Bitton (0) v Clevedon Town (1) - Match Report

By Tony Merrett assisted by Dave Wright

Clevedon travelled to The Recreation Ground to take on a Bitton side battling for points at the foot of the table and came away with a single goal victory from a game in which they had the chances to have made the score-line far more comfortable.

After a quiet opening period the game exploded into life in the 12th minute when both sides were reduced to 10 men. Kaine Gazzard launched himself into a challenge with Bitton skipper Kyle Tooze that gave the referee no chance other than to show him a straight red card. Bitton’s Callum Baker reacted to the challenge by slapping the Clevedon man across the back of the head and followed him off the pitch.

A foul on Clevedon captain Kevin Camargo on the edge of the box on 14 minutes saw Owen Barry hit the free-kick straight at keeper Dan Worton.

Clevedon created a good chance in the 28th minute when the ball was played down the right for Joe Hance to beat his man and fire the ball across the box but unfortunately nobody in blue and white could get on the end of the ball. Toby Yeates retrieved the ball on the other wing and put in a great cross that saw Jack Boughton and Kevin Camargo vying to smash the ball home but were denied by Dan Worton diving bravely at their feet to smother the ball and get a stray boot to his head in the process.

Another free-kick on the edge of the box on 30 minutes saw Kye Mountford curl the ball over the wall and with the ball heading just under the bar Dan Worton did well to push it over the bar.

Clevedon created a great chance in the 31st minute when Kevin Camargo swung the ball in from the right and with Isaac Reid drawing the attention of the defenders Kye Mountford stole in at the far post but could only place his header straight at Dan Worton.

On 37 minutes Owen Barry crossed from the right and Toby Yeates controlled the ball with his back to goal before turning and shooting just past the post.

Clevedon went close again in the 43rd minute when Kye Mountford put in a great cross from the right to the far post where Toby Yeates rose highest but powered his header over the bar.

In the 2nd minute of injury time an Owen Barry free-kick was floated to the back post where Toby Yeates glanced the ball wide of the post.

A minute later and the home side had their first attempt at the Clevedon goal when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box which Josh Morgan-Williams fired high over the bar before the last action of the half saw Patrick Royal’s shot deflected wide.

The teams went in all square at the break with the visitors hoping that they would not be made to pay for not converting at least one of the chances they had created.

Half Time: Bitton 0 Clevedon Town 0

Bitton came out for the second half playing up the slope and on 48 minutes Josh Morgan-Williams saw his shot go wide.

Man of the Match Kye Mountford was starting to have more influence on proceedings as the game progressed and in the 55th minute he played the ball into the box where Isaac Reid turned and shot wide.

Clevedon created another chance on 68 minutes when Jack Boughton played the ball down the left for Toby Yeates to cut inside his man before playing the ball across the box to Isaac Reid arriving at the far post but he couldn’t keep his shot down and the ball flew high over the bar.

In the 74th minute Bitton danger-man Kyle Tooze managed to get past Owen Barry down the left before cutting into the box and sending a right-foot shot over the bar.

Clevedon then took the lead on 81 minutes following an excellent passage of play. Substitute Tyler Ashmead did well to win the ball on the right touchline before finding Kye Mountford on the corner of the penalty area and with the Bitton defence expecting him to go outside on his right foot Kye let the ball run across his body and lay the ball perfectly into the path of substitute Alex Camm who calmly slotted the ball passed Dan Worton and into the corner of the net to make the score 0-1.

Clevedon had a scare in the 86th minute when a corner was met by George Foyle and much to keeper Will Bennett’s relief his header bounced on top of the bar and over.

Clevedon deservedly held on to take the 3 points and gain revenge for the 4-2 home defeat they had suffered earlier in the season.

Full Time: Bitton 0 Clevedon Town 1

Clevedon are next in action on Tuesday 4th April when they visit Buckland Athletic with a 7:30 pm kick-off.

Attendance: 54

Clevedon Town Line-up:

1. Will Bennett
2. Callum Kingdon
3. Owen Barry
4. Jack Boughton
5. Ben Murray
6. Kaine Gazzard
7. Kye Mountford
8. Kevin Camargo (c)
9. Isaac Reid
10. Joe Hance
11. Toby Yeates

12. Tyler Ashmead replaced Jack Boughton on 75 minutes
14. Ryan Gissing replaced Joe Hance on 88 minutes
15. Glen Hayer
16. Alex White
17. Alex Camm replaced Isaac Reid on 75 minutes - Goal on 81 minutes

Clevedon Town Man of the Match: Kye Mountford