CYFL Premier title race down to two after Bishops Cleeve hold Longlevens to draw

The Cheltenham Youth Floodlit League Premier Division title race is down to Slimbridge and Gloucester City after Longlevens were held to a 2-2 draw against Bishops Cleeve on Monday night.

Levens were left frustrated after taking the lead twice, only to be pegged back on both occasions and they had to settle for a point – in a game that saw tensions run high towards the end.

Theo Bevan was given a sinbin in the final five minutes after not being awarded a penalty – with Longlevens Assistant Manager Danny Herridge sent off for his protests.

The result means Longlevens can only finish as high as 2nd, leaving Gloucester City and Slimbridge to fight it out for the league title.

Longlevens could still have a say however, as they host Slimbridge next Monday, where a win will leave the Swans needing to win their final game 24 hours later against Cirencester Town.

If the Swans were to take less than a point from those two matches, then Gloucester City could force a potential play-off to decide the league if they were to beat Tuffley Rovers on 1 May.

Monday’s fixture was Cleeve’s last game of the season, meaning they can only finish 5th or 6th in a mixed bag of a season, whilst Longlevens host Ledbury Town on Thursday night, ahead of their showdown against Slimbridge next week.

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Monday’s fixture started as it meant to go on, with end-to-end action and a good tempo to the game, with both sides looking dangerous on the break and from set pieces.

Cleeve should have taken an early lead when Ryan Pilsbury was found on the right side of the box and after taking the ball into his stride with a great touch, he slid his effort wide.

On 17 minutes, the host struck as Theo Bevan’s corner fell loose for Theo Myles to tap home from close range.

Bevan curled a free kick straight at Kyle Price, whilst Marcus Cornwall played in Victor Belitski, who cut in and curled over from the edge of the box.

Cornwall was in inspired form in the first half, flying up the left hand side before smashing against Joe Poole’s near post, before he went through on goal again just before half time – but lobbed straight at the on-rushing Poole.

However in injury time, Cleeve countered a Levens corner and after Cornwall dribbled with the ball nearly 50 yards – he crossed from the left for Charlie Shore Nye to volley home.

Pilsbury should have put the Mitres ahead soon after the break, but after robbing Amo Jalloki on the edge of the box, he dragged across goal and wide.

Within moments, the hosts regained their lead as another Bevan corner came in and Captain Toby Boakes rose highest to plant a header back across goal and into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted 16 minutes before Pilsbury worked space down the right side of the box again and this time squeezed his effort past Poole at the near post.

Cornwall nearly completed the comeback for Cleeve, but saw his driven effort palmed round the post by Poole.

Then with five minutes to go, Bevan appeared to be tripped in the box after cutting back but after no penalty was awarded, the striker was given a sinbin to end his match early, with Danny Herridge sent off from the dugout for protesting the lack of a decision.

At the time, it looked like a penalty but that moment wasn’t the reason Longlevens failed to win the match, with Cleeve making life difficult for them from minute one and really good value for what was a fair point in the end.

Longlevens U18s: Poole, Tomlinson, Boakes, Walsh, Jalloki, Milton, Bevan, Perrins, Myles, Worrall, Carter

Subs: Bee, Wood, Beachus, Day

Bishops Cleeve U18s: K Price, Croft, Frew, Stroud, Hulse, O’Leary, Shore Nye, Addonis, Cornwall, Pilsbury, Belitski

Subs: Habbits, B Price, Emmanuell, Churchley

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ryan Pilsbury (Bishops Cleeve U18s)