Worlewind.

– Saturday 27th April 2024
– 14:00 Kick Off
– Attendance: ~35
– Distance Travelled: 102 miles
– Full Photo Gallery

– Somerset County League – Premier Division
– Worle Recreation Ground, Worle
– Weather: Overcast
– Admission: Free
– Programme: N/A

Intro

Worle FC have 5 games to save their season. Currently in 14th position out of 16 (the 3rd relegation spot), they have started to show signs of turning things around in recent weeks. Two away wins in the last two games; against already demoted Clutton, and then Somerton Town who themselves are in the relegation scrap, has put Worle within a point of Ilminster Town in 13th. Things got off to an auspicious start as the Weston-Super-Mare side earned 7 points from 9 in the opening 3 games. To say things dropped off after that would be an understatement, as they bagged a meagre 2 points from the next 11 games; not winning another league match in 2023.

Nailsea United are mid-table – out of the running for promotion, and not yet mathematically safe from relegation; they will be looking for a win today to take another step towards securing Premier Division football for another season. Like today’s opponents United have also won both of their previous 2 matches – at home to Keynsham Town Reserves, and Chard Town. United haven’t met Worle yet in the league this season (they meet at the Grove Sports Club in a week’s time), however the Red Arrows came out on top in the league cup; winning 3-0 in Nailsea.

Just 8 miles separate these two, and with plenty to play for today we are hopefully in for an exciting contest!

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The Ground

While technically a village in its own right, Worle has very much merged with Weston-Super-Mare to the west. There are two teams currently representing the village in the Somerset County League – Worle Rangers participate in the Third Division, although they seem to play their games on the 3G pitch owned by Weston-Super-Mare AFC. Worle FC certainly do play in the village, at the Recreation Ground, right in the centre of town. The pitch is enclosed by a metal fence, and there is a small clubhouse behind one goal. Aside from that there isn’t a huge amount to report. Games can be watched from anywhere on the perimeter, around half of which has a gravelly path underfoot.

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The Match

Unfortunately there was a mix up with kick off times for this match (at least partially my fault!) so we missed the opening 12 minutes. Fortunately we arrived earlier than usual because I had promised my little boy a go in the play area next to the pitch. We were informed by a fellow spectator that Worle had taken an early lead, and they did seem to be the dominant team at that time. Around the 26 minute mark Worle’s number 11 lobbed the ball just over the bar as they were hunting for their 2nd goal. It came a few minutes later as a corner was headed in powerfully past Nailsea keeper Rob Brown.

The notable event of the 2nd half was a decent shout for a Nailsea United penalty, as the ball seemed to hit the hand of a home defender. Referee Mihai Dinga was unmoved – and to his credit he was very clear and forthright in all of his decisions this afternoon. Just before the hour Worle’s number 6 probably should have scored. The ball somehow reached him at the far post, but the Worle man took too long on the ball and Brown was allowed to meet him and force the ball out for a corner. The resulting corner, with the aid of the not insignificant wind, went straight into the goal. United were saved by Dinga’s whistle for a push on the keeper. 4 minutes later the visitors themselves had the ball in the net from a diving header, but it was ruled out for offside. Nailsea’s Charlie Parsons miscued from a cross into the box, and the follow up was well saved by the Worle goalkeeper. The hosts put the game out of sight with 5 minutes remaining. Brown made a decent one-on-one save, but Worle’s number 9 was there to finish the loose ball, just ahead of the defender. It was nearly 4 just a couple of minutes later but Worle’s number 14’s ambitious volley was narrowly over the bar.

It was an impressive win for Worle who are now just a point from safety, and with games in hand over some of their relegation rivals. We found the locals to be very friendly, and the club’s Twitter to be extremely helpful.

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