Clevedon Town (1) v Bradford Town (3) - Match Report

By Tony Merrett

Clevedon welcomed Bradford Town to The Everyone Active Stadium managed by former fans’ favourite and keeper Danny Greaves and were well beaten by a strong first half performance from the visitors that saw them 3 goals ahead at the break.

Clevedon were forced to make a late change to their starting line-up when Archie Ferris picked up an injury during the warm up and Tyler Ashmead moved up from bench to wear the number 2 shirt.

Bradford created a chance in the 2nd minute when a cross from the right by Martin Lenihan was headed wide by Karim Rendall.

On 5 minutes a run down the right by Tyler Ashmead saw the ball played inside to Jake Harris whose shot was deflected over the bar. James Fisher took the resultant corner and the ball again found Jake Harris whose shot was punched clear by Bradford keeper Jamie Bartlett.

Bradford took the lead in the 8th minute with a very well taken goal. James Moon played the ball down the right to Karim Rendall who crossed the ball into the box for Dan Cottle to control the ball and flick it over his marker’s head before volleying into the bottom corner of the net to make the score 0-1.

Bradford doubled their lead on 11 minutes. A corner on the left was played short to skipper Ricky Scott who crossed into the near post for Laurent Davis-Wilson to volley the ball into the net to give Clevedon keeper Sam Burgess no chance and make the score 0-2.

A run down the left by Toby Yeates in the 12th minute saw the Clevedon man fouled. James Fisher took the free-kick and played the ball into the box where it was cleared to Jack Boughton on the edge of the box but his attempted shot sliced off the edge of his foot and went wide.

On 29 minutes a long ball over the top by Kaine Gazzard saw Jake Harris in a race against Jamie Bartlett with the Bradford keeper managing to get to the ball first and use his chest to control the ball before clearing.

Bradford went further ahead in the 36th minute when a corner from the left was played to Mark Wall on the edge of the box and his shot took a deflection before flying into the top corner of the net to make the score 0-3.

Half Time: Clevedon Town 0 Bradford Town 3

Clevedon came out for the second half looking for a way back into the game and their task was made harder 15 minutes in when James Fisher had to be replaced following a clash of heads. After a long wait at A&E James was later diagnosed with severe concussion and spinal shock but was allowed home and everyone involved with Clevedon Town wishes him a speedy recovery.

On 84 minutes a good move saw the home side go close. Tyler Ashmead’s pass down the right found substitute Ryan Gissing whose cross into the box found Kevin Camargo with the Clevedon skipper chesting the ball back for Jack Boughton to shoot narrowly over the bar.

Bradford had the chance to extend their lead further in the 85th minute when Owen Barry brought down substitute Matt Morris in the box and the ref had no choice other than to point to the spot. Fellow substitute Anthony Conradi stepped up and blasted the ball off the bar and over.

Clevedon managed to get a consolation goal in the 4th minute of injury time. A corner on the right was played into the box by Sam Downe and cleared to the edge of the box where Ryan Gissing’s shot took a big deflection before flying into the net to make the final score 1-3.

Full Time: Clevedon Town 1 Bradford Town 3

Clevedon are next in action on Saturday 11th March when they visit Gillingham Town.

Attendance: 84

Clevedon Town Line-up:

1. Sam Burgess
2. Tyler Ashmead
3. Owen Barry
4. Jack Boughton
5. Ben Murray
6. Kaine Gazzard
7. James Fisher
8. Kevin Camargo (c)
9. Isaac Reid
10. Jake Harris
11. Toby Yeates

14. Joe Hance replaced Jake Harris on 72 minutes
15. Ryan Gissing replaced James Fisher on 60 minutes - Goal on 90 + 4 minutes
16. Alex White
17. Sam Downe replaced Isaac Reid on 63 minutes