Bishop's Cleeve vs Bristol Manor Farm Match Recap - Nov 1, 2025

As the November sun dipped below the horizon, Bishop's Cleeve showcased their strength and determination with a 3-1 victory over Bristol Manor Farm at Kayte Lane. This match marked the fourteenth round of the Non-League Division One - Southern South, revealing a stark contrast between two teams at opposite ends of the league table.

Entering the fixture in fourth place with 24 points and an impressive record of seven wins and three draws, Bishop's Cleeve appeared to be riding a wave of confidence despite their recent draws against Winchester City and Farnham Town. In comparison, Bristol Manor Farm, sitting in eighteenth place with 12 points, has been struggling for form. While they had recently managed a solid victory against Falmouth Town, it felt like a distant memory amidst their series of disappointing results.

The opening moments of the match set the tone for what would become a demonstration of skill from Bishop's Cleeve. It didn't take long for them to assert dominance on their home turf. Early in the first half, they struck first as forward Sam Jones found the net, giving his side an early lead and igniting cheers from local supporters. The pressure mounted on Bristol Manor Farm as they desperately sought to respond.

Despite falling behind, Bristol Manor Farm maintained some composure and began to push back. Their efforts yielded fruit when Jamie Bell scored an equalizer midway through the first half, briefly silencing the home crowd. With renewed hope, fans might have thought that perhaps this was their moment-a potential turning point in their season.

However, that glimmer of optimism quickly dimmed as Bishop's Cleeve turned up the heat once again shortly before halftime. A well-executed play allowed Jack Taylor to re-establish his team's lead with a precise shot that curled into the bottom corner-just out of reach for Bristol's goalkeeper.

The second half saw Bishop's Cleeve maintain control over proceedings and it wasn't long before they extended their lead further; captain Ben Roberts added a third goal less than ten minutes into the half. With this commanding scoreline, it was clear that Bishop's Cleeve aimed not just for victory but also to solidify their position among promotion contenders.

While Bristol Manor Farm continued fighting valiantly, trying to find any semblance of rhythm or cohesion, frustration grew as they faced relentless counter-attacks from an organized Bishop's defense. As time dwindled down and opportunities slipped away, it became apparent that motivation alone could not salvage their evening.

This result leaves Bishop's Cleeve well poised as they eye promotion aspirations while maintaining an unbeaten streak that now spans eleven matches. Their upcoming fixture against Portishead Town next week will provide another opportunity for them to extend this remarkable run further.

For Bristol Manor Farm, however, this defeat is yet another reminder of how precarious their position is in the league standings. Currently languishing in 18th place with relegation looming large on their horizon, they'll need more than sporadic brilliance and individual goals if they hope to turn around their fortunes quickly when they face Bideford next Saturday.

Reflecting on my earlier predictions ahead of this match-where I speculated about Bristol Manor Farmching potential upsets-I think it's fair to say I may have slightly misjudged how well Bishop's Cleeve would perform at home today. They didn't just show resilience; they exhibited dominance befitting a team aspiring for higher honors.

As both teams look ahead into November-and beyond-the weighty stakes could not be clearer for either squad: one fights for promotion while the other grapples with survival in this fiercely competitive division.