Somerset County League
Premier Division
Tuesday 30th April 2019
Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.33
Nailsea & Tickenham 3 Chilcompton Sports 2, attendance 134
43’ 0-1
49’ 1-1
51’ 2-1
71’ 2-2
88’ 3-2
@ Fryth Way
off Pound Lane
Nailsea
BS48 2AS
No Admission or Programme.
This was 1st versus 2nd in the league table, with Nailsea & Tickenham two points clear, but this was their final match of the season, so it was nothing short of a win required for them to have a realistic chance of winning the league. Chilcompton still had two more to play after this, but knew that a win here would give the the league title for the second successive season.
As expected it was a very even contest. Nailsea & Tickenham had more possession, but Chilcompton were creating the better chances and it was no surprise that they broke the deadlock just before the break with a deflected shot from 18 yards that found its way into the bottom corner of the net. Straight from the restart, Nailsea & Tickenham broke clear and an attempted block saw a penalty awarded for handball, but the kick was saved by the visiting ‘keeper.
Nailsea & Tickenham came out all guns blazing in the second half and levelled it up at 1-1 through a looping header that looked to be offside and by the sixth minute of the second half they had turned it round, when a fumble by the ‘keeper was scrambled across the line. With just under twenty minutes left it was 2-2, this time it was the turn of the visitors to get the benefit of the doubt, when the striker who got the final touch of the ball looked to be offside. Normally he would probably have been given offside, whether he was or not, but tonight’s match had proper Linesmen, rather than club ones, so at least the decisions were made in the correct manor, rather than any question of cheating coming into play. With a couple of minutes left, Nailsea & Tickenham broke down the right and their striker cut inside and hit an unstoppable shot that came off the underside of the crossbar and fell perfectly for the player following the ball in to stoop and head the winning goal from 2 yards out.
Nailsea & Tickenham now have a 5 point lead, with Chilcompton having to win their last two matches to overhaul them. They should have no problems winning the first one, as it is away at bottom of the table Odd Down (Bath) Reserves, who they beat 5-0 last Saturday. If they do indeed take the 3 points there, then they will travel to Worle on the final day of the season knowing that a victory will see them retain their league title.
