Welcome back to the second half of the season, after all the friendlies planned for last week were cancelled due to the weather this week saw the proper return to action. Leagues games for everyone but the ladies 1s and hopefully we weren't too rusty!

First up were the Ladies 1s at Clevedon for a Friendly game, so much so that they didn't even take a keeper with them, but that gave them 11 outfield players and so hopefully there was plenty of passing and being able to keep it in the opposition territory. I'm hopeful of a full report so I can update this, but at the moment, I know the score was 10-5 to us! The only other part was that Becky missed a penalty flick and when asked, Lara (who missed the game through illness) correctly predicted that it missed the left post by a couple of centimeters! Good free scoring start to the season and will hopefully set us up for a fast start to the season to get that goal difference back and then beat Gryphons.

Men's 1s report by Steve Proctor.
Men's 1s returned to league action on Saturday with a trip down to Exeter to face the University D’s. With a squad of 14 at his disposal, Patt Tanner making a welcome return from the knee infection that sidelined him pre Xmas and forward Matt Mills making his first appearance since shattering his finger early in the season, coach MacBlain was able to make adjustments with North lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The game started of at a quick pace, North trying to get to grips with their new formation while also blowing off the Xmas festivity cobwebs due to last weeks friendly being frozen off.
The ball was being moved around the back in slick transfers with both Chambers and Ball being given time to pick decisive passes. Most joy for the visitors was coming down the right side, a rampaging Tanner and a sharp Rich Pugsley combining well time and again to flash dangerous balls into the circle.
When Exeter Uni did mount attacks they found the midfield trio of Theara, Priestner and Voisey on hand to disrupt and break them down quickly.
When Exeter made it into the D, the brave Tanner threw himself in front of the shot, receiving a stick the head for his efforts, the blood was wiped up and undeterred he continued on, bandage in place..........North Somerset’s very own Terry Butcher.
The visitors had the ball in the net shortly after through Scott Voisey but the effort was rightly disallowed by the match officials. Keeping the pressure on after this setback North won several short corners but were unable to capitalise.
North did not let this halt their flow and from a 16, Lee Chambers played an inch perfect 50 yard pass high into the midfield, some smart interplay between Pugsley and Priestner was finished off by the predatory Scott Voisey to put North 1-0 up.
North didn’t have to wait long for the second. Carrying on his fine goal scoring form, Voisey was the man in the right place to score putting North 2-0 up.
A wobble in the final minute of the half saw some desperate defending and last ditch tackles saw the first 35 mins out at 2-0 to North.
The second half got underway and Exeter Uni had changed tactics, being more attacking and pushing forwards higher to pressure the North defence, again this was met with resolute defending, Dangerfield, Tanner, Ball and Chambers all working tirelessly in front of keeper Proctor to repel Exeter attacks as they came.
This was a test that North were determined to come through as second half wobbles have become a regular occurrence this season, a clean sheet was there to be kept and the North team knew it.
With the forward line rotating to provide as much running up top as possible half chances were all that were coming as Exeter continued to turn the screw and find a way back into the game.
In the final 5 minutes a long ball from the defence found captain Francuz running through on goal, with a piece of trickery and a slice of fortune his initial shot was saved but fell back to him and despite defenders on the line he kept his composure and fired home to finish Exeter’s second half threat off.
All round a great first half display and although not perfect, it was job done and 3 points on the road for North Somerset.
A Home game next Saturday against Shelton Mallet and a chance to avenge the early season heavy defeat inflicted on North.
Hughes carpentry Man of the Match. Scott Voisey.

The first game at home was the Men's 3s, with their only home 1 o'clock start of the season. It was apparent that we had missed our friendly warm up and we were trying to push the game where we shouldn't. Firebrands were and older side and quite wiley, but without the speed, so Jack Colling and Dan Dudley on the wings were running them ragged, unfortunately though our end product wasn't really up to it and we didn't have too many shots on target. Firebrands didn't put lots of pressure on and it was generally on the break, but they showed that they had been praticing their shooting and almost all their shots were on target and well placed to make it very difficult for Rob Orton in our goal. Although we lost 5-0 it didn't weem a true reflection of the game, Although Brands were the better side we had far more of the game than the scoreline shows. Next week we are away to Keynsham who ran riot in the first fixture, so we may need to think carefully about how we chose to defend and commit forwards.

The second home game was the Men's 2s at home to Clifton Robinsons (which included one of our Junior coaches Matt Lonsdale!). The lineup was strong and looked like we should have a solid performance, but that didn't look the case once the game was underway! Although I could write quite alot about the game..... I think it would be best if I didn't! Robbies scored the first goal which was some slick passing all the way to the bye line and then wirtually a tap in to make it one nil. A good run down the right and the into the D from Harry Croker looked promising and in an effort to prevent Harry from having a wild lash on his reverse, Tom Broome took the ball off the end of Harry stick and used his open side to slot the ball past the keeper. From then on neither team played well, but Robbies scored again before half time to go into the break 2-1 up. The second half didn't really change the style of play and it continued as a very scrappy game. A penalty flick was awarded to North from a tackle on Callum Black who confidently stood up to take it, but he lifted it just too high. Robbies managed to get another one late in the half to finish it 3-1. Robbies being slightly the better side, but both sides need to improve their play to get much out of the second half of the season.
Tom Broome was awarded the man of the match.

Ladies 2s were on last and thankfully the floodlights worked well as it was getting pretty gloomy. Westberries were the opposition and unfortunately Lizzie reported ill in the morning, so the 2s followed the 1s lead and played without a goalkeeper. I watched the first half, during which the only time Westberries got the ball in our D was from long hits out which ran through for a 16. We moved the ball around well, but tended to go down the centre of the pitch, even though our wingers had alot of space out wide. When we did use the wings they did well to get round and get the ball in to the D for shooting opportunities. By the time I left at half time (I had watched 2 1/2 games) we were 3-0 up and in total control. Clive gave a good team talk and there was lots of positive discussion about how to improve the performance and style of play in the second half. The second half must have been a slightly different affair and I suspect Westberries realised they needed a significant change as they weren't in the game at all and when the result reached the clubhouse it was a 5-2 win for North. The goal came with two for Milli Bryant, one each for Maddie Welsh, Clare Sheffield and a goal on her debut for Sofia Williams. A great winning start and base to build for the second half of the season to go on and get lots more wins. Well done ladies!

The GINuary social was in the clubhouse from the end of the games and with plenty of people there to taste a range of Gins brought in by Billy. The bar did well and the continued support of the membership at the bar and socials will help with purchasing things we want for the club in the future.