Mitres held to a draw by fellow play-off chasers Portishead

The points were shared at Kayte Lane on Saturday afternoon as Portishead Town came from behind to earn a point against Bishops Cleeve, writes Alfie Richmond.

After being held to a draw at fierce rivals Bristol Manor Farm last weekend, Cleeve returned to action in what promised to be a blockbuster clash in the play-off race, hosting Portishead Town for the first time. The visitors, nicknamed ‘Posset’, ran out 5–0 winners in the reverse fixture — a display Paul Collicutt later labelled Cleeve’s “worst performance of the season”. With Portishead arriving in third place and having lost just twice in their last nine matches, Collicutt and his men were determined to put things right this time around.

Owen Humphries was lively from the off, and had the first chance of the afternoon for the visitors when his strike was easily held by Lewis Clayton five minutes in.

Reegan Messenger was left perplexed on 17 minutes after the referee deemed his tackle on Humphries in the middle of the park reckless, brandishing the Cleeve midfielder a yellow card, with a few tempers rising early.

Humphries had another effort stopped by Clayton five minutes later. This time, the keeper could only parry the ball out for a corner — which was defended by Steve Davis at the near post.

Moments later, the hosts opened the scoring at the first time of asking. A corner from Davis found Jay Malshanskyj at the near post, whose deft flick was met by the outstretched leg of Jake Lee, with the defender applying the finishing touch to make it 1–0 to Cleeve in the 23rd minute.

Clayton was called into action again on 32 minutes, producing a brilliant acrobatic save. The ball fell kindly inside the box for Portishead’s Jack Thorne, who fired an effort goalwards, but Clayton showed superb reflexes to get a fingertip to the ball and divert it over the bar to deny an equaliser.

Cleeve had taken a firm hold of the game heading into half-time, restricting the visitors to few chances and keeping them pinned in their own half, all the while looking to extend their one-goal lead.

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Posset began the second half intently, and missed a great opportunity to get themselves level seven minutes in. Mitchell Osmond floated a corner towards Hamish Hurst whose free header could only find the gloves of Clayton — a chance he should’ve done better with.

But on 66 minutes, the away side did take their chance. Another Osmond set-piece caused Cleeve some problems after a high floated free-kick wasn’t dealt with — and Matt Britton took advantage by tucking home from close range to level the scoring.

Just a minute later, Thorne found himself yards from goal, ready to put Portishead ahead — but Clayton reacted brilliantly, clawing the effort away to keep it out.

With 15 minutes remaining, Ben McLean unleashed a speculative effort from distance that almost troubled Jakob Glover in the Portishead goal. Shortly after, Ross Langworthy rose to meet Toby Holland’s free-kick, but his header glanced wide, as both sides pushed for a winning goal.

Devanti McInerney had a late strike pushed away by Glover with four minutes remaining to deny another late Cleeve winner, but eventually the final whistle blew — with both sides having to settle for a point.

Cleeve face a tough test next weekend as they travel to in-form league leaders Frome Town, before returning home the following week to host Tavistock, who sit at the other end of the table.

Portishead, meanwhile, have the unusual task of facing Falmouth Town twice in quick succession — welcoming them on Saturday before making the return trip just three days later. Both fixtures could prove crucial for two sides battling to secure a play-off spot by the end of the season.

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

Subs: Liddiard, Holland (63’), Williams (63’), McInerney (79’), Kotwica.

Subs: Robbins (51’), Neale, Griffiths (66’), Britton (51’), Vowles (90’).

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Lewis Clayton (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.