1st Team v Bishops Cleeve

After the team’s excellent recent 4-match unbeaten run which included 1 draw, 3 wins and 3 clean sheets on the bounce, this heavy Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round defeat at Bishops Cleeve on the end of an 87 mile journey to the Cotswolds was hugely disappointing.
 
Probably, because of that fine run, a degree of complacency had set in amongst the Blues players but, for whatever the reason, from the moment the match kicked off Greenford allowed their opponents far too much space and time on the ball.  For their part the Bishops Cleeve players clearly wanted it more and made the most of the opportunity to take the game to their visitors.
 
With United surviving several close calls the hosts finally made their early pressure count on 17 minutes when a penetrating run from the right by the Mitres dangerous winger Jack Watts ended with a low cross into the box.  With the ball not cleared and Blues keeper Michael Power-Simpson injured in the melee it came out to Harrison Iddles who made no mistake, placing an accurate shot into the now unprotected net.
 
Greenford though did have their moments mainly through long balls up to their front players Aaron McLeish, Courtney Austin and Ryan Lewis and, midway through the half, won a corner from which the Blues were able to level the score.  An excellent delivery by captain Adam Louth was met by centre-back Nick Turner who produced a text-book header over Mitres keeper Chris Rich into the far top corner of the home net.
 
It wasn’t long though before the Mitres were back in front with striker Elliot Kennedy getting to the ball ahead of Power-Simpson, after a poor back header had failed to reach the Blues keeper, and finding the back of the empty visitors’ net.
 
Worse was to come for United with the hosts adding two more to their tally in the final five minutes of the half and effectively putting the game to bed.  First, again in acres of space, the Mitres impressive left-back Adam Mace from some 30 yards unleashed a magnificent, unstoppable strike that found the top corner.  Then, on the stroke of half-time, Kennedy scored his second, this time from the spot after the Blues had needlessly conceded a penalty.
 
Just after that, Austin came agonisingly close to reducing the deficit before the break but Rich got a hand to the ball and it squirmed past the post.  That effort though clearly lifted the Greenford players and they immediately raised their game at the start of the second period. 
 
Just before the hour they gave themselves real hope of getting back into the contest when a fine move involving substitute Chris Mills, making a significant impact in midfield, ended with a cross in from the left finding McLeish who produced a clinical finish to make it 4-2.
 
Another goal for the Blues at this point would have genuinely meant ‘game on’ and though McLeish found the net again ten minutes later his effort was ruled out for offside.  The Mitres were clearly rattled and became frustrated when they failed to convert opportunities they created that would have made the tie safe.
 
But the home side also defended with commitment and determination, with Greenford’s best chance to grab a third falling again to Turner some ten minutes from time when his header on this occasion brushed the wrong side of the Mitres crossbar.
 
Bishops Cleeve finally sealed what, on the overall balance of play was clearly a well-deserved win, in stoppage time with Iddles earning his brace with a well-struck drive from outside the box, to take his club into the draw for the First Qualifying Round.
 
As well as learning lessons from this defeat, North Greenford need to re-group and quickly get back to winning ways when the club travel to Biggleswade on Saturday for their next SSMFL Premier League game.
 
NGU Team: Michael Power-Simpson, Tayo Davies-Coker, Dominic Rhone, Ben Long, Nick Turner, Joe Gritt (Chris Mills 45), Sean Hillier, Ryan Lewis (Danny Glock 72), Courtney Austin (Danny McDonnell 85), Aaron McLeish, Adam Louth (captain)