Uhlsport Somerset County League
Premier & Division 1 Cup
Middlezoy Rovers 2, Keynsham Town Reserves 0

MIDDLEZOY Rovers are into the Somerset County League cup final, after a 2-0 victory at home to Keynsham Town Reserves on Saturday.

With Keynsham going well in the league below and having already knocked out current Premier Division champions Chilcompton Sports on route to the semi-finals, Zoy knew it would not be easy.

The hosts started brightly and had the majority of possession, but it was clear that Keynsham were a team capable of causing an upset.

The first chance fell to Zoy’s Adam Long, as a ball over the top was not dealt with, but Long’s effort from an angle failed to work the visiting keeper.

Zoy’s back four were dealing with the physical Keynsham forwards well and it was the home side creating the better chances, the next one falling to Dan Luce on 20 minutes when a quick Charlie Lintell throw played in the lively Long down the left.

Long rolled the ball back to the penalty spot to find Luce, but his first-time effort lacked accuracy.

With the pressure mounting, it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, as Jed Williams held the ball up brilliantly and then played in the unmarked Luce, who lobbed the outrushing keeper to give his side a deserved lead.

Moments later, this lead could have been doubled as Lintell played in Luce down the left; Luce beat his man and rolled the ball across to Alex Male but, with the goal at his mercy, a superb last-ditch tackle from the Keynsham full-back kept the score at 1-0 going into half-time.

After the break Zoy expected Keynsham to come out and throw everything at them, but again it was the hosts who controlled the tempo.

Male had his goalbound effort blocked on the hour and on 75 minutes Luce drove at the Keynsham defence before firing inches over the top.

Zoy were nearly made to pay for their missed chances on 80 minutes, as neat play from Keynsham led to a shot across Greg Turner, superbly tipped around the post by the reliable goalkeeper.

Moments late, the game was finally put to bed when Williams broke down the left, his cross fell to Luce, who miscontrolled, but the ball rolled into the path of substitute Craig Wright to finish coolly into the bottom corner.

The home side then saw out the last few minutes to book themselves a place in the final, where they will play Division 1 side Minehead.

Middlezoy: G Turner (c), C Laird, T Brown, J Horsey, C Lintell, A Smith, D Luce, A Male, J Williams, J Higgins, A Long. Subs (used): C Wright, A Whaites. Subs not used: A Clapp, S Hallett, J Taylor.

Man of the match: Dan Luce

Middlezoy face three Somerset County League Premier Division games in the next week.

First up, they travel to face Chilcompton Sports tomorrow (Tuesday, ko 6.30pm).

That fixture is followed by games at home to Ilminster Town on Friday (ko 3pm), and at home to Stockwood Wanderers next Monday (ko 3pm).