Somerset County League
Premier Division
Middlezoy Rovers 3, Clevedon United 1

AFTER a week’s break, Middlezoy Rovers got their season back on track following some hit-and-miss results.

Zoy started well and early chances fell to Callum Laird and Dan Luce, but both shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Striker Andy Smith was causing problems for the away side, and it looked like only a matter of time before the breakthrough came.

Come it did when, 15 minutes in, Charlie Lintell’s long-range shot was deflected into the path of Laird, who slotted past the keeper.

The hosts were in control and should have gone in at half time with a greater lead, but has often been the case this season, they failed to take their chances.

The opening stages of the second half were a bit more even as Clevedon looked for a way back into the game.

The away side were seeing more of the ball but never really troubled Greg Turner in the Zoy goal, with the back four defending well and Johnny Higgins and Aaron Whaites mopping up in midfield.

At 1-0 it was always a cagey affair but Zoy scored a second on the hour, as Luce picked up the ball just inside the Clevedon half and played a 30-yard pass to Jamie Temlett, whose first touch was a beauty, and he rounded the keeper to finish well.

The hosts then extended their lead when Steve Hall and Luce combined down the right and Luce’s cross deflected off a defender, allowing Smith to beat the keeper to the ball and claim a deserved goal for his performance.

Zoy were now cruising and it looked like they may win by more as further chances fell to Laird, Smith and Lintell.

However, the home side then took their foot off the gas and allowed Clevedon a glimmer of hope when they grabbed a goal back following a corner.

After this, Zoy tightened up and limited Clevedon to only half-chances as they saw out the game to win 3-1.

There was some disappointment in the closing stages for Zoy, though, as, with the last action of the game, Jake Horsey was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.

Man of the match: Andy Smith.
Middlezoy Rovers: Greg Turner (c), Callum Laird, Jake Horsey, Tom Brown, Charlie Lintell, John Higgins, Dan Luce, Aaron Whaites, Steve Hall, Jamie Temlett, Andrew Smith. Subs: Craig Wright, Ollie Ham, Darren Cann.