Yatton 2 - 0 Nailsea Utd Res

Yatton were looking to extend their unbeaten run to four league games against local rivals Nailsea with several key squad members missing. Both teams started brightly in front of a large home crowd and it was not long before the pace of Yatton duo Keedwell and Read were putting the Nailsea back line under pressure. Keedwell managed to break free only to be brought down when clear, with the Nailsea defender going unpunished when surely he should have been red carded.

At the other end Lee, Moore and Millard continued their recent solid form for the home defence ensuring keeper Stone was well protected. The only scare was when Stone came for a cross and collided with the Nailsea forward, down for a few moments he was soon back on his feet.

The breakthrough came from a long free kick inside the Yatton half , Read flicked on twenty five yards out but the ball seemed to be bouncing safely back to the keeper. Not so, the keeper misjudged the flight and the ball nestled in the back of the net. The home side settled for one nil and played out the last five minutes of the half without incident.

Nailsea tried to step up the pace as the second half got underway but found the Yatton midfield trio of Cox, Abrahams and Richards easily up to the task. Becoming increasingly frustrated, Nailsea tempers exploded when a defender aimed an elbow at Read. When the referee had calmed the situation he strangely handed a yellow card to each player and to home skipper Cox.

This galvanised the Yatton spirit as they drove forward like the Spartan army looking for a second. A cross into the box saw veteran Watts calmly control the ball and feed Richards, who finished from ten yards. Nailsea again stepped up the pace but the home defence held firm with man of the match Lee and winger Limon tireless in defence.

The large home crowd went home hugely entertained by this local derby, full of commitment and passion which left Yatton fourth in the table ahead of their trip to Combe St Nicholas.