Frys Club 0 - Nailsea United 3 (01/05/04)

It was the final game of the season for Nailsea, and today's result would determine whether they finished 9th or 11th.

Nailsea were out of the blocks fast in this game, and hammered the Frys defence, winning a succession of free kicks around the edge of the area which called the Frys keeper into action on numerous occasions.
Lee Cogan gave Nailsea the lead after being played through on goal, and finished with a neat lob over the advancing keeper.
It wasn’t long before Nailsea made it 2-0 through Ben Cook after some more good work down the left, Cook found the ball at his feet in the centre of the penalty area, and he turned and hit it leaving the keeper with no chance.
The closest Frys came in the first half was when they struck the post, but stand-in keeper Brace smothered the rebound.
Nailsea went in at half time two up, and pleased with the first half's work.

Nailsea started the second half the way they started the first, and the game was effectively killed off by the man touted as the best passer in Somerset football. When the ball was at Moorcroft's feet on the edge of the area, there was only one place it was going, and that place was the back of the net.
Nailsea continued to press, and introduced youngsters Lee, Barnard, and Driver to add fresh impetous, but Nailsea could not find the elusive fourth.
Frys were still able to carve out opportunities, but found that Nailsea's back four and keeper Brace were in fine form, and today was not going to be their day.

The final whistle went, and Nailsea's 2003/2004 campaign was over.
The man of the match accolade went to Nailseas midfield maestro Moorcroft.

Nailsea United 2 - Mangotsfield United Reserves 3 (27/04/04)

Nailsea kicked off shooting downhill in the first half, and probably had the better of the early exchanges. The game was something of a stalemate until Cogan latched on to a Mangotsfield free kick, and lobbed the keeper to make it 1-0. Nailsea continued to create chances, probably the best chance falling to Cogan after Murray whipped in a great cross, but Cogan could only head wide.
Both sides looked a bit lethargic in the first half, and with Alan Powell winning most things in the air Mangotsfield rarely got a site of goal.

The second half saw Mangotsfield opt for the long ball approach, and this seemed to reap rewards as it created indecisiveness amongst Nailsea's back line.
Mangotsfield eventually equalised after a horrendous blunder saw the ball bobble over the foot of Adamson and then over keeper Samson into the net.
Mangotsfield then took a firm grip of the game, and went 2-1 up with a fantastic strike from just outside the Nailsea area. Nailsea introduced Adam Barnard, Russ Driver and Ben Cook into the game for some fresh impetous, and did look more of an attacking side, but it wasn’t long before Mangotsfield went 3-1 up after a mix up at the back saw the Mangotsfield striker head home a pinpoint cross.
Nailsea then threw caution to the wind, and had the better of the last quarter of an hour putting Mangotsfield under pressure. Ben Cook pulled one back with a well taken lob, but this was to prove to only be a consolation goal as Mangotsfield ended up 3-1 winners.

This game summed up Nailsea's season as sloppy mistakes have cost them again.

Jungle Jim's MOM verdict: Alan Powell, for an impressive collection of 70 yard headers.

Nailsea United 6 - Keynsham Town 1 (17/04/04)

With Nailsea having lost twice this season to Keynsham Town, they had a point to prove.

Nailsea started the game kicking uphill, and looked the better side with some neat football being played, but they were to go a goal down early on as Nailsea keeper Sampson misjudged a bouncing ball, and the Keynsham forward ran through and slotted the ball home.
Nailsea didn't let this setback disrupt them, and they continued to play some attractive football, particularly down the right hand side, as Murray and Stu Lee combined well.

Nailsea got a deserved equaliser through Spittle after a cross from the right was side-footed home.
With Stu Lee continuing to pull the strings in midfield, Nailsea looked comfortable, and were to score again when a 25-yard pile driver from Cogan flew into the net after a tidy lay off from James Lee.
With half time approaching Nailsea scored there third when Ian Moorcroft danced past two defenders and cooly slotted the ball home. Keynsham's attempts at pushing forward proved fruitless as the Nailsea offside trap worked on numerous occasions.

The second half started with Nailsea again playing some good football, and Keynsham rarely troubled the well marshalled Nailsea defence. The dominance of the home side was rewarded when Stu Lee tapped home from close range. Moorcroft added his second and Nailsea's fifh with a drive from the edge of the box, which allowed manager Hucker to introduce Barnard, Ridge and Taylor. James Lee was unlucky not to join his brother on the scoresheet, as his header was harshly ruled out for a foul. The away side became increasingly frustrated, and their tackling became reckless. A late challenge on Wilson led to a minor altercation, as the United captain confronted the "carthorse".

