League: Grace Over 50s Div 1
St Brendans RFC OB vs Nailsea Vets 50s
Although this was an away fixture for Nailsea the game was held at Nailsea school when St Brendans’ usual pitch wasn’t available. The first 20 minutes were evenly matched but St Brendans broke the deadlock as their young midfielder (permitted to play under the father and sons rule) showed his pace and left the Nailsea defense in his wake to drill home from 10 yards out.
Nailsea rallied and continued to play neat football resulting in a corner on 25 minutes. The ball swung into the 6-yard box and Clarkey was there to score from a couple of yards out; a deflection off his inner thigh rather than the ‘worldie’ he tried to describe to the rest of us!
Nailsea took the lead with a well worked move. Frosty and Jerry linked well to find Christian in space 8 yards out to fire home and make it 2 -1.
Shortly before half time St Brendans gifted the ball to Christian 20 yards out. One look up then he struck a terrific shot into the top left corner of the net to make it 3-1 to Nailsea and double his tally.
Even more, shortly before halftime, St Brendans were awarded a penalty as Clarkey was adjudged to drag a player to the floor as he ran across him. A well-taken penalty was brilliantly saved by Lee Mc as he dived to his right to maintain the 2-goal cushion at halftime.
10 minutes into the second half Nailsea had 3 injuries at the same time, including keeper Lee. Jeff took the keeper’s gloves and with some re-shuffling outfield (thankfully enough subs) play resumed. It took a few minutes to settle with a reshaped team but Nelly put the result to bed with 25 to play. Jerry made a great challenge to push the ball to Nelly who ran across the face of the box, passed two defenders to drill into the bottom left from the right-hand side of the box. 4-1.
The final goal of the game came from a penalty after Matt was fouled on a mazie run inside the penalty area. Christian took the ball as he was looking for his hat-trick and duly converted to make the final score 5-1
All played in a good spirit on a fine early summer morning.
Red Star 50s vs Decliners FC
RedStar unable to raise a full team due to 45s cup semi final and no alternate date available. The game is declared a no-fault 0-0 draw and will be played as a friendly.
….though sports fans will want to know Red Star won the friendly 2-1 with a ‘once in a career’ powerful header from their player-manager. Well played all, football most definitely the winner.
Nailsea Vets 50s vs Red Star 50s
A late change of venue saw us playing at The Grove in Nailsea. Thanks to Lee Cogan for sorting that out at short notice. Nailsea made good use of the large pitch in the first half and bossed much of the play, but for all their possession couldn’t convert a goal. Red Star didn’t threaten much but one break against the run of play forced Lee McGreevy into a good save to keep the score at 0-0.
The second half continued in a similar fashion with Nailsea looking comfortable on the ball but 60 minutes into the game Red Star converted a rare chance to take the lead. Red Star grew in confidence and were soon 2-0 up. A break down the left with a neat pull back found their striker (everybodys striker!) Tahir 6 yards out to side foot in. A mix up at the back by Nailsea conceded a 3rd. Nailsea scored a late consolation goal. A neat one two in the box put Kit through who slotted home but it was too little too late. Nailsea were left wondering how they didn’t create more for all the possession but Red Star will be pleased with their clinical finishing.
All played in an excellent spirit with good banter over a pint after the game.
Decliners FC vs Chew Magna 50s
Chew had to pull out of the fixture due to cup semi final, no alternative possible. No-fault draw declared.
Red Star 50s vs Re-Union
Red Star Match Report
An fairly even first half on a muddy Saltford pitch. Things turned rapidly in Red Star’s favour in the second with a steady flow of goals. Reunion fought back admirably to pull a couple back, but Red Star held their nerve to emerge victorious. Special mention for Tahir with his second 5 goal haul (haal) in two games. Thanks to Reunion for making it an enjoyable game and for recruiting the ref.