Somerset League Premier

Ilminster Town 0, Middlezoy Rovers 3

MIDDLEZOY travelled to mid-table Ilminster on Saturday looking to continue their recent good form with just the one defeat in seven games.

On a boggy, heavy pitch and with Ilminster starting lively, Zoy knew they were going to have to battle.

Ilminster had a game plan to wind-up their opponents and get in their faces but Zoy rode out the opening exchanges.

The first effort fell to Matt Connick but his effort just fizzed past the post.

Aaron Whaites was the next to go close as brilliant work from Andy Smith found him bursting through but his shot was blocked from two yards out.

It was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken and, on the half-hour, a goal kick was well won by Dan Luce.

His header sent Connick through with his pace and as two defenders came across to close him down he cut back and finished perfectly.

Minutes later, Whaites' corner was headed home by Callum Laird and now Zoy were firmly in control.

Ilminster looked to pull a goal back before half-time but a rasping shot from 25 yards cannoned back off the crossbar then the same player had a one-on-one with Greg Turner but the effort went high and wide.

The second half was about Zoy seeing the game out. After Adam Long and Charlie Lintell had missed chances, the third goal came with 20 minutes remaining as Connick broke into the box and the ball ran to Long, who slotted home.

All in all, it was a good battling performance from Zoy in difficult conditions.

MOM - Matt Connick.

Somerset League Division 3

Middlezoy Res 3, Cheddar Res 0

ON a glorious December afternoon, fourth-placed Middlezoy hosted second-placed, undefeated Cheddar looking for revenge for a 4-0 reverse fixture a few weeks ago.

Middlezoy started the game at a good tempo flooding the Cheddar midfield with good possession, Tucker, Capel and Lewis dominating their midfield counterparts.

Hall and Temlett were a constant threat down either side with their pace! The breakthrough came as Wright held the ball up in midfield, passed to Capel who put Steve Hall in behind the defence who found the onrushing Tucker to take a brilliant first touch past the defender to slot home for 1-0.

Middlezoy never looked like surrendering their lead as they held a solid line from front to back.

This was rewarded on 35 minutes as a Hall cross was missed at the front post by the Cheddar defenders to luckily rebound off Wright's knee for his first goal of the afternoon.

Controversy then happened as Capel brilliantly turned the last defender to run clean through on goal as the Cheddar midfielder hacked him down.

A brawl broke out and Wright and the Cheddar midfielder were booked.

From the resulting free-kick Wright floated it in from 35 yards out, he found Lee Graham at the back post. He squared the ball to Wright to smash home from 12 yards to put Zoy 3-0 up and notch his 20th goal of the season.

Cheddar tried to wear the Zoy players down in the second half with some quick passing and moving, which never turned into anything of note.

Bone and Male came on for the impressive duo of Capel and Wright to steady the ship in the last 30 minutes.

Middlezoy could have had a fourth when man of the match Hall played Adam Prescott through, who lobbed the goalkeeper from 30 yards only to see his effort rebound of the bar into the keeper's hands.

Middlezoy thoroughly deserved the win against previously undefeated Cheddar.

Next weekend, Zoy host Somerton at home (ko 2pm).