Premier/Division One Cup quarter-final

Middlezoy Rovers 1, Cutters Friday 3

MIDDLEZOY Rovers exited the Cup following a defeat to Premier side Cutters Friday on Saturday.

The away side progressed to the semi-final with a hard-fought win at the Aerodrome in blustery conditions.

On three minutes, Middlezoy’s Dan Luce struck the post after good work from Steve Hall out wide, but Cutters took the lead on eight minutes against the run of play through Lee Pitman, after a defensive error.

Kicking with the wind, Middlezoy created again on 11 minutes but Darren Cann’s flick-on went agonisingly across the face of goal.

A minute later, Middlezoy were level – after a short corner, Jamie Temlett smashed the ball from 20 yards past a crowd of players and into the net.

Ryan Bending gave Cutters the advantage going into the break when a deep free-kick found his head at the back post.

Both sides enjoyed a hatful of chances early in the second half but it was Bending who settled it with his second of the game on 65 with a sweet half-volley from 30 yards.

Middlezoy went in search of a way back into the game with a change of formation but were unable to create any clear chances in the final minutes against a physical Cutters side.

Middlezoy: S Baker, S Bone (L Turner), Sc Turner, T Brown, C Lintell (A Smith), D Cann, D Jennings (C Wright), D Luce, S Hall, J Temlett, P Atyeo.

l Middlezoy return to Division 1 action on Saturday when they travel to Saltford looking to make ground on the top three.