The Seasiders secured a play-off spot by overcoming a dogged Ilfracombe side who were playing their fourth game in a week, but it took a spectacular goal of the season contender from player of the match Owen Punselie and two expert Sam Beresford finishes to finally overcome the Bluebird’s resistance.
Manager Alex White said “It was about getting the three points and as usual against Ilfracombe it was a tough game, but we played well and kept it simple and had a bit more quality.
“Owen scored a terrific goal, and his attitude is unbelievable.
“He’s infectious and brought the best out of everyone today.”
The goal in question from Punselie came in the 65th minute with Clevedeon already 1-0 up.
Syd Camper’s corner from the right was cleared to Hayer just outside the box who hit a first-time screamer which smashed off the crossbar and with his back to goal, Punselie’s incredible reactions saw him smash a perfect overhead kick into the roof of the net past a stunned Oli Saunders.
This made it 2-0 to the home team who had eventually managed to impose their will on an impressive Ilfracombe defence.
Clevedon started the match quickly, headers from both Punselie and Joe Teall went close but just wide in the forst five minutes of play.
Ilfracombe had two great chances on the quarter hour mark, but keeper James Dunn was equal to both.
The next chance fell to Sam Beresford in the 23rd minute, who shot wide after a good ball from skipper Camper and then Alex Camm just failed to get on to a clever low ball into the box by Bradley Probert.
Clevedon were thwarted on the half hour by a double save from Saunders, stopping a shot from Punselie and then tipping Sol Kent’s follow up over the bar, but Clevedon didn’t have to wait long to finally make the breakthrough.
On 36 minutes, a move started by Glen Hayer saw Camm’s clever dribbling take him past several Ilfracombe players and slip Beresford in who clipped the ball past Saunders to make it 1-0 going at half time.
In the second half both teams were producing chances, with shots going close at both ends.
Clevedon had a chance in the 55th when Punselie flicked Hayer’s free kick into the path of Camper who was powering into the box to get to the ball just ahead of Saunders, but headed narrowly wide.
10 minutes later Punselie was on hand with his spectacular finish to put Clevedon 2-0 up and the match effectively out of the reach of their visitors.
With Ilfracombe clearly tiring, substitute Elliot Nicholson’s inviting cross from the right was expertly finished by Beresford’s header past Saunders in the final seconds of added time to end it Clevedon Town 3 Ilfracombe Town 0.
Clevedon now sit third in the table and with this weekend’s win have made one step close to the playoffs, but with teams below them having multiple games in hand The Seasiders will have to wait and watch the results come in during the run in to the end of the season.
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