CLEVEDON TOWN 1 LEAMINGTON 3 - Clevedon Town entertained in-form Leamington, hoping for their first league double of the season, but despite scoring their first home goal in three months, ended up being well beaten.

CLEVEDON TOWN 1

LEAMINGTON 3

Clevedon Town entertained in-form Leamington, hoping for their first league double of the season, but despite scoring their first home goal in three months, ended up being well beaten.

With Gary Colborne still recovering from an injury, Clevedon fielded the same starting 11 that had won at Merthyr on Tuesday evening.

On a sunny spring afternoon the visitors started the better, cheered on by a large travelling support in the 315 attendance, Clevedon's best home league gate of the season.

The Seasiders first opportunity came on 15 minutes when a Craig Loxton free kick was just too high for Joey Evans. Leamington continued to attack and they went ahead in the 26th minute when a deep cross was headed in at the far post by Luke Corbett.

After Danny Greaves had denied Corbett again, the visitors went two up five minutes later when Peter Faulds went on a strong run down the right and crossed to an unmarked Chris Murphy who had a simple tap-in.

A second Craig Loxton free kick, this time blocked by the defensive wall, was all that the Seasiders had to show for their efforts as the half ended with Leamington leading 2-0.

Clevedon started the second period more positively as Jason Cowan first blasted a shot over the bar, and then sent in a dipping cross that Leamington keeper Tony Breeden tipped over the bar.

Greaves came to the rescue minutes later, again saving from Corbett. On 70 minutes Clevedon boss Nick Tucker sent on Nana Baah for Ellis Wilmot, and it proved to be an inspired substitution as, with his first touch, Baah played Joey Evans into the box where the winger kept his cool to reduce the arrears and give the home team renewed hope.

Ten minutes of Clevedon pressure ensued, and on 75 minutes they went close when a Loxton pass picked out Cowan, his shot was well saved by Breeden.

Having survived that scare, Leamington put the game out of Clevedon's reach when Peter Faulds popped up in the Clevedon box to make the final score 3-1 to the visitors.

MERTHYR TYDFIL 2

CLEVEDON TOWN 3

CLEVEDON Town made the short trip over the bridge to play Zamaretto League relegation rivals Merthyr Tydfil in midweek and took three vital points.

The home side took the lead on 15 minutes when a free kick was headed home by Andrew Thomas. Town were gifted a route back into the game as Thomas deflected the ball into his own net on the half hour.

Town took the lead in the 67th minute when Chris Hartland turned and hit a 20 yard left foot screamer into the top corner. Soon after, Jamie Rewbury equalised for Merthyr.

The Seasiders made the game safe when Paul Michael broke away with the ball and ran some 30 yards before playing a superbly timed one-two with Jason Cowan, and slotting the ball perfectly under the advancing Delve to restore the visitors' lead.

The next game at the Hand Stadium will be on March 27 v Cambridge City, kick-off 3pm.