Winscombe Res 1 - Nailsea United A 2 (Sat 24th Nov)

United Scorers: Smithson, Berry

Winscombe Res from the 1st division of the Weston-super- Mare & District League played hosts to Nailsea United A from division two in a game full of emotion and total commitment. Nailsea as well as Winscombe had many changes to their team and the opening exchanges unsettled both sides. United found their footing first and on 10 minutes they made the break through when Mike Smithson finished off a wonderful made goal from 8 yards.

The gauntlet had been thrown down by the visitors and the match heated up. Winscombe replied with some fine build up play and got back on terms soon after. But neither side wanted to give ground and a full-on battle began. Nailseas Liam Horton and James Forbes both stood firm in midfield and they provided the front two of Matt Collins & Jo Berry with a couple of chance to go clear. The Winscombe defence held firm too and they showed that the best form of defence was attack. They came close on a couple of occasions, but nothing went their way. The one clear cut chance the hosts had was smartly saved by Barry Maxted and the game continued to be fought out at both ends of the pitch. It looked as if the sides would go in at half time level. But with seconds remaining Jo Berry glided passed the last defender and was brought down just out side the box. Matt Allen took the free kick which came down off the bar and there was Jo (the sweet) Berry to head in.

The second half was played at the same high tempo with Winscombe failing to get past the rear ground 4 of Sampson, Turner, McLaughlin & Mills. This only frustrated the home side and they started to play a more physical & hostile game. They gave away numerous free kicks resulting in two yellow cards and also a possible penalty decision, which the linesman rules outside the box. Nailsea on the other hand kept their composure and played out the match with total commitment. This was an enthralling & action-packed game to watch. Both sides played the short game through midfield and either side could have won. But Nailsea United came out on top and saw themselves through to the next round.

Nailsea United A 6 - Burnham 0 (Sat 10th Nov)

United Scorers: Smithson 3, Berry, Allen 2

In contrast to last weeks red hot start to a game, Nailsea fell out of the blocks this time around. Unable to find any sort of cohesion in their passing, tackling or even team shape they came under pressure straight away. Burnham who had lost their first match of the season to Nailsea now looked for revenge. Their movement, passing and pure enthusiasm pushed Nailsea back. The hosts conceded a number of free kicks which Burnham failed to capitalise on. But for 20 minutes it looked as if the home side might lose their first league game.

And then out of the blue, up stepped the Nailseas forward line. The next 15 minutes they ran ragged and scored four well taken goals. Marc Smithson, who is in a great vein of form, got himself a hat trick and Jo Berry, who set Marc up, then collected his 10th goal of the season. This turned the match and Nailsea started to dominate. From that point on Burnham looked shell shocked.

Even the half time break didn’t help the visitors. Nailsea kept on going and defended their lead extremely well and didn’t let Burnham back in the contest. Matt Allen took on the goal scoring role from midfield with two more and as a team; Nailsea continued to play some nice football to the end. Some good performances were shown throughout the Nailsea side, but Man of The Match must go to Marc Smithson for his great technique and cool finishing in front of goal and at a time when things looked well out of reach for Nailsea.

Blagdon 1 - Nailsea United A 3 - (Sat 3rd Nov)

United Scorers: Berry, Smithson 2

Nailsea United A’s hit the ground running and went straight into the lead after only 5 minutes. Some nice team play opened up Blagdon and a excellent cross from Jo Berry found Marc Smithson free at the far post to slot the ball home. A few minutes later an even more impressive goal came along. This time it started from Keeper Kavanagh who threw the ball to Martin Hodges, who then fed it into Matt Allen , he in turn took a touch and sent it through the midfield to Jo Berry , who had a one on one with the keeper and finished it off in style. Nailsea continued to press forward and Marc Smithson got his second and Nailsea’s third on 35 minutes.

The hosts struggled to get going. This was largely due to Liam Horton and the Nailsea back four of Hodges, Turner, Wallace and Sampson who kept them at bay. The home keeper was the busiest in this match. He made some fine saves, two in particular. The first from a Matt Allen free kick and another great reaction save from 6 yards to deny Marc Smithson his hat trick.

The second half wasn’t as fruitful for Nailsea. A feeling of complacency crept into their game. Blagdon, to their credit, never gave up and started to make things awkward for the visitors. Mike Smithson and Al Parsons continued to probe down the flacks, but nothing came from their efforts. Al also saw his penalty saved by the in form keeper. This only spurred Blagdon on and kept their hopes alive of a goal. They eventually did get that goal when Nailsea gave away a needless free kick. The ball was swung into the box, the forward headed it against the post and it fell nicely for the home side to get a conciliation goal. By this time the game was won and it only left United to run the clock down and take home the points

Nailsea United A 6 - Milton Crusaders 3 (Sat 20th Oct)

United Scorers: Parsons (pen), Roberts, OG, Berry 2, Smithson

If you are not a connoisseur of the beautiful game but love the sound of a ball rasping against the net, then this nine goal thriller was one for you to watch. It wasn’t what you’d call a free flowing artful spectacle, but more of a cavalry charge at the battle of waterloo.

