Timsbury Athletic returned to the top of the UHlsport Somerset County League Division One with a 2-0 home win against bottom side Staplegrove in a game that was ruined by a strong wind. The home side dominated for long periods but it was not until Chris Midgley struck an outstanding goal eight minutes from time that Timsbury could rest easy.
The home side could have gone ahead in the first minute when Toby Neilson set up Ellis Hancock but he struck the post from close range. In Staplegrove’s first foray into the home half Tobias Bishop was well wide from distance before Timsbury took the lead after 10 minutes. A free-kick wide on the left from Rhys Cook evaded everyone including Staplegrove keeper Shaun Locke and ended up in the back of the net.
With the strong wind in their favour the home side were never afraid to shoot but Locke had few shots on target to save and Neilson, Chris Midgley, Sean Derrick and Callum Taylor were all wide of the mark with long range efforts. At the other end home keeper Ashton Tucker was enjoying a quiet afternoon and a shot from David Richardson was comfortably saved.
Playing against the wind the level of Timsbury’s football improved noticeably and Locke had to move well to deny Chris Midgley. A strong run on the left from Ebner Heatley saw the danger averted when he overran the ball while another effort from Hancock was easily saved by Locke. At the other end Tucker did well to save a free-kick from Louis Adams but Will Hazeldine was well wide with another chance for the visitors.
As Timsbury looked for the second goal to calm home nerves Hancock saw his shot blocked on the line during a goalmouth melee before Midgley’s golden moment. Beating several Staplegrove defenders he weaved in from the left before striking clinically past Locke via a post. His brother Tim then came close to adding a third goal but was denied by Locke.
The win sees Timsbury retain their impressive unbeaten home record and they are also eagerly awaiting the quarter-finals of the Somerset Senior Cup where they have been drawn away to fellow Division One side Wells City Reserves.
Malcolm Tucker