A chance for the Mitres to make more history with a playoff semi-final against Malvern Town

Article by Johnny Davies

Bishops Cleeve have made the Southern League Division One Playoffs for the first time in their history. Alongside making the playoffs, the Mitres have also marked their best-ever league finish, third in the table. A strong opponent awaits Cleeve in the semi-finals however, Malvern Town, a Worcestershire based side who finished fourth in the table. Both teams have had brilliant season, but a one-off match will determine who edges ever closer to the Southern Premier Division.

Bishops Cleeve come into this match on a good run of form, having not last in their last six, and their last outing be a 2-0 win away at Cribbs with goals from Aaron Evans-Harriott and Ethan Dunbar. Cleeve managed to secure their playoff spot with a game to spare after a 1-0 win over 2nd place, and local rivals, Evesham United.

Manager Paul Collicutt had a few words ahead of the game to rally the village, “What can you say about Wednesday’s playoffs other than it’s what dreams are made of,

“It’s been a record-breaking season for the club in many ways, and the players now have a chance to write their name in history books,

“More importantly we have a chance to unite the village once more with your support, a big performance on the pitch, and that little bit of luck, we can find ourselves one game away from promotion,

“The club have worked so hard to make the village proud, and we need another big turnout against Malvern to get us over the line.”

Malvern also come into this game on a good run of form, however their unbeaten run is three times bigger than Cleeve’s, having not lost any in their last 18 matches, with their last loss coming at the hands of Mousehole, a team that slipped out of the playoff places on the last day of the season. Malvern’s last game of the season saw them beat Willand Rovers 4-1, a strong win to come into this game with.

The two sides have played each other just the standard two times this season, with both results going the way of Bishops Cleeve, and in impressive fashion. At Kayte Lane, Bishops Cleeve beat Malvern 4-1, and away, the Mitres also beat them 4-1, giving Cleeve that head-to-head advantage coming into this fixture.

As many know, this is the biggest game in Bishops Cleeve history, and it’s a chance for the team to go a step further and break that statement again. For what is hopefully not the last time this season, the team needs all the support they can get from fans. The club urges everyone to get down to Kayte Lane to support the Mitres and cheer them on for all 90 minutes to help push them over the line.

Enjoy the game - Bishops Cleeve FC.