MARCLIFF Gloucestershire County Football League

Ron's Match Reports

11^th May 2014 - Les James Cup Final sponsored by Braley Business Systems

Report by Jon Palmer, Gloucester Citizen

LONGLEVENS signed off from the Gloucestershire County League in style with a 3-0 Les James Cup final victory over Rockleaze Rangers.

It completed a trophy double for James French's champions, who can now look forward to Hellenic League football next season.

It also banished the demons of their 5-0 drubbing by Cribbs Friends Life in the final two years ago on the same ground.

Skipper Craig Martin was influential in their success at Kingswood on this occasion, scoring the first in the 12^th minute and setting up the second with 10 minutes left after Rockleaze had pressed for an equaliser.

Longlevens made the stronger start, with Brad Barnard racing onto a long kick from goalkeeper Mark Harris in the fifth minute before shooting just wide of the left post in the fifth minute.

Shaun O'Connor shot straight at Sam Burgess, but the deadlock was broken when Martin received the ball inside the penalty area, evaded the lunge of goalkeeper Burgess and applied a calm finish into the empty net.

But Rockleaze did not let favourites Longlevens have it all their own way and 40-year-old Harris parried Richard Bray's free-kick from the edge of the box in the 19^th minute, with Arron Day following up and crashing a shot against the near post.

The Bristol side threatened again in the 23^rd minute when Bray nodded down to Edward Freeman in the box, but Harris made an excellent diving save.

Rockleaze pressed after half-time and only some more fine goalkeeping from Harris and some last-ditch defending kept them out.

Sam Andrews went close with a free-kick and Ben Lear's drifting cross almost crept under the bar, but Harris grabbed it on the line.

Liam Jenkins saw a shot saved by Harris and Longlevens somehow survived an almighty scramble in the box in the 63^rd minute, when Rockleaze will wonder how they failed to score.

They were made to pay in the 80^th minute when Martin set up substitute Adam Phillips for Longlevens' second.

Rockleaze committed men forward and only a good block by Burgess' legs denied Dave Rich a third.

But full-back Luke Kavanagh rounded off the scoring in the fourth minute of time added on, crashing a shot into the top right corner.

The final scoreline was harsh on Rockleaze, but ruthless Longlevens celebrated another piece of silverware as their three-year spell of County League football draws to a close.

LONGLEVENS: M Harris, L Kavanagh, S Goodhall, D Merrick, E Smyllie, E Sausman, C Martin (L Blackmore 86), D Rich, S O'Connor (J Underwood 89), B Martin, B Barnard (A Phillips 66).

ROCKLEAZE RANGERS: S Burgess, S Frangoullis, B Lear, T Coombes, A Day, S Andrews, N Dyer, E Freeman, J Adejokun, L Jenkins (O West 74, O Wilson 85), R Bray (A Hawkins 66).

REFEREE: S Fearnley.

ATTENDANCE: 136.

STAR MAN: Craig Martin.

3^rd May 2014 - Champions Longlevens thrash Southmead

The end of the season is fast approaching with the league having just two league fixtures to play on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Champions were presented with the winners Cup and their momentoes by the League Chairman Bob Stewart after the game. Prior to the kick off Brad Martin received the Golden Boot award for finishing leading goal-scorer in the league - from League Chairman Bob Stewart

Longlevens finished their home fixtures with a resounding eight – one slaughter of a much depleted Southmead CS Athletic side. The visitors only fielded three of their recognised first team squad and against a side like the Champions it was always going to be a struggle. The home side raced into a three goal lead in the first thirteen minutes the opening goal was put away by Shaun O’Connor for the first of his three for the afternoon after four minutes. They struck the crossbar a few minutes later and went two–nil up on seven minutes with a strike from leading goal-scorer Brad Martin. Sean O’Connor simply passed the ball into the net for the third following a corner and by this time they had full control of the game. O’Connor completed his hat-trick on twenty three minutes when he challenged the visitor’s keeper Mark Quinn for a long ball hit long over their defence and won the challenge to run the ball into an empty net. Southmead’s first chance of a shot on goal came in the thirtieth minute when they were given a free kick just outside the box. The resulting kick was a poor effort that was hit straight into the home wall and was cleared. Southmead had their keeper Mark Quinn to thank for keeping the score to four at the break pulling off great saves from Ed Smyllie and Shaun O’Connor.

