Somerset County League Premier Division
Middlezoy Rovers 1, Odd Down Reserves 2

MIDDLEZOY Rovers were looking to continue their fine form into Saturday’s home game against mid-table Odd Down Reserves, to keep up the pressure on the teams above them. 

Zoy started brightly against a physical Odd Down side, and the hosts created the better first-half chances, but as has been the story so many times this season they failed to take them. 

Jake Horsey found himself with time and space to pick his spot 10 yards out but failed to hit the target, and Dan Luce took an unnecessary touch from a Callum Laird cut-back, which gave the defence time to close him down. 

The visitors looked for the direct ball up to their frontman, who looked after the ball well, but Zoy goalkeeper Greg Turner only faced long-range efforts and the sides went into half-time at 0-0. 

Odd Down started the second half on top, and they were rewarded for this bright opening on the hour. 

A break down the right ended with a delightful ball in for the onrushing midfielder to slot home from six yards out. 

This woke Zoy up and they levelled within five minutes, as Jamie Temlett crossed from the left and the ball dropped to Craig Wright, who fired into the corner from 12 yards. 

From here it looked like the hosts had upped their game and it would only be a matter of time before they took the lead. 

However, on 75 minutes they were dealt a blow when a free-kick from out wide was poked home from inside the box by the Odd Down striker. 

There was some controversy about the goal, as the linesman had flagged for offside, but the referee believed that the free-kick had gone straight in and so gave the goal, much to the dismay of the home side. 

Zoy then had the majority of the possession but began to force the play in search of a goal, and the visitors could have furthered their lead when they won a penalty in the last five minutes, but the spot-kick was dragged wide.

Man of the match: Craig Wright

Middlezoy, who lie fifth, are without a match this coming Saturday, returning to action away to Staplegrove on February 17 (ko 2.30pm).

This Saturday does bring a big match for Middlezoy Rovers Reserves, who go to Templecombe Rovers in the semi-finals of the Somerset FA Junior Cup (ko 1.45pm).