Manager Jamie Hillman's fourteen man squad contained seven members of last season's first team along with seven new players as they travelled to take on a United side that finished mid-table in the county's top tier last season.

With the new season starting today, an early 1.30pm kickoff and very warm conditions, referee Chris Connor chose to effectively play four quarters and the first of these saw visiting keeper Aaron Greatbanks make some smart saves to keep the scores level. At the other end, Grove came close a couple of times without unduly troubling the home keeper.

Five minutes after the drinks break, Hengrove took the lead when a Luke Crewe free kick was deflected into his own goal by the keeper. It was the only real action of a second quarter which was then followed by an equally level third period with both sides beginning to tire a little and experiment with team formation.

As the fourth quarter began, Clevedon equalised with a superb free kick that was closely followed by a penalty award for a foul, the United player sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1. A third soon arrived courtesy of a low finish into the corner and as the final whistle was about to sound, the home side snatched a fourth to give the scoreline a slightly unfair feel to it.

Minutes in the tank though for all the players and they will all have a chance to add more game time on Tuesday night when Imperial are the visitors to Paprika Park, kickoff at 6.45pm.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone at Clevedon United a successful 2019/20 season.