Toolstation/Hellenic Shootout success sends Clevedon through
CLEVEDON Town moved into the last 32 of the FA Vase with a penalty shootout success against Wessex League side New Milton Town at the Everyone Active Stadium.
Alex White’s side stayed on the Wembley trail thanks to a 5-3 win on spot-kicks after being denied victory in normal time by a late New Milton equaliser.
Nathanial Groom had touched home a 28th-minute corner to put Clevedon ahead, only for the visitors to equalise in stoppage-time when the ball was bundled in following another corner.
In the shootout, Ryan Thacker saved New Milton’s first penalty, and that proved decisive as Alex Camm, Mitch Osmond, Ethan Fletham, Freddie King and Syd Camper converted all five Clevedon spot-kicks.
Clevedon are one of three Toolstation League sides left in the competition following Buckland Athletic’s 3-0 win against Laverstock & Ford and Bridgwater United’s 1-0 victory against Hellenic League leaders Cribbs at Fairfax Park on Friday night.
Bridgwater were reduced to 10 men just before half-time when striker Jack Thorne was sent off for a second booking, but the Toolstation Premier title contenders still managed to take a 49th-minute lead when Jack Taylor headed home a cross from George King.
Cribbs dominated from there on but were unable to find a way through the tightest defence in the Toolstation League.
In the Toolstation Premier, Welton Rovers gained a fifth league win of the season with a 2-0 triumph at home to Cadbury Heath on Friday night. Billy Manning capitalised on a defensive error to score in the eighth minute, and Lewis Russell volleyed home the second in the 52nd minute.
Ashton & Backwell had goals from Joe Cattermole and Shea Bennington-Mannings in a 2-2 home draw against Sherborne Town.
Keynsham Town’s youngsters battled superbly at promotionchasing Mousehole but were eventually beaten 3-2 in deepest Cornwall.
Owen Brain fired Keynsham ahead early on, but Jack Calver pulled Mousehole level by the break. Mark Goldsworthy and Tallan
Mitchell, who was sent off in the closing stages, struck to make it 3-1 to the hosts, before Taylor Linton reduced the arrears.
Nailsea & Tickenham slipped off the top of the First Division after a 3-1 defeat at Gillingham Town, where Luke Osgood scored their goal.
Wells City returned to the top after edging out FC Bristol 2-1 at Oaklands Park, Almondsbury, while third-placed Brislington continue to look like strong title contenders after a 4-1 success at nearby AEK Boco. George Jones (2), Oaklan Buck and Jordn Ricketts struck for Bris.
Fourth-placed Oldland Abbotonians were indebted to a stoppagetime equaliser from Cash Vinall for a point from a 1-1 draw at Bishops Lydeard.
Longwell Green Sports grabbed an 88th-minute winner as they overcame Hallen 2-1 in a Friday night game at Shellards Road, where Elliot Gardner had provided a 32nd-minute equaliser for the visitors.
In two other Friday night games, Shirehampton won 2-0 at Warminster Town, thanks to a Dan Spicer penalty and late Will Gallagher goal, while Tytherington Rocks lost 4-0 at Wincanton Town. Bristol Telephones gave themselves a boost with 5-0 home success against Almondsbury, delivered via goals from Archie Dark (2), Javi Blazquez, Sam Thomas and Finn Sykes.
Odd Down had two goals from Courtney Charles and a late strike from Luke Bryan to thank for a 3-2 home win against Cheddar, while a Craig Wilson double gave Bishop Sutton a 2-1 win at Portishead Town. Mickey Parsons scored for Hengrove Athletic in a 1-1 draw at Radstock Town.
In the Hellenic League Premier, Mangotsfield United gained a much-needed three points with a 1-0 victory at Fairford Town. Jeffrey Barimah scored the goal which secured Mangotsfield’s fifth win of the campaign.
Chipping Sodbury Town lost 3-0 at home to Westfields, Roman Glass St George were edged out 3-2 at Hereford Lads Club, while Jack Sheppard-Cozens tucked away a penalty in Thornbury Town’s 2-1 defeat at Lydney Town. Thornbury remain at the foot of the table, one point behind Tuffley Rovers.