Cleeve crash to shock Westbury loss
BISHOP’S Cleeve suffered their first Hellenic League Premier Division defeat in 18 games, losing 5-2 at Westbury United - the same scoreline they had inflicted on the Wiltshire side in the reverse fixture.
Cleeve went into the match knowing it would be a tough fixture against a side who were unbeaten in 10 games in the league and making their own push for promotion.
However the Mitres took the lead after four minutes when Kieran Alder slid in Jack Watts who placed the ball into the bottom left corner to score the opener.
Harvey Flippance, making his debut for Westbury, then had a glorious chance to level 10 minutes later but whilst his shot beat Luke Merchant in the Cleeve goal, it hit the outside of the post.
The hosts equalised just before the half hour mark when Ricky Hulbert beat the offside flag and outfought the last Cleeve defender to convert, despite protests from the Cleeve bench about offside and a two-handed push.
The hosts were then well on top for the final 15 minutes of the half but were unable to take the lead before half time.
Ten minutes into the second half, Westbury were awarded a penalty and Joe Strading stepped up to convert, despite a strong hand from Merchant which saw the ball just loop over him into the net.
The two sides then exchanged passages of play until a mad final ten minutes.
First, Watts was pushed in the box and stepped up to convert the penalty and score his 24th goal of the season.
The home side then retook the lead five minutes later when a decision for a throw-in to the hosts was changed to a freekick and the hosts took advantage.
Cleeve were still reorganising as Flippance pounced on the loose ball to score, despite Cleeve protests that he was offside when the free-kick was taken.
Cleeve, chasing the game even more, were again left open at the back and Stradling hit a stunning powerful low drive into the net and the win was completed when Flippance capitalised on a rare mistake from Merchant.
The keeper was leaving a cross to go behind only for Flippance to come steaming in and bundle the ball home from a tight angle to give the hosts a deserved win.
Cleeve’s next match is a top of the table clash away at Malvern Town on Boxing Day
Malvern were the only previous side to beat Cleeve in the league and sit eight points behind the Mitres with two games in hand.
Fairford Town’s unbeaten run is now at nine games after they beat Thornbury Town 5-1 at Cinder Lane.
They led after 26 seconds as George Peare curled in the opener, then Danny Gudger added the second.
A wonderful flick on from Peare set up Gudger to lob the keeper for 3-0 before a penalty pulled one back for Thornbury.
A corner was worked into the box and headed on by Gudger for Peare to make it 4-1 and a free kick from Joe Hiscock rounded off the win.
In Division One, Liam Gale and Ellis Duffus condemned high-flying Cheltenham Saracens to a 2-0 home defeat by 0 Stonehouse Town.
Tom Dixon scored for Moreton Rangers as they lost 2-1 at Abingdon United and Bourton Rovers fell 6-1 to Studley, Connor Teague on target.
Goals from Brad Martin and Rudi Mckinnon saw Longlevens earn a 2-0 win to beat Cirencester Town Development in the GFA Trophy last Wednesday. GFA Trophy, third round draw: Shortwood v Wick; Longlevens v Fairford Town; Lydney Town v Cribbs; Cheltenham Saracens/ Rockleaze Rangers v Brimscombe & Thrupp; Henbury v AEK Boco; Newent Town v Roman Glass St George; Thornbury Town v Sharpness; Oldland Abbotonians v Hartpury University.