Kings force Bishops into 'check mate' (From Gazette Series)

Kings force Bishops into 'check mate'

Bishops Cleeve 0 Kingswood 2

ON SATURDAY, Kingswood travelled to an in-form Bishops Cleeve, who have emerged from the mid-table pack having won games in hand recently, most noticeably a 3-0 victory at Tetbury last week.

Thankfully on this occasion the 'real' Kingswood team turned up, as recently this young side has developed a double identity, being very good or very average.

The Dibden brothers were installed up front and their pace and power unsettled Cleeve from the first whistle, although chances were spurned by both on a pitch resembling Weston beach. The central midfield trio of Clarke, Shaw and Iddles provided a strong platform to push forward and retain the lion's share of possession.

On 35 minutes, during a prolonged period of pressure, a Simon Clarke corner was converted by Paul Bleaken to give the visitors a deserved lead, and they then restricted the increasingly frustrated home side to odd breakaway opportunities.

After the interval, Cleeve tried to wrestle the initiative from Kingswood and began to compete at a faster pace than they had shown in the first half, with the introduction of the speedster Simmons. However, the defensive unit of Dix, Scott and Eldridge refused to be unsettled, and on the rare occasion when they were penetrated, Andy Rodman showed that he was getting back to his best form, producing one outstanding save.

Barrie Dibden was prevented from increasing the lead when a fine shot struck the inside of a post and rebounded to safety and Kevin Spill shot through a crowded penalty area only to see his effort deflected wide.

The all important goal did arrive on 70 minutes from Gavin Dibden, who collected the ball in his own half and advanced unopposed before striking a thunderbolt of a shot from fully 30 yards into the top corner.

This fine team performance was a true test of this young emerging side and with three games to go, the chance of promotion is back in their hands as they face promotion rivals Newton Heath at home this Saturday (3pm).