Mangotsfield United 2 Clevedon Town 2
Clevedon made the short journey to Cossham Street home of Mangotsfield United for a New-Years-Day derby encounter which saw both sides provide an entertaining spectacle in a match which eventually finished all square after Clevedon fought back from a two-goal deficit.
Geraint Bater returned to the starting line-up with Mike Trought, Scott Hendy and Skipper Rob Scott all coming through late fitness tests.
Both sides started at a furious pace but neither really challenged until the quarter hour when Seasiders Steve Cook drilled his shot straight at Mango’s keeper John Rendall, after that the home side took the half by the scruff of the neck and dominated play with Luke Ballinger impressing with some dangerous darting runs on goal, the first coming in the 18th minute when he cut-in from the left only to shoot over from 6 yards, 6 minutes later the lively winger saw his lob on goal go narrowly wide and, moments later Danny Greaves had to save at the strikers feet as Clevedon were pushed back into their own half. The Clevedon custodian came to the visitors rescue once again when he made a fine reaction save to deny Ronnie Mowatt’s goal-bound header.
United’s relentless pressure paid off in the 38th minute when Greaves dived low to hold Jon French’s shot on goal… controversially Alan Griffin followed through to score with Clevedon players appealing that the ball had been kicked from the keepers hands, however, their appeals were in vain as Referee Mr D Easton awarded the goal.
Manager Phil Bater’s injury woes continued as Kris Leek had to be replaced with Christian Sylvester just before the half-time whistle, which ended with both sets of supporters shaking their heads in disbelief that the home side was only one-nil up after dominating for the majority of the half.
Phil Bater’s half time talk had clearly had some influence on his players as they had a much brighter start to the second half by putting their hosts under early pressure, however, United still looked dangerous on the break and doubled their lead in the 63rd minute, when Ronnie Mowatt’s cross found an unmarked Dave Morrissey whose superbly hit volley smashed past Danny Greaves.
It really looked like game-over for the visitors, but, Phil Bater had other ideas... Kyle Bassett and Mitchell Page replaced Josh Brigham and Matt Prosser, the change paid dividends as Bassett tore into what previously looked a solid defence with some ease. Town's pressure was rewarded when Geraint Bater pulled a goal back in the 70th minute… his 20 yard drive took a deflection off Jon French to sail pass a helpless Rendall. Clevedon continued to pile on the pressure as a nervous looking United found it difficult to break out of their own half, and in the 82nd minute the visitors deservedly equalised when Geraint Bater’s free kick was headed home by the inform Mike Symons who recorded his third consecutive goal in as many games.
The home side were on the rack as Clevedon went in search of a winner which nearly came in the dying moments of the match, Danny Haines just failed to connect at the far post from Geraint Bater free-kick which rifled across the home penalty area.
The final whistle blew with both sides sharing the points, and both sets of supporters agreeing that a draw was probably a fair result. Clevedon return to the Hand Stadium this Saturday when they welcome 3rd place Chippenham Town.
Gallery
Team Sheet
| No: | Name: | Sub: | Goal: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greaves | ||
| 2 | Brigham | ||
| 3 | Bater | 1 | |
| 4 | Leek | ||
| 5 | Hendy | ||
| 6 | Trought | ||
| 7 | Scott (Capt) | ||
| 8 | Cook | ||
| 9 | Prosser | ||
| 10 | Symons | 1 | |
| 11 | Haines | ||
| 12 | Page | 9 | |
| 14 | Davies | ||
| 15 | Sylvester | 4 | |
| 16 | Bassett | 2 | |
| 17 | - | ||
| Own Goal | - |
Match Details
| Date: | 01/01/08 |
|---|---|
| Competition: | British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division |
| Opponents: | Mangotsfield United |
| Venue: | Cossham Street Mangotsfield Bristol BS17 9EN |
| Half Time: | 0 - 1 |
| Full Time: | 2 - 2 |
| Attendance: | 329 |
| 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 |