The rout was completed when Simon Taylor edged in front of his marker to fire home the sixth.
This was a good performance from Nailsea as they aim to end the season on a high. Guest MOM adjudicator Jungle Jim gives the award to Stu Lee for a hard-working display in midfield and some good creative touches, capped with a goal.

Nailsea kicked off going uphill, and looked sluggish from the start. With Moorcroft forced to play centre half, Nailsea failed to get a hold of the game in midfield.
Cleeve looked the more dangerous of the two sides, and went close when their striker forced a fine save from keeper Samson.
It wasn't long before Cleeve took the lead after some poor defending saw the striker side-foot home unmarked.
Half time came and Nailsea were lucky only to be one down.

Russ Driver replaced the injured Moorcroft at half time, and looked bright when he had the ball, but failed to get the required support from the more experienced players around him.
Nailsea's passing was sloppy and didn't really improve through the second half.

Cleeve increased their lead when a mix up at the back saw the ball easily sloted home.

Both sides were poor in this game, but Cleeve deserved their win.

The performances of Stu Lee, Adam Barnard and Russ Driver showed that Nailsea United should have a bright future in the years to come.

Nailsea United 0 - Portishead 0 (03/04/04)

This was a game which both sets of fans had been looking forward to, and with previous games between the two sides having produced a bucket full of red cards, there were always going to be fireworks.

Nailsea kicked off going downhill in the first half, and were to find themselves soaking up some early pressure. Portishead had the better of the opening exchanges without really testing Nailsea's keeper Samson. The game was brought to life when an incident on the halfway line saw Portishead's midfielder Petit given his marching orders for an attempted punch at his opponent. Nailsea's Rich Lucas was given a yellow for his part in the incident . At the same time Nailsea's James Lee was given a yellow card for an innocuous challenge. The man disadvantage was to hinder Portishead considerably, as Nailsea came into the match more. Nailsea applied more pressure, but failed to test the keeper. With the referee looking to even up the sides, he was given the opportunity when young James Lee clipped Portishead's McCarthy. The Portishead midfielder embarrassingly went down under the challenge, and with acting not fit for the soap Eldorado managed to con the referee into giving Lee his second yellow of the game, and sending him for an early shower.
With the sides now even, the rest of the half was pretty much a stalemate, and the teams went in 0-0 at half time.

The second half kicked off with both sides making attacking plays, but both defences were on top, and the keepers remained untested.
The referee was again going to take centre stage when he sent Portishead's Mapstone from the field of play for an off the ball incident which was seen by the linesman.
With players finding themselves in more space, the game became more open, and Portishead were to have their best chance when Holder met a free kick with a downward header, and forced a great save from Samson.
Nailsea were then to have Lucas sent off for shoving an opponent in the chest after an incident at a free kick.
With time ticking away Nailsea introduced Stu Lee and Jon Mark, and were to have their best opportunity when Jon Mark broke down the right, and found Cogan with the centre only for the veteran to blaze his shot over from 8 yards out.
With both sides cancelling each other out, the final whistle went, and the score finished up 0-0 which was probably a fair result.
In a game which was somewhat spoiled by a picky referee, the two sets of fans managed to find some entertainment in exchanging pleasantries throughout the game.

The sides went in 0-0 at half time.

The second half saw Stockwood come close to scoring straight from kick off when the linesman failed to flag for offside as the striker ran through, but the shot struck the post and was subsequently cleared by Powell.
This served as a wake up call to United, who then started turning the screw. A succession of corners for Nailsea saw them come close to scoring, with Wilson heading just wide. It wasn't long before they took the lead when another corner found Lucas, whose header was deflected on its way into the net.
Nailsea continued to press, and were rewarded with a second when a shot was parried by the Stockwood keeper into the path of Springett who tucked the ball away to make it 2-0.
Nailsea made it a tense final few minutes for themselves when they conceeded a sloppy goal from a set piece, but they held on to the end, and bagged 3 points for the second week runninh.

Next up is a local derby against Welsh neighbours Portishead at home.

Bridgwater Town Reserves 0 - Nailsea United 4 (20/03/04)

Nailsea desperately needed a win from this game, but the windy conditions made it a difficult afternoon for both sides. Nailsea started the brighter of the two sides, playing some good football and getting into some good attacking positions, unfortunately the final finish was lacking.
Bridgwater themselves created some good openings, but some excellent defending from Nailsea's back line kept out the hosts.
Nailsea took the lead through James Lee, after he brought the ball down in the box, and slotted it neatly into the corner to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
Some more excellent defending from Nailsea enabled them to go in at half time 1-0 up.

