Bishops Cleeve vs Larkhall Athletic Match preview

By Billy Taylor

League football is finally back at Kayte Lane this weekend, as Bishops Cleeve take on Larkhall Athletic in the first game of the new season.

Last season ended in heartbreak for the Mitres, who agonisingly lost 3-2 in extra time to Malvern Town, missing out on a trip to Evesham for the opportunity of promotion to the Premier South.

Paul Collicut’s side had a successful preseason overall with wins against the likes of Gloucester City, Longlevens AFC and Hereford Pegasus.

The summer has been a busy one for the Mitres, with the returns of Jack Watts and Toby Holland to Kayte Lane, and the incomings of the likes of Lewis Spurrier, Luke Payne and Curtis Jemmett-Hudson hope to strengthen Cleeve's chances of promotion this time round.

The Opposition

Larkhall come into their first league game of the season with an impressive 1-0 win over Beaconsfield Town in the FA Cup extra preliminary round.

The Larks narrowly missed relegation by one point last season, finishing 18th, with Helston Athletic making way in their favour.

Larkhall would like to get rid of last season's blues and start off their season with a result against tough opposition in Cleeve.

How did it go last season?

As for last year's results, the Mitres came out the victors in both league fixtures with a 5-1 win in Larkhall and a 3-1 win at Kayte Lane. Paul Collicut's side will be hoping to replicate these results this weekend.