Play-off hopes ended by Clevedon (From Halesowen News)

Play-off hopes ended by Clevedon

9:26am Monday 20th April 2009

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HALESOWEN TOWN 3 CLEVEDON TOWN 5

HALESOWEN’S play-off dreams finally ended after relegation-haunted Clevedon turned the tide to wipe out the home side’s early lead at a goal-crazy Grove.

The Yeltz romped into a two-goal lead within five minutes but finally lost out when two vital last minute goals helped relegation-haunted Clevedon boost their survival hopes.

In a terrific start, James Loney headed Halesowen in front with a simple goal after just 45 seconds from Daryl Taylor’s corner to notch his first goal for the club.

It was 2-0 after just five minutes when Taylor’s super 20-yard curling strike beat goalkeeper Danny Greaves.

However, any hopes of an easy afternoon needed second thoughts when the impressive Peter Sheppard reduced the arrears in the 12th minute with a low drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

Sam Small then rounded home goalkeeper Nick Bussey but was forced wide and Clevedon captain Danny Wring thumped home the equalising 21st minute goal when the resulting corner was not fully cleared.

But the Yeltz quickly regained the lead just three minutes later when Duane Darby pounced to turn home a loose ball after another Taylor corner left Clevedon’s defence all at sea.

Incredibly, the plucky Seasiders levelled again at 3-3 as Matthew Walsh converted a 34th minute penalty after Loney clipped Sheppard’s legs in the penalty area.

Halesowen looked more likely to find a winner in the second-half.

Justin Rowe hit the bar in the 46th minute and Greaves saved well from Darby on the turn in the 50th minute.

Aaron Griffiths then earned a 53rd minute corner but Rowe toe-poked over the bar.

Substitute James Johnson was straight into action, requiring defender Craig Loxton to hack off the line in the 56th minute.

The returning Darren Caskey’s 66th minute effort was then gratefully collected by Greaves after Darby laid the ball off.

Clevedon upped their game in the final minutes with Walsh rifling an 84th minute free-kick just over the bar.

The visitors went even closer with a series of good chances from three late corners.

Sheppard’s 86th minute shot was well saved and Easter somehow struck the rebound over the bar from close range. Easter’s 87th minute overhead kick then dropped just over the bar.

With full-time approaching, goalkeeper Greaves was penalised for handling outside his area but he managed to save Caskey’s low shot from the dangerously positioned free-kick before Clevedon’s sensational finish.

Tom Billing put the Seasiders ahead and in ecstasy by lashing home a loose ball from 20 yards in the 90th minute. With home goalkeeper Bussey up the field for an injury-time corner, the ball broke for substitute Kyle Bassett to run clear all the way from deep in his own half and calmly slot home into an empty net to clinch an amazing 5-3 victory.

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