The second half started with the wind having become just short of hurricane force, and made defending even more difficult than it was in the first half. But Nailsea continued to look bright, and scored a second when a Rich Lucas effort was headed into the net by a hapless Bridgwater defender. By now Nailsea were well on top, and Bridgwater were fading rapidly. Nailsea went three up when an excellent one two between Lee and Long saw Matt Long fire the ball home with an excellent finish. United manager Derek Hucker decided to make some substitutions, and brought on Jon Spittle for Ben Cook, Stu Lee for Rich Lucas, and Lee Cogan for James Lee. The changes saw Nailsea turn the screw even tigher, and they were rewarded with a fourth and debut goal from Stu Lee. This was a thoroughly deserved victory, and hopefully it can be the start of a good run into the remaining six fixtures of the season.

Nailsea United 1 - Wells City 2 (06/03/04)

United slipped to their second successive defeat in a stormy clash at the Stade de Grove, which saw a Wells player dismissed for a violent assault on United skipper Wilson.

A full report will probably not follow shortly due to adminstrative difficulties between reporter and IT Director...

Welton Rovers 2 - Nailsea United 1 (28/02/04)

Nailsea travelled to Welton hoping to pick up 3 points which would help continue their recent good run, but it didn't work out that way.
On a very sticky pitch which made passing very difficult, the 1st half saw Nailsea create some excellent opportunities only to be thwarted by the Welton keeper. Welton themselves were able to create a number of chances, but the strikers found themselves facing Midge Sampson who was in excellent form.
Welton managed to break the deadlock midway through the 1st half after a corner was headed home from just outside the six yard box.

Nailsea continued to press again, and came close when a Springett lob went a fraction over the bar. Half time came and went, and the game became scrappy. Nailsea's final ball was lacking, and the Welton strikers were sharp, keeping the United defence on their toes. Nailsea had enough chances to draw level, but a combination of poor finishing and good 'keeping were keeping Welton in front.
Midway into the second half Welton added their second, after Nailsea's keeper gave the ball away out of position, and Welton's striker finished neatly.
Nailsea had nothing to lose now, changed to three at the back and went on the offensive, but again poor finishing let them down. Nailsea did manage to get a consolation goal through James Lee, but couldn't manage to find the equaliser.

A very disappointing result, which summed up much of Nailsea's season so far.

Nailsea United 3 - Team Bath 0 (21/02/04)

On a very cold Saturday, Nailsea faced a Team Bath side who were serious title contenders, and the spectators at the Stade de Grove were not to be disapointed by what they saw. This was the case right from the start of the afternoon, as team captain and HMZ reporter Wilson was sent tumbling as he made his way onto the pitch. As he screamed in pain, team-mates searched the nearby woods for any sign of a sniper, but much to Wilson's embarrassment it was revelaed he had just tripped over a blade of grass.
Nailsea won the toss and chose to shoot uphill and into the wind. Team Bath found it difficult to come to terms with the conditions, and saw much of their play broken down by the Nailsea defence. Although Nailsea were up against the elements, they found time to play some tidy football, and came close after a neat move down the left saw Moorcroft shoot just wide. Team Bath had their moments too, hitting the upright after catching Nailsea on the break. The teams went in 0-0 at half time.

The second half started with Nailsea applying pressure early on, and they knew that they had a great chance of taking all 3 points. With his Nailsea team playing all the football now, Hucker decided a tactical change by switching to 3 at the back, and his decision was rewarded when Cogan scored Thierry Henry-style from a quick free kick on the edge of the Team Bath penalty area, while the keeper was still lining up the wall.
Nailsea now had the initiative, and continued to press because at 1-0 the game was never safe.
Nailsea added to their lead when Ben Murray scored direct from a corner aided by the swirling wind. By this time team Bath had all but given in, but there was still time for Nailsea to notch a third when Bath failed to deal with a corner, and Lee Cogan was left with a tap in for his second. Hannah More Zider apple washer Ridge was brought on for a token appearance at the end, and provided great entertainment to the massed crowd in the John Hobbs Memorial Stand with a shot which remains at the top of the tallest tree behind the goal.
This was a result which Nailsea were desperate for after having lost their last two matches, and they were full value for their win.

