Gloucestershire County League

20^th April 2025 - Only Frampton United win as top teams stumble in home straight

Mark Simpson

At the top the games in hand over leaders Almondsbury are running out and if they win their final match against Wick on Thursday they secure the title. Almondsbury did not help themselves yesterday losing to in-form Henbury and Rockleaze, but then again only Frampton in the chasing pack won. At the bottom Cheltenham Civil Service delayed relegation by drawing with Filton Athletic. Some important games coming up.

Totterdown United welcomed Frampton United to Bristol Barbarians RFC for their final home fixture of the season. An experienced Totterdown team started well and missed an early chance from the in-form Saunders. After this lax marking by the Totts defence and allowed Frampton’s Craig Mills to receive the ball, nutmeg Totts Toby Carter before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Totterdown huffed and puffed with a few shots but Frampton coped well and won a corner five minutes from the break, and they converted a flick on at the near post with Joel White scoring, knocking the wind out of Totterdown. Totterdown re-grouped for the second half and put up a fight back, but a point-blank header from Mike Rimmer was brilliantly saved by Tom Kaye to deny Totts a way back in. The rest of the game had two even sides playing in good spirit, having a few wayward shots with Frampton holding on for a 2-0 win.

Wick hosted Bromley Heath United at The Nest in what seemed a must win game for the home side. Bromley started the strongest and were unfortunate not to be in the lead inside 15 minutes when only the post denied them. Ten minutes before half-time some neat play from Wick saw Bayley Rudge fouled in the box for a penalty kick which Cory Langdon took but he was denied by Will Ferguson pulling off a good save. Five minutes into the second half Bromley took the lead, a mistimed header from Harry Madge fell to Cameron Ford who smashed home a cracking volley. Twelve minutes from time and Rudge was again fouled in the box and this time Liam McCracken stepped up and finished into the bottom corner for 1-1. Wick then threw everything at Bromley but couldn’t find the back of the net and then with five minutes left a slip by Frank Taylor-Fox gave Bromley a two-on-one and Kai Wilson pulled off a great stop but Aiden Noble was there to fire home the rebound. In time added on Bromley were awarded a penalty for a hand ball on the line for which Madge received his marching orders and up stepped Noble to send Wilson the wrong way and making sure that al three points went back to Pomphrey Hill with a 3-1 Bromley Heath win.

Cheltenham Civil Service (Red/White) v Filton Athletic (Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Cheltenham Civil Service (Red/White) v Filton Athletic (Blue) - Images courtesy Peter Langley

Cheltenham Civil Service (Red/White) v Filton Athletic (Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley

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At The Field Almondsbury took on one of the form sides Henbury and Rockleaze. H&R with their first attack forced a corner and from it Almondsbury had a number of attempts to clear and from a looping ball in the box Jack Burgess unfortunately turned the ball into his own net. After 5 minutes Almonds got a corner and but Burgess headed into the side-netting. On fourteen minutes Holver went down the left and pulled back for Hughes but his strike was just wide. A few minutes later Holver did well to win a free kick on the left and Hughes stepped up and whipped the ball into the top left corner for 1-1. On 24 minutes a quick H&R break, and from an unfortunate bobble the ball fell to Drew Sawdon to finish well past Sam Burgess for H&R to lead 2-1. Hughes had a vicious strike which Trett did well to push behind for a corner and just before the break Hughes delivered a good ball which Meacham could only stretch to head over. Almonds created a few chances in the second half – on 47 minutes Pali had an effort blocked and Nicholls rebound was just over the bar. Ten minutes later Hughes free kick was destined for the top corner but Trett tipped over at full stretch and on 77 minutes Mannings free kick was knocked on by Lancastle but Trett made a good reactive save. Almondsbury's cause not helped by Jack Burgess being dismissed for an off the ball incident. H&R held on for a fine 2-1 win and Almonds have to now give it all on Thursday evening.

Chalford welcomed Ruardean Hill Rangers to Highfield Way and it was the home side that started the brightest. The majority of the first half was spent with a home side camped in Ruardeans half and chances came and went as Maryon, Day, Evans and Harry all threatened the Ruardean goal but without making a breakthrough . It looked as though the sides would go in level at half time however two minutes before the break the ball was worked into Maryon who saw his shot blocked but Ryan Harry was there to follow up and toe poke to give the home side a deserved lead. The second half over was a different story. Chalford struggled to get going and didn’t play the free-flowing football of first half and despite getting into good positions lacked a bit of quality in the final 3rd to add to the score, but that said Ruardean never really threatened Sam Neale in the home goal. Chalford secured the 1-0 win and move onto Monday’s home game versus Bromley Heath

In the other League matches Broadwell Amateurs drew 1-1 with Stoke Gifford SGS United and Cheltenham Civil Service drew 3-3 with Filton Athletic.