MOORTOWN'S first game in the first division of the Somerset County Sunday League since February 4 was against Mariners, the same team that inflicted a heavy cup defeat on them on that very same day.
Moortown, missing a number of first choice individuals, may have been forgiven for being apprehensive for this game. What happened could not have more different as they chalked up a 4-2 away victory.
The Wellington side rose to the occasion with a superb display of attacking football inflicting Mariners’ their first home defeat in three years.
Led by their influential captain Tom Barnard they pushed forward. With Sean Conway Jnr and his brother Alex playing on both wings peppering the hosts' area with crosses to Joey Conway and Luke Nicklin who caused chaos among the defenders.
After 20 minutes Alex Conway hit a fine cross and the Mainers keeper, under pressure, fumbled the ball over the line. The game ebbed and flowed from end to end with Dan Clapp dominating the Moortown area. Against the run of play Mariners equalised with a well taken finish.
Moortown heads did not drop and within five minutes Moortown were back in front. Luke Nicklin won the ball in Mariners area set the ball up to Barnard who hit the top corner from 25 yards.
The second half started much the same with chances at both ends with both keepers being called on early. After 20 minutes Mariners equalised again with a fine long range effort.
From the restart Moortown pushed forward winning a corner. Luke Perry’s corner was met by Luke Nicklin heading the ball superbly into the net. After 70 minutes Moortown scored their fourth from the penalty spot after a foul on Joey Conway. Joey took the penalty himself, sending the keeper the wrong way. Both sides continued to press but there were no further goals.
Although they stay fifth in the table, Moortown have 12 points from their ten matches and are safe from relegation.
Wyvern Wanderers top the table, having won seven of their nine matches and have a one-point lead over Trinity Rangers - and also have a game in hand.
Taunton side Hulan are setting the pace at the top of the second division with Ash Rangers being their main rivals.
Black Swan are champions of Division Three. They have a 14-point lead at the top and cannot be caught by Crusaders and Westcott Wanderers.
Moortown are without a game this coming weekend. In fact they are no games in the first division. The following weekend Carhampton Rangers are home to Trinity Rangers in the Jim Jowett Cup at Dunster Playing Field the following weekend while Taunton North Robbins are home to St Berthevins in the same competition.