Cleeve Devs edge out Longlevens Reserves in midweek County League clash

Bishops Cleeve Development edged past Longlevens Reserves on Tuesday night, securing a 2-1 win at Kayte Lane – to move up to 2nd in the County League table.

Will Hawes’ free kick was cancelled out by a Brad Martin header before the break, leaving the game finely poised ahead of the second half.

Harry Davis cut in and found the bottom corner to restore his side’s lead just before the hour mark – with Isaac Parry saving a penalty from Shaun O’Connor soon after.

Longlevens created two guilt edge chances in injury time, but Josh Bird and Martin both sent their efforts wide from close range to give the home side the points.

Cleeve move up to 2nd place in the County League table, having won three of their opening five league matches, whilst Longlevens are in 10th having only won one of their opening five league games – but more worryingly for them, they are only one of two sides to have conceded ten goals or more from their first five games (11).

It is a quick turnaround for both sides, with Les James League Cup action this weekend. Cleeve head to Wick as their first team are at home in the FA Cup, whilst Longlevens Reserves host Chalford on Friday night in their tie.

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The game opened in slightly cagey fashion, with both sides feeling their way into the contest. Luke Troke fired wide after a corner was cleared out to him and Fin Rankin had an effort blocked as Levens created two openings in the first 10 minutes.

Cleeve broke the deadlock with their first meaningful effort of the night as Will Hawes stepped up to whip a free kick past Jack Stokes from just over 20 yards.

From there Cleeve defended well against a Longlevens side that tried to get Rankin and Theo Bevan in down the sides – with the hosts keeping a disciplined high line.

But on the half hour mark Cleeve keeper Isaac Parry came for a free kick, but was beaten by Brad Martin, who flicked his header over the keeper and in to level the scoring.

Parry did well four minutes later though, beating away Rankin’s effort after the winger was found on the right side of the box.

Parry produced another smart stop to keep out James Barnett before half time, moments after Nathan Payne sliced wide from a great position.

The hosts retook the lead just before the hour mark though, as Harry Davis was allowed to cut on the left corner of the box and curling into the bottom corner.

Longlevens were awarded a penalty on 64 minutes, in weird fashion. James Barnett went down in the box and after taking a moment to consider his decision, the referee pointed to the spot.

From the stands it felt like it wasn’t a penalty, but Longlevens should have had one just after, which was turned away – so it just about balanced itself out.

Parry dived to his right to keep out Shaun O’Connor’s penalty, with his defenders swarming in to clear the rebound.

Cleeve included First Team Captain Ross Langworthy in their squad and his best chance came on 86 minutes, as he charged into the box from the left but couldn’t quite squeeze his effort past Stokes.

Sam Smith dribbled forward into the Levens half before going over looking for a free kick, however the game continued and Levens were awarded one of their own – this lead to Smith being sinbinned for his reaction to the official.

And in injury time, Longlevens will feel they should have claimed a share of points.

First, Fin Brown’s diagonal into the box was headed down for substitute Josh Bird, who scuffed wide from close range and it felt like that was THE chance.

But in the end, THE chance came on 95 minutes when Ollie Morrissey’s beautiful ball in from the right looked set to be headed home by Martin, but somehow the forward sent his header wide from the middle of the goal – leaving Cleeve with their second win on the spin.

In a close game, where both defences were on top, the result came down to the finest of margins.

Bishops Cleeve Development: Parry, S Smith, Gardiner, Maguire, Long, Green, Hawes, F Smith, Langworthy, Payne, Davis

Subs: Essel-Effum, Cuzner, Salehbhai, Debonis, Williams

Longlevens Reserves: Stokes, Barnett, Snelgrove, Boakes, Troke, Brown, Rankin, O’Connor, Martin, Cornell, Bevan

Subs: Thornton, Marsden-Green, Cavallaro, Bird, Morrissey

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Luke Troke (Longlevens Reserves)