TIMSBURY ATHLETIC 1 WESTLAND SPORTS 0

Timsbury Athletic are through to the Semi-Finals of the Somerset Senior Cup after a 1-0 home win against Dorset Premier League side, Westland Sports.

It was a game where defences dominated, with neither goalkeeper having significant saves to make, but for Timsbury, it is the furthest they have reached in the competition for more than twenty years.

The winning goal came as quickly as the fourth minute. After Rhys Cook had come close with an early opportunity, Callum Taylor was on-hand to steer a Liam Craze free-kick past Sam Watts in the visitors’ goal. At the other end, Anthony Herrin curled an effort just wide, but Timsbury could easily have added to their lead after eleven minutes, when a fine ball from Jack Nix sent Cook clear, but he failed to trouble Watts.

Taylor saw another goal-bound header cleared off the line, but at the other end, Westland had two free-kicks in dangerous positions. The first, from Alex Murphy, was blocked by the home defence, and the second saw Henry Lawrence-Napier head over the top. Right on the interval, another effort from the visitors saw Nick Voss shoot too high.

An early effort from Herrin in the second half was easily held by Timsbury keeper, Charlie Phillips, who handled the ball confidently throughout the match. Toby Neilson then put a free-kick wide of Westland’s post, and soon after put a header the wrong side of the post from Craze’s free-kick.

As the visitors looked for the equaliser, substitute, Josh Payne, volleyed over the top, and Captain, Adam Barratt, shot wide. Phillips dealt comfortably with an effort from Callum Thompson, while an off-balanced Jem Lutwama headed over the visitors’ bar.

As Westland looked for parity, keeper, Watts, joined the attack, but apart from a Payne shot that was deflected just wide of the Timsbury post, the outstanding home rearguard dealt well with all that was thrown at them to set up a famous victory.

Star Man of the Match: Matt Brooks, Timsbury Athletic. Timsbury have been drawn at home to Chilcompton Sports in the Semi-Final of the Somerset Senior Cup.

Malcolm Tucker