Bulletin #39 - 29th April 2012
Premier Division
Merthyr Town hoped to clinch promotion last Tuesday at Wells City but a heavy downpour just after the match started left the referee with no option but to abandon the match, which meant that the Welsh boys had the opportunity to secure the title in front of their home crowd against Ilfracombe Town. The two sides had met seven days earlier when Ilfracombe let in five goals without reply - the scoreline giving Merthyr confidence that their title hopes would be fulfilled in style. As visitors, though, Ilfracombe proved a tough nut to crack and kept most of the 700 plus crowd biting their nails for more than 70 minutes, with the Devon outfit managing to thwart the home side's attacks. The only clear cut chance in the first half was kept out by the Ilfracombe keeper's legs. The second half saw Merthyr manage to get their game together and eventually, on 70 minutes, a simple 6 yard tap in gave them the all important goal. Welsh nerves continued to jangle right to the end as the home side failed to find another goal, but the one goal proved to be enough to ensure a step up for the re-born Merthyr side. League Vice Chairman Allan Skuse and Fixtures Secretary Tony Salvidge were on hand to present 120 year old cup to the victorious captain.GRAB THE TITLE
Bitton travelled to Barnstaple Town knowing that one point would ensure at least runners-up spot, but with the hope that Merthyr might fail in their bid for points and leave the door open for the Gloucestershire side to grab the title. The visitors took a while to settle as Barnstaple put up stubborn resistance. Bitton opened the scoring midway through the first half but failed to take control and the crucial moment in the match came when the referee pointed to the spot after a Barnstaple player was brought to the ground in the penalty area. From the resultant spot kick the ball thundered past the outside of the right hand upright and the writing was on the wall for the approaching second half. Bitton enjoyed the majority of possession in the second period, although Barnstaple looked capable of springing a surprise the visitors hit goal number two, and then the home side knocked in what proved to be a consolation goal. As the match was drawing to a close Bitton made it 3-1 and then a frantic ‘phone call to Merthyr confirmed that they had clinched the title which left the way clear for League Secretary Ken Clarke to present the Bitton players with their runners-up medals. Larkhall Athletic had the slim chance of grabbing second place in the table if they could overcome visiting Willand Rovers and Bitton lost their final match, but it wasn't to be as the visitors used the match to sharpen themselves for next week's Les Phillips Cup Final. The first half ended scoreless although there had been chances at both ends. Midway through the second half two quick strikes from Willand set them on the road home with maximum points and boosted their confidence for the cup encounter with Bristol Manor Farm. The other match that was to decide the fate of one of the combatants was the Radstock Town v Sherborne Town clash and the 111 strong crowd witnessed an exciting tussle. Opening the scoring after just eight minutes Radstock looked fairly settled but just four minutes later Sherborne levelled proceedings with a curling shot.PENALTY
With 25 minutes on the clock Radstock regained the lead following a free kick and added their third goal from a penalty 10 minutes before the break. In the second half the only goal action was from Sherborne who knocked in their second but with no further goals for either side it was Radstock who finished just out of danger. The other two matches in the Premier Division were important to the teams involved but had no bearing on promotion and relegation. A few weeks ago it may have been different but Hallen fell away at the closing hurdles, but managed to match their best placed finish to the season by defeating Wells City by the odd goal in three. Wells Still have to do battle on Tuesday as they face the Premier Division Champions – who may be looking to knock in five goals to make it 100 not out in the goals for table. There were eight goals on offer at the Bridport v Street encounter. The home side took an early three goal lead into the second half and within ten minutes it was four-nil and looked all over as a contest. Then Street hit back and netted four times to share the points.First Division
All that is left to decide in the First Division is who will be in third spot, and Gillingham Town made sure that they remain in the race as they hit six of the best past Portishead Town. Midway through the first half home side Gillingham opened the scoring and doubled the tally minutes later.NO ANSWER
In the second half Portishead had no answer to the Gillingham onslaught and it was three-nil on 55 minutes and 11 minutes later the lead increased to 5-0. With Gillingham's eyes firmly on their last match on Tuesday, following the abandonment of the Keynsham Town fixture, a sixth goal was icing on the cake. Wellington finished a poor season when they visited Oldland Abbotonians and the home side took control of the match from the start.COMFORTABLE
Two first half goals gave the Oldland a comfortable start and a third goal 20 minutes from time sealed a good win for the Gloucestershire side. Elmore knew that visiting Melksham Town had already secured runners-up place but refused to be overawed and took the lead on the half hour, but Melksham hit back to level before the break. Elmore regained the lead on the hour but were reduced to ten men by a red card on 70 minutes. Melksham took advantage of the extra man and equalised with quarter of an hour remaining and the match finished all square.PRESENTED
Melksham Town were then presented with the First Division Runners-up Cup and their medals by League President Brian Beer and Assistant Match Officials Officer George Fowler.