Nailsea United 1 - Brislington 2 (14/02/04)

Another disappointing weekend saw Nailsea slip to their second defeat on the trot.
Brislington started this fixture the brighter of the two sides, and were quick to put Nailsea under pressure. Nailsea never got out of 1st gear, and it remained like that for much of the first half.
It was after about 30 minutes when Nailsea took the lead against the run of play, after Moorcroft struck a sweet left footer which swerved away from the keeper and into the corner.
Brislington soon got back into the game after Nailsea conceeded a free kick 25 yards out, which was smashed home by the Brislington striker.
The teams went in at half time all square at 1-1.
Brislington started the second half the way they started the first, and put Nailsea under pressure. It wasn’t long before the pressure told when a cross was whipped in from the left, and the Bris striker beat Nailsea's keeper to the ball, and headed home.
Hucker then decided to make some changes: Lucas came on for Lee, and Moorcroft went up front. With Lucas controlling things in the middle of the park Nailsea started to play, and put Brislington under pressure. Nailsea were now beginning to create chances, and were unlucky not to equalise after the referee ruled a perfectly legal goal offside.
Nailsea pressed again, and created some good chances. The Bris keeper saved well from a close range Jon Spittle effort, and Long was close to getting on the end of a Lucas through ball. Despite their efforts, Nailsea were unable to draw level, and will have to blame giving away sloppy goals as the main reason for their defeat in a tight encounter

Portishead 3 - Nailsea United 2 (Somerset Senior Cup, 07/02/04)

Nailsea started well and took an early lead through Rob Wilson after the keeper had fumbled a Long freekick from the wing. Nailseas lead was cancelled out by a Cleve Holder header in the 30th minute after some sloppy defending. The lively Springett was taking some rough challenges from the out of condition Portishead midfielders, without the ref taking any action. The sides went in level at half time. Nailsea started the second half strongly, and took the lead once again after a Matt Long through ball saw Springett spring the offside trap and finish superbly over the oncoming keeper. Soon after, some more sloppy defending saw Cleve Holder level things with another headed goal in the 60th minute. With everything set up for a rousing final twenty minutes Posset took the lead with a James Clarke header following a run and cross by Mark Mapstone. Portishead then suffered a major blow when Rich Gill was sent off with a straight red for violent conduct, Dave Pettitt was also dispatched minutes later for a straight red offence after kicking out at Powell, then with about 10 minutes to go, fatty McCarthy was sent for a second bookable. Despite the sendings off Nailsea could not find a way back into the game, and will rue the sloppy defending which has caused them to lose this cup tie.

This fixture has seen a bucket full of red and yellow cards shown in the last couple of matches, and when the two sides meet towards the end of the season, I can see there being fireworks.

Radstock 2 - Nailsea United 6

Nailsea went into this game unbeaten in their last 5, while Radstock were unbeaten at home all season.

Nailsea won the toss and decided to shoot uphill.
From the start Nailsea went on the attack, and were the dominant team. A cross from the right which was fizzed in by Ben Murray, and headed home by Lee Cogan saw Nailsea take the lead after 5 minutes. Radstock were not upto the task and decided to play dirty by trying to kick their opponents off the park, with James Lee taking the brunt of it.
It wasn’t long before Nailsea went 2-0 up when a free kick on the edge of the Radstock area saw Matt Long whip in a curling shot into the top left hand corner.
Radstock were still kicking the Nailsea players, but the referee who had a very poor game failed to clamp down on it.

Nailsea kept their composure, and went 3-0 up after Moorcroft finished into the bottom left hand corner from the edge of the area after a mazy run. Nailsea continued to dominate, with Radstock limited to only a chance in the whole of the 1st half.
Thae game erupted into a 10 man brawl shortly before half time after a fierce tackle by Wilson saw the Radstock player loose his temper, and all hell broke loose. Nailsea gave as good as they got with the might of Moorcroft and fearless Wilson getting into the thick of the action. Even the Radstock manager came onto the pitch for a piece of the action, but when he saw the Nailsea crew on the touchline baying for blood, he decide the best course of action was too get his players away from the animals of Nailsea. The result of the fracas was the sending off of the Radstock centre back for apparently throwing a punch. Nailsea kept their discipline and went in 3-0 at half time.

Nailsea came out for the second half, and began sloppily allowing Radstock into the game. A mistake by Adamson, allowed the Radstock forward to run through on goal and slot the ball home.
Nailsea brought on Ridge, and he immediately made an impact with his passing ability. Nailsea went 4-1 up from the penalty spot after Cogan was brought down in the box by the Radstock keeper.
Nailsea soon went 5-1 up after a cross from the right saw three Nailsea players fighting to poke the ball over the line. In the end it was Ridge who had the final touch.

Radstock came back from the penaly spot after Alan Powell was adjudged o have fouled the Radstock player.

Nailsea finished off the game in style after Neil Ridge struck a sweet free kick into the top left hand corner. Final score 6-2

An excellent performance from Nailsea saw them continue their run and are slowly creeping up the table.

Extended highlights of this game are available from Tony Smith.

