13th April 2024 - Avonmouth take title in style
Mark Simpson
Avonmouth are now confirmed League Champions. The situation towards the bottom of the League continues with intrigue. To sum up in midweek there were wins for Bromley Heath United 2-1 v Almondsbury, Sharpness away to Hardwicke 2-1, Little Stoke 2-1 v Hanham Athletic, and Broadwell Amateurs 1-0 v Cheltenham Civil Service.
A blustery afternoon at Pomphrey Hill saw Bromley Heath United take on Sharpness with an end-to-end frantic start. Bromley broke the deadlock on fifteen minutes when from a corner Cam Gardiner smashes a volley from the edge of the box into the top corner. The lead lasted less than 5 minutes when The Sharks broke quickly and an exquisite strike from Tom Frankham levelled things. Sharpness on the ascendency saw numerous opportunities quashed by the Bromley defence and Alfie Jones was twice denied by Will Ferguson. Bromley started the second half brightly and ten minutes in a good battle sees Cam Ford win the ball in the box and square to Aidan Noble for 2-1. Again, Sharpness responded well putting Bromley under pressure winning consecutive corners but were unable to affect the scoreline. A quick break on 79 minutes saw Bromley over-load the visitors defence and allowed Oliver Hanham slot in from wide right for 3-1 and three points.
At the Hawthorns Broadwell Amateurs took on Rockleaze Rangers, both teams looking for a result for entirely different reasons. Moments after the start Broadwell launched a blistering attack down the right and Jack Knight’s powerful shot tested Jordan Dunning’s reflexes. This was followed by Jamie Belfitt’s incisive run drawing a foul on the edge of the box for another opportunity for the hosts. But, somewhat against the run a swift exchange of passes from Rockleaze’s left flank found Nick Jones at the far post who calmly slotted past Jack Watkins for 1-0. Undeterred Broadwell rallied and levelled on 39 minutes when again, Belfitt sliced through the visitor’s defence before slotting the ball in the bottom corner. Broadwell started the second half with vigour, launching a number of attacks. Rockleaze remained resilient and were always a threat on the break and scored a second goal on 62 minutes when reckless defending by Broadwell allowed the ball to fall to Sam Bailey who unleashed a shot into the top corner for 2-1 to the visitors. Two minutes later Drew Sawdon received a second yellow to make the Rockleaze task even more challenging. Broadwell made some changes to try to inject some energy but struggled to find a cutting edge. Rockleaze remained resolute in defence but still posed a threat on the break and ultimately held on for a hard fought 2-1 win.
At KGV Avonmouth at last secured the Championship winning points against Ruardean Hill Rangers who were intent on making it a difficult afternoon for the hosts in front of 140 spectators. Hill had the first chance but Ollie Mason’s free kick was dealt with by Tom Bradley. It wasn’t until the tenth minute that Avonmouth caused any problems the firstly calling Aaron Underwood into action and shortly after another chance cleared the bar. A free kick by Hill’s Fin Jones into the box was cleared by the defence and on twenty minutes another half chance for Avonmouth when Underwood parried but Cody Winkler couldn’t find the target. Just after the half hour Avonmouth were in front, Kofi Martin got the ball inside the box turned his marker and shot under Underwood. It was almost two when Charlie Aldom was denied by a smart save. Right on half time a Hill free kick was gathered by Bradley who punted the ball up field to Winkler who calmly finished for 2-0. Just ten minutes into the second half Josh Pearce made it 3-0 with an outstanding finish and halfway through the second half Matt Groves fired in a free kick which was parried by Underwood and Aldom tapped in for 4-0. Avonmouth were now well on top and Groves won the ball deep in the Ruardean half and found Dillon Kerr who placed his shot into the net for a 5-0 win and let the celebrations start.
