Bristol Manor Farm endured a night of injuries and frustration as they were soundly beaten by Bishops Cleeve.
The match began with a lacklustre opening period, as both sides struggled to create chances. The visitors eventually found their rhythm, with Bower unleashing a 30-yard strike that Seth Locke tipped narrowly over the bar. Bishops Cleeve maintained the pressure as Farm failed to retain possession. Ben McLean tested the defence next, only to see his effort blocked by Aron Robbins.
The most dramatic moments of the opening half-hour came within seconds. Cleeve’s Ross Langworthy was denied by Locke, and the rebound fell to Ethan Dunbar, who seemed certain to score before Robbins executed a stunning block. Robbins continued his defensive heroics, heading a goal-bound effort just over the bar. Despite his efforts, the breakthrough came in contentious circumstances when Winter was penalised for a handball, though his arms appeared to be by his side. Aaron Evans-Harriott converted the resulting penalty, giving Cleeve a deserved lead at the break.
Farm enjoyed their best spell early in the second half, pushing hard for an equaliser. Abu Sama and Dan Dodimead combined well, but Dodimead’s cross just evaded Louis Britton. On the hour mark, Farm came closest to scoring when Sama’s clever reverse pass set up Britton. After bursting past his marker, Britton delivered a driven cross that deflected narrowly away from Owen Howe.
However, Cleeve struck again with their first attack of the half. Locke made a smart save to deny Dunbar, but McLean was on hand to pounce on the rebound and double their lead. Farm continued to search for a way back, but Cleeve posed a greater threat on the counter. Langworthy headed just over, and Evans-Harriott struck the woodwork after weaving through challenges.
Farm struggled to create meaningful chances throughout, but young Regan Lashenko came closest with a well-struck effort, blocked by McLean. Ultimately, it was a disappointing evening for Farm, who failed to register a single shot on target.