Reuben Hobbs is making a habit of scoring late match-winning goals for Timsbury Athletic in the Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division and he did it again on Saturday in the village club’s 3-2 home win against Keynsham Town Reserves. After an energetic performance as a second half substitute he headed the winner six minutes from the end of normal time. It was not a vintage display from Timsbury but it maintained an impressive home record which has seen them lose only once in the league on their own ground this season.
The game took some time to come to life but when it did it was home keeper Jack Scrivens who was called on to make the first telling save doing well to turn aside an effort from Harry Crew. At the other end a fine cross from Rico Sobers set up Nathan Flynn but his goalbound effort was cleared off the line. A speculative shot from Crew almost caught out Scrivens but he just managed to get back in time to deal with the attempt.
The deadlock was broken after 21 minutes. Timsbury skipper Callum Taylor climbed well to meet a corner from the right to set up Ellis Hancock who made no mistake from close range. The lead, however, lasted just four minutes with visiting captain Ed Stowell coming up from the back to strike home the equalizer. Hancock then spurned two great opportunities to restore the Timsbury lead. First a great cross from Pele Sobers set him up with a chance that he hammered over the bar and then with the goal at his mercy he shot wide of the post. They were rare moments of wastefulness from Timsbury’s joint leading scorer.
Ten minutes into the second half Keynsham went in front with Aaron Childs taking advantage of defensive uncertainly in the home ranks to bury his shot past Scrivens. The setback spurred the home side into action and after 63 minutes they were level. The busy Hobbs hit the post and visiting defender Bryn Williams diverted the rebound into his own net. Only desperate defending from Stowell denied Hobbs soon after and another good run from Pele Sobers ended with substitute Sam Gregory firing over the top. With Timsbury throwing everything into attack they looked vulnerable at the back and twice Childs raced clear only to shoot wide with both chances. A mistake from Keynsham keeper Kai Wilson then gifted Timsbury a free-kick on the edge of the box and Gregory found Hobbs’ head at the far post for the match winning score.
Malcolm Tucker