FC CASTLEMOAT’S charge towards the Division 1 crown suffered a blow as they were held to a rare 0-0 draw by North Petherton on Saturday, writes Dave Whelan.

The last time the teams met, there were 11 goals scored (Moat winning 7-4), so both sides erred more on the side of caution this time round.

Nevertheless, that point did see the pace-setters increase their lead at the top to seven points.

Westonzoyland, in second place, have three games in hand but also have to fit a lot of games in between now and the end of the season, which may prove a tough ask.

Third-placed Wembdon suffered a damaging defeat for their own title ambitions, going down 2-1 at Redgate, for whom Tyler Lane and Cameron Wilkinson scored, with Joe Clark replying.

The result leaves Wembdon 12 points off the top, though they also have three games in hand, while Redgate are up to eighth place with that fine win.

Creech Cougars have an outside chance of winning the league - 15 points behind Moat, with four games in hand - but their 3-3 draw at Galmington did not help their cause.

The bottom two met at Watchet Town, with the hosts winning 2-1 against Alcombe Rovers.

The win saw Watchet’s Reserves climb above their visitors, but they are 14 points adrift of third-from-bottom side North Curry.

The battle to earn promotion from Division 2 is becoming just a little clearer, but is still very much alive, with top two sides Wellington A and Bridgwater Sports taking the initiative.

Wellington A won 4-1 at Bridgwater Grasshoppers; Thomas Scarlett bagged two, with Joey Conway and Jordan Sellick also on target for the visitors, as Dan Saunders responded for Grasshoppers.

The win put Wellington back on top of the league, as Bridgwater Sports had no game, and there is now a six-point buffer between second and third place.

Wyvern United and Wembdon Reserves fought out an entertaining 3-3 draw in a game that saw the visitors take a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Tom Leland, Nathan Chillingworth and Simon Lukins.

Wyvern hit back brilliantly through Luke Desave (2) and Stuart Milton to take a share of the spoils; Wembdon remain third and Wyvern hold onto fourth spot.

Artur Jacaszek hit a fine hat-trick as White Eagles beat Bridgwater & Albion 7-4.

Lulian Nitu, Mateusz Plaszczyk, Damien Polcynski and Radu Bogdan Albei found the net for a clinical Eagles side.

Joshua Baker scored a hat-trick for Albion but his efforts were in vein.

Minehead Reserves won 2-1 at Middlezoy Rovers Athletic thanks to goals from Henry Murrell and Scott Ruttley - Chad Chapple responding for Zoy.

IN Division 3, Nether Stowey took advantage of leaders Staplegrove Spartans’ inactivity with a 2-0 home success against Bridgwater Sports Reserves which closed the gap at the top to two points, though Stowey have played a game more.

Castlemoat Reserves are a distant third despite a 3-1 win at Norton Fitzwarren Reserves - Michael Damen getting the hosts’ consolation.

Galmington Reserves won 6-0 at Bridgwater and Albion’s Reserves, largely thanks to Bradley Desave’s hat-trick, and additional goals from Mark Valentino, Alex McKenzie and Duncan Pallant.

Old Inn beat Minehead Colts 5-2, with Lee Hellier bagging a brace and Sean Derrick, Phil Hollingsworth and Nicholas Whiting also netting; Alfie Jarvis and Joshua Ruston replied.

Porlock Reserves beat Exmoor Rangers 1-0.

Staplegrove Crusaders are into the Gardener Security Trophy final after beating North Petherton Reserves 5-1, with goals from Jay Deehan (2), Kieran Biggs, Mark Kmita and Aaron Dunbar.

Goals from Jordan Sellick, Danny Nicholls and James Kitson’s goals led Wellington A to a 3-1 victory over Staplegrove Spartans in the semi-finals of that competition.

Bridgwater Sports thumped North Curry 4-0 in the West Somerset Rose Bowl quarter-finals - Jamie Evans, Paul Organ, Ryan Weston and Szack Lloyd scoring.