Clevedon Town 2 - 0 Bridgwater United
In recent seasons Clevedon has been far from a happy hunting ground for the Robins and they fell short again against their young opponents. Clevedon had lost 5-2 in their previous game, after holding a 2-0 lead, and their record over the season suggested some fallibility at the back. However, they defended very well and left the Robins frustrated and pointless.
Centre half Glen Hayer was magnificent at the centre of the Clevedon defence , repeatedly heading away dangerous looking crosses.However, the fact is that United did not create enough good chances despite having much more possession of the ball, especially in the second half.
United had Tyler Coombes (borrowed from Plymouth Parkway) in place of the suspended Jake Viney in goal. He did not have much to do but neither did Clevedon’s keeper Luca Smith. Jack Taylor also missed the game through suspension. Tom Ellis was injured.
United allowed Ethan Feltham a free header from a free kick early on and Syd Camper’s block of a Coombes’ clearance could have been embarrassing but the ball rolled wide. A miscue from Archie Sturdy landed on the crossbar but it was covered by Smith.
Five minutes short of half time, United would have taken the lead when Ross Edwards, one of the better performers, headed a Tom Llewellyn free kick straight at Smith. A foot either way and it would have been a goal.
Just before half time, ex Robin, Camper got on the end of a lofted ball and slipped the ball into the left of the net. Coombes got a touch.
When United started the second half it seemed that they were determined to keep possession, be patient and wait for the chances to come. Unfortunately, they didn’t come much. Sturdy drove a shot forcefully, but too high, and there was nothing else of note until Clevedon got their second.
Clevedon had not threatened at all in the second period and their goal was out of the blue and very avoidable. Jordan Greenwood, who played solidly, made a bad decision when he fouled a Clevedon forward on the furthest extremity of the penalty area. There had been no real danger at the time. Alex Camm’s spot kick sent Coombes the wrong way and it was now a real uphill battle.
United did power forward for the next twenty minutes. Harry Horton’s fulminating 20 yard shot seemed sure to bring a goal but Smith dived a long way to his left to push it away. All of United’s other shots or headers were wide of the mark. In turn Wellington Jimenez, Greenwood and Nick Woodrow all missed the target.
United didn’t play badly but they were lacking in sparkle. A well drilled and error free Clevedon did not have to work particularly hard to secure the win.
Match Details
Match: Clevedon Town v Bridgwater United
Competition: Toolstation Western League
Date: Saturday 18th September 2021
Venue: Everyone Active Stadium
Attendance: 123
Teams
Clevedon: Luca Smith, Alex Twiggs, Sam Iles, Callum Kingdon, Glen Hayer, Archie Heywod, Elliot Nicholson, Alex Camm, Archie Ferris, Ethan Feltham, Syd Camper.
Subs: Josh Pitt, Morgan Davies, Ollie Babington, Freddie King.
United: Tyler Coombes, Mark Armstrong, Ross Edwards, Jordan Greenwood, Jake Llewellyn, Harry Horton, Archie Sturdy, George King, Adnan Hiroli, Nick Woodrow, Tom Llewellyn.
Subs: Morgan Williams, Roger Blazquez, Wellington Jimenez, Ryan Brereton.
Match Officials
Referee: Kristian Gould
Assistant Referee: Rob Mcdonald
Assistant Referee: Jake Richards
Who’s next? United travel to National League Yeovil Town in the Somerset Premier Cup on Wednesday 22nd September, 7.45pm.
- By Mark Hollidge
- By Debbie Gould
