RADSTOCK TOWN 1 OLDLAND ABBOTS 4

Jack Metcalf had given the Miners an early lead but once Oldland settled, Sam Abraham netted from close range. After the break, the O's went ahead through Paul Coles and goals late on from Josh Dempsey and a Connor Davies penalty completed a 4-1 win in one of the better performances of the season away from home.

Before the game, there was a minute's silence to remember the tragic death of a local youngster last week who had connections with Radstock. It was impeccably observed by both teams and all the fans from both sides. In the Radstock starting XI were former Oldland players Liam Planter and Paul Comley with a third, Mike Hardiman on the bench and a fourth, Shane Smith as Radstock's assistant manager.

The home side, buoyed by an excellent 1-0 win over Welton in a Good Friday derby, started the better with Jack Metcalf chipping over, Adrian Harvey hitting a shot straight at O's keeper Jamie Powell and Ryan Child firing well wide from 25 yards out. But they struck lucky on twelve minutes with a goal created by Child and converted by Metcalf with a low shot into the corner.

Paul Coles forced Ashley Maw to parry his effort on 22 minutes but two minutes later, O's deservedly drew level. A long throw from Ali Bamford found Sam Abraham in the box and he finished well from close range to equalise. Powell then saved with his feet from Planter's shot but it was the closest the Miners were to come to scoring again in a first half where the O's crept back into the match and stayed there.

Jordan Richards headed just over at the back post from Scott Robson's corner before half time but within ten minutes of the restart, the O's went in front. Tom Welling played a lovely ball into the middle where it found Paul Coles who controlled, rounded the keeper and tucked home.

Radstock reacted by bringing on Mike Hardiman from the bench and the midfielder almsot scored within a few minutes as he waltzed through the defence but saw his shot cleared off the line by a covering defender. Coles was causing problems at the back with his usual display of tireless running but he inadvertently got in the way of one Dempsey effort that looked to be heading for goal when it clipped him.

Josh Dempsey was soon on the score sheet with the pick of the day's goals. A good team move saw the ball played wide left to Gary Shorney and his accurate cross was headed home firmly by Dempsey for his second goal in successive games.

Radstock tried fighting back at 1-3 down but their chances lacked conviction with Tom Stock heading at the keeper and 21-goal top scorer Sam Gregory resorting to a bicycle kick way out, the ball dropping over the crossbar.

The game ended with a fourth goal from Oldland. Connor Davies broke into the penalty box but was having his shirt pulled from behind by the Radstock defender. After flagging for a foul, the assistant referee stated the first infringement was outside the box but referee James Durkin over ruled him and pointed to the spot. Connor Davies stepped up and confidently fired home into the corner for the last goal of the game.

O's sub Ashley Bernard nearly made a sensational entrance; coming on in the 75th minute, he was inches wide from a spectacular fifth but his left foot effort curled wide of the far post.