Nailsea came to the field with a much more positive out look on the proceedings and went one nil ahead after Jo Berry was brought down inside the box after only four minutes. Al Parsons duly dispatched the penalty kick. Nailsea then started a barrage on the Milton goal. Two minutes later Jo showed up again and crossed a delightful ball for Jamie Roberts to tap in. Soon after that a short corner lead to Jamie crossing the ball which saw the defender put it past his own keeper. Both sides continued to duel it out and on 30 minutes Milton got back in the game when an attacker was left free inside the United box and he smashed it home.

After the break, the Crusaders pushed men forward and came close on a couple of occasions. They also missed a penalty which only added to their frustrations. And then on the hour, Jo Berry went around the last defender and made it four one to the home side. Milton, who were devoted to their cause, then replied when the Nailsea defence were caught napping. This didn’t seem to inconvenience the league leaders and almost immediately they too scored again. This time Tony Peacock threaded a ball to Jo who restored the three goal advantage.

More pressure from the visitors gave then another scrambled goal. But once again, Nailsea put them in their place. On this occasion Marc Smithson who had only been on the pitch for five minutes, finished a fine move and banked the points.

This may seem as if it was a day for the forwards, but the Solid Mike Wallington & the majestic Mat Allen both played big midfield roles for The A’s in this victory.

Nailsea United A 5 - Nailsea Town 0 (Sat 6th Oct)

United Scorers: Allen 2, Horton, Berry, Bannerman

This top of the table Derby started with the home side creating a couple of chances early on. None of them found their target and against the run of play United struck the first blow. The move started when Jo Berry beat the fullback and found Matt Allen free inside the six yard box to tap home. Both sides continued to battle it out and the United midfield duo of Horton and Thorne held their own. On 20 minutes the visitors made it two nil when a throw-in caused mayhem in the Town defence and the ball fell to the feet of Allen who once again dispatched it away.

Nailsea Town seem undaunted by the way things were going and kept playing some tidy approach play. All their good work came to nothing as they fell short in the final third. This was due to the United back four of Hodges, Cook, Turner and Tracey who all looked solid and continued to frustrate the Town forwards for the rest of the game. Then just before half time Liam Horton made it three when he struck a fine shot from 20 yards, which flew passed the out stretched keeper.

Nailsea United continued to reinforce their hold on the game in the second half. Their forth goal came from an up field clearance by keeper Kavanagh, which Berry got on the end of to chip over the on coming keeper. Then to top off a fine workman like performance, Campbell Bannerman came off the bench to score a fine solo effort.

This was a good display by the league division two leaders, as Nailsea Town will be in contention at the end of the season.

Nailsea United A 3 - Clarence Park 2 (Sat 15th Sept)

United Scorers: Parsons, Berry, Hodges

Clarence Park started this match with some very positive and forceful play, whereas Nailsea floundered with some woeful defending and unsure passing. Within 3 minutes the visitors opened their account with a ball which went straight through the heart of the Nailsea defence and left the forward time to slot it home. Nailsea, now on the back foot, couldn’t fine their rhythm and struggled to get a grip on the game. They then fell further behind when a Clarence Park corner found its way to an unmarked attacker inside the six yard box. Halftime couldn’t come quick enough for the home side as they needed to regroup.

The unbeaten Nailsea started the second period with a much more confident look about them and they began to string passes together. The introduction of Buxton & Iles into midfield helped the momentum and after ten minutes of pressure Al Parsons finished off a nice move to get Nailsea on the score sheet. Now with a foothold on the match, United pushed forward and penned Clarence back. Team play was good and Jo Berry had a few chances to bring things level. His head didn’t go down and it paid off for the youngster when Mike Smithson won a tackle to start a move which Jo finished in fine style. The tide had turned now and the visitors looked all at sea. Nailsea defended well and continued to pour on the pressure. With only five minutes remaining, Martin Hodges capped of a fantastic come back when he lashed home the winner with his left peg. A true team effort and a wonderful “never say die” attitude was show by all, but the man of the match went to Dan Sampson for his total defending in both halves.

Burnham A 3 - Nailsea United A 7 (Sat 1st Sept)

United Scorers: Berry 4, Mike Smithson 2, Allen

A memorable start to the season for young Joe Berry fired the As to a comprehensive 7-3 victory over a physical Burnham side. Joe hit four stunning goals, accompanied by a double from Mike Smithson and a classy free kick from Matt Allen, in a display which will still be giving the home defence nightmares.

Only 5 minutes had gone when Berry raced through, rounded the keeper and opened Nailsea’s account for the season. And minutes later he made it two with an excellent turn in the box before placing the ball beyond the keeper’s reach into the far corner. His hat-trick nearly followed soon after when he again raced through, but this time the ball hit the wrong side of the net.

Having had everything their own way so far Nailsea were shocked when Burnham pulled a goal back on 30 minutes, with a fine strike from distance giving keeper Kavanagh no chance.

At half time managers Keable and Kavanagh called for a strong start to the second half, and that was certainly what they got. First Smithson fired home from close range to make it 3, and then he was brought down just outside of the area. Allen stepped up and slotted the ball into the corner and the game was looking safe.

A foul on Berry gave him the chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot, and he fired into the corner to make it 5. A scramble in the Nailsea area allowed Burnham to add a second, but the advantage was soon restored when Berry’s shot hit the bar and Smithson headed home the rebound. Another scrappy goal made it 6-3, before Berry wrapped it up with a well taken fourth.

Kav and Keabs won’t have an easier MOM decision to make this season, but strong performances all across the pitch will give them optimism for a swift return to Division One.