Outstanding displays from Ethan Feltham and Sam Iles helped Clevedon Town fight back in the heat and two goals down to edge a competitive and entertaining friendly at Bovey Tracey 3-2 on Saturday.
Clevedon, who started with a familiar looking side except for Glen Hayer and Archie Ferris, saw Ethan Feltham find space in the box but his shot hit the outside of the post.
However, it was Bovey who took an early lead when a series of crosses from both sides of the pitch into the Clevedon box ended up with Mitch Thomas’ downward header finding the back of the net after only eight minutes.
Luca Smith was then forced into a save low down before and there were further chances for Freddie King, Elliot Nicholson and Feltham again, but it was the hosts who again took advantage after a good Clevedon spell.
A quick Tom Burt burst down the right caught Clevedon out at the back and his great cross was headed in by Oli Aplin.
As Bovey relaxed, Clevedon got themselves back in the game in first half added time.
A quick Seasiders free-kick found Feltham in space and his shot beat the goalkeeper at the near post to half the Moorlanders lead at the break.
Playing rolling subs, Clevedon introduced goalkeeper Charles Lovell, Sol Kent and Henry Westlake for Luca Smith, Alex Twiggs and Elliot Nicholson at the start of the second half and they started on the front foot.
Lee Hildreth headed a free-kick away, Iles’ quick ball back in saw Syd Camper hit the side netting before Callum Kingdon hit a powerful shot just wide.
The pressure finally told on 56 minutes when Feltham won the ball in the box and Iles was on hand to tuck the ball home for the equaliser.
Clevedon pressed forward and Kent set up Westlake, who fired over, Camper got on the end of a good through ball, before they grabbed the lead on 75 minutes.
A mix-up between Hildreth and Aplin saw the alert Feltham nip in to chip the stranded keep to round off a great game.
The Seasiders now face two testing home friendlies, following Tuesday’s encounter at Nailsea & Tickenham, when former Manager Micky Bell returns this Saturday with his Bristol City’s under-18 side at 3pm.
And three days later rivals Weston AFC are the visitors to the Everyone Active Stadium at 7:30pm.
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