Somerset Counnty Division One West

Portishead Town Reserves 0 Middlezoy Rovers 3

ANOTHER dominant performance on Tuesday evening saw Middlezoy confirmed as County League Division One winners with five games to spare.

Going into the game, the unbeaten visitors knew that one point would mathematically guarantee promotion, but a first half goal from Jed Williams and second half strikes from Shaun Turner and Max Cushing sealed the championship.

After an even start the home side threatened first after a defensive mistake, but forward man Coates was crowded out by Lance Turner at right back.

The pacey Middlezoy front three of Max Cushing, Jamie Temlett and Jed Williams gave the home defence a lot to think about as the half went on and it was the latter who broke the deadlock on 18 minutes, after a perfectly weighted through ball from man of the match Carl Tucker in midfield.

A mixture of organised defending and poor finishing prevented the visitors from extending their lead, with Dan Luce and Cushing both missing the target when well placed.

On the stroke of half time the hosts has a good chance to equalise, but David O’Reilly’s direct free kick from the edge of the box was comfortably held by Joe Warren in the Middlezoy goal.

After the break Middlezoy began to turn the screw and when Temlett was sent through on goal inside the first five minutes he should have done better, lifting the ball over the advancing keeper but wide of the target.

The visiting side were creating chances at will, but had to wait until 56 minutes to double their advantage, centre half Shaun Turner nodding in a floated Dan Luce cross.

The third goal came on 65 minutes from the spot after Jake Horsey had been taken out in the area, Cushing converting the resulting penalty low to the keeper’s right.

Middlezoy kept possession for large amounts of the remaining minutes as they strolled to their tenth consecutive away win of the league season.

They will play their football in the Somerset County Premier Division next season.

Team: JWarren, LTurner, JHorsey, STurner, TBrown, DJennings (ASmith), CTucker, DLuce, JWilliams (APrescott), JTemlett (CLintell), MCushing.