Cleeve sign Mahon while Crowe sent off on return
BISHOP’S Cleeve have signed young winger Kai Mahon from Cheltenham Saracens, while forward Ieuan Crowe has also returned to Kayte Lane after leaving in the summer.
Mahon, 21, was the subject of interest from higher level clubs during pre-season, but he initially opted to remain with Hellenic League Division One West side Saracens.
He now steps up to the Premier Division with Cleeve.
“Kai is an exciting player who will fit in to our group well as he’s already shown in the couple of sessions with the lads,” Cleal said.
“We spoke in the summer so it’s pleasing that he’s decided he wanted to come across now. He can continue to develop and push himself further in matches and training.”
Mahon, pictured, has previously played for Andoversford, Bishop’s Cleeve Reserves, Slimbridge and Evesham United Under-18s.
In youth football, he was with Lakeside and Saracens.
Meanwhile, Crowe is back after a brief spell with Stourport Swifts.
“Ieuan made the decision that he wanted to come back to Cleeve and it was a no brainer for us,” Cleal said.
“He is an athlete and is different to all the other forwards we have and he’s a great lad who loves the club.”
Crowe’s return started with a red card as Cleeve laboured to a 2-1 win against Burnham.
From a misplaced pass in midfield Burnham broke and won a corner and it was from that corner the visitors scored as Sam Coles’ first time hit was an outswinging cross, or a perfect lob over Matt Wieczorek in the Cleeve goal.
Cleeve weren’t behind for long as Steve Davies was tripped in the box by Thomas Willment and Davies who stepped up to convert the penalty.
The deciding goal was scored as they clock was about to tick into added time as Jack Watts received the ball on the left and drove to the byline before passing the ball back to the edge of the box for sub Harrison Iddles to score on his first appearance since coming back from injury.
Tempers then boiled over on both sides as Crowe took exception to a challenge and lashed out, receiving his marching orders.
Cleeve sit second in the Premier Division while Fairford Town take over third spot following their 4-1 win over Holmer Green.
Their scorers were Dan Bailey, Connor Thompson with two and Jamie Reid after Pav Kotwica put Holmer Green in front.
In Division One West, Cheltenham Saracens beat Division One West leaders Malmesbury Victoria 2-0 with goals from Josh Goodhall and Jordan Bryan
Bourton Rovers suffered a 6-0 home defeat by Malvern Town while Callum Peters earned Moreton Rangers a 1-1 draw at Tytherington Rocks.
ON Tuesday night, Cleeve won 5-2 at Southern League side Mangotsfield in the GFA Senior Cup.
Jack Watts opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Daniel Demkiv equalised.
Watts restored Cleeve’s lead and Will Morford extended the advantage to 3-1 at half-time.
Morford’s second made it 4-1 then Lee Hartshorn pulled it back to 4-2 before Tris Haswell added the fifth.