League: Over 50s

Reclinosaurs vs Nailsea Vets 50s

A game of two halves – literally!  Since we’d be unable to schedule a new date for the postponed game earlier in the season, we agreed to play this match as a doubleheader; with each half counting as a separate result.

Nailsea fielded a few new faces and we’re hopeful this was an introduction for a growing squad next season. Lee Philips was lively on the right hand side of midfield for Nailsea and provided two assists for Lee Cogan to put us up 2-0 after half an hour. The first was a header from a well floated cross and the second was a bullet of a shot into the top left corner as Cogs cut inside onto his left foot from a Lee P pass inside. Shortly before half time Cogs notched his hat trick drilling low into the net picking the ball up from a rebound after a Matt G shot. The score could have been higher being it not for some heroics from Russ in the sticks from Reclinosaurs. Result 3-0.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first with Nailsea confident on the ball and dominating possession. After 5 minutes new boy Steve Lester ran onto the ball in the centre of the pitch and from 40 plus yards out hit a dipping shot into the roof of the net. This seemed to rally Reclinosaurs who began to boss midfield and create more of a threat. After 15 minutes play was stopped when an aerial challenge (quite innocuous and nothing sinister) resulted in Nailsea left back Shane out cold as he fell and landed on the back of his head. He was taken off to hospital for observation and we all hope he has a full and quick recovery. Play restarted after a 10 minute delay and Reclinosaurs dominated possession with Nailsea sitting deeper on the edge of their box but managing to defend resolutely. Russ made a couple more saves from a couple of rare Nailsea attacks to keep Reclinosaurs in with a chance but Nailsea managed to hold out for another 3 points.

Played in a good spirit in perfect conditions on a sunny Sunday morning.

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Decliners FC vs Chew Magna 50s

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.

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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!

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Re-Union vs Nailsea Vets 50s

Absolutely no complaints tonight. Nailsea started excellently  and ripped us apart to lead 4-0 after 25 minutes. We played  well for the last hour and got back to 4-3 but Nailsea were worthy winners . Always an enjoyable game.

 

Unfortunately I was away for this fixture but big thanks to ReUnion for accepting the father and sons rule to be played since this was the only way we could pull a team together with late injuries and illness hitting the squad. I understand we kept the fresh young legs at the back on the whole so hopefully they weren’t deemed to overly influence our performance which by all accounts got off to a great start with 4 goals in the first half an hour. ReUnion made a great comeback to make it a competitive encounter as it so often is against these guys.

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