Nailsea United make heavy going of trip to Weston St Johns

Weston St Johns 2  Nailsea United 1

At last Nailsea were able to start a game when they travelled to Weston St Johns after the weather had caused several postponements. The Weston pitch  was as expected very heavy ensuring that it would be impossible to play passing football. United started without Ellis Wilmot with defender Rob Brown in goal.

It was United that had the first scoring opportunity when Jim Lee fired wide from a Lee Cogan cross. With 20 minutes gone on the clock United took the lead. A pinpoint free kick by Steve Lester midway into the Weston half was met by the head of Stuart Lee who gave the home keeper no chance.

With 30 minutes gone Nailsea  were unlucky not to double their lead following a Matt Long corner which was headed goal wards by Mike Rowcliffe only to see the keeper push the ball over the bar. Almost immediately another chance fell to the visitors when Harry Hope set up James Springett whose shot cannoned off of the crossbar to the onrushing Matt Long who could not convert.

As the match continued it was obvious that trying to run with the ball was almost impossible, the more direct play of Weston allowed them into the game. Two minutes from half time a scramble in the Nailsea area saw the referee award against Lee Cogan which was duly converted to bring the first half to a close with the score Weston 1 Nailsea 1.

Weston took the lead after 8 minutes of the second half with a goal from a corner on the left which was whipped in to end up in the back of the Nailsea net. On 60 minutes the industrious James Springett set up a chance for Harry Hope who could not find the target. Nailsea then introduced Ryan King in attack in place of Chris Lawrence as they went searching for the equaliser.

This substitution nearly brought an immediate reward when Jim Lee set Ryan King through to the left of the goal but his first time shot went high and wide. Weston continued to play long balls out of defence but United were not unduly troubled. Nailsea probably knew that it was not going to be their day when with 15 minutes remaining a cross from Lee Cogan was chested down by Steve Lester to Jim Lee whose goal bound shot was pushed over by the Weston  keeper.

With the last roll of the dice Steve Clarke replaced Matt Long with 5 minutes to go but to no avail. Weston held on to a one goal lead and were just about worthy winners in a match that was basically decided by the underfoot conditions.

Next week United are at home at The Grove to the leagues form team Shirehampton who after an indifferent start are rapidly climbing the table. Kick Off 2.30pm.