Shepton Mallet Reserves 1 Timsbury Athletic 0
A goal from Shepton Mallet Reserves’ Captain, Adam Garlick, four minutes before half-time was enough to maintain their unbeaten record against a gallant Timsbury Athletic in the Somerset County League Division One East. The visitors, who are at the wrong end of the table, made the home side work hard for their slender victory and showed commendable resilience in defence.
Joe Morgan found the Timsbury net in an early Shepton attack, but the effort was disallowed for offside. In the visitors’ first meaningful attack, a free-kick from
Captain, Ross Padfield, was cleared with difficulty by the home defence.
At the other end, a long shot from Scott Newton was deflected for a fruitless corner, while Keeper, Ben Paisey, saved at the near post from Rhys Cook. A thunderous drive from Liam Hodges then shook the Timsbury bar before Garlick rose unmarked at the far post to head home Joe Reilly’s corner. Just before the interval, James Noad headed over the top from Padfield’s free-kick with Timsbury’s best effort.
The visitors made a bright start to the second half without creating any clear cut chances and it was soon Shepton who came closest to adding a second goal, with Paisey saving from point blank range from Morgan. The keeper then coped
comfortably with a Reilly attempt. Despite plenty of possession, the young
Shepton side were consistently frustrated by a plucky Timsbury rearguard well marshalled by Noad.
Indeed, it was Noad who cleared off the line after Cook had chipped over the head of the advancing Paisey. In truth, Timsbury were restricted to few opportunities, but in stoppage time, Joe Parker had a chance of an equaliser, only to see his shot easily held by Shepton keeper, Lewis Stainer.
Ford Fuel Oils Man of the Match: James Noad (Timsbury Athletic).
Malcolm Tucker