The Whitehorsemen returned from Clevedon with all three points from an entertaining game played in difficult conditions, with a gusty wind and pouring rain for the majority of the 90 minutes.
United started with the same team that had beaten Bitton on Wednesday, and started this game like an express train on the fantastic playing surface. They took the lead on nine minutes as Callum Demkiv continued his fine run of goal scoring by latching onto a good through ball and calmly went past the keeper and finished well from a tight angle.
The lead was doubled eight minutes later as Jordan Pinder rose well to power his header in off a defender. United were well in control now, but credit to the young Clevedon side who kept fighting for every ball. They were rewarded on the half hour mark as they caught United out for overplaying and won a free kick, which found the unmarked Lucas Vowles, who headed home. Clevedon now had their tails up and shortly after, levelled the scores, after Brandon Sawyer failed to gather a ball and Syd Camper robbed him and finished calmly.
Whatever was said in the United dressing room at half time certainly has the desired effect as United once again came out of the traps flying. Ten minutes into the half, Ricky Hulbert was on hand to smash the ball home from close range as the home defence failed to clear . Again United were dominant now and Callum Demkiv was fed by Jamie Jordan and ran at the home defence and was brought down in the box. Up stepped Dan Kovacs to finish with ease, to give United a two-goal cushion.
Once again Clevedon’s never say die attitude was rewarded as they responded immediately, with Archie Ferris heading home from a free kick. This gave the hosts hope but that was short lived when, with ten minutes to go, Francoise Allen’s hard work paid dividends as Ricky Hulbert was set free and he finished well as he closed in on goal.
This game was a good advert for Western League football and the young Clevedon side should take credit for their application and attitude. The win lifted United to the top of the table after Willand were held at home by Bradford.
The Whitehorsemen are back in action on Wednesday evening as we entertain Odd Down (Bath) in the Les Phillips cup, kick off 7.30pm
Star man Ricky Hulbert.
