Liddiard Header Guides Mitres to three points in close encounter
Mat Liddiard’s header was enough for Bishops Cleeve to overcome Exmouth Town in a tight 1-0 win at Kayte Lane on Saturday afternoon, writes Alfie Richmond.
After Tuesday night’s defeat at Westbury United, Bishops Cleeve were aiming to bounce back with a win that could potentially see them land a place in a play-off spot come Saturday evening. Their visitors, Exmouth Town, sat eighth in the table prior to kick-off after a strong start to the season — but with just one league win in eight games — the Devonshire side were keen to spark a turnaround.
Toby Holland tested the visitors early doors after a nice body feint gave him the chance to curl one from range — but it was easy for Exmouth keeper Aaron Dearing.
Cleeve’s early pressure kept building, and after seven minutes Joe Keeping whipped in a dangerous cross that somehow evaded every player in a green shirt.
It took twenty minutes for the away side to have their first attempt — and it was half a chance. Michael Landricombe found himself free after a Benjamin Steer corner but he headed wide of the post.
Holland saw another effort zip wide on 29 minutes, with the hosts being forced to shoot from range as a result of Exmouth’s disciplined shape.
It took a set-piece to finally break the deadlock, when Holland’s out-swinging corner found Matt Liddiard at the back post, who jumped highest and made it 1-0 to the home side on 34 minutes.
The visitors had a great chance to equalise with two minutes remaining of the first half, when Steer picked out Ethan Slater — who couldn’t generate enough power on his header to beat Lewis Clayton.
Exmouth ended the first half brightly with a few promising moves, namely the Slater chance, yet they trailed by one heading into the break.
The second half began with a similar pattern, with Exmouth soaking up the Cleeve pressure and making it difficult for them to find space in the box.
Dearing was called into action on 69 minutes, initially denying Ross Langworthy before an even better stop to keep out Jack Watts’ strike. Liddiard came close to his second from the resulting corner.
Moments later Watts found himself clean through on goal with time and space to pick a side, but his finish bounced off the post.
Some persistent running from Jay Malshanskyj saw his cross find Exmouth defender Landricombe who almost spun it into his own net with just a minute remaining.
Oliver Knowles then sent a free-kick goal-wards in the dying embers of the afternoon, but Clayton parried away to protect the lead — before the referee signalled for full-time.
A free midweek gives both sides a welcome breather. Cleeve go to Larkhall Athletic on Saturday, then host Willand Rovers a week later. Exmouth entertain Swindon Supermarine this weekend before a trip to Frome in a fortnight.
Bishops Cleeve: Clayton; Lee, Nelmes, Liddiard, Holland, Mclean, Watts, Langworthy ©, Keeping, Davis, Jeremiah.
Subs: Payne (61’), Turner (85’), Malshanskyj (72’), Leeson (61’), Mcinerney (90’)
Exmouth Town: Dearing; Morcom, Cann, Knowles, Shore, Landricombe ©, Denny, Shipton, Butcher, Slater, Steer.
Subs: Rice, Crawford (85’), Kraus, Mccue (67’) Hill.
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
