Double for Harry Hope as Nailsea United defeat league leaders Berrow

Nailsea United 3  Berrow 0

It was a confident Nailsea United that welcomed league leaders Berrow to The Grove on Saturday. Both sides knew that a victory for Berrow would cement their championship credentials but a win for the home side would see United with games in hand keep the pressure on the leaders.

The first real attack saw Nailsea have a throw in midway into the Berrow half. Rob Brown found Ellis Wilmot whose shot curved away from goal. Two minutes later Harry Hope created another half chance for Ellis Wilmot, again the shot went wide of its mark.

Constant Nailsea pressure brought its rewards on the quarter of an hour mark. Steve Lester played a brilliant first time ball to Ryan King on the right,  although harried by a Berrow defender King shot strongly to see the ball pass just inside of the Berrow upright to open the score for the home side.

Berrow were not allowed to build any meaningful attacks as the United midfield snapped into tackles giving the visitors no time. Nailsea doubled their lead on 25 minutes, a move down the right saw James Springett pick out Harry Hope on the edge of the Berrow area, using his strength Hope created a space before shooting wide of the Berrow keeper for goal number two.

Half Time.  Nailsea United 2 Berrow 0.

United were well worth their two goal lead as they dominated the first half with the league leaders restricted to rare attacks which were dealt with competently by the Nailsea defence who have looked rock solid in recent games.

The early exchanges of the second half were restricted mostly to midfield with only a long shot by Jim Lee on 70 minutes which went wide of the mark testing either goal. Almost immediately play maker James Springett crossed a perfect ball from the right to see Harry Hope out jump his defender to head the ball into the back of the visitors net for his second goal to seal a comprehensive win for Nailsea.

With 10 minutes remaining striker Ryan King who had a fine match was substituted for Matt Long. Berrow could have scored on 83 minutes when for the first and only time the Nailsea defence were caught square allowing the visiting player to bear down on goal. Once again as happens in match after match keeper Scott Kendall stood firm to block the shot with the ball rebounding harmlessly away from goal.

Nailsea just failed to add to their goal tally with two minutes remaining when following a strong run by Harry Hope, the talented wide man released the ball to James Springett who fired wide.

Final Score. Nailsea United 3  Berrow 0.

This win keeps Nailsea right in the hunt to retain the championship they won last year. A few people in the crowd admitted that they were disappointed in league leaders Berrow, however, I believe that you can only play as well as your opponents will let you. Today Nailsea were better in every facet of the game denying Berrow any chance of winning this crucial fixture. It would be wrong to pick a man of the match as every player contributed to a fine display.

Next Saturday Nailsea welcome neighbours Ashton & Backwell United to The Grove in another top of the table clash. Kick Off 3.00pm. Although United had a resounding win against Ashton recently the visitors are very hungry for points as they seek to regain Toolstation League status.