THE form book went out of the window as Division Three leaders Watchet Blue Waves lost 3-2 away to Linden City, just one place off the bottom of the table.

Blue Waves, beaten only once this season, were hot favourites, but the home side battled hard throughout the game and had stand-in keeper Barry Hayes to thank for a string of saves which kept the Blue Waves at bay as they edged home 3-2.

The defeat dropped Blue Waves to fourth in the table.

In the same division, short-handed Cross Farm Park Celtic suffered a 7-1 drubbing away to Yates after back-to-back victories.

Manager Graeme Kelly was disappointed at having to travel with only nine men, mainly due to injuries but also a lack of commitment, but those who did turn up put in a spirited performance.

Against the odds they dominated most of the first half and had several good chances, mainly thanks to the hard work of man of the match Paul Matcham in midfield.

However, it was Yates who broke the deadlock when a cross was deflected into his own net by Jamie Callary.

Yates increased their lead on the half-hour but Cross Farm refused to lie down and after good passing between Kelly, Matcham and Ashley Gurr, the latter crossed for Matcham to fire home from 12 yards.

A bad slip by Dave Chilcott on the edge of his box enabled Yates to extend their lead to 3-1 just before the break, but Kelly should have cut the deficit when a fine free-kick from Matcham found him unmarked but his mis-timed run saw the ball skim off his head and over the bar.

After the break there were more problems as Kelly was having a problem with his knee and had to play as a loan striker instead of central defender.

Yates took advantage and the goals came in quick succession as the defence struggled with the pace of their attack.

It was a gutsy display from Cross Farm, and their nine men didn't deserve to go home 7-1 losers.

Bishops Lydeard lost 6-3 at home to Thatchers Spartans Colts, who now top the table, and Milverton went down 6-1 at home to bottom-placed East Reach Wanderers after being level at 1-1 at half-time.

In Division Four, Bagborough Rovers toppled leaders Kings Park Rangers 8-5 at home.

Rangers led 4-3 at half-time but conceded five goals after the break.

They slipped to second in the table behind Gardeners United, who trounced Carhampton Rovers 11-0.

West Somerset Wanderers won 2-0 at home to Ash Rangers, while fellow Watchet side Periton Rangers' match with Old Boys was cancelled.

Division Five saw Dunster pick up three valuable points with a narrow 4-3 home win over strugglers Milverton Reserves.

Williton Rockets also won 4-3, away to the improving Staplegrove Celtic.

l Wiveliscombe, one of the longest serving clubs in the league, have pulled out of Division Two due to a lack of players.

RESULTS

Division One: Bathpool 1 Thatchers Spartans 4, Cellar Vigo 2 TYCC 7, Hamilton Athletic 3 Eurobuilders 2, Perfecto 6 Foxy Ferrets 0, Waggon Clavel 1 Wilton Rangers 1.

Division Two: Pegasus 0 Norton Fitzwarren 1, Sampford Blues 5 North Curry 2, Trull Rovers 3 Moathouse 2, Vivary Rovers 0 Crown Rams 5.

Division Three: Bishops Lydeard 3 Thatchers Spartans Colts 6, Linden City 3 Watchet Blue Waves 2, Millers 2000 1 Blackbrook 3, Milverton 1 East Reach Wanderers 6, Yates 7 Cross Farm Park Celtic 1.

Division Four: Bagborough Rovers 8 KPR 5, Carhampton Rovers 0 Gardeners Utd 11, Eastwick Rovers 9 FMV 2000 4, West Somerset Wanderers 2 Ash Rangers 0, Periton Rangers v Old Boys cancelled.

Division Five: Dunster 4 Milverton Res 3, Old Inn 2 Young Guns 8, Royal Crown 4 Weavers Wanderers 1, Staplegrove Celtic 3 Williton Rockets 4.