EM95 5 v 2 Nailsea Vets

Sunday April 27th, 2025 CCSG Stadium

TEAM: Sir Lee, Dan, Neil, Jim, Al, Dr Rob, Stu, Duds,Yinka, Sheri, Draner

SUBS: Colonel, Manny, Ford, Morgs, Rance Super Fan: Jones 

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THE STUFF OF LEGENDS!

A lovely Sunday morning, a perfect day for a game of football and it was great to see a crowd had turned up to see if the mighty Monday could do a historic feat by winning the league with a 100% win record! It was a surprise to see the youth teams had turned out to watch the game play, the excitement on their faces as they warmed up on the hallowed pitch before the big game was a joy to behold. The excitement was palpable, however, this was all short lived. The pitch had been double booked. Thankfully, the speed and diplomacy of Mark Drane stretched to the Clifton College reception staff as he snuck in, gave them his best “do you know who we are” speech, followed by email proof that we had a pitch booking and finished off with him marching the reception staff to evict the youths.  Yinka commented at the time… “The kids were upset to be moved to a pitch half mile over the hill nevertheless in true Corinthian spirit we told them to “**** OFF” we booked the pitch and Aaron doesn't make mistakes!” As Sheri adding "I told one of the coaches there had been a "fuck up" to which he politely reminded me I was in the presence of kids, fair enough." The Monday strong squad of 17 soon became 16 as Jonesey withdrew was feeling rough having picked up Rances cold after the ‘licking incident’ at the last game. The game started with about 30 spectators as Jim observed… “I mistakenly thought that the full stand meant news of our invincible season had finally caught the imagination of the public. However, I soon realised they were all there to watch their kids and they all buggered off once they realised we were the main event!" The instructions from the management team of Stu & Sherri were simple, let the ball do the work and with a strong bench, don’t be afraid to run yourself into the ground.

The 95ers tried to play the ball around, but were struggling to find their normal accurate passing game in the first 10-15mins. Nailsea looked dangerous on the attack and their useful and rapid forward got past Sir Lee early doors and it took a goal line clearance from Jim to keep the score 0-0. Slowly however, things started to come together with Dan working well with Dr. Rob down the right hand side, the Mighty Monday started to get in behind the Nailsea defence; unfortunately the final ball was letting them down with some indecision proving costly in front of goal. Nailsea were always a threat with their lively striker but with the agitated Neil bellowing at the calmness of Al, we could see what it meant to the team.

Yinka received the ball from Neil and was able to take on his man cut inside and do a lovely chip pass to Dan who made a great run, however his control in the box let him down and the ball went tamely for a corner. Neil found Yinka again in space he was able to take on his man at the byline and pull the ball back to Draner who then passed to Sheridan who rather than shoot laid the ball back to Yinka who shot wildly over the bar.

When the break through did come, it came as no surprise that Rob was played through by an inch perfect pass by Dudsy; rather than shoot, Rob played the ball inside to Dan, who hit a great shot/cross from 25yds that smashed the crossbar crossbar to be rifled in on the volley from the corner of the six yard box by Draner. A well worked move and a lovely strike. 1-0.

It felt like this goal might relax the Blues and the football would start to flow as Nailsea were clearly blowing.

Not to be though, as a speculative ball over the top was met by the Nailsea striker, who controlled the ball beautifully, holding off a challenge from Neil and then chipping Sir Lee from the corner of the 18 yd box ala Eric Cantona, applause all around for a really well taken goal, 1–1. As Yinka told his legion of TikTok fans… “Both Al and Neil were marking him (or some would say watching him) which allowed him to get a yard into the penalty to box. Sir Lee spotted the danger and came out off his line to get involved in the action but was stunned when the striker chipped the ball with an excellent touch over Sir Lee, an excellent goal nothing you can do about those.”

On the touchline Ben Ford was so impressed he asked the Nailsea manager if any of his squad had played at the highest level, “Over 600 games in the Western League, my son is a professional footballer and I still can’t get a start” came a quip from the Nailsea bench. Rance responded with… “My son was a Floor Layer, but he couldn’t lay carpets!” Not everyone was applauding the equaliser as the concession of the first goal for three and a half games sent Neil into a furious rage, there was a rant at someone, and some fine annoyance, evidencing the high standards our veteran centre half likes to set.  The half continued in a similar vein, Monday having the better of possession, without really testing the Nailsea keeper. 

