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Search forAthletic bow down to Francis hat-trick
Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 12:51
TIMSBURY'S inconsistent form continued with this 4-3 home defeat in the Somerset County Premier League.
In an action-packed match, they paid a heavy price for the dismissal of defender Ben Hancock shortly after they had retrieved a 2-0 deficit to get on level terms.
With a strong wind and the slope in their favour, the visitors showed an early sign of their threat up front when the game's outstanding player Matt Francis hit the post after five minutes.
Not to be denied, Francis put Taunton ahead two minutes later, collecting a rebound after Hucker had saved well from Darren Rice.
Francis continued to pose plenty of problems for the home side and he put Taunton further ahead after 37 minutes, striking a sweet left-foot shot out of Hucker's reach.
Timsbury responded almost immediately, however, with Davies running from the halfway line to shoot past Lawrence.
Matt Doughty then came close to an equaliser, shooting just wide, but Francis was soon in action again, forcing a great save from Hucker with a goalbound header just before the interval.
Within a minute of the restart, Timsbury were level.
Davies strode through the visitors' defence before striking past Lawrence.
The impetus was now with the home side and Sparey came close with an effort saved by the keeper.
When Hancock received his marching orders for a second yellow card, the initiative returned to the South Somerset side and, although Timsbury hung on until 12 minutes from time, they went behind again when Simon Stone headed home a cross.
The irrepressible Francis then completed his hat-trick with a superb volley from skipper Alex Stephen's centre and, although Nick Young headed a late goal from Aaron Dix's free-kick, there was no time for a dramatic equaliser.
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