BISHOPS CLEEVE 0-1 BIDEFORD AFC: THE INDEPENDENT REPORT + 10 SCREENSHOTS OF THE ACTION...

 Stubborn Bideford Prevail As Mitres Pay Penalty…

Bishops Cleeve 0-1 Bideford AFC

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

The weather changed at Kayte Lane during the hour before kick-off, from cloudy and dullish to sunny and very bright, although the blustery wind prevailed, which whistled continuously through the metal fencing around the arena. 

An untidy start to the match led to AFC finding offense tough to create, for the Cleeve midfield looked industrious and left-sided attacker Jay Malshanskyj threatened a few times. However, the visiting skipper Aaron Taylor was in good form, largely nullifying the winger’s danger for the majority of the 90 minutes. 

Despite Cleeve’s clear edge in possession, AFC’s goalie Michael Searle was not called upon too often in the opening period to make saves, although he did turn aside an angled Malshanskyj shot well and also dropped at Ethan Dunbar’s feet to make a useful block in a goalmouth melee. Otherwise, Alex Byrne, Oli Gardner and Owen Stockton supported Taylor well in defence and Cleeve became increasingly frustrated.

SEARLE SAVES FROM MALSHANSKYJ...

DUNBAR IS DENIED BY SEARLE...

On offense, the guests were limited and although Cieran Bridger was a fulcrum for his team, little troubled home gloveman Lewis Clayton.

Second period aerial threat for Cleeve…

Matt Bower, who would tower over the Bideford players was likely to be a threat for Cleeve at set-pieces after the interval but in fact only once was he able to get in a dangerous header, rising so high, only for his effort to skim the AFC crossbar. Two other headers went begging too, one from close range by Dunbar which flew just too high and one by defender Josh Nelmes, whose pressured effort looped over the target. 

BOWER'S HEADER CLEARS THE CROSSBEAM...

Wind assisted efforts by Malshanskyj failed to trouble Searle but a fine drive from downtown by Stephen Davies did exercise the goalminder, who leapt right to make a spectacular save. 

SEARLE LEAPS TO SAVE FROM DAVIES...

In truth, Bideford settled better after the recess and began to use the outlet of Finn Roberts on the left flank more and Josh Webber at times on the right, with Bridger working the ball from deep, assisted by the foraging Alex Moyse and the tireless Archie Reay. Striker Ryan Turner was a real pain too, rushing hither and thither, leaning and scrapping to get onto any loose balls which offered a morsel or two. Indeed, Clayton was forced into a fine save from an angled Roberts drive as the visitors began the second period with some confidence.

However, with the hosts looking a little desperate and still lacking penetration and with Bideford looking compact in defence, the game changed in the 85th minute. Turner was wrestling and battling with Liddiard like they were both involved with Team GB’s George Mills in a 5000 metres Olympic qualifying race and as they entered the 18 yard box, grabbing at each other, they both fell to the ground. 

The referee was behind them and suddenly pointed to the penalty-spot, apparently indicating that Liddiard had used a hand to move the ball whilst on the ground…

THE WRESTLE...

THE FALL...

Moyse needed no invitation to rattle his spot-kick low into the left corner of the net and really, that was that…

MOYSE'S PENALTY BEATS CLAYTON...

...TO WIN THE MATCH FOR BIDEFORD...

...& HE IS ACCLAIMED...

The final words…

Home skipper Ross Langworthy was active throughout but found the uncompromising AFC defenders in no mood to relinquish ground and to be fair, the Malshanskyj threat faded somewhat after the break too. Dunbar worked hard in attack, Davies and Isaac Pearce were very involved in the midfield areas but chances created were few and far between. 

There seemed a lack of pace and urgency in the home attacks, even as they tried to salvage a late point but despite using Bower as an aerial target, the supply and delivery of crosses failed to find the tall Cleeve defender, bar once, leaving the stubborn Bideford defence to see out the added time minutes.

Bideford didn't panic at all, their goaltender Searle not only made three vital saves but his constant verbal promptings were clearly audible and subsequently extremely valuable for his outfielders.

ONE OF SEVERAL FINE TACKLES BY AARON TAYLOR...

After the goal was scored, Cleeve might have felt that they had been cruelly defeated by a late and disputed goal but their offensive play hadn’t been effective enough against a determined Devon defence…