Cup final beckons for United
NAILSEA UNITED 5 FROME COLLEGIANS 1
On a blustery day at The Grove Nailsea United entertained Frome Collegians in the semi final of the Somerset County League Knock Out Cup.
Premier League leaders Nailsea were shocked when First Division Frome took the lead after just 5 minutes. Following indecision in the home defence a shot from the right beat Scott Kendall to open the scoring for the visitors.
It took Nailsea time to find their passing game but gradually they began to exert pressure on the Frome defence. On 20 minutes a through ball to Alex Goodwin could have brought the equaliser but he was just beaten to the ball by the Frome keeper. The breakthrough came on 25 minutes starting with a Alex Goodwin corner which was headed across the Frome goal area by Jim Lee where Stuart Lee neatly turned the ball over the line.
This goal saw Nailsea turn the screw and it was no surprise when they took the lead shortly afterwards. This time Ellis Wilmot took a corner with Darren Bloomfield scoring an opportunistic goal from close range for United's second goal. With 5 minutes of the half remaining Jim Lee headed a pass forward to Alex Goodwin, although his pace took him clear of his markers his shot was saved by the Frome keeper.
The last action of the half was in the Nailsea penalty area with United thankful for the ever alert Scott Kendall who saved well from two goal bound shots from the visitors. Following the early reverse Nailsea gradually stamped their class on the first half and just about deserved their 2 – 1 lead at half time.
It was the home side that were quickest out of the blocks in the second period to increase their lead on 55 minutes. A storming run down the right by Tom Morris saw him find Matt Long on the edge of the area. Without
hesitation Long shot before the keeper could set himself to bury the ball into the back of the Frome net taking the score to 3 – 1. Frome probably knew at this stage that the game was up with United bagging number four on 60 minutes. Keeper Kendall used the gusty conditions to launch a long ball down the middle to be chased by Jim Lee. The tall striker easily beat the advancing keeper to the ball to slide it just inside the post. Almost immediately Darren Bloomfield could have added his second goal but shot wide from a pin point cross by Matt Long.
A further scoring chance occurred when James Springett released Tom Morris whose shot hit the side netting.
With forthcoming games in mind Nailsea used their substitutes, Matt Long and Tom Morris being replaced by Harry Hope and Mike Rowcliffe respectively. It was the substitutes that set up goal number five with 15 minutes remaining. Rowcliffe brought the ball out of defence to pass to Hope who turned quickly to shoot powerfully towards goal where a slight deflection took the ball past the bemused Frome keeper.
The remainder of the game was played with Nailsea firmly in control. Steve Lester replacing James Springett for the last 10 minutes.
Final score Nailsea United 5 Frome Collegians 1
Apart from the first and last 5 minutes of the first half this match Nailsea were in cruise control to reach the final of the League Cup where they will play Langford Rovers at a date and venue to be decided. This week United return to league action with two away games, Watchet on Wednesday night and in a dress rehearsal for the Cup Final they visit Weston based Langford Rovers on Saturday April 21st.
The next games at The Grove see United Reserves entertain Ashton & Backwell Reserves on Wednesday April 18th in a local derby. Kick Off 6.30pm and then play hosts to Creech St Michael on Saturday April 21st. Kick Off. 3.00pm.
