A thumping Paul Bremner header 15 minutes from full time secured a 2-1 victory for Clarence over the Devonport Strikers on Saturday afternoon. After setting up the opening goal with a deft lobbed pass to Naden, Bremner proved the match winner, responding to Dom Smith’s headed equaliser to give Clarence a first win over top four opposition since their return to the top tier.

It was an extremely dour opening to the game with neither side even looking like creating a chance for a good 15 minutes before Jeremy Price tried his luck from range with a bomb from down town that was of no trouble to Pearce.

With Stuart struggling to stay on side, an issue that would plague Clarence attackers throughout the game and both sides restricted to shy’s from range through the opening 30 minutes from open play, it was no surprise that set pieces presented the first real clear cut chance of the game.

Henry Lush played the hero, the Clarence full back making a massive goal line block, jumping up to keep out a thumping Wicks header, before making another stop to steer one away from the back post on a secondary cross back into the box.

It would prove a telling moment as from the cusp of trailing the Reds would then go up the other end and take the lead through Nick Naden. Paul Bremner released him with a dink into the box and the Clarence winger sprinted onto it and finished past Pearce to give his side the lead.

Jake Stuart had a powerful drive at the far post denied in the final chance of the half as Clarence shrugged off their sluggish start and started to have the better of the game.

Devonport were getting chances to put the ball into the box but the decision making and final ball was seriously lacking and all too often Voss was able to come out and collect crosses in the air.

But just as Clarence were start to look comfortable in their lead a corner squared the game back up. Dom Smith rising above all comers to smash a header home and level proceedings at 1-1 with 25 minutes to play.

Clarence responded by introducing Odaine Demar into the fray and he thought he was off in behind one on one with the keeper only to be denied by the offside flag.

It was Paul Bremner who had been a thorn in the Strikers side all day and on a day where he became the most capped player in Clarence’s history it was fitting that he would restore his side’s lead with a goal typical of the man.

A Jeremy Price corner was swung to the back post where waiting to meet it was Bremner who absolutely crunched the header that Dance could not keep out on the line and Clarence were back in front.

Nick Naden should have the points safe when he was played in behind but he delayed pulling the trigger for too long allowing Dom Smith to scramble back and block his shot.

Devonport ensured it would be a nervy ending as they dialled up the pressure trying to equalise and if not for a brilliant save from Voss in the 89th minute they would have done, the keeper diving low to his left to deny a Davies header.

The Strikers were then reduced to 10 men after Henry Andrews was sent off for referee abuse, making it 3 times in 4 weeks that his side have not finished a game with a full complement of players.

In stoppage time Michael Holden had two free kicks to try rescue a point but he couldn’t find the winning blow and the Strikers were consigned to a 5th defeat in their last 7 games.

For Clarence it was a first win against a top four opposition since returning to the top tier and means they have now accrued 4 more points than the 2016 season. Paul Bremner was the most impactful man of the pitch for them, but the defensive efforts of Lush and Lewis were similarly important in the win, whilst Jeremy Price continued his stellar form, impressing with his set piece delivery.

They will close out their season against Olympia in an Eastern Shore Derby next Saturday whilst Devonport look to end their season on a high against Kingborough Lions.