David James misses the match but Nailsea people turn out in force

BRISTOL City new signing David James should have played at Clevedon on Tuesday night because losing to the home team by five goals to two wasn’t what they expected.

But if David James was no-show there was a fine turnout by Nailsea people with new manager and former professional player Micky Bell in the dugout, a couple of ex- Nailsea School students on the field, Lee Cox running the line, Steve Small writing the game report and many more (including me) putting in an appearance.

The Hand is a superb family venue and the football is an added bonus.

The new, much-improved Clevedon Town team is playing Nailsea United at The Grove Sports Centre on Saturday, August 7, with kick-off at 3pm.

Thanks to Steve here is a full match report.

Clevedon Town 5

Bristol City XI 2

Clevedon continued their impressive pre-season form when they welcomed a young Bristol City side to the Hand Stadium and promptly stunned their guests with a five goal display that left the big City following stunned at the end.

As expected, David James was nowhere to be seen but a great crowd of 488 turned out to see an excellent match in which the home side matched, and even outplayed at times, their full time opponents.   

The game started steadily but it didn’t take long for both sides to find their shooting boots with the visitors having a shot knocked off the line and Adam Mahdi twice going close for the home side.

After the impressive young Joe Bryan fired a shot straight at Sam Burgess in the Clevedon goal, City took the lead on the half hour mark when substitute Luke Palmer was on hand at the back post to convert a right wing cross.

This fired Clevedon into action but, despite Kyle O’Donovan heading just wide, the whistle blew on a lively first half with City enjoying a one goal advantage.

Bobby Medajadoub twice went close for City as the second half got underway but it was Clevedon who were next to score when George Brimson went on a superb, twisting run on 52 minutes before firing a powerful shot past the keeper.

Eight minutes later Clevedon deservedly took the lead when Brimson broke down the left and sent in a cross to the near post where Kyle O’Donovan was on hand to head past the keeper to make it 2-1.

The game was now being played at a good pace and with both sides looking to play neat football on the grass, rather than just hoofing the ball, and it was City’s turn to score next when Joe Bryan capped an impressive display by firing home a shot from just inside the box to make it 2-2 on 72 minutes.

As pre-season matches go this was turning into a very good game and there was even a bit of an edge creeping into it as Clevedon started to squeeze their opponents more and more in search of a winner.

The pace of the game was relentless and Clevedon were more than matching their full time guests for stamina and energy and they went ahead again on 87 minutes when Adam Mahdi finished a great run and pass from Josh White to send the home fans happy.

This, however, was not the end and two minutes later it was 4-2 when Kyle O’Donovan turned well and fired past the keeper following another good cross from the left by George Brimson. Incredibly there was even more to follow as Ashley Kington, released by Bristol City only last week, smashed home a superb shot from 20 yards to make the final score 5-2 .

This was another impressive performance by Clevedon and the best thing, yet again, was that they more than matched their guest’s fitness levels and indeed it was City who were looking tired and rather jaded at the end of an entertaining match.

Clevedon play their final pre-season match when they travel to Nailsea United on Saturday and this performance will surely please manager Micky Bell as the start of the league season approaches, what a refreshing change from last season for the Clevedon fans.

Line-up: Burgess, Stephenson, White, Mills, Kingdon, Teale, Fisher, Kington, O’Donovan, Mahdi, Brimson.

Subs: Michael (for Stephenson), Wilmot (for Mills), Moss, Lee, Porter.