Clevedon Utd Vets 1 v 1 Easton Monday

21st May, 2023 Clevedon

TEAM: Josh, Lee, Si F, Andy M, Craig, Arron, Jamie, Jason, Si R, Arron, Dan, Jack SUBS: Jon, Manny, Jason's mate

---

The pitch was solid, and the sun was hot, but the game started at an incredible pace. Clevedon were fully aware that they could upset the party if they were at it.

The first 20 minutes was all Monday. They were moving the ball well from the back to the front and Si R and Arron were getting a lot of joy down the wings helped by Craig and Lee backing them up. All of the forward players had 25-yard shots fly over the bar and there were a couple of blocked shots and good saves from the Clevedon keeper.

Whilst Monday were finding most of the opportunities and the possession, the score was still on 0-0! That all changed when a third attack of the same move resulted in Jack turning his man inside out and crossing over the keeper for Jason to bumble home with his 'head'!

0-1 Monday

Despite taking the lead, it was Clevedon who started to find their way into the game (largely down to their 2 underage players that came on either side of their striker). They were finding more of the ball and started to create more chances and see more of the ball. Arron and Si R were forced backwards, and this dampened the Monday attack. Clevedon finished the half stronger.

The second half started largely the same as the first had finished, with Clevedon in the ascendancy. All of the second balls were falling to them, and they were starting to pump it up to their front men. Their tactic seemed to be...pump it forward, and then the ball might land at their insane 20-year old's feet. And it was working. Monday couldn't contend with his athleticism, strength, skill and speed.

One of these balls forward resulted in a scramble in the box. Monday failed to clear their lines and one of their players went down (dramatically). Monday contested the decision but given that the ref was the son of the person holding the ball, it seemed as if this wasn't going to change.

The next few minutes were not either team's finest hour and is better left forgotten to the archives. The end result of it all was that their insane 20-year old took the penalty (rather against the Corinthian spirit) and scored. Josh did manage to get a hand on it though.

1-1

The next 20 minutes did calm down luckily and it wasn't a game thereafter full of flying tackles or unsavoury events. Part of this was down to the referee, despite being qualified, clearly not yet old enough to referee a men's game, especially one that his dad is playing in and can be easily influenced.

Clevedon had further chances, but so did Monday on the break.

Jon beat the keeper to the ball and placed it into the net only for the ref to call it a foul. Never. He also played a nice ball over the top for Jamie to just miss out on his head. Si R also had a nice move just get away from his feet. Jason's mate also made a difference after coming on linking up with some nice moves and also having a shot beat the keeper but fly straight across the goal from a tight angle.

The game ended 1-1 and Monday came away extremely deflated and feeling a real sense of being hard done by. Not only by one particular U35, but also by a very easily influenced child referee who was just there to make his dad and his dad's friends happy.

The league table at the end of the day (after Cowboys had 2 x 3-0 walkovers in the same day) finished as the below

Cowboys PL 8 PTS 19 Yate PL 8 PTS 18

EM PL 8 PTS 17

Despite the draw (that will probably take a while to digest), Monday have had a really good season. They have beaten the two teams that finished above them (including a record 6-2 victory over Yate), and also managed to grind out results against Teyfant and Lyde that were not easy tasks.

They have also managed to do all of this having lost numerous players to the O50s squad. The ringers, and hopefully more permanent players that have come in have all played a huge part and have a been a really great addition to the squad.

The Monday defence (and GK) have been epic this year, only conceding 8 goals in total. Considering Yate conceded 21 - it shows what an effort this is.

Scoring goals hasn't come quite so easy this year with 15 scored in the league. It hasn't been helped with the fact that we have used 12 different players just in attack across either a front 2 or front 3.

The midfield players have put in some serious shifts this year and have helped out with goals and assists, but also with helping to keep those goals conceded to a minimum.

Well done everyone to what is a really successful season in what is arguably the most competitive vets league around. Onwards to September