A chaotic morning ended in disappointment for Decliners. After the caretaker failed to show at Brislington School, a frantic search for an alternate pitch saw the game relocated to BAWA. Both teams lost a couple of players as a result and in the end this proved to be crucial. When the game kicked off Decliners took the lead after five minutes, a superb lofted finish from Jonny Temps after the ball fell to him on the edge of the area. Chew began with only ten, borrowing a Decliner to start, but mid way through the first half their cavalry arrived with a couple of quality players from the younger age of the spectrum joining the fray. Nevertheless Decliners were on top, hitting the bar from a great JT strike, before Toby unfeasibly missed a great chance after a poor kick from the keeper. The Chew striker pulled a muscle and had to go in goal and this seemed to be the key to the second half change. The game remained even but Chew were growing in confidence and the pace they were able to deploy up front became a threat. They equalized from a good through ball which the pacy striker latched on to and finished well. With five minutes to go Decliners failed to clear a corner and the ball was tucked in flowing a scramble for the Chew winner. It was an effort to get the game on, but a good contest in the sunshine.
League: Grace Over 50s Div 1
Cardiff Accies 50s vs Easton Monday 95
Walkover due to Welsh Vets fixture backlog.
Decliners FC vs Red Star 50s
A good game at BAWA between two well matched teams. The hard and bouncy pitch meant this wasn’t the highest quality game, but the endeavor from both sides was there throughout. A first half of few chances saw Decliners take their’s when Ross slotted in at the far post, while RedStar missed, when the striker was through one on one but surprisingly opted to try and square it instead of shooting. 1-0 HT. The next goal was always going to be crucial and after a period where RedStar dominated, Emu came up with an unlikely worldie from outside the box. He was only playing up front to keep him out of harm’s way as he recovers from injury, or was it a stroke of managerial genius? Let the pundits decide! That goal was the clincher and Decliners settled into the game at last. Ross added a third from JT’s cross. Both sides had further opportunities but final score was 3-0. Always a pleasure to play RedStar, see you in Belgium!
Red Star 50s vs Chew Magna 50s
RED STAR MATCH REPORT
A very competitive and close fought game. Goalless at half-time despite chances for both teams and some quality saves from the Chew keeper, the visitors edged ahead via the penalty spot and then doubled their lead shortly after. Red Star came back into it with their own penalty and were just building a head of steam when Chew added a third. Still Red Star continued to throw everything at it and good chances went narrowly astray. Red Star pulled one back with a stooping header from a corner at the very death, but they were out of time and out of luck. Good game in some welcome if blustery spring weather, thanks to Chew for playing their part well.
Chew Magna Match Report
These are two well matched teams and another close fought game, played in good spirt ended with Chew holding out for the win. The first half was a tight battle with Red Star on the balance on top but Chew dug in and kept it to scoreless thanks to some resolute defending and excellent saves from Keen in goal. Chew started the second half strongly increasing the pressure on the Red Star goal, and were reward with a penalty which Lewis calmly dispatched. Cornelius on the left wing was firing in a succession of wicked in-swinging corners and these paid dividends when Fisher scored with a lovely header at the far post. Red star fought back and won their own penalty and with the score now 2-1 pushed for the equaliser. Chew dug in and were glad as time ran out to see Lewis seal the game with a third.
However Red Star weren’t done and after winning a corner scored for the second time against Chew with the last kick of the game. However it was too late and Chew celebrated the win. It was great to see both teams sitting outside the clubhouse enjoying a few beers in the sunshine after the game.
Easton Monday 95 vs Decliners FC
That rarest of Vets league results, the scoreless draw, made an appearance as the two unbeaten sides in div 1 met at Frys. A hard fought game, not easy on the eye, but full blooded throughout. Monday shaded it on chances, a superb header in the second half came back off the bar, but really clear cut opportunities were few and far between. The young ref handled what was a proper game very well, everyone was certainly feeling the result of their exertions in the bar after!
EM95 report to follow.
Cardiff Accies 50s vs Red Star 50s
RED STAR MATCH REPORT
Red Star’s season continued on an upward trajectory with a first ever league win, despite the ravages of Covid reducing them to a bare 11. The Red’s took the initiative from kick off, pushing hard into the Accies half and taking a well deserved lead with two goals from Tahir. Accies pulled one back before half time, but captain Kev’s rousing half time team talk laid a template that the team followed to the letter, 2 quick goals coming soon after half time, putting Red Star in a degree of relative comfort. They pulled further ahead with an acrobatic finish by Si and then Alex scoring with ‘through the eye of a needle’ precision in the midst of a goal mouth scramble.
Accies pulled one back with a late penalty as Red Star’s lack of reserves began to tell, but by this point the result was in no doubt. Thanks to Accies for hosting and for their part in an enjoyable contest in these challenging times. We’re all testing now for cases of 5G after playing under those electricity pylons.
Cardiff Accies 50s vs Chew Magna 50s
Cardiff unable to play. awarded Chew the points
Chew Magna 50s vs Red Star 50s
RED STAR MATCH REPORT
A first ever league point for Red Star, snatched from the jaws of defeat, marked a continued upturn in the fortunes of the boys in Red. After a closely contested but goalless first half, Red Star took the lead when Alex pounced on a defensive calamity, calmly tapping into an empty net from a rapidly narrowing angle. Chew though came back strongly and 3 goals looked like the game was theirs, but then with 10 minutes left a 30 yard wonder strike from James put Red Star right back in it. Chances came and went for both sides, but it was Red Star who struck the decisive final blow with a deft header from Waj that looped satisfyingly over the keeper and into the net.
Thanks to Chew for, firstly, making the game happen and, secondly, accepting our under 50 contingent. Thanks also to Toby, the stand in ref, who looked like he’d been born in black.
A tough ending for Chew which felt like a loss at the time. Game was played in good spirit throughout and our thanks to Red Star’s stand in ref who did a great job. Didn’t go to the pub afterwards as we couldn’t find it 🙂 so ended up back in our local. After goals from Bert, Ian and JP the last 10 minutes were the story. At 3-2 Ian hit the bar with 5 minutes to go and Chew were unable to see it out with the equaliser from Red star in the final minute. Red star were a good bunch of guys and it was great to get the game on despite the weather.