EM95 2 v 1 Nailsea Vets

4th December, 2022 Clifton College Sports Ground

TEAM: Sir, Bri, Jim, Terry, Alex, Yinka, Yarrow, Duds, Rick, Drane, Morgs SUBS: Rob, Stu, Neil, Sheri, Colonel

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For the second game in a row Monday were able to field another strong squad as the teams arrived at the pristine grass pitch on a cold but crisp Sunday morning.

However, the 95ers started poorly, unable to keep hold of the ball allowing Nailsea to put them under pressure from the off and finding a lot of space. Monday then began to pass the ball around nicely without really bothering the Nailsea keeper.

As Alex told reporters after the game… “Their plan was clear to go deep in defence to create a big gap in midfield and use their speed to surprise us.”

A couple of wayward passes from Bri, and then Terry gave Nailsea an opportunity that they finished very nicely into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

As Bri observed… “This served as the kick up the backside the Monday needed, this and the introduction of Dr Rob to the wing saw chances starting to be made.”

Dr Rob was bought on to add a bit of extra pace down the right and the sub had an immediate impact when he hit a great cross to the back post where Drane was waiting in front of an open goal. Unable to decide which foot to use, Drane tripped over himself, fluffed the chance and was left burying his face in his hands. A theme that would be repeated several times throughout the game.

As Monday striker Sheri told reporters… “Dr Rob came on and had a golden 5 mins where everything he did was spot on, sharp touches, pace and a couple of great crosses.”

It wasn’t long before Dr Rob pinged in another inch perfect cross which Morgs met perfectly to head the ball home. 1-1.

Minutes later the 95ers put together a nice move down the left and Morgs did the rest, beating a defender and a very smart finish into the bottom right corner 2-1 at half time.

Monday rotated the team and started the second half on the front foot. Sheri made a welcome return from injury and was quickly put clean through with only the keeper to beat, the crowd held its breath, but the Nailsea keeper saved his shot.

The Blues needed the 3rd goal to settle the nerves and the game.

This period saw numerous Monday chances to kill the game but contrived to fail to provide finishing to match their good build up play

It was definitely not one-way traffic though. Nailsea have decent footballers throughout the team and caused problems with Monday keeper Sir Lee coming to the rescue a few times with some quality keeping, twice tipping the ball over the bar. With 15 minutes to go Bri was subbed off and as he told reporters… “Late in the game we lost a bit of shape and gave the ball away far too easily, which in turn let Nailsea back into the game.”

With 10 minutes to go Colonel came on for Sheri and had a golden chance to seal it with his first touch after a defensive slip saw him clean through with just the keeper to beat, as he explained to the press conference after the match… “I took a touch to set up the shot, which I mentally lined up for the top left corner only to see the Nailsea keeper pull off another fine save.” This observation of events was somewhat contradicted by Stu Charlton who told reporters… “Colonel just passed it back to the keeper!”…something Stu knows all about.

The game was becoming stretched as Nailsea piled players forward for the equaliser and missed an open goal from a break.

The 95ers did likewise when Duds put Morgs clean through, with only the keeper to beat his shot flew over the bar landing in Row Z when he had loads of time, space and Rob and Colonel screaming for him to square the ball.

Monday dropped deeper and deeper allowing Nailsea to pile on the pressure resulting in a couple of nervy free kicks and half chances.

But the 95ers hung on for a big 3 points.

Sheri summed up the game at his press conference… “We weren’t at our best but a win is a win and 3 points. Overall, a proper competitive and enjoyable 50's game played in the right spirit.”

The sentiment was echoed by Alex telling reporters… “Overall, a decent opposition that gave us a fair, Corinthian game. Could've been a horrendously arduous game if it wasn't for the great pitch and referee.”

MOM: Yinka for overall display with Dr Rob not far behind and Morgs 3rd for his two well taken goals.