Somerset County Division 1W

Middlezoy Rovers 3 Combe St Nicholas 0

UNBEATEN Middlezoy Rovers needed a win to guarantee promotion to the Premier Division of the Somerset County League on Saturday and two first-half headers from the smallest man on the pitch and a close-range strike in the second half secured it, writes Kerry Miller.

A double from Max Cushing before the break set up the victory but it was hard on Combe who played into a strong wind in the first half and were forced on to the back foot for much of it.

As a results, they rarely tested home keeper Greg Turner while Cushing and Carl Tucker were always a threat for Middlezoy who attacked at will.

Tucker brought an early flying save out of Combe keeper Dale Wood but the reprieve was short lived as Craig Wright slung over a free-kick and Cushing was free on the far post to guide a header across goal and in on 12 minutes.

Cushing then brought a double save out of Wood before Dan Luce was through only to slice wide from ten yards.

Combe weathered the initial storm to restrict the champions-elect to a single goal and they did venture forward Harry Boddington, Richard Hebditch and Sam McCaffery combining but the latter was crowded out.

Combe had all but survived the half into the strong wind when Wright floated another free-kick into the area and when it was nodded skywards, Cushing somehow headed it in off Wood and the post seconds from the break.

Joe Simmons’ clumsy foul on Damon Jennings ended his afternoon and brought him a yellow card before Hebditch wriggled free and set up Simmons who was denied by Turner.

The game was held up for eight minutes when Wright went down with what looked like a nasty knee injury and was carried off but Zoy continued to create chances.

When Cushing made his way to the byline and pulled back, Jed Williams was there to slam home the third and pocket the points.

Chris Atyeo and Stu Richards tested Turner before the end but Zoy were comfortable and look odds-on to win the title to go with promotion.

This win sees unbeaten Middlezoy move to within two points of the title, which will be secured with a win at Portishead tomorrow tonight (Tuesday).