Stalemate at Kayte Lane as Cleeve held to 2-2 draw by Yate Town

Report by Adam Campbell

Going into tonight’s game the Mitres were looking to extend their winning run to four and move up the Southern League.

Yate started the game the better of the two creating half chances down the right by the footwork of Brandon Oputeri.

Will Turner denied Dan Dempsey a run on goal with a great tackle ten minutes in.

The tide started to turn for Cleeve when skipper Ross Langworthy put over from a whipped in Rhys Bennett cross.

Harrison Reeves gave the Mitres the lead in the 15th minute finishing the rebound off of a Toby Holland shot. 1-0 to the Mitres.

Lewis Clayton was nearly called into action for the first time if it wasn’t for Rhys Bennett’s block in the 20th minute.

A huge penalty shout for Cleeve came just before the half hour mark but the referee gave the visitors a free kick much to the bemusement of the home fans.

Clayton’s first save of the night was an outstanding one after multiple deflections the Mitres number one got a palm to it before being put behind for a corner.

Another stunning stop from Lewis Clayton stopped Bluebells’ Dylan Lewis from finding the top corner only minutes later.

Ross Langworthy couldn’t test the keeper in the 40th minute after a Ben McLean turn and pass unlocked the Yate Town defence.

Going into the break Paul Collicutt was the happier of the two managers with Cleeve leading by one at the break but could have easily been more.

The first chance of the second half fell to Yate skipper Lewis Hall who could only blaze over the bar from the left-hand side of the penalty area.

Despite this chance, Cleeve dominated the opening exchanges of the second half with Yate struggling to keep the hosts at bay.

On the stroke of the hour, Yate substitute, Joe O’Loughlin, levelled for the visitors only minutes after coming on with his left footed effort trickling in off the post.

Ethan Dunbars interception gave Cleeve a look in moments later, but Ross Langworthy could only head wide.

Hard work from Jay Malshanskyj earned him a shot on goal which was tipped over the bar with just over ten to go at Kayte Lane as the Mitres looked for a winner.

Less than 60 seconds after Yate struck the post the Mitres were up the other end and Langworthy was brought down for a penalty to Cleeve.

The captain took the penalty but could only see it saved by Aaron Sainsbury low down to his right with a huge 10 minutes left for Cleeve.

Goals galore in the 85th minute as Yate took the lead from a brilliant Samuel Pashen effort into the top right corner.

However, shortly after kick off Ethan Dunbar found space down the right flank before whipping in a cross that was headed home by Ross Langworthy to make it 2-2 with five minutes of regular time left.

Four minutes of time was added but no clear-cut chances left the points are shared at Kayte Lane after an enthralling affair between two evenly matched sides on the night.