local football round-up

A HAT-trick by the reliable Wayne Hand saw Town to a comfortable victory on Saturday over visitors, who used be to something of a bogey team for them.

The Town team rallied together well following the news that goalkeeper Jon Picton, who has been playing and managing this season, has called it a day because of a groin injury. His assistant Mark Criddle will continue to run the side.

There is a doubt over the future of full-back Ben King, who has missed the last three matches and may be moving away, while midfielder John Kear is having a shoulder operation this week which is likely to keep him out for up to a month.

Striker Richard Cattell had a knee operation recently and may be able to start light training in three or fours weeks, but his season is virtually over.

In Picton's absence, Craig Holley moved from central defence into goal and impressed with his handling.

A young Bishops Lydeard side were run ragged in the first 20 minutes by Town striker Adam Lock, who will start a six-week ban soon following his sending-off in the recent Somerset Junior Cup defeat at Frome Town Sports.

There were two goal-line clearances before Lock opened the scoring with a skilful overhead kick from the edge of the box into the top corner. The visitors hardly threatened and Hand made it 2-0 at half time. Lock broke down the right and could have scored, but passed unselfishly for his strike partner to score.

Within two minutes of the start of the second half, had Hand made it 3-0 with a tremendous, left-foot shot. His hat-trick came a few minutes later, as Ricky Cook went down the right and set him up.

There could have been several more goals. Scott Woodberry hit the bar from close range, while, with everyone wanting to score, chances were missed through selfishness.

However, the victory put Town back on track after two defeats. Their outstanding players were Craig Holley, Phil White, who was excellent at right-back, Lock and Hand.

Team: C Holley (sub Mogg); White, Wait, Woodberry, R Holley; R Cook, Hicks (sub Thresher), Kear, Watts; Hand, Lock. Unused sub: Carter.

TOWN Reserves continued their poor run with a 4-1 defeat at Watchet. On Saturday (2.30), the first team face a tough test, away to leaders Porlock. The reserves have no game.

Somerset County League Div Two West: Burnham Utd Res 0, Clevedon Utd 1

UNITED Reserves' title hopes suffered a major setback when they where deservedly beaten at home by Clevedon United on Saturday. Burnham again fielded a strong team and there could be no excuses about a poor pitch, since it had been rolled in midweek.

There were very few clear-cut chances for either side and Clevedon are to be commended on a strong defensive display and a solid work ethic. Burnham's only bright spark was the lively Shaun Lismore and even he could be criticised for having wasted a good chance.

Burnham rarely looked threatened at the back, but that was to be expected against a team who were nearer to the bottom end of the table than the top.

Afterwards, United reserve-team manager Ashley Plant said: "This result has been coming for a long time, because we've not played well enough for the last six games. It doesn't help when your keeper Sam Pople just doesn't turn up!"

He added: "Full credit to Clevedon, who worked hard and deserved the result. Some of our lads need to take a long hard look at themselves. I'll be making huge changes for Saturday." Man the match: None (All poor).

Team: Hirons, Bidgood, Walford, S Neilson, Lambert, E Lamb (sub Whitfield), Eley, B Lismore, Sh Lismore, Ll Dean, Beare (sub Puddy).

Somerset Women's League: Burnham United 3, Frome Town 1

THIS was a good win by home team Burnham against a much-improved Frome side. Burnham started with a fine move between Leanne Godwin and Dionne Luxon, while Sarah Brueford made two good runs down the right, but her crosses went straight at the keeper.

Chelsea Organ sent a long ball down to Brueford, who forced a corner. From another Brueford cross, the keeper beat the forwards to the ball. Charlotte Jeffries played well at full-back and half time arrived with no goals.

The second half was a different game. It started off all Burnham and they soon took the lead. The ball was bouncing about in the box and, after Joanne Stafford and Prior had seen shots blocked, Luxon made no mistake.

Burnham had another chance when Prior put Stafford through, but the ball went for a corner. The second goal came from a defensive error, with Stafford putting a good cross over for Luxon to head her second.

Brueford had a fine run after she had won a hard tackle, but the keeper dived onto the ball just as it was about to go in. Frome pulled a goal back when Burnham keeper Vicky Hitchens completely missed her kick at a pass-back, leaving an opponent with an empty net.

Organ and Emily Rossiter were replaced by Claire Sealey and Lannah Williams. Burnham's third goal came from a corner by Stafford. It went to Prior, who scored with a well-taken effort. Woman of the match went to Charlotte Prior, with Dionne Luxon, Sarah Brueford and Emily Rossiter close behind.

Team: Hitchens, Jeffries, Bond, Organ, Rossiter, E Williams, Godwin, Prior, Luxon, Stafford, Brueford. Subs: L Williams, Sealey.

KING Alfred Sports Centre won 3-1 at Wedmore on January 27 in Division Four of the Weston & District league. Chris Palmer (2) and Kev Crenol scored their goals, while Neil Thompson was man of the match.

SOMERSET County League results last Saturday included: Div Two West - Congresbury 3, Berrow 3.

UXELLA Bridgwater & District Sunday League results: Div One - Cross Rifles 6, Bunch Of Grapes 2; Flag OB 2, Red Tile 1; Grasshoppers '04 3, Tiger OB 3; Maxwells 1, Woolavington 5; Railway Club 1, Ashcott 0. Div Two - Bridgwater Wanderers 4, Quantock Pride 3; Cannington 7 Countryman 1; Admirals 5, Grasshoppers '05 0; Commercial 6, Huntspill Crowns 2; Pawlett Res 5, Wookey 1; Woolav'n Res 1, Blake OB 5.

Fixtures: Div One - Ashcott v Maxwells, Bunch v Tigers, Flag v Railway, Maltshovel v G'hoppers '04, Pawlett v Rifles, Tile v Woolav'n. Div Two - Admirals v Wookey, Blake v Wanderers, Commercial v Cannington, G'hoppers '05 v Countryman, Quantock v Pawlett Res, Woolav'n Res v Bower.