Clevedon Town faced a difficult match against league winners Helston Athletic this weekend, but fought well against the champions for a 0-0 draw that secured both a favourable play off spot and an individual club record.
Clevedon were down to a bare XI for the game, and their good performance was led by another fantastic display from keeper James Dunn who established a new club record for clean sheets in a season with his 20th of the campaign.
Joint man of the match performances from skipper Syd Camper and 17-year-old debutant Sam Ledward were also boosts for the squad.
The Seasiders applauded the champions on to the field who started briskly with several early corners and chances, good blocks from Dunn and Sol Kent keeping it goalless, but the visitors soon grew into the match.
Striker Sam Beresford went close for the Seasiders after his shot was saved by Helston keeper Kyle Moore, and Brad Probert was crowded out by some good defending after Beresford played him through.
Harlee Vozza and Sol Kent also had shots blocked in the opening half an hour for Clevedon, whilst at the other end of the pitch Dunn had to be alert again to deny a Helston freekick.
Town’s best chance of the half came in the 38th minute when Ledward delivered a perfect cross to Beresford, who’s effort was stopped by Helston’s Moore.
The second half was more of the same, with both teams trying to get forward and producing chances but neither were able to find the back of the net.
A Ledward corner dropped into the homes side’s box and led to a spell of ping pong before being cleared, whilst Dunn had to save a header from a Helston corner to maintain his record-breaking clean sheet.
Clevedon did produce two more good chances in the remainder of the game, a Vozza shot was blocked in the 75th minute after yet another great Ledward ball, and in the 82nd a Kent cross found Beresford in the box, but the striker couldn’t find the target, and both teams had to settle for a point a piece at the full-time whistle.
The league champions Helston will be presented with the trophy later this week, whilst Clevedon Town now face the play offs after finishing the season in fourth place, starting with an away game at Bridgwater on Tuesday, kick off 7:45pm.
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