SEASIDERS PROVIDE PUNCH IN FRONT OF GOAL

Photo: Martin Pulley

Midfielder Neil King wrestles for possession during the first half at Butlin Road against bogey side Clevedon Town

Clevedon Town's status as Rugby Town's bogey side continued at Butlin Road as the Seasiders claimed a third win over Valley this season.

The performance was again a good one from the home side, but they were let down by sloppy defending and a lack of cutting edge in front of goal - not a problem the visitors had.

Early on Kieran Fitzharris headed over from close range following David Stone's powerful centre before Stone himself had an effort parried away by Clevedon stopper Danny Greaves and Dave Pearson could not turn home the rebound.

Kerry Morgan and Josh Bringham both hit the woodwork for the visitors before they opened the scoring. Bringham headed home five minutes before half time to give the Seasiders a 1-0 lead at the break.

Rugby's best chance came when Fitzharris found himself clean through on goal but Greaves was equal to the young midfielder's low powerful shot.

The Fitzharris-Greaves combination was repeated shortly after when the goalkeeper tipped the former's shot from the edge of the area.

Clevedon doubled their lead out of the blue when Mitchell Page capitalised on Delroy Gordon's defensive slip to fire home.

Rugby claimed what turned out to be mearly a consolation with little over ten minutes to go when David Staff's well-struck free-kick nestled into the far corner after Stone had been upended on the edge of the box.

Valley Lineup: Anstiss 5, Oddy 5, Scott 6, Herbert 5, Gordon 6, Morley 7, Breward 6 (Staff 7), King 7, Pearson 6 (Kolodynski 6), STONE 8*, Fitzharris 7 (Musgrove 6).
Subs Not Used: Edge, Stringfellow.
Bookings: n/a.
Sent Off: None.

Report by RTFC Online.