Jim Lee hat trick for United crushes Langford Rovers

 

Nailsea United 7  Langford Rovers 3

 

Nailsea were at home on Saturday  to Weston based Langford Rovers, the home side were seeking to redress the balance after suffering defeat in the corresponding fixture in Weston earlier on in the season. United were without attacking midfielder Matt Long with Harry Hope returning to the starting eleven.

Langford had the first effort on goal after 5 minutes when a cross from the right was volleyed over. It was Nailsea that took the lead on the quarter of an hour mark from an Ellis Wilmot corner on the left. The ball was crossed for Jim Lee to head the ball towards the goal where brother Stuart was waiting to head the ball home.

Although most of the play was in the Langford half the visitors looked dangerous on the break shooting wide on several occasions. United doubled their lead on 34 minutes following a Rob Brown throw in to Ryan King who lofted the ball into the Langford area where defender James Taylor rose well to send a looping header beyond the visiting keepers grasp and into the back of the net.

Half Time Score. Nailsea United 2 Langford Rovers 0.

The second half kicked off with Langford again having the first scoring chance. Immediately Nailsea counter attacked from a long Scott Kendall goal kick. The ball was headed on to by Jim Lee to Steve Lester who strongly held off his defender to roll the ball into the empty net with the Langford keeper stranded.

Minutes later Ellis Wilmot was adjudged to have eased a Langford player off of the ball with the referee pointing to the spot. The penalty was duly converted to bring the score to Nailsea 3 Langford 1. United then increased the tempo of their play with Jim Lee hitting the post from a clever back heel by Harry Hope. Almost immediately Jim Lee made no mistake following a quick break down the left which saw him curl the ball into the net via the same upright that had denied him a goal minutes earlier to give Nailsea a three goal advantage.

Nailsea were now in full attack mode with Jim Lee scoring his second goal following a headed clearance which enabled him to round the keeper to slot the ball into the net for goal number five. Steve Lester who once again was having a fine game was unlucky in the 65th minute when his goal bound header from a precise Ryan King cross was well saved by the visiting custodian. At this point Lee Cogan entered the fray replacing Ryan King.

Langford were still looking dangerous on occasions with Nailsea grateful to Stuart Lee making a fine saving tackle as a Langford striker was about to pull the trigger with only the keeper to beat. With 20 minutes remaining Liam Lester replaced Mike Rowcliffe at the right hand side of the Nailsea back four.

Just to ensure that Nailsea did not become too complacent a strong run down the right wing saw the ball in the back of the Nailsea net to bring the score to Nailsea 5 Langford 2. It appeared that every time Langford had their hopes raised Nailsea responded, this time it was Harry Hope who took his goal well following a solo run. Yet again Langford closed the arrears when slack marking by the Nailsea defence allowed them to score their third goal.

With 10 minutes remaining a good move of one touch football by United saw James Springett fire just wide. The final goal of the ten scored in this match fell to Nailsea in the 85th minute. Steve Lester picked out Lee Cogan on the edge of the Langford penalty area, his square pass to Jim Lee was rewarded when the striker fired home for his hat trick goal and number seven for the home side.

Final Score. Nailsea United 7 Langford Rovers 3.

Although this was a comprehensive win in the end for Nailsea with seven goals being scored, Manager Mark Savage will no doubt be concerned that three were shipped at the other end.

This win takes Nailsea within a couple of points of second place in the league, with other results going their way they are now in a good position to mount a strong challenge to retain the championship they won last season.

This makes next Saturday's visit to neighbours Ashton and Backwell even more important. With Ashton seeking to return to the Toolstation League and Nailsea looking to continue their good form a great match is in prospect. Kick Off atThe Recreation Ground, Backwell will be at 2.30pm.

Next game at The Grove will be Saturday February 23rd when the Reserves will be looking to return to winning ways against Cheddar Reserves. Kick Off 2.30pm.