W & D Div One

Wrington Reserves 3. V Nailsea United A. 1

In this ever competitive League the big games keep on coming. With Moore, Edmunds and Burnett unavailable! Faulkner, Selman and Marsh showed the club’s depth by slotting in seamlessly. Playing with the slope in the first half The home side were slow to get into their stride and the heavy pitch seemed to inhibit their passing game giving the ball away on too many occasions. Continuing to play with three up front they also struggled to push onto the full backs and work hard enough to give the midfield options leading to a disconnect between the team as a whole. Their attacks were limited to solo raids by Tommy Johnson and the returning Selman.

Things got worse when for once the home defence was stretched and failed to clear and from no where Wrington found themselves behind. The frustration continued as no real shape to the game developed and both sides struggled to find a forward threat. Wrington also suffered the loss of top scorer Tommy Johnson due to an unfortunate clash of heads. With James Marshall now leading the line, It took the first piece of class from Faulkner who chested the ball down and squared the ball to Matt Lenny whose left foot shot sailed over the keeper to square the score. After a disappointing half, The hair drier treatment was required at the interval but to little effect. After 10 minutes, Coach Williams shuffled his pack by replacing the ineffectual Clements with Tom Clark for his debut after impressing for the A team. The change in formation, playing five across midfield brought Jonny Marsh more into the game and allowed Faulkner more space on the right. With Caulfield and Lenny typically combative in midfield chances were limited and it looked as if the game was heading for the Reserves first drawn game of the season. However, the game swung as Nailsea pressed and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty following a saving tackle by Jon Marsh. Soon after Marsh found himself at the end of a move involving Faulkner and Lenny, beating Selman to the shot that deflected into the bottom corner.

With William’s secure handling in goal and the back three of Briggs, Holland and Curtis all vying for Man of the Match the points looked safe. The game was finally settled when Paul Faulkner, who was involved in all three goals, escaped down the right and James Marshall turned to release Selman who rounded the goalkeeper to coolly finish and cap a fine return to the side. Last week the performance was better than the result, this week…….

Next week’s game is an early 1.30pm kickoff at The Rec Vs Portishead in the quater final of the Hospital Cup. MOM.. Chris ‘Dutch’ Holland (pictured)