FOOTBALL: Middlezoy Rovers overwhelm county league opponents Clutton

OFF the back of a bad run of results, Middlezoy were looking to kick-start their season on Saturday, as they travelled to Clutton.

The visitors started brightly and unlike last week they were creating plenty of chances from the build-up play.

The best of these fell to Aaron Whaites, after Jed Williams’ brilliant ball in, but Whaites headed straight at the goalkeeper from six yards out.

As Zoy probed for an opening it looked like only a matter of time before their pressure resulted in a goal.

However, on a rare Clutton break, away keeper Greg Turner came out of his box to clear the ball, but could only lift it straight up in the air.

The ball dropped to Clutton midfielder Harry Winsley, who lifted the ball over the back-pedalling Turner and into the unguarded net.

After recent results, you may have expected Zoy’s heads to drop, but within minutes of going a goal down they were back on level terms.

Whaites crossed the ball in from the right to find Dan Luce at the front post, and he finished acrobatically with his back to goal.

The rest of the half was all Zoy, and Adam Long had a few chances to give his side the lead, the best of these being a shot which hit the crossbar.

And it wasn’t long before they were in front, as new boy Matt Connick cut in from his wing to fire in a deflected effort from the edge of the box.

Callum Laird was then played in with some slick passing, to have his well-struck shot saved.

It remained 2-1 at half time, and Zoy started the second period a little slower, allowing Clutton their best spell of the game as they sought an equaliser.

But the away side limited their hosts to half-chances and were soon looking to kill the game off.

They had to wait ‘til the 70th minute, though, to make the points certain.

Lintell played the ball through to Luce, as Long dragged the centre-back out of position, and Luce got to the ball first, cut back on to his right foot and planted it into the bottom corner.

There was still time for substitutes Jamie Temlett and Adam Prescott to combine and put some gloss on the scoreline, as Prescott beat his man and cut in from the left to finish coolly.

Whaites, still looking for his first goal in 18 months, could have finished an excellent flowing move on 90 minutes, but his half-volley hit the upright.

This was a good performance from Zoy, who were delighted to return to winning ways.

Man of the match: Dan Luce

Next Saturday (ko 3pm), Middlezoy host Shirehampton as they look to climb the league table.

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Uhlsport Somerset County League
Division 3
Congresbury 1, Middlezoy Rovers Reserves 4

ON A hot and humid day at Congresbury, Middlezoy Rovers Reserves made a quick start, with Damon Jennings and Josh Lewis getting early possession.

Neither side really created much in terms of chances until the 20th minute, when Matt Lindsay beat his man and swung in a delightful ball for Scott Capel to bullet a header home.

Capel then had another chance to make it 2-0, but this time it was saved.

Ten minutes before half-time it was 1-1, as a 30-yard shot cannoned off Zoy’s crossbar and Luke Watts got between keeper Scott Rich and defender Simon Bone to prod home.

Straight after that goal Zoy’s Craig Wright had a glorious chance with the goal gaping, but from 10 yards out he failed to make contact with the ball.

After the break, the visitors made the breakthrough on 50 minutes, as Callum James beat two defenders and cut the ball back for Wright to smash the ball home from 12 yards.

Wright wasn’t finished yet, taking a pass from Jennings 25 yards out, turned his defender and rifled a low shot into the corner.

Danny Lismore came off the bench to replace the lively James and made an immediate impact, going on a mazy run and finding the bottom corner with the aid of a deflection.

Man of the match: Lee Graham

This coming Saturday, Zoy Reserves travel to take on Banwell (ko 3pm).

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South West Women’s League
Premier Division
Middlezoy Rovers Ladies 3, Keynsham Town Development 1

MIDDLEZOY Rovers Ladies are up to fifth in the early season standings, after a 3-1 win at home to Keynsham Town Development on Sunday.

Chloe Snook put the hosts ahead on 20 minutes, turning in Chloe Stringer’s cross, before Nicole Bell hit the crossbar.

Substitute Holly Cox doubled their lead in the second half, latching on to Georgia Coles’ pass and slotting home.

The away side pulled one back with a hopeful punt which left home goalkeeper Faye Edwards stranded but Rosie Williams restored the two-goal advantage with seven minutes left, again from a fine Coles pass.

Zoy secured three well-deserved points; their next match is at home to Torquay United on October 14 (ko 2pm).