FOOTBALL: Middlezoy Rovers held by Fry Club

MIDDLEZOY Rovers opened their season at home on Saturday against tough opponents in Fry Club, who finished one place above them in third last season.

Zoy knew they were going to be in for a tough afternoon but could have got off to the perfect start when inside 30 seconds Jamie Temlett was played through by impressive debutant Chaz White, but he failed to make anything of the early opportunity.

It didn’t take long for Zoy to get the breakthrough, though, as Temlett put in a delightful cross for another debutant, the prolific Joe Wilkinson, to head home superbly.

With both sides being very well organised it was a half that had few chances, but the hosts should have increased their lead as an Adam Long flick-on played in Alex Male, whose lob dropped just the wrong side of the post.

Greg Turner in the Zoy goal was mainly a spectator for the first half as the home defence, which included two debutants, looked solid.

In the second half Fry’s stepped it up a gear and for long periods Zoy found themselves deep in their half, but they restricted the visitors to half-chances.

On 55 minutes, it was the home side who had the ball in the net again, only for Wilkinson to be adjudged to have handled it.

It was then Fry’s turn to have a goal disallowed on 60 minutes, this time for an offside flag.

It looked like Zoy were going to see out the game and come away with a solid 1-0 win, but a Fry’s free kick on 70 minutes was fumbled by Turner in goal and the loose ball rolled into the path of Kris Allen to tap home from six yards.

The sides weren’t level for long, though, as Jed Williams produced some superb work down the left to create a chance out of nothing and fire into the roof of the net to restore the hosts’ lead.

They held their advantage until the 85th minute, when the Fry’s winger cut the ball back to the penalty spot for his opposite winger, Louis Coppard, to lash home.

Both sides had chances to nick all three points, with Fry’s hitting the bar and Zoy missing a one-on-one and also having a shot cleared off the line, but 2-2 was how it stayed.

Man of the match: Chaz White

Zoy host Ilminster Town tomorrow (Wednesday, ko 6.30pm) and then go to Worle on Saturday (3pm).

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County League Division 1
Wells City Res 5, Bridgwater Town Res 2

BRIDGWATER Town Reserves went down 5-2 away to Wells City Reserves in their opening Division 1 match of the season.

Lee Cox (2), Ryan Stiles (2) and Oliver Bryant netted for the hosts, with Josh Champion and Josh Gracie replying for Bridgwater.

Their next match is at home to Timsbury Athletic this Saturday (ko 3pm).

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County League Division 2
Hutton 2, Middlezoy Rovers Res 3

NEWLY-PROMOTED Middlezoy Rovers Reserves came from behind to win on the opening day, despite playing the majority of the match with 10 men.

In tough conditions, Zoy began moving the ball well and their first big chance came when Luke Morgan played an excellent ball over the top for Adam Prescott, but he shot straight at the goalkeeper.

The visitors were comfortable until the 20-minute mark, when a loose ball in midfield saw debutant George Turner put in a meaty tackle and be shown a red card.

Despite this, Zoy battled hard and earned their reward five minutes later, as the ball was played into Scott Capel to finish coolly.

But Hutton hit back and scored a goal either side of half-time to lead 2-1, the first goal coming from a corner and the second on the counter-attack.

The away side regained a foothold in the game and had a great chance to level when Carl Tucker was brought down in the box, but Simon Bone’s penalty was poor and the keeper saved it.

They kept pressing, though, and equalised when Tucker managed to turn and his shot went in at the far post.

Both sides pushed for a late winner and it was Zoy who got it with a minute left on the clock.

Prescott played in Cameron Bryan down the channel and his cross was bundled in by Steve Hall to spark jubilant scenes in the away dugout.

Zoy host Castle Cary this coming Saturday (3pm).