This Saturday will see Bishops Cleeve FC host Wallingford and Crowmarsh in the FA Cup preliminary round, a match-up that not only offers the Mitres a chance to progress in the country’s most prestigious football tournament but also the opportunity to bounce back from last weekend’s league defeat against Swindon Supermarine.

BY DAN BRIAN

They had their fair share of chances to snatch at least a draw, but a small handful of missed efforts meant that Paul Collicutt’s side will have to wait for their second league win of the season.

Cleeve’s last and only outing against Wallingford came in a September 2021 FA Vase meeting, where despite a brace from Jack Watts and further goals from Kieran Alder and Steve Davies, the Mitres lost on penalties after a 4-4 draw.

Davies has scored one of Bishops Cleeve’s two goals to begin this campaign, with Matt Bower grabbing the other one. Both came on opening weekend away at Shaftesbury.

The game’s biggest talking point, despite two late Mitres strikes, was Jamal Lawrence’s very early sending off, with the striker being dismissed after roughly 30 seconds.

Despite being eligible for the Supermarine match, Lawrence’s suspension is now active, meaning he’ll miss not only Wallingford but also Bristol Manor Farm a week later.

Wallingford have started the season very impressively, winning four out of five games in all competitions. Their other game was a 3-3 draw with Rayners Lane, meaning they remain unbeaten.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 3pm, with a little over a week’s break hopefully proving beneficial.