2nd November 2024 - Cheltenham Civil Service gain first points
Mark Simpson
Almondsbury keep the pace up at the top, and Cheltenham Civil Service get their first league win of the season away to Henbury & Rockleaze. Earlier in the week Quedgeley Wanderers surprised Sharpness by taking a semi final place in the league cup – but interestingly Quedgeley have yet to win a County League or league Cup match this season, both their cup matches have been won on penalties!
First to Arnall Drive where Henbury and Rockleaze took on Cheltenham Civil Service on a fine autumnal day in what turned out to be an often-fiery match. H&R should have had the lead on 4 minutes with Callum Winter one-on-one with Jon Dix who saved well with his legs. The next thirty minutes were fairly uneventful, but things came to life on 34 when, after an H&R back line mix up Cam Blacker slotted past Jordan Dunning for 1-0 to Service. However, the lead didn’t last long, as a minute later Winter fired a post rebound past Dix to level things up. Service were rather fired up for the restart and retook the lead two minutes in when a well worked free kick foxed the H&R defence and ended up at Micolaj Rewczuk’s feet who calmly slotted past Dunning, who was to make a terrific save from Blacker to prevent a 63rd minute third Service goal. Things heated up and Jordan Buckett was sin-binned on 70. A few minutes later Dix made a good save from a dipping Fraser Butt shot and ten minutes from time Butt struck a Service post. On 83 minutes Service secured the points when Harvey White had a simple tap-in following a break away. Sam Bailey scrambled one in for H&R in time added on but Service stood firm to deservedly take the three-points, 3-2, back up the M5.
Up to the Forest for an interesting match between Ruardean Hill Rangers and Frampton United. The first chance fell to Henry Driver-Dickerson who swept the ball over the bar. On ten minutes Hill’s Josh Sladen drilled the ball into the box and Clark just failed to make contact. Another great move by Frampton saw Henry Driver-Dickerson with a free shot from ten Yards but Aaron Underwood was equal to it tipping the ball over. A quick move from Ruardean saw Ollie Mason intercept the ball and fed Clark who had a crack from 30 yards with Tom Kaye producing a great save. On the half hour Henry Driver-Dickerson had another snap shot which Underwood was equal to. Two minutes later Henry Driver-Dickerson finally got his goal, when through on Underwood his initial shot drew a great save but he was able to tuck the rebound in. Frampton almost made it two five minutes before the break when Fin Blythe let fly from 20 yards but Hill’s Tom Landon was in the way. A quieter second half followed but Hill almost equalised five minutes in when Steve Clark let fly from 25 yards bringing a great save by Kaye. A couple more chances fell to Hill, with Kane Samson heading over and Tom Kaye saving late on but Frampton held on for a 1-0 win.
After a cracking win last week Bromley Heath United went to Quedgeley Wanderers Waterwells and were at it again. Bromley had a couple of chances in the first five minutes to set their stall. Quedgeley went close on 18 minutes when Harry Furniss knocked the ball past Sam Sackett-Springer only for it to be cleared off the line. A few minutes on Rory Hunt came in from the wing and put Furniss through who shot from the angle and warmed Sackett-Springer’s hands up. Bromley broke from the corner and were driven wide but gained a free-kick but came to nothing. A few more attacks from both sides saw the game to the break. Quedgeley had the first chance of the second half well defended by Bromley, who indeed scored straight after, Fletcher Cripps picking the ball up and put it across Nathan Charnock for 1-0. Five minutes in it was 2-0, from a long free kick Ben O’Brien rose above the rest to nod home. Ten minutes later it was three, Nathan Rose from the spot. The hosts came close on 83 with a free kick, which was well defended for a throw, which, itself, was well worked and crossed by Curtis to Barnett who smashed his header off the bar. In the last minute a Quedgeley corner was countered by Bromley and cleared off the line, but only to Olly Hanham who made it 4-0 for a healthy Bromley Heath win.
