Report

Aaron Honeywell's fortuitous strike saw Cheddar reach the second round of the Somerset County Senior Cup with an unconvincing victory over Division 1 outfit Fry Club

The signs on Saturday did not look good and it is strange why the Cheesemen continue to fail to produce their best form in cup competitions.

There is no doubt that on their day, Cheddar are as good as any team in the Somerset County League but failure to win promotion when well placed last season may have become a monkey on their backs as they try to secure silverware.

Fry Club looked to be an improving team but on the back of just two league victories this term, the Cheesemen should have won this clash far more convincingly than they did.

It took 12 minutes for the home side to create their first real opportunity, which came from a Billy Manning free-kick that was saved comfortably by Chris Dark.

George Booth was the one bright light in the Cheesemen's performance and he set up two early chances for Adam Jones but the usually prolific striker was off target on both occasions.

The only goal of the game came after 23 minutes when a driven cross from Honeywell was misdirected towards goal and it sailed over the head of Dark and into the roof of the net at the back post.

The goal failed to lift the Cheesemen, however, as far too many players appeared to be simply going through the motions.

Chris Mountford almost put the visitors back on level terms within a minute, as his powerful volley from 25 yards was superbly headed clear by Wayne Scourse.

Scourse was then robbed of the ball in the middle of the park by Mountford, who set up an opportunity for Paul Worlock and his fiercely driven shot was brilliantly turned to safety at full stretch by Ben Dancey.

Simon Panes then saw a header saved by Dark, following good link-up play between Jones and Joe Green, and Jones was once again involved when he set up Booth, who saw a fine swerving effort smothered by Dark at the second attempt.

The second half was almost identical to the first, as Cheddar looked as though they could kill the game off at any time but again failed to fulfil their potential. Dancey was rarely troubled in the Cheddar goal while Dark was only threatened on a few occasions, comfortably denying both Jones and Manning.