Brimming with confidence after a win in the opening game of the season, this was the first time Cleevillians had been pitted against Swansea Bay. With a perfect pitch to play on Cleeve started with a high tempo, dictating the game. This became the blueprint for the full 70 minutes. From front to back the passing was fast, fluent and direct with Cleevillians finding space all over the pitch.

The scoring was opened when Mike Cullimore created space on the left feeding Sam Newman in the D who had the composure to dummy the keeper and slot the ball into the corner of the goal. Cleeve were already dominating the game when Stu Skinner extended the lead from the spot and in a half that finished 9-0 to Cleeve Simon Trower scored a contender for goal of the season by turning his defender and smashing the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the D. The half was conquered by Cleeve, with Swansea not being given any time on the ball and Cleeve creating chances freely and taking them.
More of the same was on order for the second half; however to Swansea Bay’s credit their heads did not drop and they scored the first of three consolation goals at the start of the second half. After some a sloppy 10 minutes Cleeve continued to create chances, with space becoming more abundant in the midfield. Normal service resumed after some great possession hockey was ended with a precision pass from Mike Kennedy to Jake Windsor to deflect the ball into the roof of the net. Other goals included a solid strike from Ben Link in a well rehearsed penalty corner routine, Tom North cheekily using his reverse stick to turn in from close range and Chris north taking advantage of an appealing defence to slam a shot in from 6 yards.

Key to the game was the tempo at which Cleeve maintained throughout the game, with simple passing that was incisive when necessary. A positive start to season continues with a top of the table clash against Gwent next weekend.

The final Score Swansea Bay 3 Cleevillians 16.
Scorers Tom North 4, Sam Newman 3, Simon Trower 2, Jake Windsor 2, Stu Skinner 1, KP 1, Mike Cullimore 1, Chris North 1, Ben Link 1.
Jake Windsor