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.

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,

 

Praise to both sides for fielding teams when it was looking doubtful we’d have enough players but the game went ahead as scheduled on another bright and sunny Sunday morning. Unfortunately there wasn’t a referee available so as the home team the Voyager sub took responsibility to officiate. All players involved were incredibly respectful and largely ‘self policed’ the game which made for a very friendly encounter.

Within two minutes Nailsea were a man down with Steve pulling a muscle so one of our two subs was immediately called upon as a replacement. Both teams had plenty of possession in the first 10 minutes but Nailsea took the lead through Gary Himsworth as he received the ball wide on the right side of the penalty box and with a fine first time shot drilled in low to the keepers left from 12 yards out.

After 25 minutes Nailsea extended the lead through Alex who mirrored Gary’s goal but this time a  shot on the turn low to the keepers right from the left side of the box.

Voyager had several chances of their own and were rewarded with a penalty on 35 minutes after Jonesey bundled into the back of a Voyager player. 2-1.

A late flurry of action at the end of the first half saw Nailsea go in at half time 4-1 up. Our third was a close range tap in from Buzz who followed up from a Lee Cogan shot that the keeper could only parry into his path. Lee eventually notched himself after threatening for much of the half after his first shot was blocked and the rebound fell to him to fire in from 8 yards out.

Thoughts of our last game (5-1 up at half time only to draw 5 -5) came to mind when Voyager pulled one back within 2 minutes of the restart with a bullet header from a corner kick. Not again…. surely? Fortunately not. Lee gave us a 3 goal cushion again with a 20 yard strike into the roof of the net and although Voyager pulled another one back from another headed goal from a corner, Matt Gigg heard the shout “have a go yourself” from 25 yards out, so did and made it a comfortable 6-3 lead on 80 minutes. Lee rounded off a great performance with a final goal to claim his hat-trick in the dying minutes to make the final score 7 -3.

Well done to Voyager for holding the fixture that had been in some doubt a week earlier.