Timsbury Athletic dominated their home match with Combe St Nicholas in the Somerset County League Cup for First Division clubs, and were well worth their 4–0 win. The young side moved the ball with confidence and the visitors’ defence struggled to cope.
Lewis Blanning, up front for Timsbury, posed a constant danger and if his finishing had matched his overall display, he could have had a day to remember. He shot wide in an early home attack and then saw a goal-bound effort saved by the busy Combe St Nicholas keeper, Alex Cunnold. Joe Hallett was also too high, with a shot from distance before the influential Ellis Hancock at last opened the home team’s account with a crisp left-foot shot in the 27th minute.
Ten minutes from half-time, Blanning broke clear, and despite Cunnold’s partial save, the ball finished in the back of the net. Almost immediately, Hallett struck the visitors’ bar with a terrific shot from well out. At the other end, Combe St Nicholas offered little threat, but when they did, Jack Scrivens, in the Timsbury goal, handled with confidence.
In the second half, Timsbury kept up the pressure and Jimmy Hailston, Joe Parker and Hallett all shot wide, while the busy Blanning lobbed over the top after breaking clear. Timsbury eventually increased their lead when a fluent move between Hancock and Hailston ended with Craig Dowling, who was playing his first game since returning to the club, firing home.
Combe St Nicholas created one of their few chances ten minutes from the end, but Captain, Darren Hutchings’ well-struck shot was saved well by Scrivens. In stoppage time, Hancock capped a fine match with his second goal of the game and Timsbury’s fourth.
Malcolm Tucker