Shortwood United 0

Bishop's Cleeve 3

Bluefin Insurance League Cup

BISHOP'S CLEEVE completed their task interrupted by the injury to Lee Bowles a couple of weeks ago when they progressed to the next round of the League Cup with a 3-0 win at Meadowbank on Saturday, writes Jim Cunnen.

There is no question Cleeve deserved their win but the score line was a little harsh on the Wood side who created several good chances but their accuracy was missing.

The major difference between the sides was how clinical Cleeve was with their finishing. All three Cleeve goals came in the opening 45 minutes and two of them came as a direct result of very soft-free kicks. Whatever the injustice of the decisions Wood were guilty of allowing the impressive Jack Watts too much space and he took full advantage.

Watts forced Clark into an early save before Wood had their best chance of the game. Wilton was clean through after an impressive move but under pressure from Davies sent his shot past the wrong side of the post.

There was real controversy about Cleeve’s first goal. A very soft free-kick was awarded against Halliday and the kick was taken miles from the alleged offence but there was certainly no doubt over the quality of Watt’s finish as he lobbed the onrushing Clark superbly.

Wood were guilty of over hitting their passes before Byrnes mishit his chip straight to the keeper. A Halliday free-kick was met powerfully by a Josh Kerr header but keeper Wieczorek saved superbly. Twice in a minute Wood wasted chances by firing over before Cleeve ripped them apart and Watts showed them how to finish finishing low inside the post. Two became three after 37 minutes and again it came from a very soft free-kick. This time Watts was the provider as his good run set up Luke Wright who finished in style.

Wood were bright in the second half and after Harper – Emerson forced the keeper into a fine save they enjoyed some excellent possession. Unfortunately their finishing did not match their approach play and shots were hit over the bar. The Cleeve defence was excellent as well and restricted Wood while Cleeve seemed content with their three goal cushion.

In the dying seconds a great defence splitting ball from Mills fed Mills and his low cross was toe poked inches wide by Soule. It was that kind of an afternoon.

Shortwood: Adam Clark, Ben Langworthy, Jacob Waddington (Kenneth Mills 63), Rendijs Kalnins, Josh Kerr, Guy Halliday (Harry Churchley 49) Joe Wilton (Tom Black 70), Ben Snook, Luke Soule, Fin Byrnes, Max Harper - Emerson