Bridgwater United stay top despite St Blazey stalemate

It has been a week that captured both the dominance and the occasional fragility of Bridgwater United's season. Dave Pearse's side began by beating Shepton Mallet 2-0 at Fairfax Park, Will Collins scoring both goals to continue an outstanding return from injury, before travelling to Cornwall to face St Blazey, the division's only unbeaten side going into the game.

That trip produced a tighter contest than the scoreline suggested a week earlier, when Bridgwater put nine goals without reply past Wellington in the Somerset Derby, with Shea Mannings and Collins among the scorers in a game shared between five different players. Against St Blazey the visitors fell behind early when Toby Lawrence was closed down after receiving a pass out from goalkeeper Liam Kingston, allowing Tallan Mitchell to score, but a deep Tom Llewellyn free-kick was headed by Lawrence and spilled by the goalkeeper, allowing Sam Beresford to equalise. Collins thought he had won it in stoppage time before the goal was ruled out for handball, and the game finished 1-1, watched by 210 supporters at Blaise Park. St Blazey added Reece Shanley from Tavistock during the week, while their forthcoming fixtures include another meeting with the league leaders.

Portishead Town stayed in touch near the summit with a 3-0 win at Ivybridge Town, having earlier progressed in the Francis Hillier Premier Cup with victory at Middlezoy Rovers. The Posset also strengthened in attack with the signing of forward Aysa, who arrives with experience of Taunton Town, Melksham Town and Bristol Manor Farm among his previous clubs.

Sidmouth Town made it four matches unbeaten by coming from behind to beat Saltash United 2-1, backing up the previous weekend's goalless draw with St Blazey. Newquay were the round's biggest winners, thrashing Wellington 6-0 with goals shared around a side featuring several promoted reserve team players, including Ben Shaw, who marked his step up with a debut goal.

At Street, a 1-0 win over Buckland Athletic gave the Cobblers a much-needed home victory, Riley Willis picking up the Man of the Match award for a display described by the club as defensively brilliant. Buckland Athletic had earlier suffered their first defeat of the season, going down 3-2 to SB Frankfort in a Friday night fixture, though their reserves and thirds both continued to pick up results in cup and league action.

Oldland Abbotonians added Liam Towler, back for a second spell at Castle Road, and winger Goitom Asfaw from Jewson League One rivals Keynsham Town, while striker Sonny Parker's goal in a win at Keynsham was overshadowed by the news that he had broken his ankle in scoring it. Brislington unveiled their 70th anniversary kit collection during the week, drawing on the club's history since 1957, before drawing 1-1 with Brixham in league action at the weekend.