Uhlsport Somerset County League Division 1 leaders Timsbury Athletic had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 home draw with lowly Minehead. A heavy pitch and strong wind were never likely to provide easy conditions and fluent football was at a premium.
Timsbury had the first clear opening when Dom Barresi burst clear but his shot was well saved by Minehead keeper Kyran Wilkins who had an impressive afternoon. Guy Burns shot wide with the visitors’ first meaningful effort while Liam Craze suffered a similar fate at the other end for the home side.
Chris Midgeley ghosted in at the far post for Timsbury to meet a telling cross from the right but failed to get the crucial touch. Chances were few and far between for both sides in a turgid opening half although Ellis Hancock flicked a Jack Nix free-kick over the bar and Burns threatened for the visitors with a strong run which ended with a shot just over the bar.
Timsbury introduced substitute Jem Lutwama at the start of the second half and he was immediately in action shooting just over. It was Minehead, however, who broke the deadlock after 53 minutes. Callum Barnfield exposed the home defence as he broke clear down the left and his accurate cross was forced home by Ellis Bone.
Two more substitutes , Corey Rawlings and Lewis Bond-Kendall, joined the action for Timsbury and soon made their presence felt. Rawlings forced a fine save from Wilkins and then crossed from the right only to see the centre too high for Lutwama. As Timsbury pressed for the equalizer Lutwama broke clear only to shoot wide while Bond-Kendall nearly caught out Wilkins with a snap shot that took the keeper by surprise. The corner conceded was to bear fruit for Timsbury, however, with Jesse Bishop heading home Lutwama’s cross to make it 1-1.
Wilkins again did well to deny Rhys Cook but Minehead also had their chances and Josh Swarbrick showed good defensive qualities to block a goal-bound effort. The Timsbury cause was made more difficult when Callum Taylor was sent off but they still came close to grabbing a late winner when Wilkins saved superbly from Bishop who again found space to head goalwards from Lutwama’s corner.
Malcolm Tucker