With the home side comfortable with their lead they sat back until the sixty third minute when Quinn pulled of a good save to deny Craig Martin. Just a minute later the home side made it five – nil with a goal from Dave Merrick. Then came the first of many efforts on goal by Craig Martin. Seventy five minutes into the game with the home side totally in control Substitute Nick Humphreys netted number six. Then came the first real shot on target from Southmead a Luke Bayford shot that was easily fielded by home keeper Mark Harris. The home side just kept attacking and Craig Martin had three glorious chances but missed them all. Brother Brad Martin thought he had done enough to warrant a seventh goal but his chip over the keeper bounced over the bar. In a rare attack by the visitors a shot on goal was handled and the assistant referee signalled a penalty. Jordan Thaws dispatched the spot kick to give the visitors what would be their only goal of the game. In the last few minutes of the game the home side scored twice more. Ed Smyllie netted number seven and right on time Craig Martin eventually got the goal he had been trying for all afternoon.

Kings Stanley’s visit to Thornbury Town meant the visitors had to win to keep alive their hopes of finishing runners-up in the league. They found themselves trailing two – nil after fifty five minutes. Thornbury had taken the lead on fifteen minutes when a chipped ball over the Stanley defence was pounced upon by Josh Pirie to outstrip the defender to slot the ball home. It was another long ball that caught Stanley out a second time, when the defender failed to control the ball Josh Pirie was in like a flash to put the home side two up. Stanley never gave up and hit back in the sixty seventh minute when Lee Pritchard turned a cross into the Thornbury net. Just four minutes later Stanley drew level from a corner headed home at the near post by Matt Buckland. It is going to be difficult for Stanley to get that second spot because the goal difference is probably too great.

Henbury compounded Bishops Cleeve’s misery after heavy defeats in their last few games with another five one defeat today. Henbury went one up on thirty minutes when Harry Bartlett headed home a Luke Cox’s cross. Jack Mills made it two – nil on thirty nine minutes with a twenty yard drive. Cleeve hit back in the fifty second minute when a fifty-fifty ball with goalkeeper Cameron Tarr failing to clear and Nick Hill running the ball home. Henbury regained their two goal lead in the sixty ninth minute when a Jack Mills surged into the box was brought down and Dale Simpson netted from the spot. Mills was involved in the fourth goal sending a cross into the box for Danny Simpson to slide home. A fifth goal for the home side came in the very last move of the game from a Gary Clark header.

Berkeley Town signed their season off with a three – one win at Ellwood. The home side went ahead on fifteen minutes from a Mike Nelson strike. The visitors hit back after the break with a Sam Strickland hat-trick. His first on fifty minutes came from the penalty spot. He netted a second ten minutes later and then rounded it off with a third in the eighty fifth minute. This win was not enough to lift them off the bottom although they have the same number of points as Yate Town Reserves they have an inferior goal difference.

Patchway Town concluded their season with a two – one win at home to Hanham Athletic, although it was the visitors who took the lead on fifteen minutes when Craig Stone was put clear and fired a low shot under the keeper. Sam Davies netted his first goal of the season in the very last game when he headed home a cross on thirty five minutes. Matt Davies netted the winner for the home side in the fifty second minute, his first attempt was blocked but he made sure from the rebound.

26^th April 2014 - Kings Stanley aiming for runners up spot

With only five fixtures scheduled for today it gave us a chance to visit Bishops Cleeve on a Saturday which we normally find difficult because of the distance involved and the time schedule I have to get my report to the paper.

