Somerset County League Division One West

Middlezoy Rovers 3, Street Reserves 1

MIDDLEZOY came from behind to keep their promotion hopes alive with a battling victory over Street Reserves on Saturday. 

Charlie Lintell, Andy Smith and Craig Wright were on target for Zoy, after Harry Baker had given the visitors the lead.

With the visitors positioned in mid-table and with little to play for Middlezoy could have expected a comfortable afternoon, but fell behind inside the first minute when Baker nipped in between defender and goalkeeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.

This was the first goal Middlezoy had conceded in over seven league games as the visitors started the brighter of the two teams.

Sam Edmonds and Harry Foster were causing the Middlezoy full backs problems as Street wasted two further chances to increase their lead.

Middlezoy got into the game after the initial wobble and were also wasteful in front of goal - their best early chance a header from Andy Smith which was expertly saved by Tom Punchard in the Street goal.

As the pressure grew on Punchard’s goal, Middlezoy found an equaliser on 20 minutes through Charlie Lintell, who finished well after a lung-bursting run from full back.

The hosts were very much in the ascendancy by the time Andy Smith gave them the lead in the 42nd minute with a delicate lob from a Craig Wright flick on.

A slender lead at half time was one that either side would have deserved after an entertaining first half for the neutral.

Middlezoy started the second half as they finished the first and were further ahead inside the opening two minutes when Wright raced through and dispatched his 29th league goal of the season.

As the visitors tired, Middlezoy kept possession well and were denied more goals by some resolute Street defending.

Middlezoy end their season with a home tie against mid-table Cleve Town West on Saturday, followed by a trip to champions Clevedon United on Bank Holiday Monday.

With an outside chance of promotion, Middlezoy are relying on Burnham to take points from Staplegrove in their final game.

Star Man: Charlie Lintell (Middlezoy) Team: GTurner, LTurner, AClapp, CTucker, CLintell, DJennings, DLuce, MCushing, ASmith, JTemlett, CWright.

Subs all used: Whaites, Bennett, Bone.