Timsbury Athletic 5 Clevedon United 3: Timsbury Athletic withstood a spirited second half comeback from Clevedon United to claim three more points in the Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division.

Leading at one point by four clear goals, Timsbury endured a nervy end to the game before eventually securing a 5-3 home win.

It took just seven minutes for Timsbury to go in front with Ellis Hancock heading home a pinpoint cross from Rico Sobers. Two minutes later the home side went further ahead with Morgan Skipp racing clear to shoot past James Williams in the Clevedon goal. As Timsbury continued to press Hancock had another effort comfortably held by Willams while Clevedon’s best attempt was a speculative shot from Mitch Kern that sailed well over the bar. Timsbury then added a third goal and it was Sobers again who was actively involved. His initial shot was blocked by Williams but he collected the rebound and crossed to Rhys Cook who volleyed home. Within a minute it was 4-0 courtesy of a fine finish by Skipp. At this point the visitors looked down and out but before the interval Josh Morgan stabbed home to give Clevedon hope and Joe Teall came close to a second as Clevedon rallied.

The visitors made a strong start to the second half and put Timsbury under early pressure. A dangerous free-kick on the edge of the area threatened but Timsbury coped well with Oli Jenkins effort.

An injury to home keeper Ashton Tucker forced Timsbury into a reshuffle and substitute Reuben Hobbs took over the gloves. Teall headed wide from close range and Hobbs saved well from Callum Vickery before Clevedon grabbed the goal that their pressure had deserved with Teall striking cleanly past Hobbs. Vickery then struck the woodwork as the visitors moved menacingly forward and with five minutes left substitute Mitch Treanor made it 4-3.

With a hefty spell of stoppage time the home side were forced to battle hard to keep their advantage but a break at the other end left Sobers with the easiest of chances to make it 5-3 and calm Timsbury nerves.

M Tucker