Bishop’s Cleeve have been granted a play-off semi-final spot against Malvern Town for the second consecutive season after Portishead’s unexpected expulsion from the Southern League Division One South.
Managed by Paul Collicutt, Bishop’s Cleeve finished just outside the top five by a single point, initially missing out on the play-offs. However, Portishead, who had secured a runners-up position, have been relegated to Step Five, opening a door for Bishop’s Cleeve.
With only two days to prepare, the Mitres face a challenging trip to Malvern. Last season, Malvern defeated Bishop’s Cleeve 3–2 in extra time at Kayte Lane, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive rematch.
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Bishop’s Cleeve rejoined the Southern League in 2022 after clinching the Hellenic League title. The winners of this semi-final will meet either Winchester City or Shaftesbury in the final, with promotion to Step Three at stake.
Earlier in the season, Bishop’s Cleeve recorded a 2-1 victory at Malvern, thanks to second-half goals from Mat Liddiard and Jay Malshanskyj, overturning an early lead by Sam Clark. The match drew a crowd of 381 spectators. Conversely, Malvern secured a 3-1 win at Kayte Lane in the January fixture.
The upcoming play-off promises high stakes and intense competition as both teams vie for advancement in the Southern League.