Toolstation Western League: Nailsea & Tickenham 1-1 Clevedon Town

The North Somerset Good Friday derby turned into a real battle on a pitch made difficult by all the recent rain. The home side overcame the loss of keeper Jason Mellor in the first half, and both stand-in Tyler Manning and Town’s keeper James Dunn put in man of the match performances for their teams.

Town made the early running and a clever Freddie King drag back from Brad Probert’s pass was cleared, Probert and Camm both missed good chances and the home side’s first chance came on 18 minutes when Miles Hardidge shot wide from a good position.

Clear chances were difficult to come by, but a great defence splitting King pass to Sam Beresford saw Mellor save well and at the other end Oliver Carter’s through ball to Luke Osgood was well cleared by Caleb Selway with Dunn saving the follow-up. The home side grabbed a vital lead with their next attack on 38 minutes when a pass down the left found Osgood to take the ball on and cross for former Seasider Lucas Vowles to score.

Clevedon looked to reply immediately and King’s cross from Camper’s short corner saw Mellor down to block Beresford, but the keeper sustained a leg injury and was unable to continue and was replaced in goal by full back Tyler Manning.

The stand in keeper was in action just before half time, saving from Camm at the near post from Glen Hayer’s cross and the half time score remained Nailsea &Tickenham 1 Clevedon Town 0.

With Clevedon now needing to chase the game they started the second half on the front foot. A tremendous goalmouth scramble from the corner saw Beresford’s header well saved point blank by Manning, Hayer headed the rebound against the bar before the ball finally went wide.

Clevedon replaced Ireland and Probert with Harlee Vozza and Henry Westlake just past the hour and were soon level. Vozza’s cross from King’s through ball was just about turned past the post by Joe Bishop and King’s corner from the right floated over everyone into the corner of the net to make it 1-1.

Needing a win to boost their promotion hopes, Clevedon made further changes when Sol Kent and Owen Punselie replaced Hayer and Beresford, but it was the hard working home side who finished on top.  Dunn produced good saves to stop Vowels, Hardidge and Carter as they cut In from out wide but Manning was also in action to stop Vozza at the other end.

There was one more chance for Nailsea when Dunn saved a Banks effort but as the game ticked into extra time neither side could find the energy to push for a late winner and it finished Nailsea & Tickenham 1 Clevedon Town 1, with both sides grateful for a point apiece in the end.