Gazette Sport
FOOTBALL: Minehead's two late goals produce welcome win
8:23am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
A SPARSE Minehead crowd who braved the cold, wind and rain were rewarded with a 2-0 victory win Nailsea Town in the Errea County league - the Blues first victory in ten games.
Minehead included in their line up striker Brian Hall, who had not started a match for the blues since April 2009, and he was the first to have an attempt on goal when after just two minutes he shot narrowly wide.
A few minutes later, with Minehead looking the better side, recent recruit Wes Pooley worked an opening for himself but his right footed curler from the edge of the box also went wide.
However having weathered the early storm the visitors came more into the game and the remaining 30 minutes of the first half saw an even but uneventful period when neither attack saw a great deal of the ball with both teams guilty too frequently guilty of giving possession away cheaply.
Goalmouth action was at a premium though a fierce drive from the visitors’ Dan Cook was straight at home keeper Chris Meredith who did well to cleanly grasp the chest high ball at the first attempt.
For the home team Wes Pooley saw his long shot go wide, and at the other end Matt Pilgrim broke clear only for Meredith to again keep the blues level competently saving a poorly directed shot.
Just before half time a late challenge by Ross Addicott saw the only caution by a refreshingly good referee.
The second half started in much the same way as the first but this time Minehead’s superiority lasted for the full 45 minutes.
Five minutes into the half, after a slick Minehead move midfielder Jack Groves-Furse, enjoying arguably his best performance of the season, saw his shot from the edge of the box well saved by the keeper.
Minutes later the keeper again came to Nailsea’s rescue, this time keeping out Ross Addicott’s effort, then Matt Cracknell, making a trademark penetrating run from deep, shot just over the bar.
Just past the hour mark substitute Declan green replaced Harry Scatchard and with Minehead seemingly fully in control Brian Hall was the next to be foiled by the visiting keeper who this time dealt with a goal bound lob.
Nailsea did force their way back into the match and Carl Chisholm twice went close – first his angled shot was just wide then having burst through the defence shot over the bar.
Finally the deadlock was broken when after another marauding run full back Matt Cracknell was upended and from the resulting free kick Paul Smyth expertly shot into the top corner from 25 yards giving the keeper no chance.
In the dying seconds a cross from Matt Cracknell evaded the keeper and Luke Freeman was on hand to nod home from close range.
Minehead: C Meredith, C Newbold, M Cracknell, P Smyth, L Todd (c), J Groves-Furse, H Scatchard, W Pooley, R Addicott, B Hall, L Freeman. Subs: D Green (7,63) R Hopkins (Not Used)