Lee Sends Cleeve to County Cup Final with another late show

Goals from Ross Langworthy and Jake Lee on Tuesday night were enough to complete yet another comeback against a young Robins side, and send the Mitres to the GFA Cup final, writes Alfie Richmond.

Off the back of Saturday’s dramatic win against Winchester City, a quick turnaround saw Cleeve back in cup action as they hosted Cheltenham Town Reserves in a tasty looking semi-final tie in the GFA Senior Challenge Cup.

The Mitres had already overcome EFL opposition on their way back in November, after defeating Bristol Rovers’ development squad on penalties in the quarter-finals. A 2-0 scoreline was enough to see The Robins past Hartpury in the previous round — and after last year’s final defeat to Bristol Manor Farm, a win on the evening would see the home side reach the final for a second year running.

The first chance of the match fell to Cheltenham’s Sopuru Obieri inside three minutes, after a high Robins press caught Cleeve out, allowing the forward to get a shot away from range that he rifled over the bar. Ieuan Bailey then hit the post moments later, but the linesman’s flag was up. Some good pressure was applied by the visitors in the opening exchanges.

But Archie Hill came the closest out of the lot, ten minutes in. His clever chop to cut inside the box allowed himself the time to get his effort away, which whistled past the post. Will Turner then made an excellent last-ditch challenge to deny Obieri.

Another early chance passed the away side by a minute later when Bailey struck the woodwork once more with a wicked strike from range that hit the bar. The hosts were having to dig deep to ride the early pressure.

Reegan Messenger had the first Cleeve chance on 14 minutes after a mix-up from the Cheltenham defenders saw a loose ball fall to the midfielder, but his shot was swept wide of the post.

Noah Rubio came close for Cleeve on 29 minutes after Madd Liddiard’s intelligent pass allowed the new man to send a curling effort wide via a deflection.

Hill was involved again four minutes later, drilling a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but no red-and-white shirt could apply the finishing touch.

Rubio had another effort on-goal shortly after, bursting down the line and whipping one into the arms of Cheltenham keeper Mamadou Diallo.

The bar was hit for the second time by Bailey with 6 minutes remaining of the first half, when Jack Robinson slid him in with a quick free-kick. The winger this time took the ball on the outside, and fired it into the wood-work.

It was the visitors who looked the far better side going into the break, having played some wonderful football but with no final product to open the scoring. The Mitres had yet to hit any sort of rhythm.

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The newly-introduced Jake Lee thought he had the ball in the net 11 minutes into the second half when another substitute Toby Holland found him at the back-post. The head of Robins skipper Charlie Caple denied the Cleeve defender off the line.

Just moments later, Hill latched on to Matt Liddiard’s short pass-back to Sam Gilder. Hill initially rounded the keeper, but he did well to recover and deny the midfielder a sure shot on goal.

66 minutes in, the deadlock was broken, and it went the way of the visitors. Robinson and Obieri exchanged passes to break the Mitres’ back-line, before the latter stroked the ball home beautifully with his left foot — and it had been coming.

Another decent chance passed Rubio by after some positive play when he worked some space onto his left foot inside the area, only to send his effort wide of the post on 76 minutes.

Holland let fly from range a few minutes later; forcing a great save out of Diallo, who could only parry it out for a corner that was well defended by The Robins.

And on 80 minutes, the hosts’ pressure prevailed. Rubio once again worked the ball onto his left foot, and picked out Ross Langworthy at the back-post. With acres of time and space, the captain poked home from close-range to level the scoring.

With two minutes of additional time left to play, and the tie heading towards penalties, Bishops Cleeve struck late to complete yet another comeback. Holland sent in a deep in-swinging corner that was met intently by the oncoming Lee to send The Mitres to another GFA Senior Challenge Cup Final.

Cleeve will play the winner of either Forest Green or Yate Town on the 25th of March, with the other semi-final tie taking place in two week’s time.

Attention turns back to league action for Cleeve at the weekend with a trip to fierce rivals Bristol Manor Farm, before an important clash with Portishead Town next Saturday at Kayte Lane — kicking off the first of their final 12 league games.

Photos taken with copyright to Ben Shepherd. Follow Ben on Instragram @benshep.photo for more of his work

Subs: McLean (45’), Davies (83’), Holland (45’), Malshanskyj (67’), Lee (45’) Clayton.

Subs: Wainwright (61’), Croose, Williams (75’), Redman, Curtis.

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Noah Rubio (Bishops Cleeve)

Cover photo taken with copyright by Ben Shepherd. To view photos from this match and other matches follow him on Instagram @benshep.photo or click here to view his website.