The points were shared in a very competitive 1-1 draw between third-placed Keynsham Reserves and fourth-placed Timsbury, in this Somerset County League Division One East game.

In a first half of few chances, it took twenty minutes before either keeper was seriously challenged when a Ball shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Scrivens in the Timsbury goal. Timsbury’s first chance fell to Cook, who managed to beat the last defender and chip Keynsham keeper Jackson, only to see the ball run wide of the post. Lutwama then saw a fine run on the left end with a pass to Hancock, whose shot failed to find the target. Crispin then saw his deflected shot easily claimed by Scrivens.

Timsbury started the second half with far more purpose. Almost immediately, a Neilson cross from the right was spilled by keeper Jackson into the path of Cook, who was unable to steer his shot inside the post. Then a fine challenge by Brooks resulted in him sending Neilson clear on the right, only to see his cross hacked away from danger.

The pressure finally told on fifteen minutes, when Cook harried the Keynsham defence into giving away possession on the edge of their own box – his pass to Taylor was then laid to Lutwama to run on and calmly find the net to make it 1-0.

Bishop was unlucky not to double the lead five minutes later, when he saw his header at the far post hit the bar from a Heatley cross. Keynsham were struggling to get a foothold in the game, with both Hancock and Lutwama winning the midfield battle.

Then, with fifteen minutes remaining, Keynsham levelled against the run of play. Price picked up the ball in the middle of his own half and hit a cracking cross-field pass for substitute Childs to run on to, who – without breaking stride – hit an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box into the corner of the net, giving Scrivens no chance.

Despite this setback, Timsbury remained positive and responded with a Heatley shot that just flew wide of the post. Cook was then unlucky to see his cross from the by-line flash across the face of goal, evading everyone.

Despite a much improved performance, Timsbury were unable to find the winning goal which their endeavours probably deserved.

Star Man of the Match: Jem Lutwama, Timsbury Athletic.

Rob Veater