Taunton Town (3) v Clevedon Town (1) - Somerset Premier Cup - Match Report

By Tony Merrett assisted by Dave Wright

Clevedon travelled to the Viridor Stadium to take on Southern League Taunton Town and put in a very good performance despite having no recognised goalkeeper available and with Alex White bravely volunteering to do the honours.

Taunton created the first chance on 5 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick on the left which Ross Staley took and saw deflected behind for a corner.

Clevedon’s first chance saw Archie Ferris blast a shot high and wide in the 7th minute and 5 minutes later another Ross Staley free-kick was headed over by Craig Veal.

Clevedon almost opened the scoring on 17 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area. James Fisher stepped up and curled the ball around the wall and off the outside of the post with keeper Lloyd Irish well beaten.

Taunton went close in the 20th minute when Alex White did extremely well to push away a fierce shot from Pierce Mitchell with the rebound falling to Josh Searle whose shot hit the post and the ball was cleared.

On 24 minutes Owen Barry floated a dangerous ball towards Isaac Reid at the far post but Lloyd Irish was quickly off his line to claim the ball.

Following a corner in the 25th minute the ball was cleared out of the Clevedon box and picked up by Ed Palmer 25 yards out and he let fly with the ball going narrowly wide.

On 27 minutes a cross from the right by Josh Searle reached Craig Veal but his shot was blocked.

Taunton took the lead in the 28th minute when a corner from the right sailed right across the Clevedon penalty area to the back post where veteran striker Michael Meaker had a simple tap-in to make the score 1-0.

Taunton doubled their lead on 34 minutes. There appeared little danger as the ball was played into the Clevedon box but Kaine Gazzard’s attempted clearance hit Owen Irish and rebounded to Craig Veal who couldn’t miss and made the score 2-0.

Clevedon’s last chance of the half on 40 minutes saw a Sam Downe free-kick hit straight to Lloyd Irish.

Half Time: Taunton Town 2 Clevedon Town 0

Clevedon came out for the second half looking to get back into the game with James Fisher making a strong run down the right on 50 minutes before cutting the ball back for Archie Ferris to shoot over.

Clevedon went close in the 52nd minute when a Sam Downe corner from the right was met at the near post by Owen Barry and his header was on its way into the far corner of the net before Josh Searle headed the ball off the line.

On 53 minutes a Pierce Mitchell cross from the right was headed wide by Josh Searle and 2 minutes later a cross from the opposite wing by Charlie Melvin-Sparks saw substitute Kye Toogood turn and blast the ball over the bar.

Clevedon had to be thankful to Alex White in the 61st minute. Ross Staley played the ball to Pierce Mitchell whose cross found Michael Meaker in the box and his shot was excellently saved by the stand-in Clevedon keeper.

Clevedon thought they had won a penalty on 67 minutes when James Fisher was tripped in the box by Lloyd Irish but the Assistant Referee had earlier flagged for offside.

Clevedon didn’t have to wait long and were actually awarded a penalty in the 68th minute following a push on James Fisher. Isaac Reid stepped up and firmly struck the ball to Lloyd Irish’s left and although the keeper went the right way the ball eluded him as it went in off the post to make the score 1-2.

Taunton made the game safe on 74 minutes with an unstoppable 20-yard free-kick by Ross Staley that gave Alex White no chance as it flew into the top corner of the net to make the score 3-1.

Although Clevedon tried to get back into the game there were no further goals and Taunton progress into the semi-finals where they are joined by Weston-super-Mare, Brislington and Keynsham Town.

Final Score: Taunton Town 3 Clevedon Town 1

Clevedon are next in action on Saturday 25th February when Bradford Town are the visitors to The Everyone Active Stadium with a 3:00 pm kick-off.

Attendance: 210

Clevedon Town Line-up:

1. Alex White
2. Archie Ferris
3. Owen Barry
4. Ryan Gissing
5. Glen Hayer
6. Kaine Gazzard
7. James Fisher
8. Kevin Camargo (c)
9. Isaac Reid - Goal on 69 minutes (penalty)
10. Toby Yeates
11. Sam Downe

12. Tyler Ashmead replaced Archie Ferris on 78 minutes
14. Joe Hance replaced Isaac Reid on 78 minutes
15. Jake Harris
16. Callum Kingdon

Clevedon Town Man of the Match: Owen Barry