Uhlsport Somerset County League
Premier Division
Middlezoy Rovers 2, Westfield 1

AFTER six weeks away from The Aerodrome, Middlezoy Rovers returned to league action against a Westfield side that started the season well but have struggled of late.

Zoy looked to continue where they left off last week, starting well when makeshift left-back Tom Brown, back from Australia, whipped a ball in to the back post to find Matt Connick, who couldn’t divert his header on target.

But it was the away side who found the breakthrough on six minutes, as a free-kick took a wicked deflection to bamboozle Greg Turner in the Zoy goal.

Zoy looked to fight back immediately as some good link-up play down the right between Callum Laird and Connick found Aaron Whaites at the near post, and his effort was well saved.

As Zoy kept pressing, it left the backline exposed and a big hoof upfield forced Turner into a superb save to keep the deficit at one.

On 27 minutes, Zoy deservedly got back on level terms.

Craig Wright slotted in after good work from Whaites and Connick, who found the striker at the near post.

Zoy kept threatening and went ahead on 36 minutes, as a corner from Whaites found Connick at the front post; his tremendous header rebounded off the bar into the path of Jake Horsey, who made it 2-1.

There was time for one more chance on 40 minutes, as Whaites broke and played a neat one-two, but his shot was saved at the near post... Whaites’ 18-month goal drought continues.

The second half saw Zoy take control of the game.

Wright had a chance to make it 3-1 on the hour as the keeper’s kick fell straight to him and he was close with his attempted chip, which just dropped wide.

On the 75th minute, a Zoy free-kick by Alex Clapp was tipped behind for a corner, from which a goalmouth scramble fell to the Westfield defender on the floor, who the referee deemed to have been obstructing Zoy players.

This led to an indirect free-kick eight yards out, which was cleared off the line.

The visitors pushed in the closing five minutes, but the back four held firm and kept any Westfield threat at bay.

Man of the match: Aaron Whaites

Zoy, now ninth in the table, host fourth-placed Nailsea & Tickenham this coming Saturday (ko 2pm).

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NEITHER Middlezoy Rovers Reserves nor Middlezoy Ladies had a match at the weekend.

This Saturday, the Reserves go to Combe St Nicholas, and on Sunday the Ladies host Forest Green Rovers (both ko 2pm).