With Colly having added to his squad over the close season a lot of interest has been generated over what can be achieved this season.

Cleeve started brightly with Blaine Waugh seeing a shot blocked in the opening minute putting some early pressure on Wantage, although the visitors caused threats of their own with Ben Holder firing just over from the counter.

Isaac Pearce, one of the summer signings, showed his quality by dribbling past the defenders before seeing his shot well saved as Cleeve looked to take control of the tie.

The Mitres took the lead after 14 minutes when a Sam Blackie pass into last season’s top scorer Jack Watts saw the latter open his account for the season with a well struck shot from the right side of the box.

Shortly afterwards, another exciting summer signing, George Box who was the only player to outscore Watts in the Hellenic League last season, unleashed an overhead kick that went inches over the bar.

Just after the half hour a Pearce shot hit the far upright with Watts skying the rebound over.

Wantage were getting more into the match as the half went on however and Cleeve needed a second goal to make it a bit more comfortable and when Latham Hawkins was judged to have handled a Kevin Slack cross you’d have put money on Watts to make it a brace. James Foster made the save however although it fell straight to Harrison Reeves who got a much needed second for Cleeve.

Wantage continued to control more of the match after half time and on the hour mark they got a well deserved goal with Sam Ockwell hitting a dipping shot to half the deficit.

The game continued to be an even affair until the last 15 mins. Watts turned the Wantage defence nicely with 10 minutes to go before driving into the box and forcing Hawkins to bring him down giving away a second penalty. This time it was Box who stepped up and this time it was converted, despite Foster getting a hand to it again.

Cleeve then dominated the remainder of the match with Pearce seeing his shot flash past the goal, with a sliding Watts unable to convert at the far post but a fourth would be added in stoppage time as Jordan Annear was fed through by Will Turner to convert between the ‘keepers legs to make the scoreline 4-1 which in fairness was harsh on Wantage.

A fine victory and performance by the 200 plus Mitres fans however shows promise for the coming season.

Cleeve will now play Brimscombe & Thrupp in the Preliminary Round.

Photo credit: Glenn Watts