7^th December 2019 - Patchway Town salvage late point against Bromley Heath

Ron Holpin

A must win game for both sides at Patchway Town who entertained Bromley Heath United for today’s’ fixture. It ended all square at 1-1 but the visitors will feel aggrieved after giving a penalty away in the 89^th minute having led from the 19^th minute of the game.

Bromley Heath were the much better side in the first 45 minutes having the most possession and creating several chances beside the one they scored. They were unlucky in the 10^th minute when Nathan Rose sent a long cross from a freekick to the far post which was met by Jack Withy but keeper Lee Mason just managed to tip the ball over the bar. On 15 minutes Patchway failed to clear from a Nathan Rose curling free kick and only a brilliant save by Mason stopped the visitors taking the lead. Patchway’s first effort on target after 17 minutes was a free kick from Jessie Hudson that went straight to Tom Sheppard in the visitor’s goal. Bromley took the lead on 19 minutes from a long free kick out on the left to the far post and Jack Withey rose to head the ball back across goal and past Mason. A couple of minutes later Phil Vice tested Sheppard again but the keeper was not troubled by the shot. Another good chance for Bromley came in the 29^th minute when Jay Malpas pulled the ball back for Josh Slater who crashed his shot against the crossbar. The only other effort from town that Sheppard had to deal with came in the 40^th minute a cross from Lewis Toop that had the keeper back pedalling to prevent the ball going in.

The home side fared a lot better in the second half having much more of the possession and Lewis Toop had Sheppard diving to his left to prevent the ball going in from a free kick on the left. Dave Prichard should have scored from a good cross from the right but his powerful header flew over the bar. On 88 minutes Bromley broke following a Patchway attack with Todd Carter feeding the ball across to Josh Slater but with a clear shot on goal he skied it over the bar. Just when it looked like Bromley would take the three points, they gave away a penalty when Joe Dalby broke into the box was brought down and Lewis Toop neatly put the spot kick away to salvage a point for the home side.

Frampton United remain top of the table with a convincing 4-0 victory over Little Stoke. Frampton went 1-0 up on 20 minutes when Craig Mills sent Ryan Ford clear to slot the ball home. They made it 2-0 in the 41^st minute when Ford grabbed his second turning in a cross from Fin Blythe. Stoke were unlucky in the 60^th minute when Dominic Brown cleared off the line after Luke Meacham had beaten keeper Taylor. 5 minutes later Taylor had to save again from a Luke Meacham effort on goal. In the 70^th minute Little Stoke’s defence got into a muddle and Ryan Vincent capitalised to put United 3-0 up. Just before the end Ryan Vincent collected a second goal to make it 4-0 and right at the death Little Stoke had Andrew Criddle sent off for an incident off the ball.

Rockleaze Rangers had a home fixture for the second week in a row and the visitors this time were Hardwicke. After losing out to Sharpness last week Rangers scored two late goals to snatch the three points today. Rangers Rory Langdon was unlucky in the 13^th minute when his looping header struck the crossbar. Right-on half-time Hardwicke took the lead after a mix up in the home defence Hardwicke’s Kieran Tracey drilled the ball past Brodie. In the 86^th minute Hardwicke had a great chance to go two up but Lewis Brodie brought off a great save to deny Ryan Barrett. On 90 minutes Dan Webb scored with a delicious chip into the top corner from 12 yards to level the score and in the 94^th minute Rangers grabbed the 3 points with a goal from Jordan Connor who came on as sub for his first game in 3 year after suffering numerous injuries.

