IT was business as usual for Shepton Beauchamp on Saturday as league action returned following a two week break.

Shepton, who are hoping to add the Premier Division trophy to the Coronation Cup and Chard Hospital Cup they have already lifted this season, appeared to be suffering no ill effects after the festive season as they hit eight goals without reply against Misterton.

Brad Pitman has only just turned 16 and enjoyed a dream debut by scoring one of the goals.

Joining him on the scoresheet were Dan Peach, Will Aplin, Aaron Sweet, Sam Hodkinson, Pete Field, Jon Spendlow and an opponent.

Also starting the New Year in style were Beaminster who beat Ilminster Town Colts 7-0.

Robin Jones netted a hat-trick for the winners whose tally was completed with a goal each from Alf Ward, Josh Hunter, Richard Runyard and Dean Newman.

Richard Hebditch continued his recent good form by scoring both of South Petherton’s goals in the victory over top team Perry Street.

The winners have now been beaten in the league only once since early September and must now fancy their chances of a top three finish.

Lyme Regis ended a run of four defeats by beating hosts Combe St Nicholas reserves 2-0 with goals from Alex Rowe and Pete Peacock.

The triumph brought the seasiders some consolation after losing 6-1 against the Saints earlier in the season.

After claiming cup and league victories against Netherbury already this season, Barrington must have had high hopes of completing the treble when they travelled to play the Ambers for a third time at the weekend.

But the Division 1 leaders had to dig deep to keep intact their 16 match winning sequence against the hard-working hosts, eventually running out winners by the odd goal in five thanks to strikes by James Thompson (2) and Thomas Perry.

Netherbury found the net through Mark Cuff and Karl Ives.

Shane Partridge gave Winsham United the lead at home to Pymore, but a goal either side of the interval by Adam Cody-Boucher saw the visitors ahead with 20 minutes remaining.

However, not to be outdone, Partridge netted his second goal of the afternoon to salvage a point for his side who stay third in the table.

Division Two’s top scorer, Terry Farrell, bagged a brace for Drimpton as they held on to their seven point advantage at the top by beating near-neighbours Beaminster reserves 5-0.

The winners’ other goals came from Paul Richards, Craig Lodge and ex-Beaminster man Murray Legg.

James Loveridge and John Legg hit two goals each for Waytown Hounds who stay second following a 4-0 success at Crewkerne Rangers.

Dale Hutter and Oli Hine were on target for Combe A as they picked up their first maximum points since November with a 2-0 win at Charmouth.

Crewkerne Town reserves move up to fourth as a result of their narrow win at bottom club Ilminster Town A.

Kieran Adams struck the only goal of the game to see his side remain unbeaten away from home.

Chard United reserves held on to their slender advantage at the top of Division Three by beating Shepton Beauchamp reserves 3-1.

Steve Bennett scored the losers consolation goal, while strikes by Chris Mears, Jamie Brown and Tom Newport helped United extend their unbeaten run to five.

Barrington reserves took a giant step towards gaining a promotion spot by coming from a goal down to win 3-2 at fellow high-flyers Kingsbury.

Strikes by Chris Lang and Simon Lock brought the scores level with ten minutes remaining and victory was assured when Steve Park tucked away a late penalty.

The match was handled with great efficiency by appointed referee Jeff Andrews.

Dowlish & Donyatt’s disappointing run continued with a narrow 3-2 loss at home to South Petherton reserves.

The winners’ marksmen were Jimmy Rees, Mark Whaites and Dom Muggeridge, while Nathan Doey and Matt Vinall replied for Dowlish who have returned pointless from their last five outings.

Two goals from Barry Hayne couldn’t save Merriott Dynamos from a 4-2 loss at Chard Rangers, who gained back to back wins for the first time this season with goals from Scott Marshall, Kev Cavanagh, Scott Curtis and Isaac Patch.

A brace from Stuart Packer helped Thorncombe reserves claim their first double of the season as they returned victorious from Millwey Rise reserves following a 6-2 triumph.

Ricky Anderson, Craig Tovey, James Johnson and an unlucky Rise player found the net for the winners, while Matt Lewis and Tristan Wakley were on target for the hosts.

Combe B regained pole position in Division Four as they came from behind to beat Drimpton reserves 2-1.

Ben Dickinson appears to be back to full fitness following the injury that kept him out of football at the tail end of last season as he notched his fourth goal of the campaign to give Drimpton a half time lead.

Neil Reed restored parity ten minutes after the break and a Graham Cleal spot kick on the hour provided Combe with all three points.

Combe boss Steve Chadwick said: “We had to dig deep at the end to hang on to the lead as they pushed men forward and we really started to tire.

But when you consider that the combined age of the back four alone must be around 140 I suppose you have to expect that.”

Combe now have Jamie Lee in goal and his vast experience could be a telling factor in his side’s battle for promotion.

Kieran Bradshaw was on target for Chard United All Stars who are now five points adrift at the foot of the table after a 4-1 defeat at home to Farway United reserves.

n Crewkerne Town reached the semi-finals of the Somerset Junior Cup with a convincing 4-0 victory over fellow Perry Street league side West & Middle Chinnock.

Despite being drawn at home, Town conceded this advantage when their pitch became waterlogged and the tie was switched to their opponents’ Oxleaze ground.

Adam Dawe gave Crewkerne the lead in the fifth minute and the advantage was doubled just before the interval with a goal from Jamie Spurdle.

Liam Riste made it 3-0 before Spurdle netted his 17th goal of the season direct from a free-kick with five minutes left on the clock.

In the Daisy Hutchings Cup, Division Four outfit Merriott Rovers set up a mouth-watering quarter-final appearance at Barrington reserves by beating Division Two side Uplyme 2-0 with goals from Danny Rudge (penalty) and Kev Richardson.

Hinton St George were the only other team from the bottom division left in the competition, but they failed to make it into the next round when they lost 4-1 at Thorncombe.

A Lee Fisher brace and singles by Dan Mather and Warren Gabbidon saw the hosts through, while the visitors’ consolation effort was scored by Kenny Forbes.