Clevedon Town dominated their latest friendly at Chipping Sodbury Town with a fine team performance in a comprehensive 3-0 win on Saturday.
They started well and won a series of corners, with a Callum Eastwood shot bobbling wide, but Sodbury rallied and a good move involving former Seasider Ibrahima Diallo and Harry Ayres ended with George Neil’s shot being saved by Luca Smith on 15 minutes.
Eastwood was forced to limp off soon after and was replaced by young Tom Kember in central defence, but most of the action was at the other end.
A deft Sam Iles header and saves by Sodbury keeper Callum Brain from a Camper header and an Osmond free-kick kept Clevedon at bay, until on 26 minutes Camper’s great ball over the top put Ethan Feltham in the clear and he produced a calm finish to put Town ahead.
Henry Westlake almost increased the lead with a shot just wide, before Adey Harvey fired over for Sodbury and then laid on a chance for Ayres which Iles blocked.
Clevedon gave the half-time score a more realistic look just before the break as Camper found Westlake to pick out the unmarked Freddie King in the penalty area to sidefoot home.
Sodbury came out in the second half with more purpose and Elliot Nicholson was forced to clear at the far post, while Smith saved a Diallo free-kick and pushed away a Harvey shot, and Josh Pandolfino cut in but dragged his shot wide.
That was as good as it got for the hosts and when Clevedon brought on Alex Camm for Westlake, he increased the lead straightaway.
Callum Kingdon’s accurate crossfield pass fell perfectly for Iles whose cross was deflected into the path of the advancing Camm who made no mistake.
"That was the most settled we’ve looked so far, we kept our shape, used the ball well, looked comfortable and we controlled the game," said manager Alex White.
"The midfield was really good and we looked more like ourselves at the end of last season, so I’m really pleased.”
However, White is not getting too carried away and added: “I still don’t think we are where we need to be, but today was a big step forward against a side at our level so we can now judge exactly where we are and where we need to be.”
Town start Toolstation Western League proceedings at Saltash United on Saturday, after midweek friendly action at Wrington Redhill.
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