Will we receive any Easter presents at The Hand this bank holiday?
Well we have two home matches this Easter, with league leaders Team Bath arriving on Saturday and then our old local rivals, Mangotsfield United, here on Monday, both matches kicking off at 3.00. Team Bath are, perhaps not surprisingly with the resources available, sitting on top of the table but with the lowest average gate in the divisions and no home ground of their own as they are still sharing with Bath City. Nevertheless it clearly hasn’t affected their progress and they will arrive on Saturday with the division’s best away record, 11 wins, 2 draws and just 3 defeats all season so we will have a monumental task if we are to gain all three points. We drew 1-1 at Bath in September and then knocked them out of the Errea Cup on their own patch.
Monday’s visitors, Mangotsfield United, would love that record as they have struggled in recent months and find themselves in the relegation zone, having parted with their manager, Frank Gregan, earlier this month. Our old friend Paul Milsom is currently acting as caretaker manager, along with Jon French, but don’t be deceived by their lowly position and the doom and gloom merchants at Cossham Street, Mils will have his side fighting hard for the points and with the added spice of a local derby, we’ll have to work very hard if we want to record a win. It will also be nice to welcome back former Clevedon players in Neil Arndale and Alex Ball, as well as Mils as the Mangos look to improve on an away record of 7 wins, 7 draws and, you’ve guessed, 7 wins. The return match at Cossham street ended 2-2 on New Year’s Day where we fought back well after being under the cosh for most of the game. We’ll bring you any team news nearer the matches.
19/03/08