A CROWD of almost 100 turned up at the Oxleaze ground in Middle Chinnock on Saturday to watch two of the unbeaten teams in the Premier Division battle it out to see which would gain the early season bragging rights.

Matt Alford, manager of home side West & Middle Chinnock, had done his homework on visitors Shepton Beauchamp (who had scored 16 goals in their previous three outings) and decided to play only Connor Fletcher up front in a 4-5-1 formation.

The match was evenly poised until midway through the opening half when a long clearance by Alford found Fletcher. He played the ball into the path of Liam Bennett who smash it into the net from 20 yards.

Shepton played their part in an exciting encounter and came close to grabbing an equaliser on a number of occasions.

However, Nick Bond assured the Chinnock’s of victory late in the game when he took the ball around the keeper before coolly placing it into the net.

Alford was justly proud of his players, saying: “We set out to stop them scoring and I am pleased with the way the lads kept to the game plan.

“If someone had offered me a draw before kick off I would have taken it, but everyone played well and we fully deserved the win.”

Perry Street and Crewkerne Town are the other top flight teams to hold on to their 100% records after both claimed away victories.

Street had to thank Scott Jennings for all three goals in a 3-1 win at Combe St Nicholas reserves where Craig Every netted a late consolation for the hosts.

Crewkerne had it much easier against Ilminster Town Colts as they hammered ten goals past their opponents without reply.

Ex-Perry Street man Liam Riste got the winners scoring underway. There was also hat-tricks from Jamie Spurdle and Dave John, while singles by Adam Dawe, Ben Laver and Steve Rowe completed the one-sided affair.

The division’s top scorers were South Petherton, who claimed their first maximum points of the season with a resounding 11-0 hammering of Misterton.

Dean Smith struck three times in the rout with Haydn Smith adding a brace. The total was completed with a goal each from Danny Rendell, Lee Richards, Ashley Smith, Tom Case, John Fullerton and substitute Jody Bovey.

Goals by Greg Channing and Josh Baker earned Beaminster victory in the all-Dorset match as they beat Lyme Regis reserves 2-1.

Wilf Gosden’s goal was enough to send Chard United to the top of the Division One table after they claimed a share of the spoils from a 1-1 draw at Lyme Bantams.

Pymore ended a run of three defeats by beating fellow strugglers Farway United 6-3. There were two goals apiece for Fred Parsons and Alex Goodrick in the win that was completed by Phil Ackerman and James Pitcher.

Apart from Farway, Luso-Chard are the only other team in the division yet to get off the mark after going down 5-3 at Millwey Rise.

A point from a goal-less draw at home to Crewkerne Town reserves was enough to keep Drimpton in pole position in Division Two.

It is still early days, but on this performance it looks as though both of these sides could be in the running for a promotion spot next May.

Another team who are hoping to finish better than last season’s third place are Thorncombe. They made it four wins from four starts by beating Beaminster reserves by the odd goal in three.

Lee Fisher gave the Thorns an interval lead before Matt Shattock doubled the advantage after the break. Russ Oldbury reduced the arrears with ten minutes remaining.

The result means that Beaminster are left sharing the basement position with Ilminster Town A who suffered a 4-0 reverse at Charmouth.

In Division Three, Merriott Dynamos are showing signs of regaining some of the form that brought them promotion last term.

On Saturday they took on visitors Kingsbury who were elevated with them and came away with a creditable point following a 1-1 draw.

Both goals were slightly controversial, with Frasier Brown giving Merriott the lead in the 20th minute following a corner when their opponents thought it should have been a goal kick.

Kingsbury equalised 18 minutes later through Luke Monk, but Merriott maintain the goal should not have been awarded as their keeper was lying injured on the ground when Monk put the ball in the net.

Dowlish & Donyatt returned to winning ways with a 5-3 triumph over Millwey Rise reserves.

Nathan Doey found the net twice for the winners whose total was completed with a goal each from Andy North, Dan Vining and Matt Vinall. Millwey replied through Matt Beechey (2) and Nick Land.

Goals by Macca Whitely and Craig Tovey couldn’t save Thorncombe reserves from a 5-2 defeat at Chard United reserves.

Dan Wilcox opened the scoring for United before a brace from Liam Male had given them a two-goal lead at the halfway stage. Wilcox headed home his second goal of the afternoon midway through the second period and the winners scoring was completed by Jamie Brown.

Division Four newcomers Merriott Rovers were the day’s top scorers as they netted 12 goals without reply against fellow new boys Chard United All Stars.

Ricky Smith and Sam Rowswell both hit hat-tricks for the winners who also had Dan Rudge and Ash Cooper adding a brace each. Mark and Karl Tweedie also got their names on the scoresheet.

Winning boss Kevin Lacey said: “Everyone played well, but if I had to single out a man of the match it would be 16-year-old Sam Rowswell who had a brilliant game.”

Drimpton reserves are the other new team to the division this year and they remain rooted to the bottom spot following a 6-1 reverse at Winsham United reserves.

Paul Stuart opened his account in style for the winners by bagging four of the goals and he was ably assisted by Danny Slade who contributed the other two.

Ex-Winsham player Josh Betts was Drimpton’s lone marksman.

George Best struck both goals for Chard United reserves in a 7-2 loss at Uplyme reserves.

Despite losing Andy Whitefield to injury after just four minutes, Barrington strolled into the next round of the Somerset Intermediate Cup with a 6-1 home win against Bruton United.

Mike Whitefield was on target three times for the winners, whose tally was completed by a Sam Spurway double (including a penalty) and a goal from Thomas Perry.

In the day’s all-Perry Street League game, a Wayne Long strike was enough to give Combe A victory at Shepton Beauchamp reserves.

Jack Male and Simon Denslow were on target for Crewkerne Rangers as they went down by the odd goal in five against Wedmore.

Also going out of the competition at the first hurdle were Hinton St George and South Petherton reserves.

Kenny Forbes was Hinton’s scorer in a 6-1 defeat at Worle, while Petherton conceded eight goals without reply at home to Glastonbury reserves.