The home side needed to bounce back from their heavy defeat at the hands of Chipping Sodbury Town last week. They started well and forced the first corner from a break down the right and a cross to the far post that was cleared by the Stanley defence for a corner. Play from then on was limited to mostly midfield with neither side managing to create a great deal. Stanley made the break through in the twentieth minute when the home side gave away a penalty. Stanley’s Ben Newman then dispatched the spot kick past home keeper Dan Greenhouse. A few minutes later in a rare home attack they appealed to the referee for a penalty but the match official waved away their protests. Stanley were beginning to run the game and got a second goal on thirty minutes when Alex Bath drove the ball home following a corner from the left. Two minutes to the break Stanley score twice in a minute. Steve Robertson made it three – nil and immediately after Liam Gale netted a fourth.

The second half performance from Stanley left a lot to be desired and looked as though they had done enough to secure the points. They missed a couple of good chances early on but their best chance to make it five came from a shot from Danny Chandler that was brilliantly pushed around the post for a corner by Dan Greenhouse in the sixtieth minute. The home side did manage to get on the score sheet in the seventy fifth minute when Neil Goodwin headed home from a corner. Kings Stanley have two games left to play and if they can win both they will finish runners-up in the league.

Gala Wilton finished their first season in the league with a resounding five – one win over Chipping Sodbury Town. Sodbury were brought back down to earth after that outstanding win over Bishops Cleeve Reserves last week. Gala took the lead on twelve minute when Ryan Hughes set up Liam Halliday to open the scoring. Sodbury’s Mike Beacham gave away a penalty for the second which was tucked away by Lee Allen. Justin Cattle broke clear on thirty two minutes to pull a goal back for Sodbury. A Ryan Hughes shot at goal was deflected to Jack Overthrow who’s twenty five yard drive gave the home side a three – one lead in the fifty second minute. Hughes seamed to be in all the home action and his shot was well saved by the Sodbury keeper and deflected away for a corner. From the corner Dave Wilkinson saw his header strike the crossbar. The home side went four – one up on fifty seven minutes with a second penalty this time dispatched by Alex Pritchard. Sodbury had a chance to pull a goal back on fifty nine minutes when Alex Fox sent Dan Bendall through on goal but his shot went over the bar. Nothing was going to stop Ryan Hughes today as he again set up Dorian Colling to net the fifth and final goal for Gala.

Berkeley Town are doomed to finish in the bottom two after Thornbury Town picked up a point in mid-week. Today’s performance did not help the situation as they lost at home two – one to Rockleaze Rangers. The visitors have Mike Reece to thank for their opening goal on twenty six minutes the Berkeley defender heading an in-swinging corner into his own net. Four minutes into the second half Rangers made it two – nil when Otis Wilson fired home from the edge of the box. Sam Strickland turned in the box in the sixty first minute to pull a goal back for the home side and they missed a glorious chance to level the score in the eighty second minute.

Southmead CS Athletic have certainly lost their early season spark after suffering several defeats just lately and were held to a one – one draw at home to Hanham Athletic today. Adam Grinter put the visitors in front when he headed home at the far post. Relief came for the home side when Jordan Thaws levelled the score just before half time. The second half was an even contest with the final score of one – one being a fair result.

Kingswood’s last game of the season at home to Patchway Town certainly did not set off any fireworks. The strong wind played a big part in this game with neither side being able to break the deadlock it ended all square 0-0

19^th April 2014 - Chipping Sodbury hit nine against Bishops Cleeve

Longlevens retain the Championship for a second season with a win at Hanham Athletic on Wednesday and a further win today.

