SATURDAY'S cup games were hit for six as all but two of Taunton Deane Borough Council's pitches were ruled unfit and 11 of the 16 scheduled ties were called off.

Hasty discussions between the league secretary, fixtures secretary and referees secretary resulted in the Rowbarton Charity Cup and Gardner Cup being postponed temporarily.

An extra nine league games were then arranged on top of the seven scheduled to rescue the day's programme.

In the only cup game to be played, Exmoor Rangers went out of the Seward Cup, losing their third round tie away to Wellworthy Saints 6-1.

Sydenham opened up a three-point lead at the top of Division One with a 4-1 win at Bishops Lydeard, whose consolation goal came from Martin Groody.

Second on goal difference are Staplegrove after winning 3-0 at bottom side Alcombe Rovers.

Alcombe played their best football of the season but just couldn't find the net. They badly need a striker and can't keep relying on their defence to get them out of trouble.

The visitors went ahead after 15 minutes when an effort from an acute angle looked to be too high but just crept under the bar.

Fifteen minutes later a corner into a crowded goalmouth fell to a Staplegrove player on the edge of the box and his shot through several players' legs beat unsighted keeper Andy Prosser.

Rovers went on the attack in the second half and should have scored on a couple of occasions but found the Staplegrove keeper in good form.

With 25 minutes to go disaster struck when central defender Ross Baker was red-carded by his brother, referee Lee Baker.

Although the re-organised defence played well, they were unluckily caught out when a harmless looking cross hit the bar and dropped down over the line.

Alcombe Rovers: A Prosser, N Craig, R Baker, R Matcham, P Ahmet, J Browning, D Furse, P Matcham, P Sheasby, J Hill, M Cameron, subs K Lewis, T Milton (not used).

Bishops Lydeard Reserves failed in their bid to go back to the top of Division Two when they lost 3-2 at Westonzoyland.

Spaxton went down 5-3 to third-placed Middlezoy, and Porlock lost by the same scoreline at Blackbrook.

West Somerset Sports remain three points clear at the top of Division Three after a 2-0 away win over White Hart, earning the points with a gutsy and determined display.

A good run by M Tipper saw him fouled in the area and Alex Dixon slotted home the penalty.

The lead was soon doubled when Adam Elston made a good run and crossed for Paul Woodley to steer the ball home.

In the second half the game opened up as the difficult pitch took its toll, but Sports kept their concentration and were able to control the game for lengthy periods.

Although White Hart caused some problems when they pushed men forward as the game wore on, Sports coped well with skipper Tommy Todd winning the man of the match award in his new defensive role.

Sports created further chances, with N Watson going close and Tipper drawing a great save from the home keeper, but the score remained 2-0 and Sports gained an important win.

West Somerset Sports: C Betts, M Tipper, T Long, T Todd, P Langdon, A Dixon, B Buggy, P Woodley, N Watson, A Elston, K Griffiths, subs L Todd, S Jordan, M Muscroft, G Kelly, J Rodgers, W Hill.

Watchet Reserves lost 2-1 at home to Bridgwater, Liam Woolgrove getting their goal.

In Division Four, Stogursey went down 4-1 at home to Marketeers.

Division Five leaders Williton maintained their eight-point advantage with a narrow 2-1 win away to Porlock Reserves.

Matt Werbitzky scored after 40 seconds and Robbie Allen got the other, while Kevin Sparks netted for Porlock.

RESULTS

Seward Cup 3rd Round: Wellworthy Saints 6 Exmoor Rangers 1.

Somerset Intermediate Cup: Norton Fitzwarren 8 Nether Stowey 2.

Division One: Alcombe Rovers 0 Staplegrove 3, Bishops Lydeard 1 Sydenham 4, Wyvern 1 Galmington 1.

Division Two: Blackbrook 5 Porlock 3, Middlezoy 5 Spaxton 3, Westonzoyland 3 Bishops Lydeard Res 2, Sampford Blues 2 Civil Service 1.

Division Three: Crown Dynamos 1 Hulan 2, Knight Rangers 3 Taunton GWRSA 1, Watchet Res 1 Bridgwater 2, White Hart 0 West Somerset Sports 2.

Division Four: Hemyock 4 Taverners 7, Stogursey 1 Marketeers 4.

Division Five: Brandon 4 Wyvern Foxes 2, Porlock Res 1 Williton 2, Bridgwater Foresters 7 Middlezoy Res 5.

FIXTURES

Seward Cup 3rd Round: Crown Dynamos v West Somerset Sports.

Somerset Junior Cup: Coleford Athletic v Galmington, Sydenham v Mells and Vobster Utd.

Somerset Intermediate Cup: Norton Fitzwarren v Teyfant Athletic Res.

Division One: Bridgwater Sports v Highbridge, Redgate v Bishops Lydeard, Wyvern v Alcombe Rovers.

Division Two: Nether Stowey v Bishops Lydeard Res, Civil Service v Spaxton, Middlezoy v Blackbrook, Westonzoyland v Dulverton Town, Sampford Blues v Porlock.

Division Three: Bridgwater v Hulan, Norton Fitzwarren Res v Watchet Res, Knight Rangers v Wyvern Res, White Hart v Wellworthy Saints.

Division Four: Dulverton Town Res v Bridgwater Sports Res, Hemyock v Stogursey, Highbridge Res v Exmoor Rangers, Marketeers v Wellington, Staplegrove Res v Taverners.

Division Five: Dinamo Watchet v Middlezoy Res, Bridgwater Foresters v Brandon, Moortown v Wyvern Foxes, Porlock Res v Nether Stowey Res, White Hart Res v Williton.