Timsbury continued their good run of form with a hard fought 3–0 victory away at Imperial in Division One East of the Somerset Senior League.

Timsbury couldn’t have made a better start when they went ahead in the first minute of the game, Heatley outpaced the home defence and raced to the byline, before crossing to Dowling in the centre, who calmly side-footed the ball into the net.

This gave the visitors confidence to attack further, with the pace of Heatley and Blanning constantly causing problems in the Imperial defence. Heatley was unlucky with a good run and shot from eighteen yards that just cleared the bar, then a fine run by Parker down the right ended with a cross to Blanning, whose shot was well saved by Sposito in the Imperial goal. It took twenty minutes before Imperial had their first attempt on goal, when a shot from 25 yards from Sanders was deflected wide for a corner. Timsbury would have increased their lead on the half hour mark, except for a fine double save by Sposito from Bishop, after another fine run and cross by Heatley found him unmarked at the far post.

With five minutes remaining of the first half, Timsbury finally made their superiority count. Hailston laid a lovely ball to Blanning in the penalty area, who with his back to goal was fouled and the referee pointed to the spot. Bishop stepped up to fire home, giving the keeper no chance. On the stroke of half time, Dowling had the chance to make it three when he raced clear, but his shot from the edge of the box was turned around the post by Sposito.

Imperial started the second half brightly, but although they had a lot of possession, they failed to trouble Ben Hancock in the Timsbury goal, with their best attempt coming from Caswell, who shot wide when well placed. Good work from Heatley and Blanning led to a goal-bound shot from Hancock being deflected wide. Timbury finally put the result beyond doubt when, with twenty minutes remaining, Heatley beat the offside and fired into the corner of the net to make it 3–0 for a richly-deserved goal.

In the final minute, Imperial had a chance to finally get on the scoresheet when they were awarded a penalty after Sanders was brought down by Brookes in the area. He stepped up to take it himself, but was thwarted by a fine save from Hancock. Allen Residential Man of the Match was Ebner Heatley.

Malcolm Tucker