24th August 2025 - Frampton United win at Henbury & Rockleaze to top table
Mark Simpson
Frampton United now sit neatly at the top with a good three points at Arnall Drive, Henbury, and following a good mid-week win over Chalford. I’m sure they won’t have it all their own way as the season unfolds. Cribbs Reserves have had an extremely difficult start, as have fellow newcomers Tewkesbury Town.
A bright afternoon at Arnall Drive saw Frampton United visit Henbury & Rockleaze who had a frustrating afternoon. In the very first minute Harvey Moran lobbed Tom Kaye in the Frampton goal only to see the ball hit the hard ground and bounce over the top. Drew Sawdon had a good fourth minute chance from a corner but couldn’t direct the ball goalwards. On 37 minutes Sawdon had another presentable chance from Nick Jones cross but the ball went narrowly over. A few minutes later a switch from Jones to Moran saw Kaye make a superb save turning the ball round the post. From the resulting corner Sawdon’s header struck the bar, and the ball bounced along the goal-line allowing Frampton to clear.
H&R started the second half in the same vein, and on 51 minutes George James should have done better with a header from Moran’s cross. In the next minute Moran went clear but a good save from Kaye kept the scores level. In the 56th minute Frampton had their first real chance when substitute George Parker fired straight at Harry Trett. In the 75th minute Frampton threw the sucker punch when Parker stole in and fired a left wing cross past Trett for 1-0. Frampton were now in the driving seat with Jackson striking the foot of the post. Frampton saw out the remaining minutes to ensure that they took the three points back up the M5.
Despite the lack of rain the straw coloured pitch at Oldbury Lane was in great condition for Wick v Filton Athletic, who started much the brighter of the two sides preventing Wick from enjoying any possession. After 5 minutes Filton fashioned the first shot of the game, but just wide of the goal. After 8 minutes Wick lost the ball in midfield and Filton took advantage with a sweeping move that found Kieron Cooper to fire past Kai Wilson for 1-0. On 31 minutes Wick gifted the ball to Trey Merrett who broke unopposed to drill the ball home for Filton’s second. Four minutes later a deep cross from the Filton right was not dealt with by the Wick defence and Wilson made a brilliant save from a header but the ball fell to Dylan Quick who smashed Filton’s third, unfortunately leaving Wilson injured from the initial save. Worse was to come for the hosts when Merrett scored a 30 yard screamer from the left into the top corner. Wick four down and Finley Sparkes deputising for Wilson, the second half was a more even affair and on 65 minutes Wick clawed one back, substitute Ellis Clarke scoring with an excellent finish. With the damage done in the first half, there was no way back for Wick and towards the end Sparkes saved well to deny Filton a fifth but at 4-1 Filton were worthy winners on the day.
At Hamfields Sharpness were up against Tewkesbury Town, and the hosts had the best of the early play with James Tainton causing problems. Sharpness took the lead when Tainton and Alfie Jones linked up well to give Kieran Bennett a tap in. Sharpness continued to have the upper hand and doubled their lead when a good through ball from Jones sent Bennett one-on-one and he finished well for 2-0. Jones then had a great chance for the third but couldn’t find the finishing touch. Towards the end of the half Tewkesbury came more into the game and finished the half strongly with a couple of efforts narrowly over. Tewkesbury started the second half where they left off and halved the deficit when a long ball forward caught the Sharks defence out and Beasley latched onto the ball and finished well. Tewkesbury were causing problems and had opportunities from corners and free kicks but were dealt with well by keeper Dykes and his defence. Then, against the run of play Tainton went on a mazy run and exchanged a couple of passes with Higgs and Bryant before crossing, great composure was shown by Bryant to set up Bennett with another good finish for his hat-trick. Sharks went hunting for a fourth with subs Palmer and Will Tainton both going close, but the game finished 3-1 and the Sharks secured victory against a very good Tewkesbury Town team.
At Vicarage Road, Hanham Athletic met Ruardean Hill Rangers who were on their first outing of the season. Ruardean started the stronger and keeper David Taylor did well to keep out a good effort by Ollie Mason. Hanham had their first chance on 34 minutes when Sam Archer’s effort was well tipped over by Aaron Underwood. Hill should have scored two minutes before the break when Mason shot over from six yards with the goal gaping, and they were unlucky when a fantastic effort from Luke Brown cannoned off the crossbar. Hanham’s job was made even harder when Liam Dibble got himself a second yellow and Hill made the ten men pay taking a deserved lead when Mason finished off a great move to score. They made the game safe right on full time when Steve Clarke finished off a cut back and 2-0 for three points.
At The Hawthorns Broadwell Amateurs took on Cribbs Reserves with five games played between them and not a point to show. But, it was a fast start for Broadwell and they had the lead on three minutes, Kristian Burnard getting on the end of a move he started, the ball fell kindly off a block tackle and broke for Burnard to run through and slot under Jude Brown. Well had further chances to increase their lead but were wasteful in front of goal. The second goal for Well came on 23 minutes with Harry Malcolm breaking up play in the Cribbs half and playing out wide for Jamie Belfitt who drove to the by-line and a wicked cross was turned in by a Cribbs defender under pressure from Kian Skidmore. Broadwell missed a chance for 3-0 when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Jordi Locke after a mazy run into the box. Burnard’s spot kick was saved by Brown, onto the post and out to safety. Cribbs best chance of the half came right on half time, a mix-up at the back but a rather tame shot was dealt with by Jack Watkins. Cribbs started the second half brightly and took control creating a number of good opportunities from set-pieces but Broadwell were able to weather the storm. Broadwell made the game safe on 58 minutes following a deep kick by Watkins, flicked on by Burnard which sent Skidmore through on goal finishing well low under the on-rushing Brown. And, 3-0 it finished for Broadwell.
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