Chipping Sodbury Town ran riot defeating Bishops Cleeve Reserves by nine goals to three. The visitors fielded a weakened side and had no substitutes. They did however create the first attempt on goal after eight minutes a shot from Gareth Davies that was well saved by keeper Cameron Currin. Sodbury opened the scoring on twelve minutes a twenty yard volley from Justin Cattle that gave Dan Greenhouse no chance. At this point Cleeve lost James Pickup and were down to ten men. A second goal on sixteen minutes was a close range shot from James Mackie that Greenhouse got his hands to but could not prevent it crossing the line. A Cleeve defensive blunder on twenty five minutes allowed James Mackie a free shot on goal for the third. Louis Speddings shot into the roof of the net from just inside the box on twenty nine minutes made it four – nil. Justin Cattle netted his second from a cross in from the left on thirty two minutes. Dan Bendall almost made it five but for a great save from Greenhouse. Cattle completed his hattrick in the forty first minute with a superb low drive that gave the keeper no chance. Just before the break Cleeve pulled a goal back when the Sodbury keeper gave away a free kick when he picked up a back pass fourteen yards out, Neil Goodwin’s free kick took a deflection on its way into the net.

Five minutes into the second half James Mackie headed home to complete his hattrick. Cleeves Nick Hill was unlucky when his forty yard free kick struck the crossbar in the sixty first minute. Cleeve got a second on sixty four minutes when Nick Hill broke clear and chipped the ball into the net. Cleeve went down to nine men in the sixty fifth minute when Chris Parsons went off injured. Sodbury scored an eighth goal on seventy minutes when substitute Luke Meacham raced clear before sliding the ball across to James Mackie to net his fourth. Four minutes later Dan Bendall broke down the right to smash home number nine. Gareth Davies netted a third for Cleeve in the seventy ninth minute. Cleeves woes continued as the game was held up for fifteen minutes with just six minutes left when Gareth Davies had to be taken to hospital with a badly damaged arm.

Longlevens have shown why they deserve to be the champions for a second time with a four - two win over Berkeley Town. It was Town who took the lead on ten minutes from a Sam Strickland shot that took a deflection and looped over the home keeper Mark Harris. The home side were level four minutes later when Craig Beaton volleyed home a Luke Kavanaugh cross. Brad Martin then provided the chance for Brother Craig Martin to put the home side in front on twenty five minutes. Berkeley levelled on the hour with Paul Brooks turning in a Chris Andrews cross. Two goal in the last fifteen minutes saw the home side home Dave Merrick back healing into the net on eighty minutes and Brad Martin netting the forth on eighty four minutes.

Ellwood must have the end of season Blues as they went down five-nil at home to Kings Stanley. Ben Newman gave Stanley the lead on twelve minutes and Sam Prior made it two–nil on twenty eight minutes. Two goals from Liam Gale and a fifth from Dan Chandler in the second half made it a very convincing win for Stanley.

Kingswood came away with the three points from Hanham with a two-one success over the home side. Adam Eldridge headed the visitors into the lead on thirty minutes, but good individual play from Adam Grinter levelled the score for Athletic five minutes before the break. A Frank Hitchings shot into the bottom corner on seventy minutes was enough for Kingswood to go away with the three points.

Henbury and Patchway Town shared a point each in a two–two draw. Patchway went ahead on nineteen minutes from a long ball over the home defence that was latched onto by Matt Tovey to chip the ball into the net. Henbury levelled on twenty one minutes with a screamer of a shot from Jack Mills. The home side then gave away a penalty in the very first minute of the second half keeper Cameron Tarr bringing Tovey down in the box. He dragged himself of the ground to hammer the ball home to give them a two – one lead. Henbury drew level on the hour from an in-swinging corner that caught the visitor’s keeper out and he only managed to punch the ball into his own net.

Bristol Academy thought they had done enough to win the game when they went into a three – one lead after seventy minutes, but Telephones hit back with two late goals to finish the game level on three – three. Toby Waterman put the home side in front on nineteen minutes, but the visitors levelled with a goal from Dhani Golding on twenty four minutes. Waterman then headed home a Sam Johnson cross to put the home side back in front on fifty six minutes and then Sam Johnson turned in an Alex Bisp cross to make it three – one. Kyran Hunt headed a goal back for Telephones on eighty minutes and in the very last minute of the game Mike Grist scored from the penalty spot to earn a point.

