League: Over 45s

Red Star Report:
News was abuzz this week of a legendary left back turned striker appearing at his club’s new ground threatening goals. In other news Gareth Bale re-signed for Spurs,

Red Star opened the league season against Swift at their new Saltford home, dubbed the ‘Salt Siro’ by at least one Red Star fan. Building on their cup exploits, it was another accomplished performance for the impressive reds in green. After probing the Swift defence from all angles in the opening exchanges, James opened the scoring with a well judged long range lob. Tahir doubled things up with a show of pace hinting at a doping scandal, getting behind the defence and slotting in calmly. Andy, on a rampage from the back, almost nicked it as it crossed the line, but his hamstring had a conscience and pulled him back at the last.

Red Star went further ahead when the ball broke to Waj 30 yards out with the keeper gone AWOL, his well judged strike finding the unguarded net. 3-0 at half time, allowing the gaffer to shuffle his resources in some comfort. Auxiliary striker Steve made it 4-0 after a fine cross from Si, leaping like a spent salmon to head against the bar and then reacting swiftly to tuck in the rebound. That’s 1 in 1 for the season for Red Star’s one time left back and a goals per game statistic that’s hard to ignore.

The game was effectively settled when Joel chested in a wicked in-swinging corner from close range. Swift rallied with 2 late goals as Red Star relaxed perhaps a bit too much, but 90 minutes is a very long time this early in the season and the general boost in fitness levels was encouraging to see.

5-2 at the final whistle and then perhaps the league’s shortest walk from pitch to bar. Well played Swift, a good spirited contest on a very fine Sunday morning. Thanks to Saltford for being so welcoming and accommodating.

Swift Report:

Good dame of two halves at Saltford. Much more even than the score suggests!

Red Star 45s vs Swift FC

Easton Cowboys 45’s vs Cardiff Accies 45’s

Easton Cowboys Report:

Today’s league game between Easton Cowboys 45s v Cardiff Accies ended up in a 5-3 win for the Cowboys.

Cowboys took the lead possibly against the run of play. Cardiff then scored two before we levelled the match just before half-time.

Second half saw Easton take a 3-2 lead before Cardiff equalised. Cowboys pulled away to 5-3 before being awarded a late penalty. Our striker was on a hat-trick but then shot pretty tamely and the keeper saved it.

Enjoyable game in the sunshine.

Easton Cowboys 45s vs Cardiff Accies 45’s

Shipham AFC vs Bryan Munich

Bryan Munich Report:

Bryan Munich kicked off their new league campaign with a resounding away win on the slopes of the Mendips at Shipham. A strong squad started with the slope in their favour and it was on 6 minutes that a slick move and cross was met with a bullet header from last season’s top scorer Mat Bennett. On 25 minutes, a solo run on the left led to the second. Bryan made some changes and the game settled into a rhythm of Bryan attacks culminating in a third in first half injury time.

The restart saw pressure from Shipham down the slope but the Bryan defence held strong. A quick double on 59 and 60 minutes made the game safe. More changes were made and on 70 minutes Bryan scored on the counter attack with an acute finish from the left.

Mat Bennet finished his perfect hat-trick on 87 minutes and the game looked over, however, as Bryan went for the elusive clean sheet a great long shot from Shipham hit the corner of the bar and post and the keeper had to dive at the feet of the oncoming striker to maintain the shutout.

Shipham played really well in bursts and were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Splendid game of Corinthian football, refereed really well.

Shipham AFC vs Bryan Munich

Swift FC vs Nailsea Vets 45’s

Swift Report:

A very pleasant, extremely even and remarkably incident free game to report… Swift went ahead early on and then Nailsea equalised late on before the dreaded penalties…

Nailsea Report:

Thanks to the league committee for all the support in the last few weeks to make sure we were in good shape to get playing football again.

This opening game of the season was bookended by two goals, one in the first five minutes as a lack of concentration at the back by Nailsea let Swift in and one late on by Alex Plenty to level the score and take this cup tie to penalties. In between the two goals both teams shared possession quite evenly; Nailsea making good use of the width but lacking a final ball to really carve out any clear-cut chances. Swift had several opportunities on goal but the ever-dependable Lee McGreevy between the sticks kept Nailsea in the game.

5 minutes from time with an equalizer starting to look unlikely, Alex fired home low into the left corner of the net from 8 yards out in a crowded box to level the score. In the final two minutes Nailsea’s had two chances to nick a late win with a shot cleared off the line and Rich Wood pulling off a good stop in goal for Swift.

So, this was one for the neutral as we went to penalties. Fortunes ebbed and flowed; 3-3 after the first 5 penalties so sudden death and after Swift crashed a spot kick onto the cross bar, Mark Evans cooley drilled the ball top left to give Nailsea the win. This game could have gone either way so unlucky to Swift but we wish them luck as they embark on their league games.

Swift 1 – Nailsea 1

Swift FC vs Nailsea Vets 45’s