Uhlsport Somerset County League
Premier Division
Middlezoy Rovers 0, Nailsea & Tickenham 1

MIDDLEZOY Rovers looked to continue their unbeaten run on Saturday as they hosted an always tricky Nailsea & Tickenham side.

The hosts started well, with great build-up play.

After a succession of great deliveries from Aaron Whaites, he found Callum Laird at the front post six yards out, but he couldn’t divert his header goalwards.

On 31 minutes, another corner was scrambled toward goal but never poked home, as Nailsea cleared the danger.

It was against the run of play that the visitors took the lead after a long throw wasn’t won by the Zoy players.

It fell to the Nailsea number 10, who hit a thunderous shot from outside the area, leaving Greg Turner in the Zoy goal no chance.

The second half again saw Zoy take control of the ball, looking threatening down the left with Charlie Lintell and Jed Williams working well to find Craig Wright, whose effort on the half turn missed the target.

Zoy were getting no luck in front of goal, after constant pressure and corners never got the last touch into the net.

On 82 minutes, Lintell hit a snapshot which went wide and a couple of half-chances came from a Jon Higgins header which the keeper flapped away.

Man of the match: Johnny Higgins

Zoy didn’t deserve the home loss and will look to bounce back at Watchet Town on Saturday (ko 2pm).

***

Uhlsport Somerset County League
Division 3
Combe St Nicholas 1, Middlezoy Rovers Reserves

MIDDLEZOY Rovers Reserves were back in action after a week off, coming from behind to win 2-1 at Combe St Nicholas on Saturday.

The game started at very fast pace, despite the boggy and very greasy pitch.

The hosts looked to play long up to their big striker, but it was dealt with well by the back four of Matt Lindsay, Michael Haley, Lee Graham and Ryan Brewer, with keeper Scott Rich sweeping up behind.

Zoy started to show the flowing football that they can play 25 minutes in.

Jamie Temlett and Ryan Brewer combined to whip a delicious ball into the box, only for Adam Prescott to head the ball wide when well placed.

With the scores 0-0 at the break, the visitors began the much brighter side, Josh Lewis finding time and space.

Against the run of play, from a Middlezoy throw-in, Combe stole the ball in Zoy’s half and an early ball into the box was tapped in, despite Rich’s best efforts.

Middlezoy heads dropped for five minutes, but Steve Hall’s shot was parried on to the post and the onrushing Scott Capel followed up to tap in the equaliser.

The away side had the lion’s share of possession and their second came from a ball played into the feet of man of the match Capel, who managed to turn his man and strike at goal, beating the keeper from 20 yards for what turned out to be the winner.

The victory keeps Zoy’s second string nicely placed in fourth, and they have a great chance to keep their momentum going when they host Cutters Friday on Saturday (ko 2pm).

The visitors are currently bottom of the league and are yet to taste success so far this season.