In the Somerset County League Division One East, high flying Timsbury Athletic found themselves facing an enthusiastic Castle Cary team, who were fresh from an away victory at table-topping Dundry. The two sides had shared an entertaining 1–1 draw only a few weeks previously.
Cary, playing with favourable conditions of both wind and slope, had the lion's share of possession in the first ten minutes of the game, with Ben Paisey in the Timsbury goal forced into saves from Francis and Mitchell. It took twenty minutes before Timsbury had their first shot at goal, a Sean Derrick effort, which flew wide of the post from twenty yards.
Timsbury were unlucky not to take the lead five minutes later, when a good cross from the right by Joe Parker was headed home by Craig Dowling, only for it to be ruled out for offside. Cary then had the best chance of the half, when a long clearance from the keeper created havoc with the Timsbury central defenders and the ball fell to centre forward, Rothwell, who was clean through with only the keeper to beat. He unselfishly squared it to strike partner, Osment, who somehow managed to blaze wide of an open goal. The half ended with Timsbury in the ascendancy, but no goals to show for it.
With the elements now in their favour, it was Timsbury who started the second half the stronger, with shots on target from Derrick and Craig Dowling bringing saves from Francis in the Cary goal. Then, in the 57th minute and against the run of play, Cary took the lead through Rothwell, who capitalised on some indecision in the Timsbury defence.
Within five minutes, Timsbury were back on level terms. A poor back pass from Francis let Justin Dowling in on goal. He was brought down by the keeper and Padfield made no mistake from the resultant penalty. Timsbury now looked by far the better side with the Dowling brothers combining well and coming close to extending the lead. Then with twenty minutes remaining, Justin Dowling released Joe Parker wide on the right. He ran for twenty yards to the edge of the area, before firing into the left hand corner of the goal, leaving the keeper with no chance. Justin Dowling then had another chance cleared off the line, before Dan Baber saw a fine effort fly by the upright from 25 yards. Cary did hit the post late on with a fine shot from Elsworth, with the keeper well beaten, but Timsbury just about did enough to hold on to all three points.
Next week, Timsbury entertain Larkhall Athletic Reserves in the Somerset County League Cup competition for Premier and First Division teams (2 p.m. start).