Express & Star

Clevedon 3 Halesowen 3

Halesowen raced into an early three-goal lead but were left to rue a second-half collapse as the Seasiders turned the tide in this Zamaretto Premier game.

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A simple header from Scott Rickards put the Yeltz ahead in the 15th minute, after Jamie Smith powered past two defenders to cross from the right and goalkeeper Danny Greaves could only partly claw the ball away.

David Blenkinsopp hammered home from the right to make it 2-0 after 22 minutes following a neat lay-off from Stefan Moore.

Moore then collected his 20th goal of the season from a 30th minute penalty when his tame spot-kick spun home off unlucky goalkeeper Greaves after Danny Wring brought down Rickards.

Despite Clevedon's double half-time substitution, Halesowen looked likely to increase their lead but Greaves made a fine save to keep out Moore's 53rd minute header from Smith's cross. But, with the Yeltz apparently coasting to victory, Clevedon launched an amazing second-half fight-back to wipe out the seemingly unassailable lead.

Jamal Easter fired home Clevedon's first goal into the bottom corner in the 57th minute and Craig Loxton reduced the arrears further after 66 minutes with a low drive under goalkeeper Nick Bussey.

A simple close range equaliser from home substitute Joey Evans made it an unlikely 3-3 in the 76th minute after he capitalised on defensive indecision between Bussey and Aaron Griffiths.

The Yeltz almost restored their lead late on when Moore chipped just wide and Pete Sheppard cleared a Moore header off the line.

Clevedon: Greaves; Fisher (Brigham 45), Walsh, Molyneaux, B. Evans, Wilmot, Blakemore (J. Evans 45), Loxton, Easter (Townley 76), Wring, Sheppard.

Subs not used: Colborne.

Halesowen: Bussey; Smith, Morley, Eze, Hood, Breward (O'Brien 81), Denny, Rickards, Moore, Blenkinsopp, Griffiths (Pearce 76).

Subs not used: Clarke, Connor, Flower.

Attendance: 168

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