Match Reports

MIDSOMER NORTON AND DISTRICT YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE,

U15's DIVISION 2 FINAL.

WELLS CITY 3

RADSTOCK TOWN RANGERS 2

This match almost never happened as the League never

arranged for any match officials, thankfully the

Mackay family had come to watch and Tim and his two

sons, all qualified referees, went home to collect

their kit and stepped into the breach, and for that

many thanks from all concerned.

As League champions Wells were favourites to win, and

having completed a double over Radstock their

expectations were high. It didn't take long to see why

they are champs as the first goal came in the fourth

minute. This inspired Radstock to up their game, and

to the delight of their supporters equalised ten

minutes later when Paddy Cahill slammed in an

unstoppable shot from all of twenty five yards.

The rest of the first half was brilliant display of

strong attacking football blended with stoic defending

from both sides, a treat to watch.

Although no more goals came in the half, Radstock

could and should have had a bag full!, with the City

keeper by far the busier.

Inside a quarter hour of the second half Wells

eventually managed to increase their lead with a well

taken goal, they added to this with a third direct

from a free kick on twenty minutes.

Radstock now stepped up another gear and maintained an

onslaught on the Wells goal, but it was with just five

minutes left to play that they were rewarded.

Following an indirect free kick the ball eventually

arrived with Luke Derrick who shot home.

Try as they might though, the heroic efforts of the

Rangers were not enough to upset the form book.

Men of the Match were Josh Leggett and Liam Horler.

Any players wishing to sign for next seasons under

16's, (will also be eligible for the under 18 side

that play in the Floodlight League and the F.A Youth

Cup) please contact Shawn on 01761 435880 or Jim on

01761 434624.

The Radstock team were; Jake Eyles, Josh Leggett, Liam

Horler, Liam Pearce, Sam Daniels, Kieron Hector, Tom

Ruddock, Lee Withers (captain), Paddy Cahill, Luke

Derrick, Nathan Lewis, Aaron Vine, Ashley Boucher and

Lewis Carpenter.

MIDSOMER NORTON AND DISTRICT YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE,

U15's DIVISION 2 TROPHY SEMI FINAL.

RADSTOCK TOWN RANGERS 4

FROME COLLEGIANS 3

This match was definitely a game of two halves, in

which Frome were caught out for counting their

chickens before they were hatched!!

Having conceded two soft goals in the first twenty

five minutes things looked bad for Radstock when they

lost keeper Jake Eyles with a knee injury, his place

was taken by Tom Ruddock who almost immediately pulled

off the best save of the afternoon.

Although Radstock were playing some fine football it

was Frome who continued through the half to look

threatening, and they kept this up with a third goal

in the first minute of the second half.

The home side now took on a new determination, none

more so than Luke Derrick, whose never say die

attitude saw him set up Ashley Boucher for Rangers

first.

Now the game was one way traffic with Radstock

pressing and on the quarter hour Boucher's delightful

left footed chip found the head of captain Lee Withers

who made no mistake.

Derrick bagged the equaliser with a fantastic long

range shot that would have beaten many senior keepers,

the same player then scored the winner when the

hapless Frome keeper messed up a goal kick that ran

straight into his path.

The remaining twenty minutes saw Radstock continue to

create chances while Frome began to lose their

discipline, with two of their number being cautioned.

In the end Radstocks' fitness and stamina saw them

through, and for that a big thank you goes to Radstock

Town first team manager Keith Brown who has worked

with these boys for some time now.

Man of the Match was Liam Pearce, a hard decision to

make as the whole side gave their all.

PAULTON ROVERS 5

RADSTOCK TOWN RANGERS 8

This was an entertaining game with both sides giving a

hundred percent. The first twenty minutes saw chances

at either end but it was Radstock who broke the

deadlock with a superb solo effort from Nathan Lewis

whose twenty five yard shot left the home keeper no

chance.

Directly from the restart Luke Derrick won possession

and made an almost identical attack on the Paulton

goal for two nil.

Three minutes later and skipper Lee Withers added to

the Rangers account with another goal from way outside

the box.

Things settled for the next ten minutes until Ashley

Boucher found the back of the net. The home side

rallied at this point and opened their account with a

fine high ball which beat Jake Eyles in the Rangers

goal, they doubled their score eight minutes into the

second half with a similar long high shot.

With his side starting to look a bit shaky Lee Withers

netted two goals in quick succession for his hat

trick.

Paulton again came back, this time with a brilliant

headed goal from a corner kick, they followed this

immediately with a goal from just inside their own

half.

Radstock again took the initiative on twenty minutes

when Paddy Cahill lobbed the Paulton keeper from wide

out on the right flank, Luke Derrick again scored

directly after a Paulton restart for Radstocks eighth.

The scoring was finished off by the home side when for

reasons unknown to anyone but himself the referee

awarded a penalty.

This was a fine team performance from Radstock with

several outstanding individuals, but they still have

some weak spots that need sorting out.

Man of the Match was Paddy Cahill.

Radstock Town Rangers 10

Paulton Rovers 2

In what has become a farce of a season, Radstock

played only their second game of 2008. The game itself

though was a milestone in the clubs history as it was

the first competitive game played on the new all

weather pitch at Writhlington School.

A new pitch and a new formation as manager Shawn Eyles

moved players around in an experiment that proved very

successful. The home side were three goals to the good

inside the first five minutes, and looked dangerous

every time they had possession.

Paulton to their credit kept their heads up and took

the chances that came their way, but this League Cup

encounter was without question all Radstocks.

