Timsbury Athletic strengthened their position at the top of the Uhlsport Somerset County League Division 1 with a 2-1 home win against second placed Burnham United. It was a game that more than lived up to expectations with referee Steve Densley playing his part in a thrilling encounter.
Before the game both sides stood for a minute’s silence in memory of former Timsbury player Jerry Thompson who had recently died.
Burnham made the brighter start and Curtis Bradshaw gave them the lead after 11 minutes when he turned well in the box and shot past Jack Scrivens. Rhys Cook then came close to equalizing when he intercepted a wayward back-pass only to be denied by keeper Fraser Mcdiarmid who followed it up with a fine save again from Cook.
Timsbury continued to press and after Ellis Hancock had shot over Mcdiarmid was in action once more saving well from a Jem Lutwama header. Cook saw another effort blocked but Burnham showed they possessed danger at the other end with Bradshaw just over as he looked for his second goal.
Scrivens had to be at his best to deny Bradshaw early in the second half before Timsbury grabbed a well deserved equalizer when Cook raced clear to shoot past Mcdiarmid. The impressive custodian then made a great save from a crisp shot from Lutwama who created a great chance for Cook after showing good skills on the right but Cook was unable to convert the cross.
Timsbury continued to have the better of the play but Jamie Merrick came close for the visitors shooting over the top. As the home side looked for the breakthrough Lutwama shot well over while Toby Neilson was just wide with a good effort. 15 minutes from the end Timsbury at last earned the reward for their efforts when Callum Taylor met a Jack Nix free-kick with a firm header that gave Mcdiarmid no chance.
Malcolm Tucker