Uhlsport Somerset County League
Premier Division
Middlezoy Rovers 4, Nailsea & Tickenham 2

THERE were two long-standing unbeaten records at stake on Saturday, as Middlezoy hosted Nailsea & Tickenham.

The visitors had not lost a league game since October, a record stretching back 24 games, with the last league game they lost being against Zoy.

Middlezoy, meanwhile, were on a 27-game unbeaten run themselves in all competitions.

With that in mind, a fairly tight opening was expected but Zoy found themselves in front inside 10 minutes.

Joe Wilkinson’s pinpoint cross found Jamie Temlett, who unselfishly laid the ball back for Jed Williams to smash home from eight yards.

Both teams knew how important it was to protect the lead when in front, but Zoy let Nailsea back into it far too easily five minutes later, as Luke Osgood was allowed time to turn and place his shot from the edge of the box in off the post to level the scores.

Two superb saves from home goalkeeper Greg Turner prevented his side from falling behind, before Zoy found themselves back in front.

Temlett’s speculative effort from 25 yards was dropped by the keeper and Aaron Whaites was on hand to bundle the ball over the line and put his side ahead once more.

Zoy were playing some nice football and, just before half-time, they got a vital third goal, as Dan Luce played a delightful pass through the Nailsea defence to send Williams through to finish past the onrushing keeper.

In the second half, Nailsea started brightly but Zoy were defending well and limiting them to half chances.

On 55 minutes, Wilkinson beat three men in the box but was tackled just as he was about to unleash his shot.

It wasn’t long, though, before he found himself in on goal again and, this time, he rounded the keeper before slotting coolly into the empty net to give Zoy a three-goal cushion.

For much of the rest of the half, Zoy sat deep and protected their lead.

Nailsea didn’t really look like scoring but were gifted a goal when a cross from the right deflected off Tom Brown’s head and looped over Turner from 15 yards out.

This lifted Nailsea’s spirits as they pressed for a route back into the game but Zoy stood firm to extend their unbeaten record to 28 games and finish Nailsea’s own run.

Man of the match: Jed Williams

This Saturday, Middlezoy host Bishops Lydeard Reserves in the Somerset Senior Cup.

***

MIDDLEZOY Rovers Reserves kept themselves top of the Division 2 table with a fourth straight win on Saturday.

Zoy headed to Portishead Town Reserves, and goals from Lee Graham and Luke Morgan saw them return with a 2-1 victory.

Without a fixture this Saturday, Zoy host Peasedown Miners Welfare on September 14.