Bracknell

Weston & Somerset Mercury ~ 24th October 2005

Clevedon travelled Bracknell Town for Phil Bater's first match as manager, and came away with all three points after grinding out a hard fought victory with goals by Kristian Witcombe and Tom Jacobs.

Scott Hendy and Danny Haines were back in the starting line-up with Rob Scott making a late appearance as a substitute.

Both sides created chances, but both were guilty of poor finishing especially Bracknell who could have gone ahead at half time if they had finished better, their first opportunity coming on 11 minutes when Neil Selby shot straight at Ray Johnston for an easy save. Two minutes later Selby headed on to the crossbar after a cross from Jon Palmer.

Clevedon had a chance on the half hour when Charlie Welch released Jack Pitcher who shot narrowly wide. Kye Holly crossed for Jack Pitcher to head across goal for Tom Jacobs who shot wide.

Two minutes later Jacobs and Pitcher linked up to break and Haines had a shot blocked on the line by Michael Cook.

Bracknell's best chance came on the hour when Gavin Taylor's shot was blocked on the line by an unsighted Ray Johnston, but Clevedon took the lead on 71 minutes, Haines' corner was headed back across goal for Witcombe to score his first goal for the club.

Despite several substitutions, Bracknell never had the decisive pass to unlock a tight Seasiders' defence in which Witcombe and Hendy were outstanding.

Clevedon scored again in the 90th minute when Jacobs raced on to substitute Scott's forward pass, beat the offside trap and the Bracknell keeper Andrew Poyser, for his 50th league and cup goal for the club in just 78 appearances to send them to the top of Southern League Division 1 West.