AEK Boco travelled to Gala Wilton for todays game and came away with a resounding 5-2 win. The opening chance fell to the home side early on when Ben Sluman break down the right and final shot was blocked. Boco capitalised on a defensive mistake in the 21^st minute and Jake Slocombe opened the scoring. 4 minutes later Slocombe and Cory Langdon interchanged passes with Langdon finishing off to make it 2-0. Two minute later it was 3-0 Jake Slocombe turning in a low cross from the right. It went to 4-0 in the 32^nd minute when Harry Richards was put clear with a one on one situation and he coolly slotted the ball home. In the second half Gala performed a little better and in the 66^th minute they pulled the score back to 4-1 Ryan Dobbins heading in from an Adam Loveridge cross. On 90 minutes Boco scored again Jaye Rudge was left with a simple tap in after another defensive mistake by the home side. In time added Gala netted a second Byron Lloyd lobbing the keeper to make the final score 2-5.

Sharpness continue their good form with a 2-1 win at Hanham Athletic. The first real chance in the game came in the 33^rd minute from Hanham’s Dan Gayner his shot hitting the inside of the post. In the second half Luke Clapp’s header from a Ryan Crewe free kick was just wide of the post. The home side took the lead on 52 minutes with new signing Lewis Coppard breaking down the wing sending in a low cross that was turned into his own net by Mitch Malshansky. Three minutes later a Jamie Fry effort from distance just cleared the bar. The Sharks levelled the score in the 70^th minute from a Will Lacey corner that was completely misjudged by the Hanham keeper Max Heaven and the ball went straight into the net. The Sharks were fortunate to get their second goal in the 87^th minute. Keeper Dan Hobbs took a freekick from just inside his own half and Jack Baber unfortunately headed the ball past Heaven into his own net.

A 1-1 draw at Henbury where today’s visitors were Quedgeley Wanderers. Both goals came in the first 45 minutes with the first going to Wanderers on 25 minutes the home side lost possession and a quick break from Wanderers saw a good finish from Nathan Payne to put them 1-0 up. Henbury levelled the score on 38 minutes from a corner taken by Adam Rosser and headed in at the near post by brother Aaron. Both sides cancelled each other out in the second half.

A big local derby at Ruardean Hill Rangers whose opponents today were local rivals Broadwell Amateurs. The game end 1-1 but there was plenty of action throughout including two sending’s off. The first action came from Broadwell a long-range free kick taken by Alex Brown which was saved by Underwood. Steve Belfit was next to test underwood in the home goal. The home sides first effort on goal came from a five-man passing movement between Johnson the two Mason’s and Fellows before Jonston’s final shot went over the bar. Broadwell went ahead from a long punt up field by Broadwell’s keeper Ben Reed the home defence failed to clear and Steve Belfit ran clear to score. Ruardean found themselves down to 10 men when Fellows received a red card for a second yellow card offence. The home side drew level on 45 minutes with a fortunate goal from a Brown free kick that took a deflection of defender Sam Keetch and finished up in the back of the Broadwell net. Even thought they were down to ten men the home side were much the better for the first 30 minutes of the second half, Luke Brown had a shot blocked by Alex Brown. Broadwell could have stolen the three points when Liam Thomas was put clear by Steve Belfit but he miss-hit his shot and Underwood saved easily. Rangers were then down to nine players when Mitch Griffin was also red carded for two yellow card offences. Right at the end Broadwell’s Bernard, Thomas and Belfit had shots on target blocked by the home defence to earn them a point.

9^th December 2019 - Minihane relishing opportunity at Patchway Town

Simon Parkinson

TIM Minihane says he is relishing an opportunity to manage his home town club following the most challenging of 14 months attempting to steer Tytherington Rocks to safer shores.

The embattled 37-year-old former Oldbury Reserves boss was recently relieved of his post at perennial Hellenic League Division One West strugglers Tytherington but was quickly scooped up by Patchway Town player-boss Phil Vice, who had been confronting his own similar battles head on in the depths of the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League basement.

The pair oversaw last weekend’s spirit-raising 2-1 Scott Park success over local rivals Little Stoke, an outcome all the more eye catching as Ash Coles’ visitors had won their four previous games.

A much happier Minihane, who had watched his new side crash to a 7-0 away mauling by AEK Boco the previous week, enthused: "Saturday against Little Stoke was everything we’d been working on.

