Somerset Premier & First Division Cup
Middlezoy Rovers 0, Watchet Town 1

MIDDLEZOY were in cup action on Saturday as they hosted last season’s league winners Watchet in the quarter final of the Premier/Division 1 cup. 

In what was always going to be a tough test for the home side, they started very brightly and were on the front foot for the majority of the first half. 

Craig Wright was the first to have a real chance as he was played through on goal by Johnny Higgins but failed to trouble the keeper, and Callum Laird then broke well from full-back only to see his shot blocked.

Jed Williams came close after cutting inside and drilling a low shot that Adam Bishop in the Watchet goal did well to save, however he was thankful to centre-back Jamie Milton getting the ball away just as Dan Luce was rushing in for the rebound. 

The home side were dominating as they searched for the opening goal that their possession deserved. 

As you would expect from reigning league champions, Watchet always looked dangerous when they did break, however the Zoy back four were doing well at containing the lively front two as Greg Turner in goal was merely a spectator for most of the half. 

Unfortunately for Zoy, as has been the case on so many occasions this season, their first half dominance came to nothing as the sides went into half-time at 0-0. 

The away side started the brighter after the break as they looked to get a foothold in the game. 

For all Watchet’s early second half possession, however, Turner was not forced into a save as again Zoy defended well. 

The hosts then gained control of the game again, with a long range Charlie Lintell effort bouncing off the underside of the bar with 20 minutes to go and Adam Long just losing out when played through on goal as Bishop came out and got to the ball first.

It was looking like the game was going to head to penalties until, with five minutes to play, Tom Sparks broke down the wing and rolled the ball across the box for Aaron Deeks to poke home from two yards out to break Zoy’s hearts. 

There was still time for one last push for Zoy and it came when Luce broke down the right and fizzed a cross to the back post, where a Watchet defender got a vital touch just as Aaron Whaites was set to head home.

Man of the match: Andy Smith and Johnny Higgins