Clyst Rovers 3, Biddestone 1 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Clyst Rovers 3, Biddestone 1

THE old adage of a game of two halves came true at Waterslade Park as hosts Clyst Rovers beat Biddestone.

The boys from Wiltshire went into the break a goal to the good through a penalty won by debutant Kris Beasley and converted by Luke Gullick but it could have realistically been a lot more.

In the second half the team failed to produce anywhere near the same standard and were lucky to come away with a 3-1 defeat.

Manager Graham Learmonth said: "You would have thought it was a different XI out there in the second half.

"You would not believe the transformation. To be fair to them they were a completely different side as well and they turned it round very quickly."

Learmonth was more impressed with the Peter Crouch-like Beasley, signed from Melksham Town, who was put up front rather than in his customary midfield position.

"I don't think he's played a lot of football and that's the problem but for a first start he did particularly well," said Learmouth.

"He caused them problems and he will give us a little bit extra at 6'4"."

The manager added he was looking for an experienced player to join the side. "At the moment it's difficult," he said. "We concede a goal and the heads go down. They look to us for guidance and that's fine but we need someone who can keep them going on the pitch in a Robbie Lardner mould."

Biddestone have a potential banana skin on Saturday when they host New College in the Wiltshire Senior Cup at 2.30pm.