Somerset County League
Premier Division
Watchet Town 1, Middlezoy Rovers 0

MIDDLEZOY travelled to a Watchet side who had kept five clean sheets on the bounce, for a fixture which fell victim to the weather two weeks ago.

An ever-tough affair was always going to be played at pace, as both teams started the game trying to get on the front foot early.

The home side's intentions were clear from the start, always looking to play long to the big centre midfielder Jai Milton, to win the flick-ons and feed off any scraps.

After a cagey start, it was Zoy on seven minutes who found themselves with a chance, as Dan Luce got on the knockdown of a Jamie Temlett throw-in, but the shot forced a corner which came to nothing.

The away side had success down the left as Matt Connick was causing the Watchet right-back all sorts of trouble.

But it was the home side who made the breakthrough on 15 minutes.

A silly foul was given away and the free-kick delivered to the back post, only half-cleared and Milton latched on to the rebound to blast home from eight yards out.

Zoy pressed for an equaliser and, on 27 minutes, a deep free-kick was headed back across goal by Andy Smith, but Luce's glancing header failed to find the back of the net.

The game was being played at a very high pace as Zoy looked to switch the play and stretch Watchet, finding success in wide areas through Matt Lindsey on his full first team debut.

On 34 minutes, Luce picked the ball up in the middle of the park and spread wide to Matt Connick who again beat the right-back and got through on goal, but his tame effort didn’t trouble the stand-in Watchet keeper.

The second half started much the same, but there were no clear chances as both sides cancelled each other out.

The game changed on 67 minutes as the home side's left winger lost his head and received a straight red for foul and abusive language to the referee.

The away side pressed and pressed, and the home side's backs were right against the wall, but Zoy couldn’t get any clear-cut chances.

Some great interplay between Andy Smith and Jamie Temlett down the right found Charlie Lintell clear through on goal but his effort fizzed wide.

There was a long delay in play as a Watchet player had to be stretchered from the pitch after a full-blooded tackle on 80 minutes.

After copious amounts of pressure to the home side, they saw out the game well, as the away side failed to create any clear chances.

It was a disappointing result for Middlezoy who again left with nothing when they deserved much more after dictating the play.

Man of the match: Matt Lindsey

Next up for Middlezoy is a home match with Odd Down Reserves, this Saturday (January 5, ko 2pm).