Thornbury Town v Southmead CS Athletic failed to produce a goal throughout the ninety minutes.

12^th April 2014 - Patchway win over Rockleaze

Longlevens stay top after a 2-1 win over Ellwood. Gala Wilton and Bristol Telephones remain second and third after, they both recorded wins.

Berkeley Town have closed the gap to one point on Yate Town Res after their win at Bristol Academy, Yate Town Res went down at home to Gala Wilton.

Patchway Town gained revenge for their one – nil defeat in the Les James League Cup semi-Final a few weeks ago at Rockleaze with a one – nil win at home in the league. For the first twenty three minutes of this game both sides cancelled each other out with plenty of midfield play but no goal mouth action at all. The first real chance fell to the home side with a good break down the right by full-back Chad Horseman whose cross looked dangerous but was headed clear by Rangers defender Aaron Day. In the twenty ninth minute Matt Tovey should have given Patchway the lead when he latched onto a good ball over the Rangers defence but with a clear shot on goal the Rangers keeper Nick Adams covered the angle at the near post and brought off a great save. Town took the lead just two minutes later again a long ball caught the Rangers defence out and it left Jimmy Potts clear to fire the ball into the bottom corner giving Adams no chance. Rangers had a great chance to level the score on thirty five minutes but James Kenway’s effort on goal was easily saved by James Kaminski. Three minutes later Kenway had another good chance but again it was well saved by Kaminski.

Two minutes into the second half a cross into the box from the right found Phil Vice who hooked the ball goal-wards but it went just the wrong side of the post. A shot from Rangers Savas Frangoullis from the edge of the box sped across goal but went wide of the upright. At the other end Jimmy Potts found some space for a shot at goal but that went just wide as well. In the sixty forth minute Adams brought off a good save from a Potts header the cross from Tovey coming in from the right. A header from Rangers Nathan Bryer went wide of the post this time the provider was Ben Lear. Rangers kept Kaminski busy this time the keeper had to punch clear to get the ball away. In time added Rangers almost got on level terms with a forty yard free kick struck by Sam Andrews that Kaminski misjudged but luckily it struck the crossbar and was cleared.

Berkeley Town are going for the great escape after picking up three points at Bristol Academy to close the gap to one point on Yate Town Reserves. The home side took the lead after just two minutes when Marcus Thatcher pulled the ball back for Toby Waterman to score. Berkeley levelled on eleven minutes with a superb strike from the edge of the box by Sam Gillison. Dave Sims-Burgess put the home side back in front on sixteen minutes with a low shot into the bottom corner. A looping shot over the home keeper from Joe Blakeney on twenty five minutes levelled the score once more. A through ball from Tom Palmer found Sam Strickland to put the visitors ahead for the first time on fifty one minutes and in the sixty fifth minute Sam Strickland crossed for Paul Brooks to make it a four -two win for the bottom Club.

Yate Town Reserves shocked visitor’s Gala Wilton when the rushed into a three – nil lead in the first fifteen minutes. Jordan Hickman started the ball rolling after six minutes when he rushed clear of the visitors defence to open the scoring. Four minutes later Liam Pullen rounded the visitor’s keeper to make it two – nil. Jordan Hickman was involved in the third goal when he broke down the flank and crossed into the box for Lewis Hughes to net. Gala took their time but suddenly realised what had happened and hit back on twenty seven minutes when Ryan Hughes scored at the far post following a free kick. An unfortunate header into his own net by Joe Guest in the thirty sixth minute pulled the score back to three – two by the break. The visitors took just two minutes into the second half to level the score with a free kick from Dave Wilkinson. Liam Halliday then increased the lead and a fifth goal from Lee Allen spoiled the day for the young Yate side.