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow) - Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Bromley Heath United (Yellow), Images courtesy Peter Langley
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Gala Wilton took on Chalford at Fairmile Gardens for the first ever County league clash between the two clubs. The first half was dominated by the respective midfields and it was Chalford who had the best of the goal bound efforts both saved by Bignall. It was another long-range effort that led to Chalford’s 33rd minute opener when a shot was deflected into Andrew Roberts path who fired home from six yards. Gala came out strongly at the start of the second half, but missed a great chance to equalise on 50 minutes and were punished soon after when Andrew Maryon headed in for Chalford from close range. Gala responded and missed another chance but pulled a goal back just after through Cameron Rees’ header from Ben Sluman’s cross. However, Gala were unable to find the equaliser that their efforts probably deserved with Chalford clearing off the line right at the death to secure the three points with a 2-1 win.
Back up to the Forest for Broadwell Amateurs hosting Wick, with Broadwell showing early confidence and Jack Knight’s ambitious strike testing keeper Kai Wilson. Wick responded and Rudge’s powerful effort was steered wide by Jack Watkins. Burson-Stephens fired a goal bound shot for Broadwell but Wilson was equal to it. The second half began with renewed energy and Wick mounted a left-wing attack which was stopped by Creighton’s perfectly-timed tackle. Broadwell earned a free kick but Locke’s attempt was narrowly wide. However, on 54 minutes Wick were awarded a penalty which McCracken confidently slotted past Watkins. The momentum was now with Wick and both Campbell and Mogg forcing good saves by Watkins. Broadwell showed resilience and continued to search for an equaliser which came in the 84th minute, when Jenkins delivered to Locke who was brought down for a penalty which he got up for, kept his composure, and converted for 1-1. However, deep into stoppage time a scramble in Broadwell’s box saw a brave save by Watkins but Thomas was on hand to tap in Wick’s 2-1 winning goal.
To The Field where Almondsbury took on Hanham Athletic and took a 9th minute lead where Morgan rolled a free kick on the edge to Hill, who struck it low into the corner. Hanham had a 22nd minute chance but was headed over from 10 yards. A few minutes on Craig Lancastle fed Morgan but his left footed shot was saved by Ashton Trott. Hanham broke but were stopped by O’Loughlin’s last-ditch tackle. On 32 Mannings broke down the line and fizzed a ball across but Nicholls was unable to direct his header. Five minutes before the break Trott fouled Lancastle who took the resulting penalty and tapped it straight down the middle for 2-0. Just before the break Hanham won a penalty but Sam Burgess palmed the ball over to deny the visitors. On 57 Mannings was just over from distance and on 71 Meacham netted but was adjudged offside. Ten minutes from time Lewis Hughes came off the bench and fired past Trott for 3-0 and a disciplined display keeping Almonds at the top.
To Hamfields for a second v third clash between Sharpness and Stoke Gifford SGS United. Sharpness started brightly and were 1-0 up after 5 minutes when James Tainton hit a cross that was parried by Healan into the path of Will Tainton who struck the ball home. The game was being played at a frenetic pace with both teams looking to take control. Sharpness almost made it two when Bennett latched on to a ball in the channel, got in behind Osborne but Healan saved. On the half hour Sweete broke for SGS but his shot was easily dealt with by Holder. Just before the break a Priday free kick was only half cleared and Will Tainton volleyed over. SGS had a good opportunity early in the second half when a Taylor free kick found the head of Cooper but he couldn’t direct his header on target. On the hour Sharks had a great chance when Will Tainton’s cross found Archie Mears at the back post but Healan made a great save. With minutes remaining Alfie Jones latched onto a long ball and took the ball towards the corner flag, but in trying to win a corner or throw in, he inadvertently found Bennett in the box but Healan again denied the home side. SGS had a deep free kick right at the death, the ball was flicked down by Norton, but there was a coming together as players from both sides went to kick the ball but it was deemed that no infringement had occurred and 1-0 to Sharpness it remained.
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