Wrington Redhill 1 Nailsea Utd 4
Wrington Redhill welcomed their premier league opponents, Nailsea Utd to the rec, for this eagerly anticipated Somerset County Cup semi-final.
Conditions were bright and sunny, however a blustery wind and hard pitch made playing conditions challenging.
The team was ably captained by Cam Milkins in the absence of club skipper Connor Harding-James, who continues on his cabotage within the borders of the United States of America.
Manager Scott Campbell made a few changes for this one, including Harvey Campbell starting between the sticks.
Wrington Redhill kicked off and began brightly with the wind behind them, however were nearly a goal behind as early as the fifth minute when Nailsea full back, Dylan Williams, missed a golden opportunity when the ball found him unmarked on the back post only for him to scuff wide from a few yards out, a let off and early reminder for Wrington they were playing a team one rung up the football pyramid.
Wrington Redhill continued however to press their opponents and in the twelfth minute, Jake Marshman went on one of his typical mazy runs beating two players before sliding the ball through to top scorer Jack Hutchins on the left hand side of the box.
Jack remained calm as the keeper advanced off his line, and expertly guided the ball in off the far right post with a sublime finish. One nil to the pre-game underdogs.
For the next 10 minutes or so, Wrington remained on top and it looked, to the large number of supporters cheering them on, that their wasn’t anything to fear from the higher league opposition.
In the 16th minute, keeper Campbell preserved the lead making a good save with a one on one with a Nailsea forward.
Wrington Redhill remained physical and resolute and this was demonstrated by centre half Josh Skuse in the 20th minute winning the ball with a crunching tackle on Nailsea’s impressive number 11, Mike Vaughan, who was left severely winded on the pitch and requiring treatment.
It was around this quarter point of the game however, that Nailsea began to demonstrate a bit more quality in their play and began looking more of a threat. They were rewarded in the 32nd minute with an equalising goal from midfielder Joe Berry, although Wrington had questions to answer as to how easy the Nailsea man was able to get his tame shot away.
Following this, things rapidly turned around with Nailsea taking the lead in the 40th minute.
Dylan Williams, who missed a great chance earlier on, broke down the left wing and once almost on the bye line, crossed/shot from outside the penalty box, with the ball finding itself in the roof of the net. Only he will truly know and whether he would falsiloquence by saying it was a shot, but it felt like it was a cross and was somewhat fortunate.
Wrington looked a little deflated and it wasn’t long until Nailsea rammed home their advantage with a third goal in stoppage time of the first half.
A 47minute corner was poorly marked and centre half, Luis PARNHAM thundered in a free header from 7 yards out. 3-1 to the visitors at the half time whistle.
Wrington Redhill remained on the pitch for their half time team talk with manager Campbell, asking the players to impignorate all they had, namely their spirit, fight and energy to recover the debt of two goals.
An unchanged team started the second half, which in the early stages was fairly uneventful.
It wasn’t until the 59th minute that either side had a shot on goal, which sadly was a Nailsea one. However Harvey was up to the task and made a good save.
Wrington Redhill continued to try an display their usual passing game, with the visitors playing more of a direct long game with the wind in their favour.
This proved effective and in the 62nd minute, after a bit of a mix up amongst the home team players, Nailsea centre half Tom Kemble stroked the ball into an empty net from 10 yards out.
At 4-1 down, it would have been easy for Wrington Redhill to give up, however they didn’t and they continued to give it their best efforts.
In midfield Josh Oliver, Cam Milkins and Lew Milkins all continued to battle for every ball.
Centre half Josh Skuse and right full back, Jenson Backhouse, were kept busy all game but worked tirelessly and both showed quality and determination.
Wrington made a triple substitution in the 73rd minute, with Dan Berry replaced by Cody Parslow, Will Hillman on for the impressive Josh Oliver and Weeksy replacing Hazz who had shown plenty of his blistering pace down the left hand side.
The game didn’t produce many more chances, however Wrington should take some credit for not letting the score runaway and fighting until the bitter end.
The game was played in a decent spirit, with only three yellow cards brandished by the referee, all being shown in the last five minutes.
Wrington Redhill players should be proud however that despite this not being their day, they have achieved a wonderful cup run getting to the last 4 of a major cup. Well done lads, give yourselves a pat on each others backs and now concentrate on your battle to gain promotion, to join Nailsea in the premier league next season.
Supporters player of the match went to Jenson Backhouse for his tireless running, physicality and all round consistent full back play.
A special mention to Chris Habgood who was welcomed back to the rec and it was a pleasure for all of us to see.
Team
Harvey Campbell
Jenson Backhouse, Josh Skuse, Dan Berry (Cody Parslow), Jensen Holmes
Cam Milkins (C), Lew Milkins, Josh Oliver (Will Hillman)
Harrison Campbell (Luke Weeks), Jake Marshman, Jack Hutchins
Sub Not used Rob Hannah
