Bishop’s Cleeve manager Paul Collicutt knows that Friday’s Southern League Division One South clash against Bristol Manor Farm “will definitely be difficult.”
The two sides go into this fixture separated by just one point, with Cleeve sat in 11th and Manor Farm just above them in 8th. The latter, however, have played an extra game.
Ahead of the game, Collicutt was quick to credit the opponent, saying: “It’s always a difficult place to go. There’ll probably be a few extra people on the gate for them as well, and I saw them at Evesham the other week and they played really really well and won deservedly.
“So we’ve got our work cut out, we know that, and if we turn up, we’ll give them a good game.”
The two sides have already met twice this season, both times being in cup competition. The Farm were 3-2 victors in FA Cup qualifying, whilst the Mitres knocked their opponents out of the FA Trophy by the same scoreline.
Of course, the game falls on a Friday evening rather than the usual Saturday afternoon, which came as a surprise to some of the players, but the prep for Collicutt hasn’t changed.
“Some of the lads didn’t know it was Friday, so I’m glad I opened my mouth and told them that we’ve got a game Friday evening!
“We train on Tuesday, we’re going to them on a Friday night, and then they’re coming here on a Friday night later in the year when we play them at home in the league.
“Hopefully we get a few extra people through the gate and in the end there’s a good atmosphere.”
The Farm have four wins in their last six league games, with Bishop’s Cleeve having two wins and two draws in the same span.
Their most recent results saw the Mitres play out a 0-0 draw against Malvern Town, whilst the Farm ran out 3-2 winners over Exmouth Town.
However, with the recent weather, it may be a different style of game to what both teams are used to playing.
On the conditions, Collicutt said: “It will definitely be difficult, the pitch, especially with the way the weather is at the minute, will get a little bit heavy. So the flowing football that we like to try and play may not happen, so we’ve got to dig in.”
