Timsbury paid yet again for their failure to convert numerous chances in front of goal and in the end, had to settle for a 1–1 draw against relegation rivals, Castle Cary.
The game was played in difficult conditions with the wind causing problems throughout. Timsbury had the benefit of the elements in the first half, which meant that they needed to take advantage if they were to claim a much needed victory in their battle against relegation. Unfortunately, due to a combination of bad luck and poor finishing, it became a very frustrating afternoon for them.
Ellis Hancock made the first attempt on the home goal when a fine turn and shot from twenty yards smashed against the bar with the keeper well beaten, then a poor clearance from the keeper fell to the feet of Hancock again, but this time, his shot was well saved by the recovering Record in the Cary goal.
Next it was Parker’s turn to be denied, after a fine run and shot was cleared off the line. Due to the strength of the wind, it was very difficult for Cary to get out of their own half, but Timsbury were unable to make their possession pay.
Parker then missed the best opportunity created so far, when he shot high from a rebound after good work from Hulford with the goal at his mercy. A fine through ball from the influential Hancock allowed Parker to run through on goal, but his tame shot was easily saved.
Finally, with half-time looming, Timsbury’s pressure paid off in bizarre circumstances. A rare raid into the Timsbury half resulted in a free kick being given against the home side, well inside the Timsbury half. Jack Nix launched the resulting kick towards the Cary penalty box, but the Cary keeper was completely deceived by the bounce of the ball as he saw it sail over his head into the net to go one up.
Playing into the wind in the second half, Timsbury continued to take the game to Cary, with the luckless Parker again failing to beat the keeper when through on goal. Cary finally had their first real shot on target after 55 minutes when a shot from Elsworth was well saved by Paisey in the Timsbury goal. Inevitably, this gave the home side hope and they started to use the conditions to their advantage by putting the Timsbury defence under more pressure.
This finally told after seventy minutes when a fine cross from the right found the head of Hunt, who was unmarked at the far post to level the score at 1–1.
The home side should have pushed on, but were unable to get the better of a resolute Timsbury defence.
It was Timsbury who continued to make the better chances and they were unlucky not to take all three points in the final minutes when a Nix free kick was knocked down by Hancock into the path of Doyle, whose fine shot from the edge of the box flew just wide.
Rob Veater