The Monday continued to push with Dan going close but the Nailsea keeper pulled off a magnificent save, the half ended 1-1. The score felt ok for the home team as they had the wind second half and Nailsea were looking knackered in the sun and had a light bench. Yinka observed… “We were slightly deflated going in at half time at 1-1, this was another squad performance given the hot day every player was needed and every player performed, some could argue it was a game of two halves, some statisticians would say it was a game of two halves but the ability to bring on the Subs with fresh (but old) legs in the end would prove decisive.” Monday rung 7 changes. Colonel to right back, Draner to centre back , Bri to left back, Dan to right wing, Manny to centre mid, Morgs & Ford up front. Given the lack of game time Manny had played it was still not a shock to see him running down every loose ball and making himself available at all times. Yinka (again) chipped in with… "This extra energy with the loudmouth Rance was what the team needed and gave them that extra energy to break Nailsea down.”

With Manny now assisting Duds in midfield, the Monday continued play some neat passing football, one such move saw Duds play a peach of a through ball that went beyond the ‘just strayed offside’ Morgan into the path of Yinka, who finished beautifully from a narrow angle at the back post to make the score 2 -1. Sheri later told reporters…"Yinka has scored a lot of goals this season but more importantly he's been getting goals at key moments." Yinka agreed (of course) and gave his version of events… “Manny put a ball through to Morgs, he didn’t fancy it since it was not an inch perfect pass, so he left it to me to come through with just the keeper to beat, only one winner, finished neatly into the bottom left-hand corner.” Nailsea were rocked with this and soon after, Manny found himself at the back post to scrap one over the line with a wonderfully controlled knee/shin finish. 3-1.

Unfortunately another speculative Nailsea punt/well weighted through ball over the top caused a bit of confusion within the Monday defensive ranks allowing for a headed finish passed the oncoming Sir Lee to make it 3-2. Not deterred, the Monday stuck to the task in hand and were using the width well, stretching a tiring Nailsea team. One such move saw Draner play a sumptuous 40 yd pass to Dr. Rob who took it in his stride, looked up and played a perfect ball to Morgs who finished with aplomb at the back post. 4-2. This gave the score line a more comfortable feel, which was handy as Neil conceded a lateish penalty for handball, in fairness his hands were in front of him ensuring his manhood remained intact! Yinka (not surprisingly) saw things a bit differently… “I thought it was a quite obvious hand ball, the young ref was not going to be moved from being harangued by an angry Neil, in his day I think Neil may have had a point, but the young ref had an eagle eye, and age and experienced does not mean hand ball is not hand ball.” The Nailsea striker stepped up still having Neils' rant ringing in his ear. Having been beaten twice already, Sir Lee put on his best “don’t you dare” face and the spot kick was duly dispatched very high, and wide. It doesn’t go unnoticed that the big man does not let many penalties in. As the game entered the closing minutes the referee decided to even up the penalty count when Manny was alleged to have been brought down in the box. Up stepped Fordy to cooly slot the ball home for the title celebrations to really start and the Mexican waves to begin. To be honest, the Mexican wave was actually Alex, who’s Mexican, waving for the ball. The referee finally blew the whistle on what was a truly memorable morning for the boys in sky blue. A 5–2 win played out in glorious sunshine, on a fantastic pitch, against a really good competitive Nailsea side. As Mr Rance summed things up nicely telling his millions of Facebook followers… “The game was played out in true Corinthian spirit that continued on at the pub afterwards where both teams enjoyed a pint together. Harry Mottram, you would have been proud!” Draner agreed by telling Sky Sport after the game... "Great weather, pitch and Corinthian spirit throughout this game and all Nailsea team congratulating us after the game and joining us for drinks in the sunshine after." Jim added… “So 8 out of 8 wins in the league and one cup final to go. Got to say it’s been a brilliant season, all of us said at the start we weren't happy with last season and every single man in the squad has stepped up and performed. We have some quality individuals but also a great team spirit. Long may it continue!!” The last word of course has to go to Yinka, who later told reporters… “At the end of the day, Monday have shown up all season and delivered when they needed too, it has been a fantastic season and a brilliant time chatting to the lads after the game, with the sun out both teams managed to have a friendly pint together, it was good to see virtually the full squad there. Morgs being the responsible dog owner this time kept his dog on a lead, maybe a little too short as he enticed his dog to piss over Stu’s foot in an act of revenge on not passing a through ball to him, as Pete and Yinka finally departed the pub, always seemed to be the last two, a final discussion took place where Petes final words were “ I got a cup final to organised, and another holiday to book, for the last time I do not give a flying feck about the bloody medals!” 

MOM: Yinka...and for a change a very fair oppo linesman.