Thornbury Town found their feet again with a four – nil win over visitors Hanham Athletic. This was a game that did not take off until the fortieth minute although good chances had been squandered by the Thompson brother Steve and Danny with Josh Pirie also missing a good chance. Thornbury got the opening goal they deserved when Danny Thompson surprised the visitor’s keeper with a near post shot that he managed to save but it fell nicely for Josh Pirie to score. A second goal on fifty two minutes was a piece of individual skill from young Pirie who flicked the ball past the defender with his head before steaming away to drive the ball home. It was Pirie who was involved in the third goal when he was tackled on the edge of the box the ball ran across to Nathan Irwin who drove a low shot past the visitor’s keeper. Unfortunately Pirie had to leave the field with an injury but it did not deter the home side and scored a forth goal on seventy four minutes from a low cross into the box by Danny Thompson for Luke Franklin to drive home. Hanham Athletic had an off day and never really got into this game with the home keeper never troubled throughout.

Bristol Telephones came back from a goal down to win two – one against Kingswood. The very strong wind affected the game throughout and the players found the going hard. Kingswood took the lead after fifteen minutes from a dreadful back pass, and although the initial shot was saved the ball ran free to Craig Freeman to score. The home side were back on level term after twenty six minutes when Mike Grist sent Martin Blacker clear to chip the ball over the keeper. Telephones grabbed the three points in the sixty third minute from a corner taken by Ryan Hicks headed on by Kerion Hunt for Jack Fillingham to turn the ball in from six yards. Kingswood did have a chance to level later in the game but missed the opportunity.

Leaders Longlevens also had to come from behind to win this game against visitors Ellwood. The first chance fell to Darryl Addis who should have given Ellwood the lead but for a good save from home keeper Mark Harris. Ellwood took the lead on thirty minutes with a great goal from Gary Wildin hooking the ball over his shoulder and past Harris. Dave Rich almost levelled before the break but for a good save by the visitor’s keeper Dane Adams. Two minutes into the second half the home side were level Brad Martin netting at the far post from a Shaun O’Connor cross. The home side went in front on sixty five minutes the ball was pushed through to Nick Humphreys who turned sharply on the edge of the box to drive a low shot past Adams.

5^th April 2014 - Kingswood too strong for Yate Reserves

Longlevens took a step nearer to retaining the title with a 3-0 win at Kings Stanley. Second place Gala Wilton lost 5-3 to third in the table Bristol Telephones. Frampton United who have completed their fixtures for the season lie in fourth place at present.

At the bottom of the table Berkeley Town shook Bishops Cleeve Reserve winning 4-1, but Yate Town Reserves lose 5-1 at Kingswood.

Three goal hero Gary Simmons saw Yate Town Reserves fall to their third successive five goal defeat this time at the hands of Kingswood. The visitors struggled throughout the first half and went into the break trailing three – nil. Kingswood opened the scoring on ten minutes with a header from Gary Simmons. The visitors young side found themselves up against a strong Kingswood side who took a two goal lead on seventeen minutes from a long corner knocked to the far post to be headed back into the middle of the box where Ben Vale stabbed the ball home. Simon Clarks powerful shot across goal hit the upright and bounced clear on twenty four minutes, but they got a third two minutes later again it came from a corner with Yate keeper Reece Joint saving the first drive on goal only to see it rebound to Gary Simmons to head home his second. The Yate keeper was kept busy and brought of several good saves to deny the home side going further in front.

Chris Fox in the home goal made his first save from a Yate effort on goal at the start of the second half as the visitors looked more determined to attach the home defence, but five minutes into the second period it was the home side that went further ahead. Jim Crossfield picked up the ball mid-way in the Yate half and pushed on towards their goal only to be brought down as he entered the box and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. The chance to complete a hat-trick was handed to Gary Simmons and he duly obliged from the spot kick. Yate pulled a goal back on sixty minutes a superb strike from Sam Gilchrist cutting in from the right an unleashing a left foot drive across Fox and into the far side of the net. The home side seemed content to sit back at this point and contain the visitors but a break down the right flank five minutes from the end brought a fifth goal a brilliant strike from Josh Stokes who swivelled on the edge of the box and fire a low shot past keeper Joint.

