New signing Ross proves a real winner for Shire

SHIREHAMPTON got their bid to retain the Somerset County League Premier Division title under way with a convincing 5-0 victory away to Bridgwater Town Reserves.

New signing midfielder Ross Treanor gave them a 20th-minute lead with a fine individual goal after breaking clear from the halfway line.

Treanor struck again to make it 2-0 after 35 minutes before completing his hat-trick on the hour mark with a powerful 15-yard drive. Scott Bamford added a fourth after being put clear by Tony Beacham after 80 minutes before Jack Barnes set up Dan Griffiths to complete the scoring five minutes from time.

Ashton and Backwell made a good start with a 2-0 victory at Minehead in a game which manager Shane Smith felt his side should have won by a more convincing margin.

Connor Briggs created the opening for Joe Parsons to give them a 26th-minute lead and striker Ricky Biggs made it 2-0 after 78 minutes from the penalty spot after he had been brought down by the keeper.

Clevedon United took an early lead through Tony Cook in their local derby at St George (Easton-in-Gordano), who were quickly back on terms through Conrad Mignot.

Joe Govan restored Clevedon's lead on the stroke of half-time and Andy Woodland's header made it 3-1 in the second half before Gordano netted a late second goal through Mark Lewis.

Newly appointed Nailsea Town manager Dave Payne was disappointed by his side's 3-2 home defeat by Berrow.

Mike Burnell gave Nailsea a 15th-minute lead, but Berrow hit back to go 3-1 up before Craig Clothier netted a late goal for Nailsea.

Cutters Friday's failure to put away the chances they created meant they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Bishops Lydeard. Connor Flicker got their goal from the penalty spot.