A patched-up Manor Farm snatched an equaliser at the death in a barnstormer against Bishop’s Cleeve at Kayte Lane.
Farm were so depleted by injuries and suspensions that they began the match with striker Ben Bament playing at full-back! Perhaps it was understandable, then, that Bishop’s Cleeve took an early lead. Ethan Dunbar found Ross Langworthy on the edge of the area, and his half-volley nestled in the far corner. Farm weren’t deterred and matched the early tempo of the hosts. Ben Bament sent a cross into Owen Howe, who was hauled to the ground in the area, but nothing was given.
Farm eventually levelled as the pressure told. A recycled corner saw Dan Dodimead beat his much taller marker to the ball and glance his header across the keeper and into the net. The basketball-like pace of the half continued, with chances at both ends. Louis Britton sliced an effort just wide before Dunbar forced a smart save from Seth Locke. Farm went into the break ahead, as they hit the front in first-half stoppage time. Evander Grubb skipped past two defenders out wide, and after his initial cross was blocked, he reacted quickest to hammer the ball in at the near post.
All their hard work before the break was undone as Cleeve levelled just a few minutes into the second half. A loose ball was pounced on by Langworthy, who coolly slotted home his second of the game. Both sides continued creating chances. Langworthy was denied a hat-trick by Seth Locke, while an almighty scramble at the other end saw Owen Howe have two low efforts saved.
Cleeve turned the game around again with 20 minutes left through former Farm man Josh Nelmes. Rising highest to meet an Evans-Harriot corner, Nelmes headed home to give the Mitres the lead. He was soon back performing heroics at the other end, sliding in to deny Louis Britton after a fine flowing move from Farm. The visitors appeared to have wasted their final opportunity to salvage a point when Bament, having rounded home keeper Ross Clayton, was unable to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle.
But Farm’s battling spirit was rewarded in the game’s dying moments. A superb cross from Mason Winter was met by the flying Harry Lucas, whose outstanding header earned Farm a fully deserved point.