Longlevens took a step nearer to retaining the title with a three – nil victory at Kings Stanley. It was Stanley who should have scored first but Natty Buckland’s header was cleared off the line. The opening goal on sixteen minutes scored by Longlevens was a little fortuitous as Stanley failed to clear their lines in a goalmouth scramble and Jamie Dunn stabbed the ball home. Ben Newman came on as a substitute for Stanley and almost levelled the score but for a good save from the visitors keeper. The score-line remained one-nil to the visitors until the seventy fifth minute when Stanley who were pushing forward to get an equaliser was caught on the break by Brad Martin to give the visitors a two – nil lead. Then in time added at the end Brad Martin broke away to net a third for Longlevens to send them clear at the top of the table.

Frampton United travelled to Ellwood for their last match of the current season and did what every other club has failed to do in the league up to now and that was come away with a win. This first home defeat for Ellwood was settled from a free kick that was headed home by Dan Huxstep.

Southmead CS Athletic continued their recent good form with a two – one victory at local rivals Patchway Town. It remained goalless until the forty fifth minute when a cross from Chris Williams was knocked into the Patchway net by Luke Coghlan. Patchway hit back five minutes into the second period from a Charlie Collins cross that found Phil Vice completely unmarked to head the equalising goal. That score-line lasted just five minutes as Rob Sivers restored the lead for Southmead. The nearest the home side came to scoring again was a shot from James Potts that just cleared the bar five minutes from the end.

Rockleaze Rangers continue their climb to safety with a three - one win at Hanham Athletic. Rockleaze took the lead on ten minutes from the penalty spot slotted in by Aaron Day after Sam Andrews had been brought down in the box. The visitors went two up on twenty minutes after Rhys Davis’s shot was saved by Hanham keeper Fletcher but Josh Adejokun fired the rebound through a crowd of players. The home side were much the better side for the first twenty minutes of the second half and pulled a goal back on sixty minutes a header from a yard out by Jack Tottle. A third goal on eighty minutes a header from Ed Freeman gave the visitors that two goal cushion. The sending off of Hanham’s Billy Hodge on eighty eight minutes for a bad tackle spoiled the day for the home side.

A really surprise result came from Bishops Cleeve Reserves where visitors Berkeley Town recorded a four – one victory over the home side. The star of the day was striker Sam Strickland who netted a hat-trick for Berkeley. He opened the scoring on thirty minutes followed by a second three minutes before the break. He completed his hat-trick on sixty five minutes. A further goal from Tom Andrews on seventy five minutes had the visitors well in command then James Pickup netted a consolation gaol for the home side in the ninetieth minute.

Thornbury Town are hovering above the relegation position after they were beaten two – nil at home by Henbury. Town got off to a dreadful start conceding a goal in the very first minute from a long ball hit down the flank to Harry Bartlett who cut into the box and unleashed a shot that flew into the roof of the net. The home side went further behind on thirty six minutes when Shaun Heal round the town left back and cut into the box before firing the ball home. Thornbury pressed hard in the second half and were unlucky when Nathan Sages’ header went just wide and Steve Thompson had his shot saved by the visitor’s keeper.

Bristol Telephones ran out five – three winners over Gala Wilton. Gala opened the scoring with a Lee Allen goal but the home side levelled with a gaol from Ryan Hicks. Two further goals from Jack Fillingham and Chris Misir put the hoe side three – one up. Martin Blacker made it four – one and then an own goal put the home side well in command at five – one. Two late goals from Gala a second from Lee Allen and a penalty from Dave Wilkinson right on time rounded the scoring off.

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