This was one of the few games played in the County League due to pitches being declared unfit through continuous rain. However this game was switched to the 4G facility at Worle School with the blessing of the league management.
Both sides were committed to trying to play good football despite the windy conditions and having to adapt to the 4G pitch which seemed to favour the younger mobile players on both sides.
In the opening minutes a Sam Johnson free kick was gathered in by the visitor’s ‘keeper James Dunn but it was Clevedon who took the lead on 10 minutes. It came from a cross from the right hand side and Mike Purnell rose to head home past Matt Hill who had no chance to make a save. This set back did not get to the home team who nearly equalised when a Jacob Horton strike was just wide of the goal. However the equaliser did come with real quality play. Leigh White won the ball in midfield a series of precision passes to Callum Vickery to Jake Horton to Sam Clarke ended with him expertly made himself room to crash the ball home for his second goal in successive games since signing for the Club.
There were more half chances for both sides with Mike Rowcliffe heading over from a Sam Johnson free kick and a Sam Clarke free kick going wide.
The second half started the same with first the visitors on the front foot. Matt Hill did well to save a shot from Purnell and the resultant corner from Callum Dunn was headed over by Nick Austin.
On 55 minutes Sam Clements who had given his all as usual at the heart of defence was replaced by Joe Moore who slotted into the left back position with Ethan Johnson joining his brother at the heart of the defence. Each team had brief spells of dominance but industrial performances from Chris Bradley and Mike Rowcliffe in midfield and the defence holding strong ensured no further goals were conceded. The best chances for Clevedon came from a free kick was misjudged by Hill and an attacker headed onto the crossbar but he made amends by saving a good effort from the lively Purnell.
For Wrington Joe Moore’s goal bound header was collected by Dunn and a Sam Clarke effort was just wide of the post. In the dying minutes it looked like the home side was going to collect all 3 points when the ball was played into Clarke again but an extra touch enabled the defence to close the gap and his shot was snuffled away.
A draw was a fair result and this was a very encouraging performance from the home side which will give manager Grahame Cheeseman encouragement to climb back up the table as more games will come thick and fast to catch up on games in hand
There were a number of contenders for player of the match. Sam Clarke for his quality goal, Callum Vickery for another all out attacking performance and Chris Bradley and Mike Rowcliffe in midfield. However the Bill Gough man of the match went to

Ethan Johnson for his excellent defensive display.

Team

Goalkeeper. Matt Hill

Defence. Ollie Clements Sam Clements Sam Johnson Ethan Johnson

Midfield. Leigh White Mike Rowcliffe Chris Bradley Callum Vickery

Strikers. Jake Horton, Sam Clarke.

subs Joe Moore (for Sam Clements) Michak O’Connor