14th December 2024 - Quedgeley Wanderers win first league game
Mark Simpson
With only three games due to the County Cup there were important games for four struggling teams with two of them against each other in a real six pointer. In the County Cup Four of our sides progressed into the next round and three biting the dust, although in fairness there were two all County League clashes.
First stop is Waterwells where Quedgeley Wanderers were still looking for their first League win against a Cheltenham Civil Service side who have picked up a bit recently. A seemingly scrappy start with neither side creating anything of worth and it was only at the fifteenth minute that anything of note happened when a good Quedgeley move ended up with a Rio Spencer shot from the edge just wide. Quedgeley opened the scoring on 19 minutes when Connor Webb’s corner was nodded in to the bottom corner. Another close moment for Quedgeley ten minutes on when Dylan Venn’s shot from the edge of the box hit keeper Jon Dix. On a rare sortie by Service’s Cam Blacker who moved well through the middle but was well defended by Jordan Rouse. Near to half time Service had a break but the final shot was blasted over. Civil Service appeared to step things up in the second half and after 67 minutes drew a good double save from Nathan Charnock. Quedgeley almost scored when Alin Neamtu’s back pass almost ended up in his own net, and from the resulting corner Wanderers missed two headers. Quedgeley were trying to kill the game off with a flurry of free kicks, but it was Service who went close 3 minutes from the end when a deflection fell to Service but the ball ended up wide from eight yards. Into time added on Venn’s 18-yard effort for Quedgeley cleared the bar and Quedgeley managed to see the game out for a 1-0 win.
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green) - Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Quedgeley Wanderers (Red) v Cheltenham Civil Service (Green), Images courtesy Peter Langley
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A real game of two halves in the Forest where Ruardean Hill Rangers entertained Totterdown United, and it was Hill in front after fifteen minutes when Fin Jones won the ball off his defender and laid off for Steve Clark to score. Ten minutes on it was 2-0 through Taylor Blaby from Mitch Griffin’s cross. Unfortunately Hill were reduced to ten when Olly Mason received a second yellow. Totterdown pressed their advantage, their best chance forcing keeper Martin Coleman to get down well and palm the shot away. It was Hill on the front foot for the start of the second half and Steve Clark got his second from Alex Stevens cross finishing neatly after a slip from a defender to put Hill 3-0 up. Totterdown started to get back into the game and pulled one back with Jack Millard’s overhead kick finding the top corner. Further pressure from the visitors resulted with Millard scoring again after an Ollie Lovell flick. And, Totterdown’s comeback was completed with a header from George Saunders. Both sides had chances towards the end with Coleman tipping a shot wide before the final whistle went and 3-3 it was.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon at the Stoke Gifford stadium Stoke Gifford SGS United took on Henbury & Rockleaze and a game largely dominated by SGS from start to finish although H&R sat in a very organised shape. But, it was SGS who took the lead on 12 minutes, Jake Gifford went down the right and crossed in, which was cleared into the unfortunate Cam Tarr and ricocheted into the net for the opener. A defensive lapse almost allowed H&R in but George James 35-yard lobbed effort was just wide. SGS could have had a second but Jordan Dunning denied Ollie Stevenson. H&R began to grow into the game but despite winning a few set-pieces in good positions they never really tested Evan Healan in the Gifford goal. The second half had a similar theme with Gifford having most of the possession but both teams struggled to break each other down, that was until the 70th minute when a corner was well met by Lawrence Mitchell and Abraham pounced to make it 2-0. Two minutes later Abraham turned provider running 40 yards down the right to beat his man and whipping in a delightful cross that tempted Dunning out allowing Stevenson to nod home easily. The SGS win was soured a little when Dan Worton got a second yellow but nevertheless it was a fine 3-0 victory for SGS.
