League: Gunter 45s Div 1

Cribbs Vets vs Red Star 45s

This game  was  originally an away fixture for Red Star but switched way back in September when the bowling green turf  of Cribbs was unavailable . The relentless heavy rain over the past 2 weeks put the game in doubt again but as other fixtures started to get cancelled due to waterlogged pitches the Saltford groundsman worked his magic again and the game kicked off without any problems.
After the first 10 mins the crowd of  4 could see  there wasn’t much between the 2 teams. Red Star eventually started to get on top , with some nice play down the wings and had the better of the chances ,one of which was put away by last year’s Golden Boot winner Draner.
1 0 to Red Star at half time .
Red Star had the luxury of bringing on 4 pairs of fresh legs from the bench  for the start of the second half but it took a while for the new formation to adapt and this allowed  Cribbs to come back into the game  causing some problems and eventually their pressure paid off and they levelled the score . Red Star kept pressing  and  eventually this year’s Golden boot  contender Wajid and one of  the managers half time changes got on the end of a  ball from Neil to score in the corner .
Time to shut up shop for the last 15 minutes and take off a striker  and bring back on Simon to bolster the midfield . Unfortunately Simon had decided he was going for an early shower despite being told he would come back on (not for the first time). Luckily Gareth was on the bench to fulfil this role and Red Star saw the game out .
It was a competitive game played in the right way . Great communication from the Cribbs manager Dave  b4 the game  and the Ref was brilliant  . 4 games 4 wins
Wick away next – aaaaaaaagh

Rapid Dementia vs Nailsea Vets 45’s

Rapid played their first match against a good Nailsea Vets side in what turned out to be a decent Corinthians match. Manager Gregory consulted weather legend Michael Fish before booking Writhlington 3G so the game was on. Unfortunately a number of players turned out to be unfit to start and even the pre match joke couldn’t lift them to a state of readiness!

It was a good opening from Rapid however and an intelligent burst into the box saw Weaver latch onto a through ball from JD before rounding the keeper and slotting home. An early injury saw Rapids only fit sub Morgs take the field and possibly due to a lack of a good warm up or a hangover, he was dispossessed allowing Nailsea to run and score the equaliser. Gregory unusually had a bit of a rant before JD settled nerves by robbing the CB and running in to take a very calmly converted finish.

A early second half tap in from Weaver was followed by a peach of a header from Clive Costner Slocombe to extend the lead before JD hit a sweet left footed shot into the top corner. The final goal came when JD found Gregory with a forward run and his fizzed pass was superbly converted by the waiting Curtis!

Rapid extend their 100% record this season and look forward to the crucial clash against Wick!

 

 

 

Red Star 45s vs Swift FC

This fixture  looked in doubt from early on .Swift were struggling to raise a team, but fair play to Swifts manager Rich  who himself wasn’t available ,stuck at it and a couple of weeks of recruitment managed to get 14 players . The next issue was would the Saltford pitch hold up under a week of torrential rain . A big shout out to Saltford’s groundsman as the pitch was  really good considering .
The game kicked of without rain but with ominous black clouds in the distance .
Red Star started the brighter ,probably as many of Swifts players were still getting to know each other. Red Star pressure led to their first corner which was met by the head of right back Al ,scoring his first goal for the 45’s . 10 mins later a lovely probing run from midfielder Jon was ended when he was brought down in the box – no arguments from Swift as the  penalty was awarded . Jon converted his own pen from the spot .

2 : 0  at Half time . The second half started and Swift seemed like a different team and were putting Red Star under more pressure .Then the black clouds reached Saltford and the heavens opened . The rain was relentless as was Waj , a half time substitute ,who’s shoot on site tactic paid dividends and managed a brace by the time the final whistle blew. .Between Waj’s goals was a goal by Swift to make the score 3 : 1 ,. the goal it was a thing of beauty . A perfectly waited  shot from outside the box- bent into the top left corner of the Red Star net.

Everybody was drenched by now and  pleased the game was over and headed to the hot showers and the bar.
The game was played in the right spirit and fair play to Swift for getting a team together and the game on in the first place. . Good luck to Swift for the rest of the season .

Swift FC vs Rapid Dementia

Not Rapids favourite place to visit, although the smaller pitch at Frys would certainly have helped missing defender Dave Stokes, recently diagnosed with an optical issue! Swift FC came out the better of the teams and Rapid struggled to cope with their first touch and the play largely went with the opposition. Rapid however opened the scoring straight from a corner – Darren James using algebraic formulae to find a gap at the near post. Swift hit back with a well taken goal from their pacey forward but Rapid responded with the better chances, Gregory, repeatedly testing the keeper from range, Weaver from close range and finally Curtis and James adding to the tally with actual goals! The second half was much more drawn out with Rapid conceding very little in the way of chances but struggling to get into their rhythm, However good wide play eventually found Gurner, in oceans of space and he netted the fourth with a well taken goal. That was the conclusion of the match and Rapid left the field maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.

Bury Legends vs Rapid Dementia

Rapid travelled to Congresbury to face Bury Legends for the first time, and it turned out to be one of our best performances in a long time. Justin Dowling opened the scoring, converting on the volley from a wide cross. Pretty soon Rapid took full control with a quick succession of goals, Jase Curtis showing pace, we thought had long ago disappeared and finishing reminiscent of his youth. Jase went on to grab his hattrick and the players MOM. Other goals came from all quarters with Sam Morton missing a second half penalty. A very good start to the season from Rapid!

A humbling experience for Bury, totally outclassed by a well drilled team. Congratulations to Rapid and back to the drawing board for Bury.

Nailsea Vets 45’s vs Red Star 45s

All the previous meetings between Red Star and Nailsea are close affairs ,this was no exception .Red Star started better with some lovely passing football on the Clifton 3G pitch. Red Star took the lead from a great Gareth Corner to the back stick  ,Jon buoyed up from the perfect hattrick a week earlier in Dublin put the ball in the back of the net.
The Game ebbed and flowed and Nailsea got back into it and would have drawn level  and gone in front ,if it wasn’t for  three world class saves from  Ian the Red Star keeper .
Jon got a second goal for Red Star and it looked like they would cruise the second half but Nailsea had other ideas and  stuck at it and their constant pressure produced  a well deserved goal, a brilliant header from our own left back. I won’t name him but Andy ignoring shouts of keepers thought it was about time he got on the score sheet.  Nailsea definitely were the better team in the second half but Red Stars defence wasn’t going to make it easy for them. Red Star got another goal after a  scrum  in the box  where the Nailsea keeper seemed to fall over his own player. The Goal was given by the ref  and  all the Red Star players walked back to their own half and lined up for the restart  .Two minutes past as a non existent VAR decided to overturn the decision. The last nervous 10 minutes seemed like an hour from the touch line but injuries and tiredness were taking a  toll on Nailsea and Red Star saw the game out.
It was a tough game played in a reasonable spirit – Hands up- Red star were  definitely  responsible for the vast majority of the fouling  but Nailsea were definitely better at the moaning ?