Gloucestershire FA Senior Challenge Cup semi-final

Bishops Cleeve 3 Slimbridge 0

THE Mitres’ gained revenge for their Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West league defeat to Slimbridge last weekend with a victory that sees them go to the New Lawn on May 9 to face Forest Green Rovers in the GFA Senior Challenge Cup Final

After bossing the first half, Slimbridge fell behind to a freak goal from Jack Watts, who then proceeded to play a crucial part in securing the home side’s victory with two interventions

in the final ten minutes, firstly gaining a penalty which was converted by Elliott Kennedy, and then turning in his second with five minutes remaining to seal the tie.

The Swans had much the better of the first period, and could have had at least two penalties awarded on another day before Watts tried his luck from 35 yards out with five minutes remaining in the half. The ball took a wicked bounce around the penalty spot, and lifted over George Burton in the Swans goal to put the home side ahead.

The second period was a much more even affair, and the game was in the balance until ten minutes from time, when Watts was felled in the box by Swans’ skipper Alex Hoyle, and Kennedy sent Burton the wrong way to double the advantage.

Four minutes later, it was game over as Watts notched his second of the night to send the home side through, and gain some payback for the defeat which prevented Cleeve from registering their highest ever League position a few days earlier.

Team: Burton, Turl, Ry Thwaite, Hoyle, Rich Thwaite, Ward (Brown 71), Lawson (Brad Martin 64), Twyman, Fahy, Jamie Martin (Turner 60), Mace