Langworthy comes off the bench to rescue three points in dramatic comeback

Ross Langworthy came off the bench to net two late goals for Bishops Cleeve to seal a late comeback against fellow play-off rivals Winchester City at Kayte Lane on Saturday afternoon, writes Alfie Richmond.

With both sides vying for an all-important place in a play-off spot come the end of the season, Bishops Cleeve’s clash with Winchester City was set to be an enticing spectacle with both sides looking to pick up some form at a vital time of the year. After last week’s postponement, the Mitres were coming off the back of a 2-0 home win against Bashley — just their second victory in their last six matches. The Citizens started the day fourth in the table, three points ahead of the hosts. Despite being the league’s second-highest scorers, Winchester had won just once in their previous five outings, drawing three of those games. It was a fixture that carried significant weight in the context of the promotion battle.

In support of Hollie Gazzard Trust Day, the Mitres wore a special one-off purple kit in honour of the charity — whose aim is to raise awareness and provide education on healthy relationships, domestic abuse, and stalking.

The referee was called into action immediately, having to make an important decision just three minutes into the match. Conor Whiteley’s high challenge caught the head of Cleeve defender Josh Nelmes — and after a lengthy conversation with his assistant, an early yellow card was brandished to the Winchester striker.

Harry Williams had the first opportunity of the game after a floated free-kick from Toby Holland wasn’t dealt with by the visitors on 13 minutes. The ball dropped kindly for Williams, who was somehow kept out by a combination of multiple Winchester defenders from close-range.

The Citizens started to apply some pressure 27 minutes into the game, and hit the bar from a corner. Lewis Ross found Thomas Bragg who had a free header fired onto the woodwork. Bradley Waters then weaved his way into the box after Cleeve failed to clear their lines, and struck an effort that Lewis Clayton could only parry out for a corner.

Ross drilled in the resulting corner to find Whiteley at the near post, and with the deftest of touches, beautifully steered the ball into the top corner via the cross-bar — and the away side took the lead.

Nine minutes later, Cleeve threatened to find a quick way back into the game when debutant Adulai Sambu wrapped a low cross into Williams, who was denied from close-range once again.

Rafa Ramos cleverly created a shooting chance for himself on 42 minutes after his chop gave him the opportunity to strike from range — but his attempt was straight down the throat of Mitres keeper Lewis Clayton.

Just before the half-time whistle, Winchester keeper Tommy Scott was forced into action when Jay Malshanskyj let fly after a neat cut-back from Sambu, with Scott reacting sharply to tip the ball around the post.

The half-time whistle was blown, with the visitors going into the break a goal to the good. They had done well to limit Bishops Cleeve to any clear-cut chances, leaving the hosts with some work to do in the second half.

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The home side continued to threaten for an equaliser at the beginning of the second half, but were again held to half-chances. Ben McLean had a strike from range caught by Scott, and Williams came close again but couldn’t stretch far enough to make contact with a Reegan Messenger cross 62 minutes in.

Another Ross set-piece wasn’t dealt with by Cleeve on 69 minutes when the midfielder once again found Bragg in acres of space at the back-post. This time, he couldn’t keep his header under the bar.

The away side threatened again just moments later when Alfy Whittingham plucked one beautifully out the sky to then have his effort strike the post. Waters also had an attempt saved by Clayton shortly after in Winchester’s pursuit for a second.

With six minutes remaining, Cleeve finally found their equaliser. Scott’s goal-kick was punted back by Matt Liddiard, and his header evaded the Winchester defenders to find the substitute Ross Langworthy, whose delicate touch trickled past the keeper and into the net — setting up a big final five minutes.

Ross sent a ball over the Cleeve defenders with two minutes remaining, and with Ramos in-behind, Clayton did well to sweep up.

Just minutes later, Ramos had managed to get himself in-behind courtesy of Dan Jones pass. With only Clayton to beat, he attempted a delicate dink, but it bounced wide of the post — a huge opportunity for Winchester to win the game.

With both sides committing numbers forward in quest of a winner, the game had become stretched in the final moments. Devanti McInerney whipped a low ball across the Winchester box that first fell to Noah Rubio — but when his strike was blocked, the ball dropped to none other than Langworthy, who smashed past Scott to complete the comeback and win the game for Cleeve.

Oliver Balmer sent a corner into Jamie Barron in the fifth minute of additional time, but the midfielder could only spoon his header over the bar, signalling the end of the game and a huge victory for Bishops Cleeve.

Cleeve are back in action at Kayte Lane on Tuesday night when they take on Cheltenham Town Reserves in what looks set to be a tough challenge in the County Cup, before taking the short trip to Bristol Manor Farm next Saturday. Falmouth Town welcome Winchester in two week’s time, after The Citizens host Mousehole on the weekend as they continue their campaign.

Subs: Lee (65’), Langworthy (73’), Rubio (54’), McInerney (83’), Kotwica (78’).

Subs: Balmer (90’), Barron (75’), King, Brown (80’), Walster.

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ross Langworthy (Bishops Cleeve)