Tunley Falls 3-1 as Castle Cary Rolls to 7th Straight Victory

Match Report: Tunley Athletic 1–3 Castle Cary First

25 October 2025 – Tunley Recreation Centre

A blustery afternoon at the Rec saw Tunley put in a strong shift against a Castle Cary side arriving on a six-match winning streak. Despite matching the visitors for long spells and creating several excellent chances, Tunley slipped to a 3–1 defeat in the wind-swept league fixture.

First Half

Tunley opened brightly, forcing a diving save in the 2nd minute after a quick break. Keeper Ryan Edmunds was alert at the other end, tipping a fierce long-range strike around the post in the 5th minute.

Early Tunley pressure had Castle Cary pinned back, but the visitors grew into the game, earning a pair of corners that came to nothing before breaking through in the 17th minute. Patient footwork in the area pulled the defence out of shape and the finish was driven low into the bottom corner. Only a minute later, a clever touch and quick change of direction inside the box produced a second goal, rifled into the far corner.

Tunley responded with intent. A shout for a penalty in the 24th minute was waved away, but in the 33rd minute Tunley were awarded a penalty when a Tunley player was brought down. Ben Curtis stepped up and buried his spot-kick into the bottom left corner to make it 2–1.

Before the break, both sides traded free kicks and half-chances. Tunley went in at half-time still very much in the contest.

Half-time: Tunley 1–2 Castle Cary

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Second Half

Tunley began the second half strongly, creating a superb chance in the 50th minute when a cross flashed across goal. Moments later Edmunds produced a stunning fingertip save to push a 25-yard drive over the bar.

Another Tunley chance came in the 59th minute when a header from a deep cross looped narrowly over. Edmunds continued to impress, comfortably collecting a Castle Cary free kick in the 66th minute.

The decisive moment arrived in the 70th minute. A brilliant flick on in the attack split the Tunley defence, leaving the Castle Cary forward one-on-one with Edmunds, and the finish was tucked calmly into the corner.

Tunley kept fighting until the end, with Edmunds producing another excellent stop late on, but the score remained 3–1 at the whistle after a competitive and open final twenty minutes.

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Reflections

Although the result went against them, Tunley have a great deal to take from this game. The performance showed commitment, structure and (at least to this observer) improvement across the pitch, particularly in how the side stayed organised and competed for long periods against one of the league’s form teams. Each of Castle Cary’s three goals was of genuine quality, struck with precision and pace rather than coming from errors. Tunley created several chances of their own, and showed that they are capable of matching strong opposition. With continued belief and consistency, there is plenty for the lads to build on moving forward.

Final Score: Tunley Athletic 1–3 Castle Cary First

Scorer: Curtis (33' pen.)