FA Youth Cup Second Round Qualifying

This match lived up to crowd expectations by giving two fine performances on a fairly warm evening. In early exchanges Clevedon Town captain Zach Purnell floated a probing cross into the Slimbridge box but no Clevedon head could reach it. After that and for the next 25 minutes Clevedon Town were pegged back by some smart Slimbridge attacks. They continued to press hard and a bullet on 36 minutes from Slimbridge Joe Rowswell finished a sweet move down the left which went wide. Quite a let off for the Clevedon Town goal. Just before half time and with Clevedon down to 10 men because of an injury there was a great Slimbridge move down the left ending with Joe Rowswell scoring. The Clevedon Manager pleaded with the referee as to why he was not allowed to bring on a sub but he was waved away. At half time there was a discussion between Mark and the referee. Unfortunately, VAR was not switched on to check on the incident.

The second half began much like the last quarter of the first half but gradually Clevedon began to assert some real pressure on the Slimbridge goal. Regan Cross Slimbridge no 7 then had a great chance but it went wide. Possibly it would have beaten Frankie Walker in the Clevedon goal had it been a few inches inside the nearside goal post. By the 60^th minute Slimbridge began to reassert themselves as the best side but up pops Fred Doyle the Clevedon no 15 to hit a real fizzer from 20 yds which beats everyone in the air and dips onto the Slimbridge goal bar to safety. Seemingly rejuvenated this, Clevedon press ever forward but their hopes are dashed when Luke Weston no 4 scores for Slimbridge with a few minutes left. A face-saving goal almost at full time is scored by Sam Wyatt for the home side

Both squads should be congratulated for a fast, open and exciting tie. Unfortunately, Clevedon Town bow out of the FA Youth Cup but best wishes to Slimbridge in the next round.