Cleeve held to a point by Bideford in game of two halves
Bideford AFC came from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw at Kayte Lane on Saturday afternoon, in what was a game of two halves, writes Alfie Richmond.
Having been out of league action for over a month, Bishops Cleeve looked to make it five out of five as they hosted Bideford AFC. The visitors were unbeaten in their last three in all competitions, but had managed just one victory in the campaign — leaving them above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Lewis Spurrier had the first chance of the game for the hosts inside ten minutes. After riding a couple of challenges in the midfield, he let fly from 20 yards – but his effort whistled just wide of the post.
In the 20th minute, Toby Holland opened the scoring to put Cleeve ahead. His smart foot-work allowed him the space for his cutely dinked effort to find the corner of the net.
Six minutes of the half remained when Matt Liddiard knocked a header down to Ross Langworthy following a free-kick, but the striker was off-balance and failed to convert from just yards out.
Although the visitors had yet to test Lewis Clayton in the Cleeve goal, the home side couldn’t extend their lead, and went into the break with only a one-goal advantage — leaving Bideford very much still in the game.
Eight minutes into the second half, the away side had their first effort on goal. Jamie Hearsey took the ball well on the half-turn, but his strike from range was straight at Clayton.
Bishops Cleeve started the half slowly — and on 63 minutes — Bideford found an equaliser. Jack Winsor’s wicked cross found Scott Robinson at the back post, who headed home from close range.
Frustration was evident in the home camp, exemplified with Stephen Davis picking up a booking on 73 minutes for a late challenge.
Two minutes later, the referee waved away shouts for a Bideford penalty after Hearsey went down under the challenge of a couple of Cleeve defenders.
After a scramble in the home side’s box in the 83rd minute, the ball fell invitingly for Winsor whose goal-bound strike was blocked off the line by Liddiard — the visitors’ pressure was mounting.
Just minutes later, the Bideford midfielder had an almost identical chance. This time, his effort blazed over the bar.
The referee’s whistle signalled full-time, and the match ended one-a-piece.
Both sides are through to the FA Trophy third round, but first come midweek tests. On Tuesday night, Cleeve face a huge early-season clash away at Malvern Town, while Bideford host Falmouth Town. Next weekend, Cleeve return home to take on Sholing, as Bideford head to Dorchester.
Bishops Cleeve: Clayton; Payne, Lee, Liddiard, Holland, Mclean ©, Langworthy, Malshanskyj, Leeson, Jeremiah, Spurrier.
Subs: W. Turner, Nelmes, Keeping, Davis (64’), Jemmett-Hutson (64’).
Bideford AFC: Semmens; Winsor, Byrne ©, Moyse, Gardner, Slough, Roberts, Reay, Robinson, Hearsey, J. Wright.
Subs: Richards, R. Turner (79’), C. Wright (89’), Taylor (51’).
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Mat Liddiard (Bishops Cleeve)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
