Nailsea Report:

This was one of those mornings when you looked out the curtains and thought why do we still do this at our age? The driving rain and blustery wind might have been a real spoiler but credit to both sides for a really competitive and fairly fought game. Chew got off the mark with a penalty after 10 minutes (in the box?….. maybe just) and then had a long spell of dominance. On the half hour and against the run of play Nailsea levelled after Alex Plenty squared to Lee Cogan who evened the score. This gave Nailsea an injection of confidence and the remainder of the first half was evenly contested and Nailsea were unlucky not to nick the lead as Darren Jones hit a looping shot from the edge of the box which the Chew keeper athletically tipped onto the bar. The game remained relatively tight in the second half with neither keeper particularly troubled but 25 minutes in a long range Chew shot skidded off the ground which Nailsea keeper Lee couldn’t gather leaving a close range tap in for Chew to steal the lead again. Nailsea continued to look for an equalizer but didn’t create enough to trouble the Chew defence and with 10 minutes remaining a 3rd for Chew sealed their victory. The game was played in a really good spirit and it was good to see so many damp Chew players back at Sawyers for a post match drink despite the wet conditions and lack of showers!

Chew Report:

After a shaky start Chew Assumed control and Shortland was bought down and M.Smith slotted home the penalty. Nailsea worked their way back into the game and scored a well taken equaliser, before Chew once again began to assert themselves with chances falling to both sides with great saves from both keepers to keep it 1-1 at half time. From then on Chew took control, Keen in goal was dominant in the air and the defence was commanding, the midfield battles were being won and Chew’s strikers were a constant threat. After a fizzing long range shot was parried by the keeper R.Smith calmly side-footed it into the corner to make it 2-1. Chew continued to boss the game, and Shortland sealed it after a clever through ball from Molter, holding off the defender to beat the keeper with a composed finish. This was one of Chew’s best performances for a while and needed to be against a strong well organised Nailsea team. Despite the weather the game was played in a competitive but good spirit.