Somerset Premier

Bishops Lydeard 3 Odd Down Reserves 2

ODD Down were the visitors to Darby Way on Saturday, lying in second place they proved to be tough adversaries.

Playing up the slope in the first half the Bishops started well, and settled into the game competing well and playing attractive football, but Odd Down more than matched them at times, and although they didn't create many chances, they were a tough outfit, and they could certainly play good football.

In the tenth minute of the game they carved out a shooting opportunity which they took, and the ball flew into the back of the net from an angled shot from 20 yards.

This spurred Lydeard into action, but try as they might they could not get back on terms, until right on half time when a sweetly struck whipped free kick from Ryan Andrews was met by man of the match, George Painter who rose above the visitors defence to head home.

The second half saw an improved performance, but it remained a tight nervy affair.

Lydeard had the edge, and on 70 minutes a ball played in behind the Odd Down defence by the excellent Mark Cornish saw Joe Chamberlain gather it up in his stride, go on powerful run, get to the byline and square it back for Pat Sherwood to finish smartly from ten yards to make the score two one.

Now Lydeard dominated, but still Odd Down threatened on the break, and it wasn't until the 80th minute when a clever free kick by Jack Adams found that man George Painter on the edge of the box, and he finished smartly from 18 yards - game over you would think.

But the visitors had other ideas, and in the 90th minute, when the Bishops were waiting for the final whistle, they scored a header from a corner.

But no sooner had Lydeard restarted the game the referee blew for full time.

Lydeard: John Purvis, Jack Adams, Mark Cornish, George Painter, Calum Flaherty, Charlie Wilson, Ryan Andrews, Mark Clunie, Pat Sherwood, Joe Chamberlain, Ben Hebditch, Conor Noble, Ryan Brereton, Tom Melhuish, Ashley Philips.

Man of the match, George Painter.