Cirencester Town 1 Clevedon Town 2
Clevedon travelled to the Corinium Stadium home of Cirencester Town for their final match of 2007, and it was an inform Mike Symons who returned to haunt his former club by scoring one goal and providing for the second as Clevedon ended the year on a high with a 2-1 away win.
Manager Phil Bater started with the same line-up that convincing defeated Tiverton Town on Boxing day… Geraint Bater returned to the substitutes bench after his recent suspension. Centurions boss Adie Viveash included new signings Scott Griffin and Paul Cochlin into his starting line-up.
First half got underway with both sides struggling to come to terms with a strong side-wind which ruined any attempt by both sides to play any decent football, the half was dominated by goal-kicks and throw-in’s as passes and crosses went astray in the windy conditions. Neither keeper was really tested in the first half, Clevedon had a couple of half-chances when first Matt Prosser saw his 20 yard drive go narrowly wide in the 11th minute, a few minutes later Kris Leek’s found his way into the hosts penalty area but his shot just cleared the top corner. Both sides continued to struggle with the playing conditions and it was no surprise when the half ended all square.
Second-half commenced with Clevedon looking the more livelier of the two sides as they played down the slope, and within two minutes of the restart the deadlock was broken when Josh Brigham picked up the ball on the right wing... a superb cross by the young wing-back found Danny Haines whose shot could only be parried by home keeper Matt Bulman, the ball fell kindly for Mike Symons who turned and shot home from 6 yards.
Both sides continued to persevere with the persistent weather conditions and in the 52nd minute Cirencester made a double substitution with Andrew Chapman and Steve Robertson replacing Dan Wallington and Matt Shaxton, Clevedon replaced Steve Cook with Geraint Bater who recorded his 100 appearance for the club. The change worked for Cirencester as they threw caution to the wind and put Clevedon under pressure as they went in search of an equaliser, substitute Andrew Chapman looked the more illustrious as he sent in some testing crosses and shots on goal, however, Clevedon doubled their lead in the 71st minute when Mike Symons picked up the ball in midfield... his forward pass fell into the path of Danny Haines who screamed past his marker on the left wing and slotted the ball pass the advancing Matt Bulman to record his first goal of the season.
It really looked like game over for the home side, however, only three minutes later they were back in it when Andrew Chapman's free kick was directed into a crowded penalty area... Paul Cochlin got a touch and the ball came of Danny Greaves for an own-goal. Chapman came close to equalising for the home side minutes later when another dangerous free-kick was superbly tipped over by the Seasiders custodian. After that Cirencester never really threatened as Clevedon frustrated their hosts with some solid defending and possession play.
The result leaves Cirencester in the relegation zone, while Clevedon are eyeing a push for a play-off place after moving up to 6th place in the league. Heading into the new year Clevedon travel to South Gloucestershire side Mangotsfield United on New Years Day for what should be a competitively contested match.
Gallery
Team Sheet
| No: | Name: | Sub: | Goal: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greaves | ||
| 2 | Brigham | ||
| 3 | Trought | ||
| 4 | Leek | ||
| 5 | Hendy | ||
| 6 | Scott (Capt) | ||
| 7 | Bassett | ||
| 8 | Cook | ||
| 9 | Prosser | ||
| 10 | Symons | 1 | |
| 11 | Haines | 1 | |
| 12 | Page | 3 | |
| 14 | Davies | 7 | |
| 15 | Bater | 8 | |
| 16 | - | ||
| 17 | - | ||
| Own Goal | - |
Match Details
| Date: | 29/12/07 |
|---|---|
| Competition: | British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division |
| Opponents: | Cirencester Town |
| Venue: | The Corinium Stadium Kingshill Lane Cirencester Glos GL7 1HS |
| Half Time: | 0 - 0 |
| Full Time: | 2 - 1 |
| Attendance: | 200 |
| Match Report: | Steve Webb |
| Photographs: | Tony Merrett |
Away Kit |
On-Site Recruitment Solutions Ltd |
| Notes: |
Downloads
| Appearances & Goal Scorers | Word Document |
|---|---|
| Team Sheet Matrix | Excel Document |