Bishops Cleeve Development held to a late point in six-goal thriller

A tale of two halves saw the points shared between Bishops Cleeve development and Filton Athletic on Saturday afternoon, writes Alfie Richmond.

Two title favourites meeting early on in the new campaign brought a chance for both Bishops Cleeve and Filton to set statements to the league.

Filton finished second and completed the double over the hosts last year, but had started the season winless — managing just one point in their first three games. The Mitres faced an early tough test themselves last weekend, losing out to Tewkesbury Town late on as they looked for their first home win of the year.

Trey Merrett gave the hosts an early scare after he spooned a volley over the bar from close-range in the opening minute.

But Cleeve netted twice within 90 seconds just five minutes later, with Callum Debonis at the heart of both goals.

Ash Eyles produced a stunning save after Debonis rifled one from range where Monty New was on hand to follow in the rebound.

Not long after the restart, Debonis threaded a lovely ball into Harry Davis who calmly slotted past Eyles.

Davis was in again on 18 minutes after George Cuzner’s flick-on, but got the finish all wrong.

Cuzner and Davis both had chances later on in the half that never really troubled Eyles in a bid to extend their lead.

Kieran Cooper pulled one back against the run of play with the first half coming to an end, much to the dismay of The Mitres who would’ve felt they should’ve had more.

New’s stretching attempt from Sam Smith’s cross on the brink of half-time was inches from a Cleeve third at the break.

The goal had lifted the visitors, who began the second half with much more intent.

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Fraser Venables and Freddie Fraser had a few efforts comfortably held by Isaac Parry, before Filton’s shouts for a dismissal were waved away by the referee on 60 minutes.

Josh Long brought down Said Hussain at speed with the away bench wanting DOGSO — though there looked to be cover.

Fin Smith’s stunning dipping volley, struck wonderfully with 20 minutes to go, killed any momentum Filton had built up and restored the two-goal advantage.

But the visitors managed to pull another one back on 78 minutes through Hussain — moments after Ben Williams swept one wide at the other end, setting up a blockbuster finish to the game.

Jack Cole headed over from close-range, and Matt Hoare was through on goal but for the last ditch block of Smith, who had been brilliant all game.

Having already been cautioned, Merett was shown a straight red after a kick-out on Archie Tucker with three minutes to go — a sending-off that had been brewing.

Cleeve weren’t yet home and dry, however, as Smith brought Chris Hillyer down in the box in the closing stages, giving away a penalty.

Kyle Thomas stepped up and buried home to salvage a point for the visitors, in an extraordinary end to the game.

Fellow league-challengers Tewkesbury Town travel to Filton next week in another early clash before a two-week break when the University of Bristol host Athletic in a cup tie.

Cleeve wait until September 1st before playing at Kayte Lane again, when they will host Longlevens Reserves. A trip to Stoke Gifford next Saturday awaits them beforehand.

Subs: Tucker (62’), Hawes (67’), Salehbhai (71’), Osinuga (75’), Smith (62’).

Subs: Hussain (49’), Waugh (62’), Abdulrahman (57’), Hoare (78’), Daniels.

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Sam Smith (Bishops Cleeve Development)