League: Over 50s
Reclinosaurs vs Re-Union
A good game on a tricky surface at the Met school, where Reclinosaurs achieved their goal of doing better than in the 10-0 reverse in the previous game with Re-Union. First half was fairly even, the Saurs conceded a soft goal from a corner, but created chances of their own, before Re-union spurned two great opportunities to increase the lead just before the break. After HT Re-Union came out with renewed vigor and scored two good goals. Tony scored a superb direct free kick to pull one back, then a mix up at the back gifted RU a fourth. Saurs weren’t finished though and immediately struck back when Rev tucked a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. Fitness began to tell and as the Saurs ran out of legs RU added two more from defensive errors. Congratulations to RU, who now look certain to claim the div 2 title.
Russell Athletic 50s vs Nailsea Vets 50s
Unfortunately Russell have struggled to get a team together so they’ve had to cancel for a second time and agreed to award Nailsea a 3-0 walkover win. Good luck for keeping their squad together next season when we hope to play them again.
Russell Athletic 50s vs Reclinosaurs
A terrific game between two well matched sides at BAWA finished with honors even. Reclinosaurs had the better of the first half, but calamitous defending allowed Russell to twice take the lead. New boy Simon and Kenty both slotted good finishes to take it into HT at 2-2. After the break the Saurs again started brightly and took the lead when Kenty nodded in Justini’s cross, but after that Russell took full control, getting in behind the defence time and again. It looked as though a couple of missed open goals might allow the Saurs to escape with a cheeky win, but with the last action of the game a perfect corner was nodded home for the equalizer. This game was a great advert for vets football, plenty of endeavor, plenty of action, some good football played by both sides and some terrible errors at both ends, but plenty of smiles all round at the conclusion. Good luck to Russell for the run in.
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.
Nailsea Vets 50s vs HC Voyager 50s
Apologies to Voyager that the changing rooms weren’t available today. We were therefore all pleased to be playing on a dry and sunny morning as the touchline doubled as the dressing room.
Voyager started well and could have nicked one or two goals in the first ten minutes had it not been for some smart keeping from Darren Penny in the sticks but Nailsea went onto their biggest win of the season.
Nailsea started controlling the midfield and played some neat passing football as they began to threaten an opening. The breakthrough finally came on 15 minutes as Lee Cogan headed in from a free-kick floated in from Steve Clarke. A second well-worked goal followed shortly after; Nelly advanced on the left and found Matt Gigg in the centre who released Lee Philipps to cross to the left side for Lee C to head in his second. Lee C was the provider for the third; his corner finding Nelly who headed in at the far post. Lee then grabbed his hat trick with a low shot into the bottom left from just inside the box.
An injury to Darren J in centre mid forced a substitution with ‘The Gaffer’ (I’m only copying the notes) making a rare appearance. What an impact …. with an instant assist for Lee C to notch his 4th and give Nailsea a 5 – 0 halftime lead.
The second half produced another 9 goals for Nailsea with Voyager replying once for a Nailsea 14-1 victory. Too many goals to describe in detail but the highlights were a lovely volley from Jerry to make it 8-1 and a sweet strike from the edge of the box into the top left corner from Jimmy for a 10th.
For the record – Lee C: 6 / Nelly:2 / and singles from Steve C, Lee P, Jason, Matt, Jerry & Jimmy.
It was a tough result for Voyager to swallow but they remained determined and played the game in a competitive and good spirit throughout.
Thanks to all the Nailsea boys who’ve run out this season. Over to DJ for an end of season beer.