Report by Paddy Gladman

The hosts began the game well with Toby Holland causing chaos in the opening 15’ minutes.

First, the midfielder danced his way to the bi-line before finding Ethan Dunbar who was unfortunate to miss the target from close range.

Holland himself then forced Sethan Locke into producing the first save of the match following a long range effort.

With less than 10’ minutes to go until half-time, the Mitres came inches away from opening the scoring through their skipper Ross Langworthy who couldn’t quite stretch enough to prod home a delicious cross from Holland.

After a dominant opening 45’ minutes - Cleeve were made to pay for failing to take their opportunities and Bristol Manor Farm capitalised in first half stoppage time.

A controversial corner kick was awarded to the visitors and Harry Lucas took advantage, heading powerfully past Lewis Clayton to hand Manor Farm a one goal advantage at the break.

In the second half, Manor Farm limited Paul Collicutt’s side with their low block, but in the 66th minute, Jay Malshanskyj thought he had finally netted an equaliser …

The winger found himself in a 1v1 situation with Locke whose spider-like frame did enough to deny Malshanskyj, before Jamie Adams stole in ahead of Dunbar on the rebound to deny what would have been a certain goal.

Cleeve battled bravely and in the 85th minute they almost salvaged a point, when the ball feel to Will Emery at the back post who fired a venomous strike at goal -only for to be agonisingly denied by a goal-line clearance!

At the death, Manor Farm doubled their tally for the evening on the counter attack through Owen Brain who used his pace well to get in behind the tired Cleeve defence before he cooly slotted beyond Lewis Clayton with aplomb.

Ultimately, Paul Collicutt’s side were the better team on the night but weren’t able to break down a determined defence who earned themselves all three points as they clinically took their chances.

The defeat leaves Cleeve mid-table with a big game next weekend away at Malvern who sit just two points behind the Mitres as things stand.

VEO Footage (click here) of the match is available.