Ryan King brace seals win for Nailsea United at Watchet Town

Watchet Town 0  Nailsea United 3

Following on from their fine performance last week against Ashton & Backwell  it was a buoyant Nailsea side that made the long journey to the West Somerset coast to play Watchet Town. For the first time I can remember either as a player or a spectator there was not a breath of wind to spoil the game.

As last week it was United that took the game by the scruff of the neck opening the scoring after just three minutes play. An Ellis Wilmot corner from the left was swung into the Watchet goal area for Mike Rowcliffe to get the slightest of touches with his head to fire Nailsea into a one nil lead.

Minutes later a pin point cross from Mike Rowcliffe was volleyed just wide by Jim Lee with the keeper stranded. The first scoring opportunity that Watchet created came on the 20 minute mark when their player shot over from a corner. Five minutes later Nailsea doubled their lead, a long goal kick by Scott Kendall was chased down by Ryan King to confidently slide the ball past the on rushing keeper and into the back of the home sides net.

On 35 minutes Nailsea were forced to make a substitution when Rob Brown received a cut head to be replaced by Chris Lawrence in the back four. Nailsea were comfortably in control but could not add to their goal tally. A further injury meant yet another substitution, this time striker Jim Lee left the field with a groin strain to be replaced by Matt Long.

The last attack of the first half saw Matt Long sent clear to go wide of the keeper only to get a poor connection with his shot with the goal gaping.

Half time.  Watchet Town 0 Nailsea United 2.

The early exchanges of the second half were even with the Nailsea defence looking particularly strong. On 65 minutes a rash cross field pass by a Watchet defender saw the ever watchful James Springett latch on to the ball to bring a fine diving save from the Watchet keeper.

With a quarter of an hour remaining Chris Lawrence played a brilliant 40 yard cross field pass to Ryan King. The experienced King still had a lot of work to do in order to have a strike on goal but made it look easy to eventually lob the ball into the Watchet net for goal number three. It was the second week running that a Ryan King goal was worth the cost of admission alone.

The rest of the second half was dominated by the visitors who could have added to their goal tally in the 90th minute following a flowing move which saw Matt Long open up the Watchet defence with a superbly weighted ball to Chris Lawrence whose powerful shot sailed over the bar.

This was a very good performance by a Nailsea side that are full of confidence with the defence in particular looking rock solid. These three points keep them in second place with leaders Berrow knowing they dare not make a mistake with United in such fine form.

Next week Nailsea take a week off from the league campaign to travel to MIdsomer Norton based Westfield in the quarter finals of the League Cup. Kick off 2.30pm.

United as holders of this trophy will want to beat their first division opponents to reach the semi finals. However, Westfield are riding high in the first division so United must keep their good form going.

Next game at The Grove, March 9th see the Reserves playing Winscombe in a match that is vital to both sides as they eye the promotion places. Kick off 3.00pm.