Somerset County Premier
Middlezoy Rovers 1, Nailsea Utd 0

WITH Middlezoy’s game against Nailsea United being one of very few that survived the weather on Saturday, it gave them the chance to put some pressure on the teams above them. 

They made the perfect start, with a contender for quickest goal of the season when the ball was played back to Callum Laird from kick-off.

Laird’s long diagonal ball caught the Nailsea defence out as it sailed over their heads and to the feet of Jamie Temlett, who made no mistake slotting home into the bottom corner to give Zoy the lead inside 30 seconds.

Nailsea’s front two were looking to get in behind Zoy with their pace and, to the visitors’ credit, after the shock of such an early goal they created some openings but failed to trouble Greg Turner in the Zoy goal.

Middlezoy had the ball in the net again on 20 minutes, however it didn’t count in very dubious circumstances. 

Jake Horsey fairly won the ball on the edge of the Zoy box and led a break away.

As they broke, Nailsea were able to win the ball back and played it back to their keeper.

A poor clearance from the keeper fell to the feet of Temlett to give him the simple task of rolling the ball into the empty net. 

However, to much bemusement, the ref blew his whistle as a player was down injured from Horsey’s earlier tackle just as Temlett was rolling the ball into the net. 

Middlezoy were creating the better of the chances but failed to convert as they went in 1-0 up. 

In the second half, Nailsea had more of the possession but failed to create anything that forced keeper Turner into any saves.

Zoy always looked the more likely to grab the next goal as good chances fell to Craig Wright and Aaron Whaites, but both their goalbound efforts were blocked.

The hosts saw out the 1-0 win as, thanks to some organised defending, Nailsea never really looked like grabbing an equaliser. 

The win moved Zoy up to joint second in the table - nine points behind leaders Chilcompton - and extended their impressive recent run - they have now suffered just one defeat in their last nine games. 

Zoy are at home again this Saturday, hosting mid-table Odd Down Reserves (2.30pm).

MOM: Johnny Higgins.