Cleeve reach semis as they win in shoot-out

BISHOP’S Cleeve face a trip to Penn & Tylers Green in the semi-final of the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup after beating Malvern Town 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Malvern started brightly and Joe Bullock forced a fine save from Mitres’ man of the match Sam Gilder – the first of many from him in the match.

The physical tone was started when Jamie Sauntson hauled Blaine Waugh down by the neck for a free-kick, and Malvern continued to threaten, forcing more fine saves from Gilder.

But Cleeve grabbed the opener against the run of play on the half-hour mark after good work by Jake Rhodes on the right saw his cross find an unmarked Waugh for a tap-in at the far post.

The tie looked like it may have turned in Malvern’s favour six minutes later, however, when Mark Pritchett was sent off for a last-man trip on Matthew Turner.

Louis Loader fired in the resulting free kick, which squeezed in.

Malvern continued to threaten but Cleeve had the best chances as the half came to an end, with Leroy Odiero seeing two shots cleared off the line before George Hayes saw his shot saved for the hosts.

Early in the second half, a corner routine from Malvern saw Loader lash the ball at goal from 25 yards out, producing another fine save from Gilder.

However, the hosts’ chances were more limited as the Cleeve side battled to take control of the tie. Their hard work was rewarded as a flowing counter started by Jake Parrott saw Steve Davies slide in Tyrone Tucker-dixon, whose shot went in to restore the lead for the 10-man Mitres.

The hosts restored parity six minutes later when a good cross was left by Gilder for Turner to head in at the far post.

Tucker-dixon nearly restored the lead quickly but his shot was just tipped onto the crossbar by Kieron Blackburn before the game started to turn physical.

Ieuan Crowe was carried off after his own challenge left the Cleeve striker with a suspected broken bone and a trip to hospital required.

After a lengthy stoppage, Malvern sub Phil Harris slid in two-footed on Sam Blackie to receive his marching orders to make the game 10 v 10.

Gilder again saved well from Turner before Waugh saw his shot saved for the Mitres. Then Leroy Odiero got injured, meaning the Mitres needed to make their final substitution.

Malvern nearly took the lead in the 88th minute when Gilder rushed out of goal to clear. A quick throw-in by Malvern saw Harry Clarke try to lob the ’keeper from 30 yards out on the sideline, but the shot narrowly went wide.

The game continued to be end to end in the 11 minutes of stoppage time, but Cleeve couldn’t find a way to finish the tie off before penalties.

Malvern missed their first penalty, with the ball hitting the upright, and with no further saves or misses, Davies fired the Mitres into the semi-final.