"Wow!" - Ross Langworthy scores twice as Bishop's Cleeve stun Torquay United with superb FA Cup display

Bishop's Cleeve Paul Collicutt watches on from the technical area, with a packed Kayte Lane crowd enjoying a 3-0 win over Torquay United
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A crowd of nearly 1,200 watched on as Bishop's Cleeve recorded an historic 3-0 victory over National League South side Torquay United at Kayte Lane in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Captain Ross Langworthy was the hero for the Mitres, putting the hosts in front after 10 minutes before doubling the lead six minutes into the second half.

Langworthy turned from scorer to provider slipping Ethan Dunbar in to add a third goal for the hosts after 70 minutes to seal victory on a brilliant day for the Southern League Division One side.

A pitch invasion at Kayte Lane after the final whistle
A pitch invasion at Kayte Lane after the final whistle

Manager Paul Collicutt had nothing but praise for his captain: "That’s the Ross I know and love. He’ll be the first to admit that in recent matches he’s not been what he is but it’s come up good for him and the best of luck to him.”

Collicutt went on the praise his whole squad: "What’s happening here is magnificent, that’s got to be one of the best performances that I’ve ever had from a team that I’ve managed… wow!”

"The performance level today was outstanding from the first minute to the last minute, we went into half-time at 1-0 and if we’re honest it could have been two or three.

"The back five were magnificent and we’ve kept a clean sheet against a team that play two leagues above us, so we can’t fault it.”

The former Cheltenham Town captain, who is from Cleeve, called for the village to turn up and back the side, which they did in their numbers.

He sent a message out to those that came to watch: “I’m so pleased that they were here in their numbers, and I do believe that we outnumbered them which is great I just hope that they can go away and think ‘perhaps I’ll come back again.’”

Ahead of kick-off there was a palpable buzz around Kayte Lane, which was only amplified by the performance on the pitch by the Mitres.

Collicutt was enthusiastic about the future of the club after a day like today: “I’ve got three lads in the squad who are 17, two got on today and it shows the future’s bright, Andy Tucker’s doing a really good job with the youth team and there’s something happening here.”

The Mitres boss finished off by sending a message to those fans who came today and might want to make a return to watch them again.

“The lads have gone out today and put in a top performance so I would just love to see people coming week in week out, and that will take time. If we can get people on board from the village that would be terrific," he said.

Bishop's Cleeve celebrate the biggest result in their history
Bishop's Cleeve celebrate the biggest result in their history

Torquay enjoyed the lion’s share of territory in the opening 10 minutes but without generating any pressure on Lewis Clayton’s goal.

Cleeve’s best move of the match generated the opening goal as Matt Liddiard’s long ball into the right channel wasn’t dealt with by the Torquay defence and Langworthy was the first to pounce on the loose ball firing the hosts into the lead, met with a rapturous celebration from the home faithful.

From then on it was even going and the Mitres had the better opportunities to extend their lead, both coming through leading goalscorer Jay Malshanskyj.

The first saw Malshanskyj beat the Torquay defence in behind before firing wide of the goal and seven minutes later he was in again one on one, but his second opportunity was saved smartly at close range by James Hamon.

Malshanskyj and Isaac Pearce both had half chances late in the first half before the visitors managed their first chance of the match on the stroke of half-time as Ben Seymour placed his shot wide from close range at the near post.

The visitors came out of half-time with buoyed enthusiasm and had the Mitres’ goal under siege for the opening five minutes of the second half.

However, when Malshanskyj broke away crossed into the Torquay box, Langworthy was on hand to fire a towering header past Hamon to double the lead.

Torquay continued to push for a way back into the match but Cleeve’s defence remained resolute and steadfast.

With 20 minutes to go a final piece of brilliance from Langworthy set Dunbar away to tuck home a third finishing off a fantastic day for the club.

Bishop's Cleeve: Lewis Clayton; Will Turner, Mat Liddiard, Josh Nelmes, Matt Bower; Ben McLean, Joe Turley, Isaac Pearce (Aaron Evans-Harriott 61); Ethan Dunbar (Bryan Stalley 82), Ross Langworthy (Ed Scott 95), Jay Malshanskyj. Subs not used: Steve Davies, Charlie Lovell, Noah Parker, Joe Selman.

Torquay United: James Hamon; Finn Tonks, Ed Palmer, Sam Dreyer, Dean Moxey (Finley Craske 52); Oscar Threlkeld (Roddy Collins 57), Omar Mussa, Matt Carson, Ed Palmer, Liark Hasani; Brad Ash (Ollie Tomlinson 83), Ben Seymour (Jayden Crosbie 52).

Referee: Niall Smith.

Attendance: 1,188.

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