Bishops Cleeve’s Paul Collicutt describes 3-0 loss to Hungerford Town “as bad as it’s been” in disastrous, error-filled away performance

Bishops Cleeve manager Paul Collicutt described his side as “woeful” in a “poor evening” as they lost 3-0 to Hungerford Town.

Cleeve started the game well and created a few chances which the Crusaders goalkeeper Ryan Clarke was equal to.

However, a counterattack in the 15^th minute saw Hungerford convert their first in a period of domination that meant they were up three inside 20 minutes.

🗣️ "The lads have got an opportunity to show what they’re about" Colly looks ahead to Saturday’s home match against Bideford, hoping for a reaction from the players after last night’s defeat 📈 https://t.co/HxMDnR88gC

— Bishops Cleeve FC (@BishopsCleeveFC) October 14, 2026

Collicutt admitted “We’ve come out in the second half, and we’ve shown a bit more, but the damage was done in the first 18/20 minutes.

“It’s as bad as it’s been. A lot of soul searching going on in there at the minute [the dressing room].

“Yes, we’re missing a few but we’re not going to use that as an excuse as we haven’t performed.

“They’ve come out the traps a lot better than we have and you go in at halftime losing 3-0.”

However, the Cleeve manager admitted despite his side’s lacklustre performance, the opposition were also not up to scratch and were gifted their goals.

“They scored 3 goals in 8 minutes, but they were woeful.

“We helped them score three goals. We put it on a plate for them.

“We weren’t very good tonight; all in all, it was a poor evening for us.”

Bishops Cleeve now sit fifth in the table with 19 points from 10 games after being jumped by Hungerford, who claimed all three points.

They now face Bideford on Saturday who are 19^th with one win. Yet, no game is a given and Collicutt has acknowledged it will be a tough task.

“We go to Bideford who have always been a bogey side for us.

“We’re carrying a few knocks but that’s football. We’ve got to get on with it.

“The lads have got an opportunity to show what they’re about.”

Speaking on the importance of getting a win after two losses and a draw in the last three Collicutt insisted “Every game is important.

“If you want to be successful, every game is important.”