Cleeve exit FA Cup early at the hands of Wimborne Town
Despite a Bishops Cleeve fight back, Wimborne had too much for the Mitres on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a couple of wonder goals and a Lewis Williams hat-trick, writes Alfie Richmond.
The new season brings Bishops Cleeve the chance to build on last year’s magnificent FA Cup run, beginning with a tricky tie against Southern League Premier opposition Wimborne Town. The Dorset outfit had lost just once this campaign, setting up a stern challenge for the in-form Mitres, who had won every game so far.
Wimborne started brightly, and hit the woodwork through Josh McQuoid in the seventh minute. Max Bustamante did brilliantly to find his team-mate, whose effort from 12 yards struck the post.
Seven minutes later, Lewis Williams of Wimborne sent a rocket into the top corner to put the visitors ahead. After picking the ball up in the midfield, he skipped past a couple of challenges before rifling home from outside the area.
On 22 minutes, Jay Malshanskyj created Cleeve’s first real opportunity. After bombing down the left flank, his cross found Ross Langworthy who just couldn’t find the right connection.
Six minutes later, and the hosts were made to pay. Cam Hunn brilliantly slipped Williams through on goal, who calmly netted his second of the game, making it 2-0 to Wimborne.
Lewis Clayton denied a third for the visitors five minutes before half-time after getting down well to a Sam Jackson header.
Tempers were beginning to boil at Kayte Lane right before the break. Members from both dugouts were shown a yellow card after a small disagreement between the parties. The referee blew his whistle shortly after to signal the end of the half.
Cleeve came out of the blocks flying in the second half, and pulled one back almost immediately. Lewis Spurrier’s ball over the top put Malshanskyj one-on-one with the keeper, and he coolly lifted it into the net.
Just 10 minutes into the half and the Mitres had found their equaliser. Within seconds of being introduced, Toby Holland curled in a beauty of a cross onto the head of Langworthy who couldn’t miss. It was 2-2, and it was game on.
59 minutes in and Williams should’ve had his hat-rick to put the away side ahead. It was Hunn once again who slipped in the winger, but Clayton made himself big.
On 72 minutes, it was the visitors’ turn to make an impact through the subs. Joe Ryan smashed home emphatically with one of his first touches courtesy of a Josh Carmichael pass, and Wimborne had their lead back.
Williams eventually got his third for the Dorset side when he made it 4-2 in the 77th minute, all
but sealing the victory. Will Fletcher’s flick found Ryan who put it on a plate for the hat-rick hero.
The Magpies secured their name in the hat for the next round, and Carmichael got himself in on the action in the 92nd minute, unleashing a devastating finish into the top corner from outside the box. Not the first of top quality finishes seen on the afternoon.
The final whistle was blown and it finished Bishops Cleeve 2 – Wimborne Town 5.
Cleeve face an encounter with Willand Rovers in the FA Trophy next Saturday before continuing their league campaign the following week; away to Brixham AFC. Wimborne will continue their league campaign next week with a visit to Berkhamsted, while they await the draw for the next round.
Bishops Cleeve: Clayton; Payne, Turner, Lee, Nelmes, Liddiard, McLean, Spurrier, Watts, Langworthy ©, Malshanskyj.
Subs: Evans-Harriot (88’), Leeson (75’), Jemmet-Hutson (75’), Turley (84’), Holland (55’), Gilder.
Wimborne Town: Plain; Ecott-Young, Jackson ©, Walker, Williams, McQuoid, Hunn, Jang, Bustamante, Smith, Roundell.
Subs: Scorey, Fletcher (61’), Ryan (71’), Borges (86’), Carmichael (65’).
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Jay Malshanskyj (Bishops Cleeve)
READ MORE: Check out the list of results in and around Gloucestershire this Saturday right here
