YATTON & CLEEVE 2 TIMSBURY ATHLETIC 2

Timsbury ultimately paid the price for their poor finishing, when the home side equalised with almost the last kick of the match to snatch an unlikely point in a 2-2 draw, from this Division One Uhlsport Somerset County League match.

Timsbury started brightly, with Cook flashing a shot just-wide early on. They took the lead after ten minutes, when a Bishop through-ball allowed Cook to race through, round the keeper and tap into an empty net.

On twenty minutes, the home side equalised with their first shot on target. A free-kick from the edge of the box by Clayton found the top corner of the net to make it 1-1.

Almost immediately, Timsbury took the lead again when a Lutwama corner from the right found the head of Brookes to make it 2-1.

Timsbury started to enjoy the lion’s share of possession, but were unable to turn this into goals.

Midgely shot wide from a Hancock pass and Neilson had a cross-cum-shot tipped over by Stone in the Yatton goal. Cook and Lutwama were a constant threat to the home defence, without really troubling their goal.

The second half turned into a scrappy affair, with neither side managing a worthwhile attempt on goal for a full twenty minutes. Then, Timsbury substitute, Blanin, was introduced and chances started to be created.

A Hancock free-kick after a foul on Blanin was headed on by Taylor into the path of Midgely, whose shot flew narrowly-wide, then Blanin’s pass found Cook one-on-one with the keeper, Stone, only for his shot to be well-saved.

Further chances fell to Blanin, Hancock and Lutwama, who all failed to convert when well-placed. The home side were limited to long-range shots that were easily dealt with by Phillips in the Timsbury goal. Taylor was unlucky to see his header clip the top of the bar from another corner, and Stone was called upon to make excellent saves from both Blanin and Hancock late on.

Then, in added-time, a Yatton free-kick from the halfway line was only partially cleared to home substitute, Lee, who volleyed the ball past the unsighted Phillips from the edge of the box to make it 2-2.

Timsbury still had one last chance to snatch a victory, but Blanin’s goal-bound shot was deflected wide, which summed up their day in front of goal. Star Man of the Match: Jessie Bishop, Timsbury Athletic.

Rob Veater