Clevedon Town 2 Brackley Town 4 - CLEVEDON entertained Brackley in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy, but despite playing some good football in short bursts were knocked out of the competition.

Clevedon Town 2

Brackley Town 4

CLEVEDON entertained Brackley in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy, but despite playing some good football in short bursts were knocked out of the competition in front of a disappointing crowd of just 108.

Josh Brigham, Matt Townley, Ben Evans and Jamal Easter returned to the starting line-up as Tom Billing, Joey Evans and Callum Fisher were left on the bench.

The early skirmishes were shared until Josh Brigham made a rash challenge in the box on 12 minutes and received a yellow card as Ben Mackey converted the resultant penalty to put Brackley one up.

Twelve minutes later Clevedon hauled themselves level with a wonder goal from Craig Loxton. The Seasiders' midfielder chested down a Brackley clearance and lashed the ball on the half-volley from fully 25 yards into the net, giving Brackley keeper Richard Morris no chance.

Unfortunately Clevedon fell for the sucker punch as Brackley almost immediately restored their advantage. A lack of concentration in the Seasiders defence allowed Chris Wilmott to head home unchallenged from a free kick. Loxton then shot just wide from a flowing move, and minutes later Danny Greaves made a great save from Mackey.

On 40 minutes the visitors went 3-1 ahead as Dave Joyce turned on the edge of the box and rifled a right-foot drive into the roof of the net.

At the start of the second half Matthew Walsh put in a dangerous cross for Clevedon, and then Josh Brigham powered his way into the box but his shot was saved.

Brackley were speedy on the break and Tom Winters forced another good save from Greaves. On 69 minutes Brackley were reduced to 10 men as Craig McIlwain was dismissed for head-butting Aaron Blakemore. Clevedon tried to make their numerical advantage tell as Brigham headed wide, and captain Danny Wring had a shot saved. On 79 minutes Jamal Easter was tripped in the box, and Matthew Walsh confidently scored from the spot to put the Seasiders back into the game.

But again they were found wanting just a minute later as Tom Winters lashed in a long-range shot which Danny Greaves did well to get a hand to, but he could only tip it on to a post and Mark Rawle was the quickest to react as he tapped the ball in.

Rawle should have made it five a minute later when he was through on Danny Greaves, but he skewed his shot wide. In the dying minutes substitute Tom Billing had a volley from his own header blocked by Morris, and Danny Greaves made another quality save from Winters,

The next game at the Hand Stadium will be on Tuesday, October 27, against Frome Town, kick-off 7.45pm.