"We were outstanding in the second half and with only one sub too due to a lot of unavailability.

"I’m delighted as it’s been a big thing for me. I’m a Patchway lad who grew up in the town and played for their reserves once or twice eight years or so ago.

"I’d just left Tytherington and was having conversations down my local pub. I knew Patchway’s assistant manager Thomas Vaughan couldn’t commit anymore and that the manager Phil was still an important member of the team, predominantly as a midfielder.

"He asked me if I would be prepared to look after the changing room on matchdays and deliver the team talks to allow him to concentrate on playing and that is what’s happened, with the help of others.

"It’s still predominantly Phil’s team and he’s doing a great job under difficult circumstances. Everyone is pulling together, training numbers are good and the players are realising they have to put in the effort if they want to get rewards."

Of that Little Stoke pick-me-up, Minihane recalled: "We were 1-0 down (through Blaine Skuse) amid an early wobble. We’d created a few chances but looked shaky at the back.

"We rode our luck initially as they had a disallowed goal just before half-time and then our Sam Burgess made a fantastic save from a penalty soon after half-time to keep us in it.

"After a few tactical adjustments at the interval we went on to defend resolutely, springing counter attacks brilliantly, creating good chances and scoring two quick goals, both by Jesse Hudson from quality balls in by Josh Morris down the right.

"Fair play to the Little Stoke manager Ash afterwards as he came in and said we’d thoroughly deserved it. So it was a very satisfying afternoon.

"It was a proper derby with thunderous tackles and brought only our second win of the season. It’s given us belief but we need to keep going until we’re mathematically safe, which is why this Saturday’s home game with Bromley Heath is a must-win one along with all the others we face."

Asked about his Tytherington departure Minihane, whose Patchway hopefuls are at Thornbury Town on Tuesday night (7.30pm) for a GFA Challenge Trophy second round affair, admitted: "I was very disappointed at how my time with Tytherington ended and how the club dealt with me.

"But I had lessons I wouldn’t have experienced in any other circumstances and I don’t hold any grudges; I wish them all the best.

"I was asked to resign based on the team not showing enough progression. My stint there affected my life personally as I gave everything to try and make a success of it.

"I was touched by a couple of local clubs who got in touch, and others from the wider community, appreciating what I’d done there as I felt we’d put the right foundations in place.

"But that’s gone now and hopefully I can enjoy more successful times with Patchway.

"I’m delighted to be involved on matchdays again, even though I was only out of the game for about two weeks when I felt like a lost sheep!"

10^th August 2019 - Pens and Badges for Sale

The league has some 50^thAnniversary Pens and Badges for Sale

Pens at £3, Badges at £3 or £5 for a pair

To send the pens and badges by post it will cost £1.15 (Second Class) £1.35 (First Class)

Please make Cheques payable to Gloucestershire County Football League
Or Direct Bank Transfer
National Westminster Bank
Sort Code - 60-01-29
Account Number - 50003666

Please send to:
Ron Holpin
27, Brockley Close
Little Stoke
Bristol.
BS34 6HA.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS

If you wish to contact me by email: sec.gloscountyleague@btinternet.com
Tel: 01454 612842 or 07816 947169

26^th July 2019 - Respect Table 2019/20

The introduction of sin bins is to decrease dissent throughout the game of football.

Just think what your players will say, if they have to play with 10 men or less for 10 minutes every time players use dissent towards match officials and end up in the sin bin for their trouble.

The league will be rewarding clubs for their efforts in reducing dissent in the following way:

The top 3 clubs who have the least number of points after every 10 matches will rewarded with a cash prize.

To receive that money, clubs will accumulate points in the following manner:

Dissent Only

1 point for every player sent to the sin bin. (Yellow Card)

3 points for every player sent to the sin bin on 2 occasions. (Yellow Card /Red Card)

5 points for every Red Card for Language.

Now is the time to Respect all those involved in Football.

Enjoy the 2019-2020 season.

Peter Langley (Chairman)