All Square at Clevedon

The result was fair; Didcot didn't play badly but failed to reach the heights of the Cup clash, whereas Clevedon put in a much improved display.
Didcot began brightly enough, Brian Bowles orchestrating the game's first goalscoring chance by intercepting a stray pass in midfield and feeding James Clark out on the right. The cross was met by Morgan Williams out on the left but despite having time to cut in and improve the angle, he elected to shoot first time and the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Marcos Belloli's handling was put to the test by Curtis Jack and Dave Stone at the other end before Clark failed to convert either of the two opportunities he was presented with as the contest ticked by the midway point of the first period. Osborne-Ricketts and Morgan Williams teed up the striker following a breakaway move but having worked himself into a decent scoring position Clark dallied and the shot was blocked. The second opening was more difficult, Osborne-Ricketts and Jamie Heapy unlocking the defence before Clark volleyed narrowly over from a tricky position.

The remainder of the half saw only a smattering of goalmouth incidents, Lance Williams curling over a free-kick that any touch at the far post would have meant a certain goal for the Railwaymen, while Scott Murray drilled a low drive that Belloli managed to beat clear at the foot of the right-hand post.

Didcot responded from their half-time pep talk by immediately taking the game to Clevedon and they were soon rewarded with the first goal of the night. Bowles had already rippled the side netting before defender Richard Peirson broke the deadlock. The goal was fortuitous: a corner by Bowles cannoned into the face of Sam King who unwittingly diverted the ball goalwards. Clevedon keeper Lee Matthews did well to claw it away but in doing so, put himself out of commission and Richard Peirson was favourably positioned to blast the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Scott Murray came close to an equaliser after pouncing on a defensive error, but couldn't beat Belloli and Matthews had to be alert to prevent a Morgan Williams cross from looping into the top corner. However, just as it seemed that Didcot would find their one goal advantage sufficient to hold on for victory, the Seasiders drew level.

The Railwaymen's defence had performed well up to this point but an unexpected sequence of blunders proved to be their undoing. A poor ball to Ryan Tappin put the young midfielder under unnecessary pressure and he lost out to Scott Murray. The former Bristol City winger would still not have been fancied to score from his initial attacking position, but he was allowed to run at the Didcot goal unimpeded before unleashing a strike. Belloli, having done the hard work by narrowing the angle, then let the ball squirm past him at his near post.

Didcot responded more positively to the goal but only created one good chance before the end. A cute reverse ball by Osborne-Ricketts set Morgan Williams free, but as he was bearing down on Matthews an excellent tackle from Steve Kingdon thwarted him.

Didcot thus remain in lower mid-table having not won in the league since their opening day victory at home to Yate. Their Cup exploits have been far more meritorious and they have an opportunity to record their fifth victory in cup competitions this season with a home tie against similarly birthed mid-table outfit Cinderford Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday.