HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN 1 CLEVEDON TOWN 1 - CLEVEDON Town travelled to Hertfordshire to play fellow strugglers Hemel Hempstead Town and came away with a 1-1 draw that keeps their opponents below them in the Zamaretto League table.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN 1

CLEVEDON TOWN 1

CLEVEDON Town travelled to Hertfordshire to play fellow strugglers Hemel Hempstead Town and came away with a 1-1 draw that keeps their opponents below them in the Zamaretto League table.

With Chris Collins still a few weeks away from full fitness, Clevedon started with Phil Hartnup at right back in a 4-5-1 line-up, and Ellis Wilmot wore the captain's armband.

It was the home team that made all the running in the first half forcing two early corners that tested the Clevedon defence. On 15 minutes, a mix-up let in Hemel's Tommy Black, but he blasted over the bar when he should have done better.

On the half hour, Hemel went close again as Danny Hart's shot was scrambled clear. But four minutes later he made amends from another corner he had a simple header to put Hemel one up. Clevedon's only efforts at goal in the first half were a wide shot from Craig Loxton and a dangerous Matt Townley free kick from near the corner flag that was headed clear.

After such a poor first half, the Seasiders reorganised with Townley going to full back, Phil Hartnup moving into midfield and Chris Hartland pushed forward to partner Nana Baah in a more attacking 4-4-2 formation.

After Robson shot wide for Hemel, Clevedon got their first shot on target on 50 minutes when Hemel keeper Will Viner blocked a Loxton effort.

On 62 minutes, a Clevedon free kick was hoisted into the box where Ollie Barnes headed back across goal to Joey Evans who headed over the bar when well placed. The home team continued to pin Clevedon back and had another shot cleared off the line, and minutes later Tommy Black beat the offside trap to go through on Danny Greaves, but the Seasiders' custodian threw out a hand to make a fabulous save.

This save proved even more valuable as Clevedon equalised from their next attack. A Joey Evans pass found Loxton in the box where he curled the ball round Viner, and just crept inside the post and over the line.

In the last 10 minutes, Clevedon pushed for a winner as another great run and cross from Loxton was too good for anybody to get a head on it. But there was still time for Greavsie to pull off another important save low down from Robson, and for Gary Colborne to head wide from a deep Ellis Wilmot free kick, before the referee Mr Rowley from Reading blew the whistle for full time.

SWINDON SUPERMARINE 5

CLEVEDON TOWN 2

CLEVEDON Town travelled to Wiltshire for a midweek Red Insure Cup tie against Swindon Supermarine, but without first team regulars Nana Baah, Chris Collins, Joey Evans, Danny Greaves and Ellis Wilmot and were well beaten 5-2.

The largely young and inexperienced Clevedon team were behind after just four minutes when Ashley Edenborough tapped in a left wing cross at the far post. The Seasiders hit back with a Craig Loxton effort being cleared off the line with Supermarine keeper Matt Bulman well beaten.

Minutes later, the hosts went two up when Nick Stanley intercepted a slack Clevedon pass in midfield and beat debutante Seasiders goalie Josh Payne.

On 22 minutes, another Clevedon new boy, James Fitzpatrick, headed home a stunning goal from a superb left wing cross by Hanin Romdhane, only for the assistant referee to rule it out.

Things got worse when Clevedon conceded a penalty which was converted by Stanley. Two minutes later, Loxton worked hard to win the ball and passed to Chris Hartland, who curled in a great shot into the top corner of Bulman's net.

On the stroke of half time, Clevedon pulled another goal back when they won a penalty of their own for a foul on Loxton. Matthew Walsh scored from the spot to leave Clevedon trailing just 3-2 at the break.

On the hour, a poor Clevedon pass let Edenborough through on Josh Payne, but the keeper pushed him wide and his shot was cleared off the line.

The last 20 minutes belonged to the home side however, as firstly captain Matt Robinson headed in their fourth goal from a corner, and then five minutes late former Seasider Steve Cook, on as a substitute, made it five as Payne misjudged a cross to leave Cook with a simple tap in.

Clevedon used the remaining time to blood two more youngsters - Charlie Conway and Germaine Hughes, and at the death, Romdhane went close when his run and shot was smothered by Bulman.

The next game at the Hand Stadium will be on Saturday versus Hednesford Town, 3pm kick-off.