Somerset County Premier

Westfield 0, Middlezoy Rovers 2

MIDDLEZOY had one of their longer trips of the season on Saturday as they travelled to Westfield, who were promoted last year but sat third from bottom going into the match.

The game started at a pace with Middlezoy playing into the strong wind.

Matt Connick, making his return from injury, was the first to test the opposition keeper after five minutes when he was played in by Callum Laird, but his shot across goal shaved the outside of the post.

After 15 minutes, Middlezoy got the breakthrough after the young Westfield keeper took a poor goal kick.

It fell to Connick, who fed Adam Long for a cool finish at the near post.

Middlezoy were now on the front foot. A Long drive was parried by the keeper and Dan Luce’s follow-up was fired high and wide.

Just past the half-hour, skipper Greg Turner started a flowing move which involved Jake Horsey, Callum Laird, Tom Brown, Charlie Lintell and Aaron Whaites but a smart cross by Alex Male just evaded Jed Williams at the far post.

After the break, the strong wind made it a scrappy start but, in the 55th minute, Connick put the game to bed as he collected the ball 20 yards from goal and coolly lifted it over the keeper.

Sub Jon Higgins impressed at left-back and his fizzing cross just eluded Dan Luce.

Connick drew a fine save from the home keeper and Andy Smith found Luce at the far post but his shot was well wide.

As the referee looked to blow the final whistle, the Westfield forward line had a great chance of a consolation goal but the shot hit the post and rebounded to safety.

Man of the match: Adam Long.

The victory stretched Zoy’s unbeaten run to 12 league matches.

They are currently fifth with three league matches - all away from home - and the League Cup final to play.

The first of those league fixtures is tomorrow night (Wednesday) at Clevedon United (6.45pm), and on Saturday they head to Stockwood Wanderers (3pm).

The cup final is against Minehead at Bridgwater Town FC on Thursday, May 9 (7.45pm).

*****

THE title race in Division 3 is set to go right to the wire, with Middlezoy Rovers Reserves currently leading the way.

Zoy made the most of their game in hand last Wednesday, beating Winscombe Reserves 4-3 at home thanks to goals from Craig Wright (2), Lee Graham and Simon Bone.

That moved Zoy to the summit, where they stayed after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Banwell - Scott Capel scoring for the hosts.

Third-placed Cheddar Reserves have the title destiny in their own hands, however, after beating second-placed Hutton 2-1 on Saturday.

Cheddar are now level on points with Hutton and two adrift of Zoy with a game in hand.

Zoy finish their season with a trip to Chew Magna tomorrow night and the visit of Banwell on Saturday in search of maximum points to put the pressure on the sides around them, who finish their respective campaigns the following weekend.

*****

BRIDGWATER Town Reserves’ Division 1 promotion hopes have come to an end after Keynsham Town Reserves convincingly won their two games in hand to sew up second place.

On Easter Monday, Keynsham travelled to Minehead and won 8-0 - they then followed that up with a 6-0 win at Yatton & Cleeve United on Saturday.

Bridgwater conclude their season at home to Staplegrove - who beat them 5-3 in the recent reverse fixture - at Fairfax Park on Saturday (3pm).