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Bishop's Cleeve looking forward to AFC Totton opener after returning to Southern League

All Areas > Sport > Football

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Thursday, 11th August 2022, 10:00

Bishop’s Cleeve striker Jack Watts Bishop’s Cleeve striker Jack Watts

Bishop’s Cleeve are back in the Southern Football League and they’re ready to make an impression.

They begin their Division One South campaign at AFC Totton on Saturday and although confidence is high, it’s fair to say that as opening games go it is certainly not the easiest.

Quite apart from the fact that it is a 100-mile, two-hour trip to a club that are based just outside Southampton, they are also one of the more fancied teams in the 20-strong division.

They just missed out on the end-of-season promotion play-offs last time out and Bishop’s Cleeve striker Jack Watts said: “They’re one of the strongest teams at home, it’s going to be tricky.

“But it will be nice to play them early and see how we shape up.”

And Watts, who scored more than 30 goals as Cleeve won the Hellenic League Premier Division title in such impressive fashion last season, is certain that the club have what it takes to succeed at the higher level after a break of four seasons.

“I think we’ll surprise a lot of teams,” he said. “We’ve been doing really well in pre-season, we’ve signed some good players, I think we’ll be okay.”

Cleeve kicked off their competitive campaign on Saturday with a 4-1 FA Cup extra-preliminary round win over Wantage Town at Kayte Lane and Watts added: “They were in the Southern League last season, that was a good result.”

Watts got Cleeve’s first goal and fellow striker George Box, who has joined the club from Bradford Town, was also on the scoresheet.

Box was prolific in the Premier Division of the Hellenic League last season and Watts is looking forward to playing with him this season.

“He’s a similar sort of striker to me and we did wonder if we would be able to play together,” Watts said. “But the manager [Paul Collicutt] wants us to play football which suits both of us.”

Another new signing, Isaac Pearce, has also impressed Watts who said: “He’s a 10, he’s a very good footballer, he keeps the ball on the floor. He was at Fulham when he was younger.”

Cleeve have also brought in goalkeeper Lewis Clayton from Evesham United and central defender Shayne Anson from Cirencester Town – both played against Wantage – as they look to make an early impression at the new level.

After Totton, Cleeve host Larkhall Athletic on Tuesday (7.45pm) on what is sure to be a big day for the club.

“Yes it will be,” said Watts, who is targeting 20 league goals this season. “That will be a massive game. I was playing when the club got relegated so the first game back at Kayte Lane will be special.” 

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