Top of the table Timsbury Athletic completed the double over local rivals Welton Rovers Reserves with a 5-2 home win in the UHlsport Somerset County League Division One. In front of Timsbury’s largest crowd of the season it was the visitors who made the early running but a first half hat-trick from leading goalscorer Rhys Cook ultimately settled the contest .
Welton took the lead as early as the third minute. Ryan Rudland found himself clear and he neatly lobbed the advancing keeper Jack Scrivens. At the other end Chris Midgley had a great chance to level matters but his effort was comfortably saved by Billy Barter in the Welton goal. Taking advantage of a strong wind the visitors continued to press and Joe Battrick headed just over.
The game changed with two goals in three minutes for the home side. A fine pass from Midgley sent Cook free and he finished with clinical precision. The scorer was then brought down in the box and he made no mistake from the ensuing penalty. Timsbury’s third goal on the half-hour was the best of the game. Sam Gregory put Midgley clear down the left and his inch perfect cross was volleyed into the net in spectacular fashion by Cook for his hat-trick. At the other end Scrivens dealt well with a testing free-kick from Alfie Dix and Warren Forest was just too high with his chance.
Early in the second half a dangerous cross from Aaron Fowler flashed across the Timsbury goalmouth but no-one was on hand to take advantage. Fowler then did his job at the other end blocking an effort from Jack Nix while Cook was denied first by Joe Battrick and then by keeper Barter. Timsbury increased their lead after 70 minutes when Callum Taylor met a corner from Tim Midgley and headed powerfully past Barter. Welton kept persevering and were rewarded after 75 minutes when Jed Parfitt converted a penalty. Nix again came close to finding the target but was just wide from distance before a break involving Chris Midgley, Tim Midgley and Cook ended with Cook grabbing his fourth goal and Timsbury’s fifth right on time.
Malcolm Tucker