Thanks to all those who turned up to support the side. Somehow I don't think you were dissapointed by the action.

Nailsea United 1 - Paulton Rovers 1

Nailsea went into this game having won 4 games on the bounce, and looking to set the record straight after being dumped out of the cup by the Premier league new boys.
Nailsea were without Jon Spittle (knee) and Neil Ridge (gay team building meeting with HSBC).

The pitch was heavy, and Paulton looked bright from the start, but it was Nailsea who had the better of the early exchanges when James Lee squirmed through only to find his shot smothered by the towering Paulton keeper.

Paulton shocked the home side by taking the lead after a deep cross found the Paulton midfielder break free of Cook who volleyed home giving Sampson no chance.

Nailsea didn't let this set back get the better of them and continued to press only to find the Paulton keeper in outstanding form.

Paulton went in 1-0 up at half time.

The second half saw Nailsea pressing from the start, and were always quick on the break. One such move saw Ben Murray blaze the ball over the bar from 6 yards out after the ball was played accross the box.
A similar move moments later, saw Cogan whip the ball in accross the face of the Paulton goal to find Matt Long, what seemed like an inevitable equalizer was somehow saved by the plucky Paulton keeper. This didn't look like it was going to be Nailsea's day.

Nailsea continued to press, and were rewarded when after good work from Spud down the right saw Cogan slipped through on goal and finish in style. Nailsea went to a 3-5-2 formation in an attempt to search for a winner, but after a curling Ben Murray shot was clawed away by the Paulton keeper, it just wasn't going to be Nailsea's day, and the sides ended up 1 a piece.
This was a game where Nailsea could have won by six if it wasn't for a tremendous performance from the Paulton keeper.

Burnham United 1 - Nailsea United 4

Nailsea travelled to Burnham in this tough fixture which saw Burnham start the game second place in the table. Playing infront of a hostile crowd on a heavy pitch was always going to be tough.

Burnham had the better of the opening 5 minutes, forcing Nailsea to defend, but as the game went on Nailsea started imposing themselves on the game. It wasn't long before Nailsea made the pressure tell when after a neat move down the left hand side saw Springett cooly lob the keeper with an exquisite finish.

Nailsea were soon on the defensive again as Burnham attacked, but the final ball was always missing.
Nailsea were the masters of the counter attack as Murray broke down the right hand side, after an interchange of passes, Ridge found himself latching onto a centre which he slotted home to give Nailsea a 2-0 lead. Nailsea went in at half time with a two goal lead.

The second half started with Nailsea on the attack and intending to kill the game off. After forcing a corner Nailsea pushed up, and after a flick on by Powell, Murray found himself at the far post to nod home Nailsea's third. The game was all but over, but Burnham never gave up. After a quick break down Nailseas right, a low centre saw the Burnham attacker unchallenged who sided footed into the Nailsea net.
Nailsea were not about to let this game get away from them after all their hard work, and were rewarded with a fourth goal when James Lee was sent through on the Burnham goal, he took his shot early, but the Burnham keeper could only parry the ball into the oncoming Springetts path, and he slotted the ball home.

Nailsea were well in control of the game now, but brought on themselves unneccesary pressure after an error by the Nailsea keeper saw him pass to the Burnham forward when there appeared to be no danger, the ball was easily knocked into the Nailsea net.

The final minutes saw Nailseas Luke Hardcastle sent off for a second bookable after aggressively pushing the Burnham forward.

Nailsea held on for a well deserved win, and the run continues.

Special mention goes to Coley and Gents who carried the flag for the Nailsea supporters club. Much appreciated lads.

Nailsea changed formation for this game playing 4-4 1-1
Luke Hardacstle returned from injury to partner Adamson at Centre back, With Wilson and Cook right and left back. Pinkney played up front with spud just behind midfield remained unchanged.

The game began with Nailsea shooting uphill and into the wind, and Blackbrook attacked from the start, It wasn’t long before blackbrook took the lead through a looping effort from the corner of the penalty area.

Nailsea upped a gear and equalised through Pinkney with a low effort into the bottom corner. It was all Nailsea from now on, but a number of gilt edged opportunities were missed.

The sides went in level at half time.

In the second half Blackbrook were aleways going to be up against it playing into the wind, and Nailsea’s superior fitness would tell.
Nailsea took the lead early on through Long, and never looked back. Goal after goal followed the pick of the bunch being from Matt Long who cleverly flicked the ball between his legs before coolly slotting home. Goal scorers were as follows Long 3, Springett 2, James 1, Pinkney 1, Cook (pen)1.

A thoroughly deserved victory for Nailsea who are now into the 3rd round of the Somerset Senior cup.

MOM – Matt Long