Radstocks goal scorers were; Luke Derrick (4), Lee

Withers (2), Ashley Boucher (2), Kieron Hector and

Aaron Vine. Man of the match was Nathan Lewis. The

rest of the home side were; Jake Eyles, Sam Daniels,

Liam Horler, Paddy Cahill and Lewis Carpenter.

Photo's on the Gallery!

RADSTOCK TOWN RANGERS 2

HIGH LITTLETON 4

Playing their first game for over two months due to

the Christmas break and waterlogged pitches, Radstock

showed a lack of match awareness and were made to pay

by their visitors.

Although for the most part the home side were playing

the better football, wasted possession and poor

finishing saw the points justly go to High Littleton.

Goals from Luke Derrick and Paddy Cahill saved some

pride for Radstock in what was a dissapointing

performance.

Man of the Match was Liam Horler.

BEAR FLAT 5

RADSTOCK TOWN RANGERS 8

Radstocks shaky season saw a thrilling match at

Lansdown, with yet another away win.

Bear Flat started with determination, and for their

efforts were two nil up within the first few minutes.

Rangers settled and pulled things back with some

excellent performances from Lee Withers and Ashley

Boucher up front, and Aaron Vine, Paddy Cahill, Luke

Derrick and Lewis Carpenter all impressing in

midfield.

With the lead changing several times it was the home

side who went in five four up at half time.

Into the second half and it was Radstocks turn to

dominate, scoring four goals to take the spoils. The

back four of Josh Legget, Liam Horler, Sam Daniels and

Liam Pearce working well with keeper Jake Eyles to

keep the Bear Flat strikers at bay.

Replacement Jake Brady showed promise in the advanced

striking role but didn't manage to join the scorers

who were; Lee Withers (4), Aaron Vine, Paddy Cahill,

Ashley Boucher and the pick of the bunch, a forty yard

effort from Liam Horler.

Man of the Match was Lee Withers.

HIGH LITTLETON SPORTS 5

RADSTOCK TOWN RANGERS 6

This was an entertaining game that produced plenty of

goals. Radstock, playing up the slope in the first

half opened the scoring after just three minutes when

a clearance from Jake Eyles was picked up Aaron Vine

who supplied Lee Withers for the goal.

The home side drew level after a quarter of an hour,

when Connor Swift, playing against his first club for

the first time, beat the offside trap.

From the restart Rangers response was immediate, a

good move involving Vine and Paddy Cahill, put Luke

Derrick in for his first of the game.

Ashley Boucher was to make it three a few minutes

later, this was closely followed by Derricks second.

Radstocks fifth was a fine move down the right, which

saw Lewis Carpenter open his account for the club.

The second half was a reversal of the first, with the

home side defying the uphill slope, but only after

Luke Derrick had completed his hat trick.

Swift showed his mettle with a hat trick for High

Littleton, but in spite of some interesting refereeing

Rangers kept their discipline to take the three

points.

Man of the Match, Lewis Carpenter.

RADSTOCK TOWN RANGERS 0

FROME COLLEGIANS 8

This was a true game of two halves, and the difference

between the two was disappointing from a Radstock

point of view.

The first forty minutes saw everything level, with

neither keeper tested. Fromes front men looked

dangerous, but were caught offside almost every time

they attacked.

Rangers looked the more likely side to open the

scoring, with tireless work from Lee Withers up front

and Aaron Vine showing some of his ability on the left

wing.

Just after the restart Frome had to change keepers

after a brave effort to stop Withers resulted in a

head injury. Almost immediately Frome made a break

down the left and found the back of the net.

Seven minutes into the second half Radstock lost new

signing right back Josh Leggett to injury, and the

rearranged defence sprung a leak which turned into a

torrent.

RADSTOCK TOWN RANGERS 2

WELLS CITY 11

This was without doubt the worst performance by a

Radstock side for a very long time. After an evenly

matched first fifteen minutes the home side just

seemed to switch off and let Wells play.

Whilst a few players worked their socks off, notably

Man of the Match goalkeeper Jake Eyles, whose heroics

kept the score to eleven, most of the Rangers lacked

commitment and made little effort to stop the visitors

running riot.

In fairness to Wells they took full advantage, but did

not show anything that Radstock don't have, apart from

the will to win and looking like they wanted to play

football.

Without apportion too much blame in any one direction,

the midfield must carry some responsibility for their

refusal to defend, let's hope a lesson has been learnt.

PEASEDOWN ATHLETIC 3 

RADSTOCK TOWN 15

This season's opener was as one sided as the

score-line suggests, with Radstock four nil up within

the first ten minutes.

Despite some interesting refereeing the visitors

managed to pressurise Peasedown for most of the match.

To their credit the home side took advantage when the

Rangers midfield switched off and scored three goals

on the break, this could have been more but for some

excellent defence, especially from Sam Daniels and new

boy Lewis Carpenter whose goal line clearance saved a

certain goal. Also across the back Liam Horler and

Kieron Hector showed their worth with some fine

clearances and providing protection for keeper Jake

Eyles.

Up front Radstock's strike force had a field day

with Man of the Match Ashley Boucher scoring six, and

Luke Derrick getting himself a hat trick, whilst

skipper Lee Withers, Patrick Cahill and Ben Bousfield

each netted twice.

All in all a good start to the campaign, but Rangers

must not rest on their laurels as next weeks visit

from Wells City will prove to be a different ball

game.

Jim Cahill.