PENALTY JOY AS YOUNG FOXES EDGE CLEVEDON IN FA YOUTH CUP

FA Youth Cup – Preliminary Round

Clevedon Town U18 3–3 Brislington U18 (Bris win on pens)

After a fantastic pre-season, Brislington’s new U18s came together for their first competitive outing of the season – and what a way to start: a Preliminary Round clash in the FA Youth Cup away at Clevedon Town. A healthy crowd gathered at the Hand Stadium for the occasion.

With the U18 cycle bringing inevitable change and transition, Bris knew this would be a stern test. Clevedon have an uncanny knack of fielding strong squads year after year, and this tie was no exception.

First Half

Bris started ferociously, with Ronnie Moore immediately a handful for the hosts’ defence. On several occasions he was inches away from breaking clear, but Clevedon skipper and goalkeeper Zach Ford was quick off his line to snuff out the danger.

Despite Brislington looking the more likely, it was Clevedon who struck first. Awarded a free kick from around 25 yards, Jack Ford stepped up and delivered an impressive finish to give the hosts the lead on 20 minutes.

Undeterred, Bris kept pushing forward and got their reward in the 39th minute. Once again Moore caused chaos, squaring across goal. A defensive error allowed Will Hatwood through 1-on-1, and he calmly slotted home the equaliser. All square at the break.

Second Half

Bris came out flying after the restart and quickly took control. Moore again forced the issue, Hatwood on hand to tuck away the rebound for his second of the night.

Confidence flowed and on 77 minutes the lead was extended – Moore’s third assist of the game found substitute Donovan Stewart, who made no mistake to put daylight between the sides.

But Clevedon refused to roll over. With Bris forced deeper, the hosts rallied late on. Fraser Rocke epitomised the defensive grit, throwing himself in front of a goalbound shot to keep the two-goal lead intact.

On 87 minutes, however, Doyle’s cross-shot deceived the Bris keeper to make it 3–2 and set up a nervy finale. Deep into injury time, Clevedon won their seventh corner of the match. The delivery flew over the keeper and landed perfectly for Jayden Russell, who nodded home unchallenged to complete a dramatic equaliser.

Penalties

With no extra time, it went straight to the dreaded lottery. Both sides dispatched some fine penalties, but it was Clevedon who faltered first. That left the decisive kick to Ben Dunning – who showed ice-cool composure to bury his spot-kick and send Brislington through.

The travelling fans erupted in delight, celebrating a memorable victory on penalties.

What’s Next

The young Foxes now look forward to the First Qualifying Round in two weeks’ time, when they will host Bath City at the Poplar Stadium.

Image credit: @olliebrownphotography