Kennedy brace lifts Cleeve to third with back-to-back wins
A FIRST half brace from Elliot Kennedy was enough for Bishop’s Cleeve to seal back to back Hellenic League Premier Division wins, with a 2-0 success at Easington Sports.
Cleeve looked to take the lead early on and only a reaction save from Joe White in the Easington goal prevented Ieuan Crowe from getting it.
Sam Blackie also saw a fine long range shot saved in a half where both sides struggled to retain the ball in the blustery rain.
Crowe forced another fine save from White before Cleeve finally got the lead on the half hour mark.
An excellent cross field ball by Mark Pritchett found Blaine Waugh on the right who took the ball down well.
He then whipped in a cross to Elliot Kennedy at the far post, who had time to set himself up and perfectly convert into the bottom right hand corner.
The main talking point of the match came five minutes later as Waugh was deemed to be fouled by White although the Easington keeper appeared to have got to the ball first.
Despite the hosts protests, along with a sin bin for Bradley Cox, the penalty was awarded and Kennedy made no mistake to double the lead.
The second half was far more even although the hosts struggled to seriously threaten the Cleeve goal.
Another talking point was on the hour mark when Matt Wieczorek claimed a long ball forward by Easington only for Piers Walton to have a kick out trying to claim the ball.
A yellow was the right call although it would not have been hugely surprising if a different colour card had been brandished.
Only some good defending and wayward shooting keeping the score at 2-0 but Cleeve managed to secure the win and the clean sheet.
In Division One West, Bourton Rovers registered a 2-1 Cotswold derby win against Moreton Rangers at Rissington Road.
Jake Robotham opened the scoring for Rovers with Martin Tomes levelling before Chris Mills’ 88th-minute winner.
Cheltenham Saracens were edged out 3-2 by leaders Malvern Town, who had 10 men for some of the game.
Saracens led through a Josh Goodhall penalty at half-time but Malvern equalised on 55 minutes through Harry Clark.
Harry Wickett was sent off and Malvern were reduced to nine when Jay Sauntson was sin-binned.
But he returned to put Malvern ahead before Goodhall levelled with his second goal. Adam Sauntson headed the winner to put Malvern in front for the first time and that proved decisive.
Cirencester Development lost 4-0 to Malmesbury Victoria at The Corinium Stadium.
The Development then lost on 5-4 on penalties at Thournbury Town in the Hellenic League Floodlit Cup on Tuesday, Max Lloyd and Harvey Lloyd scoring in a 2-2 draw before the shoot-out loss.