Nicholas Wanderers make progress in Bristol Premier Combination Cup

Nicholas Wanderers took another step towards winning the Bristol Premier Combination Cup for the first time by coming from behind to beat Oldland Abbotonians Reserves 3-1 in the second round at Dundridge Playing Fields.

Abbots dominated the early exchanges, took the lead through Ryan Bernard and hit the bar before the hosts equalised with a close-range effort from Keiron Adams just before the break.

Both sides missed chances in an even second half until Adams struck again with a speculative cross-shot in the 87th minute to put Wanderers 2-1 up. As the Abbots pushed forward for a late equaliser, Wanderers scored again on the break when Steve Goodyear netted a fine solo goal.

"It was a good game and the result could have gone either way but our goalkeeper Richard Guest made two great saves when they were one up," said Wanderers chairman Bob Fudge, who is recovering from a serious illness.

Olveston's hopes of avenging last week's 1-0 defeat by Seymour United were dashed when the visitors scored four times in a one-sided second half to seal a comfortable 5-0 victory.

After missing an early chance, Olveston fell behind to a well-struck goal by Lee Doyle and Seymour took control when the home side had a player sent off for a second yellow card offence. Sean Thompson scored twice as Olveston faded from the game and further goals from Craig Woodman and Simon Stone booked Seymour's place in the quarter-finals.

Olveston's secretary Andrew Brown had no complaints about the result: "They are a very good side but having the lad sent off did not help us," he said.

Seymour manager Neil Coles said: "We played really well. The pitch was a lot better than last week and we dominated play in the second half."

AEK Boco trailed to an early goal from Jamie Davis at home to Talbot Knowle but bounced back to win 5-3 after extra-time in a thriller at Hanham. Shane Danaher and Craig Rendle both scored twice for AEK, whose nap hand was completed by Paul Coles, while Mark Leigh and Cliff Baker, with a fine individual goal, replied for Talbot.

Talbot manager Mark Dite was disappointed that his team had lost after creating many chances.

"It was end-to-end but we did not have our shooting boots on today and the boys were tired in extra-time," he said.

Waterlogged pitches caused the postponement of the ties at Fishponds, Hallen, Mendip United and Shaftesbury, while Totterdown United received a bye following the resignation of Hillfields OB.

The game between Hallen Reserves and Roman Glass St George Reserves will be played this Saturday, while Mendip United's clash with St Philips MAS has been rearranged for Saturday, December 12.

Fixtures

Saturday, December 5 – Bristol Premier Combination Cup, 2nd rnd: Hallen Res v Roman Glass St George Res (Steve West).

Prem Div: Wick v Bitton Res (Richard Monks).

Div I: Fishponds Ath v Totterdown Utd (T Lawrence), Olveston Utd v Brimsham Green (I Pallent), Seymour Utd v Henbury Res (M Loughlin).