Two second-half goals clinched victory for Timsbury Athletic in a hard fought tussle at home to Winscombe in the Somerset County League Division 1. Strong winds made it a difficult afternoon for both teams and it was a game where defensive qualities were tested to the full.
With the wind in their favour Timsbury came close early on with Toby Neilson just too high with a free-kick and Jesse Bishop heading wide from a Liam Craze cross. Winscombe keeper Nathan Freeman saved well from another Neilson effort while home keeper Charlie Phillips dealt confidently with a testing cross from Mike Flint.
A shot from Craze was easily held by Freeman before the visitors threatened with a good strike from Billy Manning that was deflected just wide of the post. As the interval approached Timsbury created chances of their own with Ebner Heatley shooting over after being set up by Jem Lutwama. The impressive Chris Midgley was also just off target after a dazzling run through the Winscombe defence.
The visitors came out strongly after half-time but it was Timsbury who broke the deadlock after 50 minutes. A fine through ball from Heatley set Lutwama clear and the home side’s leading scorer coolly shot past Freeman. Matt Ware then shot well over the top with a speculative effort for the visitors and Flint too failed to find the target for the visitors. Lutwama had another opportunity to add to his tally as he raced clear but this time he failed to trouble Freeman.
The visitors were enjoying plenty of possession but the Timsbury defence proved resolute and Phillips handled well when called upon. The crucial second goal came with seven minutes left. Midgley picked up a loose ball in the area and shot confidently home. In the closing stages Jack Nix rattled the Winscombe post after a fluent move but Timsbury had done enough to move above their opponents into fourth place in the table.
Star Man Chris Midgley (Timsbury Athletic)
Malcolm Tucker