Somerset County Premier

Nailsea United 1, Berrow 2

A HARD-working performance saw Berrow take all three points at reigning champions Nailsea United on Saturday.

Adrian Cunningham - on his first-team debut – and Luke McErlain were on target for Berrow, after they had fallen behind early on.

United started well and put the Berrow backline under a lot of pressure - and when a cross wasn’t cleared, a well struck shot from the Nailsea striker was blocked by Kyle McErlain, with the referee awarding a penalty for hand ball, which was comfortably converted.

United broke through again minutes later, but Nick Slack made a great save one-on-one with the striker.

Berrow slowly played themselves into the game - with Lismore and Steve Leaf starting to see more of the ball and it was Leaf who had their first effort at goal, but his shot drifted over.

Berrow got back on level terms when James Gass played the ball down the middle and Cunningham got in between two defenders to slot home.

Leaf’s hard work and running was causing problems and he created the next opportunity for Luke McErlain, whose shot was blocked, before Lismore had a shot comfortably saved.

Slack made a great save from a free-kick before Berrow took the lead – with captain McErlain playing a one two with Lismore before firing home from the edge of the box.

On the stroke of half-time, Slack made an even better save from another free-kick to keep Berrow’s lead intact.

United looked to play a lot of crosses into the box in an attempt to get back into the game, but Jack West, Harry Penfold, Kyle McErlain and Gass were working well - and when called upon, Slack was alert and his handling was superb in difficult conditions.

Leaf was still providing an outlet up front whilst James Reddish and Cunningham were joining up well to ease the pressure on the defence.

Slack made another top save from a free-kick, as the home side were struggling to create any clear cut openings from open play.

Jack Shepherd and Steve Osgood replaced the injured Luke McErlain and tiring Lismore to help see out the game, as Berrow deservedly hung on for a much-needed three points