By Billy Taylor

It’s a huge battle this weekend in the Southern League South Division, as Bishops Cleeve travel to Shaftesbury.

The Rockies sit just two points behind Paul Collicutt’s men, who are in fifth place, while Shaftesbury are just behind them in sixth and outside the playoff spots.

Cleeve are coming off a resilient 2-1 defeat to league leaders Frome Town on Tuesday night which saw the Mitres lose at home for the first time in the league this season. Reagan Measenger scored earlier for Cleeve, but a set-piece header and a 25-yard worldie from Robins midfielder George Dowling sealed the game, putting the visitors back on top.

There have been some changes to Colly’s squad this week, as Jack Watts and Harry Leeson have moved on and joined forces with former Cleeve boss Stephen Cleal at Cinderford Town, with Watts taking up a player-coach role with the Foresters.

Meanwhile, Cleeves' opponents have had a prolonged break from football, with their game against Swindon Supermarine being called off last weekend. Their last game was an impressive three-all draw with Cleeve’s last opponents, Frome. This will be the Rockies' first game of 2026.

They’ll be hoping to bring their latest form into the new year with eight wins in their last 10 fixtures.

History is on the Mitres' side this weekend, however, as they’ve not lost to Shaftesbury in their last three competitive meetings.

The last one came in October at Kayte Lane, which saw a second-half comeback with a Jay Malshanskyj brace and a last-minute Will Turner goal being enough to secure three points on the day.