WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Saltash United 1 Clevedon Town 2

SALTASH slumped to their third league defeat in four games at Kimberley Stadium on Saturday as second-placed Clevedon closed the gap on leaders Bridgwater to two points with a game in-hand.

Josh Bennett gave the visitors a 10th minute lead and they went on to dominate the first half, but Deacon Thomson’s 62nd minute was just reward for a much-improved second half performance from the Ashes.

But they were only level for six minutes as Charlie Saunders scrambled the ball over the line after several attempts by home defenders to clear around the penalty area.

Manager Lee Britchford said: “I’m a bit gutted because we paid the price for a really slow start to the game.

“They took the lead and in the first half we really struggled with our movement and rotations.

“They hit the bar just before half-time and that gave us a lifeline because at only 1-0 down we still had the opportunity to get back into the match.

“We tweaked a few things at half-time and then I thought we dominated, Deacon got his second goal in two games which is a great confidence boost for him.

“But we were gutted to concede the second goal in the way we did. One of the boys said he was fouled on the line, we put in some really good blocks but then they managed to scramble the ball over the line. We’re not scoring goals like that at the moment.”

Mid-table Saltash now prepare for next Saturday’s visit of second from bottom Brislington to Kimberley Stadium.

Britchford said. “We’ve got a nice run of home games now and when you look at the table, if you win two you’re right back in it.

“So we’ll train on Tuesday and Thursday and prepare well for Brislington.”

SALTASH UNITED: Jordan Duffey; Jack Jefford (Dylan Holgate, 65), Alfie Wotton (capt), Hayden Greening, Sam Jose (Charlie Elkington, 75), Sam Hillson, Kieran O’Melia, Fin Wilkes, Deacon Thomson, Frazer Ferris (Ben Goulty, 71), Joe Preece (George Powell, 57). Sub not used: Max Everall.

Ashes’ man-of-the-match: Alfie Wotton.