NEWQUAY boss Shaun Middleton admitted Clevedon were ‘just better than us on the day’ as the Seasiders ran out 3-1 winners in Somerset.

An accident on the M5 meant the team and away supporters sat stationary in traffic for over two hours.

The Peppermints eventually reached their destination at 2.15pm with kick-off delayed by 10 minutes until 3.10pm.

Clevedon fell short last season of gaining promotion to the Southern League when they were beaten by Brixham in the play-off final, however straight from the kick-off they showed that they were a well-organised team with some extremely skilful players.

Newquay fell behind on six minutes. A corner wasn’t cleared fully and the hosts recycled the ball to the right wing where Callum Eastwood crossed an inswinging ball which everyone, including keeper Ethan Elwell, watched into the goal.

Newquay conceded again within five minutes of the restart when Owen Humphries received the ball on the left wing and turned inside before shrugging off the challenge from Aaron Dilley and passing the ball to Eastwood who moved the ball onto his left foot and shot across the goal into the net.

This early shock of two-goal in quick succession seemed to get Newquay going and begin to play their usual football.

However, Clevedon’s speed on the ball and quality passing all around the park shone above everything else.

Newquay pulled the score back to 2-1 four minutes beforethe break when a long clearance from defence came to Jack Bray-Evans from Louis Price.

Bray-Evans’ determination saw him battle past two defenders before firing a pass into the six-yard box from the byline which was met by Phil Lowry who flicked the ball over the diving keeper.

The second half gave the few travelling Newquay supporters hope for an equaliser with their team beginning to put some attacks together.

Substitutes, Owen Johnson, Harry Richards and Dan Carne hoped to liven Newquay’s midfield and attacking options.

However another Clevedon goal from Seb Scott due to a handling error by Elwell took the wind out of the Newquay sails.

To Newquay’s credit they battled until the end, but the home side, who went top of the table following Saltash’s defeat to Sidmouth, were too strong and look a good bet to be in the mix once more come the spring.

Reflecting on the afternoon, Middleton said: “We faced a very strong side in Clevedon who were undoubtably better, faster, smarter and kept possession way better than us on the day.

“As always the boys battled well but ultimately they were just better on the day.

“We couldn’t live with a couple of their lads and were lucky to go in at half-time only 2-1 down. We’ve seen so far this season that we can compete with these teams, but Saturday was not us.

“I have my own thoughts on it and why, but unfortunately we were just off it.

“We know this and need to put it behind us and move on, hopefully everyone including myself can raise our levels for next weekend.”

NEWQUAY: Ethan Elwell; Jamie Edlin, Harry Downing (capt), Aaron Dilley, Tom Moxham; Ross Fallens, Lucas Potts; Louis Price, Phil Lowry, Rhys Simmonds; Jack Bray-Evans. Subs: Johan Allen, Harry Richards, Dan Carne, Teddy Horton, Owen Johnson.