Clevedon Town LFC 0 Exeter Rangers LFC 4

TOWN failed to find the net for the first time in ten matches and they suffered their first home reversal of the season as promotion rivals Exeter completed the double in emphatic fashion.

In an arctic wind Clevedon were stung by two goals in the opening ten minutes but they almost pulled one back when Alli Wright drew a brilliant fingertip save from the Exeter "keeper.

On the half hour though Town fell three behind when even the best efforts of the outstanding Julie Smailes could not prevent the ball trickling over the line.

There was some improvement after the break but a superb goal from thirty yards with Sue Quinn caught off her line, put the issue beyond doubt.

Manager Nick Ball now finds him- self under some pressure after having received a vote of confidence from the board. "Exeter are a very talented side and on this form they deserve to be top of the league. We now have to play them again this Sunday on their own ground in the semi final of the cup but with left back Kay Bessant hopefully fit we will look to tighten up the defence and be more creative up front. I am convinced it will be dif- ferent this time, we will win for sure!"



Talking Point By Piers McBride

TAKING A LOOK AT THE LADIES

I've Been fascinated to read about the exploits of the local add football team in the Clevedon Mercury during the past weeks and I couldn't help thinking of the Samuel Johnson observation regarding dogs walking on their hind legs, "It is not done well but you are surprised to find it done at all."

I don't consider myself to be a chauvinist but the idea of lady fullbacks sprinting up on the overlap or female strikers rising like salmon to nod the ball into the back of the net strikes me as rather incongruous and that being the case, I took myself down to watch the Clevedon Lada against Exeter on Sunday to see for myself.

Ladies football is refreshing in a number of ways. The most startling difference between their approach and that of their male counterparts is their complete unquestioning acceptance of any decision made by the officials. There was not the slightest hint of distention during the whole of

the ninety minutes and the game flowed smoothly from start to fin- ish. There were no cynical or deliberate fouls, the only free kicks being awarded came as a result of offside or perhaps the odd clumsy tackle, and that also was totally laudable. The accent seems to be on skill rather than power and a number of these players were able to read the game and dictate tactics.

This however is pasteurised soccer, and should not be confused with the genuine article. It has merits to be sure, but without the bite and passion of the mans game, warts and all, it lacks the dramatic edge so necessary in a game based on physical as well as mental prowess.

As the game progressed I found It intriguing to speculate on what the outcome would be if the ladies were to play against a male side, say one of these under thir teen teams that fill the Junior football section of the paper each week. The concept is interesting and such a match might well cap- ture the imagination. Any such confrontation would have to be played as a perfectly serious game, but it might well prove something of a money spinner for charity if such a game could be arranged.

What are your views on ladie football? If you have an opinion one way or the other drop us a line.