A goal from Ellis Hancock three minutes from time secured the points for Timsbury Athletic at home to Imperial, in the Somerset County League Division One East. A scrappy match had all the markings of a goalless encounter until Hancock’s late strike.

The home side had an early chance to open the scoring with a free-kick on the edge of the Imperial box, but Jack Nix’s effort was blocked by the visitors’ wall.

At the other end, Jack Scrivens in the Timsbury goal blocked a shot from Craig Sanders, but the ball ran to John Spring, who shot over with the goal at his mercy.

A great tackle from Russ Milkins dispossessed Lewis Blanning when he looked sure to open the scoring for the home side, and from the resultant corner, Matt Brooks headed over.

Timsbury then squandered three great chances to take the lead – first, when Rhys Cook broke clear and shot wide, and then Blannin failed to convert a Cook cross from close in, and Hancock hammered over the top. At the other end, Chris Britton got the ball in the net for the visitors, but the effort was disallowed for offside.

Early in the second half, Hancock was wide from distance, while Ben Hancock did well to quell a difficult situation at the other end. A telling centre from Cook just evaded Blannin, and a free-kick from Nix was held by Imperial keeper, Jason Hill.

Another effort from Sanders for the visitors was high and wide, before Blannin wasted another opportunity for Timsbury, shooting wide after being put through by Jimmy Hailston.

A smart shot from substitute, Ebner Heatley, was just too high for the home side, as the game looked destined to be a stalemate. Hancock, however, clinched the points for Timsbury with a crisp left-foot shot that beat Hill from the edge of the area.

Star Man of the Match: Jack Nix, Timsbury Athletic.

Malcolm Tucker