Uhlsport Somerset County League
Premier Division
Nailsea & Tickenham 2, Middlezoy Rovers 2

MIDDLEZOY Rovers had the tough task of travelling to table-topping Nailsea & Tickenham - who were yet to drop a point - on Saturday.

Zoy started extremely well, and the home side were struggling to cope with their energy and intensity.

Yet, with a front two who have 15 goals between them in just six games, Nailsea were always going to be dangerous on the attack, and the hosts took the lead on 15 minutes.

Zoy’s high line was exposed by a long ball over the top for Joe Berry to run through, round goalkeeper Greg Turner in goal and squeeze the ball home.

The visitors were still very much in the game, though, and it wasn’t long before they were back level.

Good work from Liam Winter set Charlie Lintell free down the right, his cross found Jed Williams, whose shot was cleared off the line, but Charlie Bridges was there to slot home.

Dan Luce was then denied when the home keeper saved with his legs, and it stayed 1-1 at half-time.

Having continued to create chances, Zoy deservedly took the lead on the hour, as Andy Smith powered home a Luce corner.

Nailsea now began to take the game to Zoy, as they pushed more and more men forward and the visitors dropped deeper - albeit defending superbly, with Turner in goal having very little to do despite the pressure.

It was always going to take a bit of luck to break down the stubborn Zoy side and Nailsea got that luck with two minutes to go.

The lively Berry broke into the box, Luce came across and managed to get himself between Berry and ball, and then looked to be taken out, but the ref saw otherwise and award a penalty to Nailsea.

Up stepped Luke Osgood who managed to just beat the outstretched Turner, and 2-2 was how it finished, with Zoy the first team to take points off Nailsea this season.

Man of the match: Jake Horsey

This coming Saturday (2.30pm) sees Middlezoy - now 11th in the table - host fifth-placed Worle.