League: Over 50s

Nailsea Vets 50s vs St Brendan’s RFC OB

Conditions weren’t ideal on a blustery morning so instructions were to keep the ball on the deck. Nailsea started brightly controlling much of the play in the early exchanges but gifted St Brendans an opportunity on 15 minutes losing possession on the edge of the box. St Brendans striker fired a great shot from 18 yards out to put them 1-0  up. Lee Cogan equalized for Nailsea from the penalty spot after a pen was awarded for handball and it felt like just rewards on the balance of play. As half time was approaching it looked as though the score would remain even until St Brendans keeper made a wayward clearance straight to Darren Jones who side footed into an empty net. 2-1 Halftime.

Playing against the wind in the second half seemed to suit Nailsea as several chances went begging. St Brendans continued to threaten but stand in keeper Steve remained solid. Nailsea’s dominance finally paid off as Nelly shot from a tight angle on the left and the clearance from the defence fell to Jerry who slotted home from 12 yards out to make it 3-1.

With 15 minutes remaining Nailsea manager came on for a rare run out. Immediately St Brendans pulled one back (3-2) – inspired substitution! Nailsea restored a two goal cushion as Nelly was involved again firing in from the left to make it 4-2 Nailsea. Alex Plenty scored twice in the final minutes to give Nailsea a 6-2 victory; deserved on the balance of play and chances created.

Good luck to St Brendans for the remainder of the season. We always enjoy some banter and a pint with these guys after the game.

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HC Voyager 50s vs Reclinosaurs

With 3 late drop outs including the keeper, things looked bleak pre-match for the Reclinosaurs. Luckily Big Al volunteered for the gloves and Tony persuaded a couple of ex-Ramblers to turn up last minute. Biccy tinkered with the formation again, going for a sweeper system. Given that our last result was a 10-0 reverse, there seemed to be little to lose. What followed was a tight game. Reclinosaurs had the better of the first half and went in 2-0 up at the break. Gaffers scored a superb individual effort and then supplied a perfect corner for Mark to head in. This was replicated almost exactly soon after HT, but that was the end of the ‘Saurs domination. The last 40 minutes was largely a rearguard action punctuated by the odd break. Voyager pulled one back after big Al was left one one one, then the sides traded penalties before a great wind-assisted strike finished the resistance. EB had a great game and received his bespoke souvenir plate to mark 50 appearances for the franchise at the end, Thanks to Voyager for reffing, great to get the game on despite the downpours overnight.

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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.

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Re-Union vs Reclinosaurs

Reclinosaurs were ruthlessly torn apart by Re-Union at Frys. With no recognized keeper against the best team in the division, this was always going to be a tough assignment and it was made considerably tougher by presenting the first three goals to the opposition through defensive and goalkeeping errors. By half time it was five, but Reclinosaurs continued to battle despite Re-Union being superior in every department. As injuries began to deplete the ‘saurs, the goals continued to flow at regular intervals with Re-Union driving home their advantage without mercy. In the end, the manager’s rather gloomy pre-match prediction that ‘this will probably be about 10-0’ turned out to be spookily accurate. Well played Re-Union on a throughly deserved victory.

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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.

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HC Voyager 50s vs Re-Union

Always an enjoyable game with HC Voyager. Another flattering scoreline. We score two good goals in the first half but HC Voyager were the better side for the final 20 minutes of the half. When the third goal went in Reunion assumed a bit more control. We were disappointed to see Carl score an own goal at the end , despite displaying impressive chest control. I assume the keeper wasn’t expecting such finesse.

It was great to get the fixture played and we are delighted to be in the semi final.

We look forward to our next fixture with Voyager,

 

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Reclinosaurs vs St Brendan’s RFC OB

A really well contested game at BAWA with little to choose between the two sides. Reclinosaurs edged it in terms of possession and chances created, but St B’s were competitive throughout and in the end the fact that they only had bare 11 was a significant factor in the result. The Saurs took the lead when Demmy headed so inaccurately into the ground that the force of the bounce looped the ball over the keeper. They added a second when the unsighted B’s keeper could only parry Gaffers’ cross into the net. Both sides had good penalty shouts rejected in a tight second half of few chances. Jase wasted a one on one when clean through and the B’s keeper made a great save from Gaffers’ long range effort. In the final minute the B’s striker finally got free but blazed over. Great effort from both sets of players and a game played in good spirit.

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