To Waterwells and two teams still in the mire at the bottom, Quedgeley Wanderers and Wick. And I believe the first match in quite a while where we’ve had a goalkeeper score a goal (for his own side!). An end-to-end start and Wick were first to test Nathan Charnock and four minutes in James Stanbury put Sean Lawson in and Wick’s Ashton Trott making a good save. Wick had a couple of corners which didn’t cause any trouble and then on twelve minutes Quedgeley’s Dylan Venn sent Sean Lawson through but Trott won the footrace. A few minutes on a corner to the front post for Quedgeley and Venn’s flick was well saved by Trott. On 21 a Wick free kick was well saved by Charnock and Mike Hardiman was well wide with the rebound. The match continued end-to-end with half chances for both sides, but, on 41 a Quedgeley corner was cleared to Lawson who put Rio Spencer through wide who crossed to Stanbury who was all alone to tap in from two yards for 1-0. Quedgeley continued to press looking for a second before the break. The second half started end-to-end with both keepers in action. But, on 52 a Quedgeley handball was adjudged a penalty and Sam Roberts converted for 1-1. Further half chances continued to be created by both sides which usually ended up wide, over, or blocked. Ten minutes from time Wick gained another penalty for handball and again, Sam Roberts converted to put Wick in front. Quedgeley pressed and Sean Lawson’s effort came off the post and a minute from time a Harry Reynolds volley from the edge was well saved by Trott. Four minutes into added time Quedgeley had a long free kick, keeper Charnock went up from his goal……… and, yes, the ball fell to him in the Wick box and he smashed it into the bottom corner. 2-2 it ended and a valuable point for each side.
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow) - Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Wick (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
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Stoke Gifford United and Gala Wilton played out a goalless draw on a bright breezy afternoon at the Stoke Gifford Stadium. The first half was fairly even. Gifford had more of the ball but Gala worked tirelessly and broke well on occasions. Mike Barry and Paul Cronin tested Elliott Jones in the Gala goal but otherwise there was little threat. Gifford upped their game in the second half and pinned Gala back in their own half but the visitor’s three-man midfield was incredibly disciplined and disrupted Gifford’s build up time after time. Gifford looked to have finally broken through on 67 when Spike Weaver rounded Jones but his strike from 20 yards at an angle struck the post. Gifford continued to dominate, Barry was a constant threat but the final touch evaded their front line. Gala dug in well and will be happy with a point.
Tewkesbury Road played host to a must win game for Cheltenham Civil Service while visitor’s Little Stoke looked to upset the home support. Service were first to pounce, Lewis Driscoll picking up a loose ball but fired over when well placed. Next it was Ollie Wilkes who got on the end of a long ball and shot straight at Barry Phillips. The game caught light after 25 minutes, first a ball delivered into the box by Stu Midwinter was met by Ollie Whelan who, from 4 yards, managed to head the ball against the post and into Phillips arms. Five minutes later Wilkes got on to the end of a through ball and whilst he beat Phillips he hit the post, the loose ball somehow didn’t cross the line. Service did eventually take the lead, a shot from Midwinter was spilled by Phillips into the path of Driscoll who finished for 1-0. Little Stoke came into the last ten minutes of the half with both Alex Hill and Phil Vice shooting over. Little Stoke upped their game in the second half and put Service under pressure but were restricted to going long in the main. Jaidon Holver was very lively for the visitors and got into a few good positions but unfortunately no clear cut chances came. Service grew into the half and Charlie Swift, off the bench, drove forward and played in Ollie Wilkes and, still with plenty to do, his quick feet took him past Phillips to score his first goal for the team from the angle. Moments later another Service chance - Midwinter crossed and Driscoll, 6 yards out, managed to side footed over. However, Little Stoke were not finished applying plenty of pressure and hitting the bar, and then followed up with a goal, Ethan Moore meeting a cross to score past Nath Buckland. Despite a couple of late Little Stoke free kicks in dangerous positions Service held out for a deserved 2-1 win.
To the Hallet Construction Pavilion and a reverse of last weeks fixture this time Hanham Athletic hosting Frampton United. Hanham had the first chance when Andy Nash broke through on eight minutes but his shot was well saved by Tom Kaye. Freddie Porter should have opened the scoring on 38 minutes for Frampton but shot well over when well placed. However, it was Hanham to score first when Mitch Wise headed in from a Brandon Barnes corner. Sam Brown made two good saves to keep it at 1-0 until half time. Frampton were gifted an equaliser five minutes into the second half when Brown’s clearance was charged down by Zak Tyers allowing him to run the ball into the back of the net. Frampton took the lead on 61 minutes a free kick knocked past Brown by Jacob Geddes. There were few chances after this and 2-1 to Frampton it remained.
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