Uhlsport Somerset County League
Premier Division
Middlezoy Rovers 2, Stockwood Wanderers 2

FOR the second time this season, Middlezoy Rovers were held to a draw by Stockwood Wanderers, who twice took the lead at the Aerodrome on Saturday.

The game started at a high pace, with both sides looking for the early breakthrough.

Liam Winter was the first to have a shot for the hosts, his long-range effort skimming the outside of the post.

The Stockwood keeper then pulled off a fantastic save from Andy Smith’s close-range effort.

With the opening 15 minutes being dominated by Zoy, it was a blow when on 20 minutes a Stockwood break resulted in a goal.

The winger beat his man and played it into the centre forward, who tapped home; he looked offside but the referee overruled the linesman’s flag.

This decision seemed to put the hosts off their game for a bit, as they seemed panicked and disorganised.

Luke Taylor then handled in the box and a penalty was given, but goalkeeper Greg Turner got down well to his left to keep his side in it.

Re-energised, the hosts bossed the rest of the half, winning a series of corners.

It was only going to be a matter of time before one of these corners resulted in a goal, and with five minutes left of the half, Tom Brown powered a header home at the far post to equalise.

After the break Zoy kept on probing, while Stockwood relied on counter-attacks.

One such counter led to one of their players standing on the ball and falling over, but the referee chose to award a penalty.

This time Turner was beaten from the spot, and the visitors were back ahead.

Zoy pressed forward again and again, with chances falling to Charlie Lintell and Jed Williams, but neither could trouble the keeper.

Darren Cann saw his 25-yard effort cannon back off the crossbar and then, with 15 minutes to go, the hosts finally equalised when Taylor’s cross was met by the head of Winter, who saw his effort saved but was on hand to tap in the rebound.

The home side thought they had a winning goal in the last minute, as Alex Male flicked on for the onrushing Johnny Higgins to head home, but after a long discussion the goal was ruled offside.

A frustrated Chaz White voiced his opinions to the referee and was shown a straight red.

Man of the match: Liam Winter

Middlezoy go to Ilminster Town for their next match, this coming Saturday (ko 2.30pm).