Mitres win in late penalty drama

Both sides served up an entertaining tie earlier in the season and fans would have been hoping for the same again although Brimscombe & Thrupp fans would have been hoping for a different result.

After a tricky first half of the season the visitors have finally started showing the form that saw them finish 2nd last season and started brightly with a Jack Smith header going just wide early on before James Campbell gave them the lead after good work by Ed Major on the right before the 10 minute mark.

The hosts then started to get more into the game as first a flicked Ieuan Crowe header produced a fine save and the Kai Mahon saw his shot well blocked.

Campbell nearly restored the lead for the visitors but his lob from the halfway line went wide. The visitors were struggling to get much play in the final third constantly giving Cleeve possession from clearances and eventually Cleeve took advantage as Harrison Iddles clipped a lovely ball through for Jack Watts who calmly finished to draw the hosts level.

The hosts continued to enjoy possession but struggled to create much more clear cut and will have been disappointed to go in at half time behind.

In the second half Brimscombe and Thrupp were far better in possession and caused problems for Cleeve in the final third and this eventually told when an unmarked Major was allowed the freedom of the box to head home from a corner.

Smith was then put in one on one for the visitors and forced a fine save from Matt Wieczorek in the Cleeve goal and as the match went into added time Campbell also through one on one saw his powerful shot that was destined for the top corner tipped wide as Cleeve were stretched looking for the equaliser.

Brimscombe & Thrupp were left to regret failing to convert those chances as in the third minute of stoppage time, Man of the Match Ashley Davies’ shot hit the upper arm of Kyle Pitts and a penalty was awarded. After a couple of minutes Watts calmly stepped up to convert to score his 30th of the season and earn Cleeve a point.

Cleeve could have won all three points after being awarded a freekick but in the end Watts’ effort was easy for the keeper to collect and the spoils were shared.

After the match Cleeve manager Steve Cleal said “It’s nice to be back at Kayte Lane...disappointed at the result as ultimately we wanted three points and we got one.

“It was a strange game really, we controlled the game in the first half and found ourselves one nill down, miss a couple of half chances the we equalise and you then think only one team is going to go on and win it.

“Too many lads went through the motions today and it is difficult as we’re asking the lads to come here and play on heavy pitches but it was frustrating today.

Cleeve’s next match is on Tuesday evening as they host Forest Green Rovers in the GFA Senior Challenge Quarter Final, KO 7:45pm