Somerset Senior Cup holders Nailsea and Tickenham are out of this year’s competition after being beaten 2-1 away by Division 1 Timsbury Athletic. After going two up in the first half the home side lost keeper Charlie Phillips to injury just before the interval but central defender Ben Hancock did a good job in the second period as the home side defended well.

After Scott Pilgrim had shot just over for the visitors Jem Lutwama gave Timsbury a tenth minute lead. A short free-kick from Hancock to Jack Nix saw the latter cross into the area and Lutwama was on hand to steer the ball home. Ollie Carter also cleared the bar for Nailsea before Lutwama doubled the lead on 20 minutes after being set up by Rhys Cook.

Cook himself could have added to the lead but shot over. At the other end Tyler Manning saw a free-kick blocked by the home rearguard while an effort from Toby Neilson for Timsbury was deflected just wide. Close to half-time Luke Osgood went up with Phillips and headed just past a post but Phillips came down heavily and had to be carried off.

Early in the second half Chris Midgley saw his shot saved at the near post by visiting keeper George Shanks-Boon but as Nailsea upped the momentum Chris Gale struck just wide and Osgood hooked his effort wide. Cook raced clear for the home side but his shot was well wide before Nailsea pulled a goal back after 65 minutes when Gale hammered an unstoppable shot past Hancock.

The goalkeeper then blocked a goal-bound effort from Osgood before Timsbury came within a fraction of adding to their lead when Cook volleyed against the woodwork. Hancock did well to deal with a testing free-kick from substitute Josh Benjamin and Timsbury had to hold their nerve in a tense period of stoppage time. Osgood headed against the bar during that period  but Timsbury survived for a famous victory.

Star Man Matt Brooks (Timsbury Athletic)

Malcolm Tucker

Timsbury were largely the architects of their own downfall losing 2-0 away at Somerton in this Somerset County Div 1 match in a game that they probably deserved at least a point.

Playing with the advantage of both the slope and a strong wind meant that the early exchanges took place in the Somerton half, Bishop had an early shot from the edge of the box tipped around the post by Somerton keeper Haynes. Soon after Heatley saw his free kick from fully 25 yds rattle the cross bar with the keeper well beaten. After 10 minutes Timsbury lost their influential midfield player Hancock to a calf injury giving the Somerton team a chance to gain a foothold.

Meadon had their first shot at goal which flew wide, then a Scrivens free kick was easily saved by Phillips in the Timsbury goal. Timsbury dominated possession without really looking like scoring, then on 25 minutes they gifted the home side a chance to take the lead when a mix up on the half way line led to Meadon running through on goal before being fouled on the edge of the box. Scriven took the free kick which somehow ended up in the back of the net to make it 1-0. Timsbury tried to respond but due to Somerton’s resolute defending, were restricted to shots from distance which did not trouble the home keeper.

Despite playing into the wind in the second half Timsbury continued to dominate, with the pace of Cook and Midgeley causing problems for the home defence. The game was delayed for a nasty clash of heads between Midgeley and Westlake with both returning to the game heavily bandaged.

Despite the pressure on the home goal, Timsbury were thankful when a rare Somerton attack ended with a goal line clearance from Hancock.  Heatley saw his volley from the edge of the box fly inches over the bar, then a Cook goal-bound shot was deflected wide. Midgeley worked tirelessly running at the home defence despite his earlier knock and deserved better for his endeavours.

The game was summed up in the last five minutes when a Taylor cross from the right was met by the head of Brooks only see it hit the underside of the bar and bounce out to safety. Then, with Timsbury throwing caution to the wind, they were caught on the break when a cross from the left found Brown unmarked at the far post to make the final score 2-0.

Star Man  Chris Midgeley (Timsbury)

Rob Veater

Timsbury Athletic produced their best performance of the season to comprehensively beat league leaders Bridgwater Town Reserves 4-0 at home in the Somerset County League Division 1. It was a top  all-round display in a thoroughly entertaining match.

Timsbury took the lead after 10 minutes when a long ball into the visitors’ area caused mayhem and Jesse Bishop was on hand to poke the ball home. A long shot from Toby Neilson went just wide of the Bridgwater post while at the other end an effort from Jacob Mead was easily held by Timsbury keeper Charlie Phillips. A searching cross from the left found Jack Nix unmarked at the far post but his shot struck the Bridgwater woodwork. Ellis Hancock twice came close for Timsbury before Josh Gracie came within inches of equalizing on the stroke of half-time with a powerful header that rattled the bar before being cleared.

Early in the second half a crisp shot from Hancock flashed just over the bar and a testing cross from Cam Birch was only just too high for the visitors. Timsbury went two up on the hour. Rhys Cook broke clear only to hit the post but Jem Lutwama picked up the rebound and showed great composure before shooting past James Annison in the visitors’ goal.

Bridgwater were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box but Birch put his effort wide. Cook broke clear once more for the home side but his cross just evaded the approaching Lutwama. At the other end Phillips did well to save a goal-bound effort from Liam Winter. Chris Midgley missed a great opportunity to increase the home advantage when he shot over from close range but the third goal was not long in coming with teenager Toby Neilson racing clear before calmly shooting past Annison. One minute into stoppage time Hancock put Lutwama through and the striker capped a top display with a clinical finish.

Star Man Jem Lutwama (Timsbury Athletic)

Malcolm Tucker