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Tavs travelled the short distance on Saturday for their first first team local derby against Horsley since the 1990's.
With both Nailsworth teams eager to get one over each other this was always going to be a game with full of mouthwatering entertainment for any neutral, not so much for any diehard fans as the the game had some heart pumping moments for both teams.
Before the game both teams congregated the center circle for a minutes silence as a mark of respect for Armstice Day, This created a eerie atmosphere pre game as the pitch and surroundings fell silent, after the whistle blew to mark the end both teams roared in anticipation.
Kick off
Both teams started the game brightly and the majority of the opening minutes were played in the middle of the pitch with both teams cancelling each other out defensively, as the game began to settle Tavs became the more dominant of the teams keeping possession for large periods however Horsley drew first blood when Tom Stubbs run from midfield shot at goal from outside the box only for the ball to be blocked by Louis Wilkins, Wilkins unable to get back to his feet watched as the ball fell to Stubbs feet and placed the ball into the bottom right corner.
Tavs maintained being the more dominant in their build up play but any loose ball in the final third was cleared back down the pitch to the Tavs defensive duo Mikey T and Louis Wilkins. As the final minutes of the half drew nearer the Tavs Ultras were entertained by some theatrical antics as Ex Taverner Rich Kerry through himself to the floor with minimal contact.
Half Time 1-0 Horsley
The second half started as we left the first with Tavs playing some tidy football but unable to unlock the Horsley defense, Tavs persistence paid off when Jonty O'Leary's corner was cleared to Dean Neale inside of the box who rolled the ball into the bottom corner of the far poost narrowly missing Mikey T's pouncing Toe.
Horsley now under pressure of losing the game we awoke and started to create chances of their own but Tavs defence were equal to anything thrown at them. Jamie Bish then had a opportunity to put Tavs ahead only for his shot to be blocked. In the closing minutes Horsley had a chance of their own as a goal mouth scramble saw the ball bounce towards the Tavs goal but Connor Wilkins was alert enough to dive on the ball and slow down the play.
Full Time 1-1
Player Of The Match Shaun Helbrow