A brilliant individual goal from Rico Sobers just three minutes from the end of normal time secured three vital points for Timsbury Athletic in their home match against Stockwood Wanderers in the Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division. The two sides are locked together in the league table and there was never much in it between the two teams in what was Timsbury’s first home match of 2023.
The visitors could easily have gone ahead in the very first minute but home keeper Ashton Tucker denied the dangerous Jack Moore with a vital close range save. The two sides sparred in midfield without any goalmouth action until Timsbury went ahead after 20 minutes. Sam Gregory made space for himself on the right and drilled a fine shot past Matt Lewis in the Stockwood goal.
Gregory came close to a second soon after but his free-kick went just past the post. At the other end Moore again looked dangerous but his forward run was cleared well by Josh Swarbrick. As Timsbury began to create chances Gregory put Sobers in with a great chance but his finish was disappointing and Lewis saved easily. Ellis Hancock was just wide with a left foot shot before Sobers forced Lewis to save well with a thunderous drive from just outside the box.
Stockwood began the second half much the livelier of the two sides and within minutes of the restart gained a well-deserved equalizer with a fine header from Moore. As the visitors kept up the pressure Conrad Britton shot over the bar with a free-kick while a free-kick at the other saw Chris Midgley’s effort easily held by Lewis. Rhys Cook then found Gregory in a good position but the forward was taken by surprise and clipped his shot wide.
Moore then had a great opportunity to put Stockwood in front after creating acres of space on the right but his final shot was high and wide. With the game seemingly meandering to a draw Sobers collected the ball on the left and leaving several defenders floundering shot past Lewis to settle a tight committed encounter.
Malcolm Tucker