Match Reports
27th December 2008 - Highridge edge out Taverners
The last weekend of 2008 saw few surprises and leaves Slimbridge at the top of the table going into 2009.
The game between Highridge United and Taveners ended in a 2 – 0 victory for the home side. The early stages of the game saw Taverners take the initiative, an early free kick for Taverners curled into the box by Stewart Lawrence was flicked on by Thornton was spilled by keeper Brimble but their was no one on hand to knock the ball home. Highridge’s first attempt on goal was a good shot from Nicky Pratten which was well taken by Taverners keeper Duane Portlock against the run of play, Highridge broke down the right flank and Jack Mitchell’s cross was met by Micky Adams who turned the ball into the net. Pratten again went close with a good shot from the edge of the box that was only just wide of the upright. At the other end another Stewart Lawrence free-kick skipped past a number of Highridge defenders straight into the arms of Brimble. Although the home side went in with a 1 – 0 lead, Taverners were unlucky to be behind.
Action from Highridge United V Taverners
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Ten minutes into the second half Highridge increased their lead when a break down the left was crossed into the box by Liddell and after a bit of a scramble Centre-back Mitchell Kavanagh fired the ball past a group of defenders into the net. A really good chance for Taverners to pull a goal was a tremendous 30-yard free-kick from Mike Thornton which saw Brimble mesmerised as the ball struck the base of the upright and was cleared. Highridge’s keeper Brimble moved forward really well to cut out a through pass which would have saw Tom Hanley clear on goal. Highridge had a great chance to extend there lead when a good move down the right was crossed into the box and a first time shot by Mitchell went just wide.
For the second successive week DRG Stapleton find them-selves losing by the odd goal. This time to the inform Forest of Dean side Ellwood. Ellwood opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Mike Nelson cut in from the right and drove the ball passed the home keeper. Just one minute later they were 2 – 0 down when Darryl Addis drove a great shot into the roof of the net after just 21 minutes the home side were trailing 3 – 0 as Mike Nelson netted his second of the afternoon. The home side hit back in the 54th minute with a Ricky Bishop header but a minute later Ellwood extended there lead again with a Chris Addis strike. Then two brilliant goals from Justin Bishop in the 65th and 70th minutes outpacing the Ellwood defence to give the home side a glimmer of hope but they couldn’t find the back of the net again for the equaliser.
Action from Highridge United V Taverners
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Yate Town Reserves continued with their good form with a deserved victory away to Tuffley Rovers. But Tuffley rued a missed penalty in the 40th minute when Adam Growcott saved a weak effort from Stuart Griffiths. After the break Yate took the lead, from defending a corner they broke quickly and Justin Cattle left the defence standing to slot past the keeper. Five minutes later the visitors extended their lead when new signing Lee Gardiner rounded the keeper after a good cross found him in space in the box. Yate then had their keeper Growcott sent off for handling the ball outside the box. Tuffley pushed forward to take advantage of the ten men, but were then caught twice on the break in the dying minutes with Justin Cattle scoring his second of the afternoon and Carl Lakey completing the rout.
Kings Stanley keep up their challenge for the title with a 3 – 0 victory over Thornbury Town. The first half looked as though they were still suffering from hang-overs after the Christmas break with only one effort worthy of a goal a John Embling shot that struck the post. In the 50th minute. Stanley had a great chance to take the lead but Nick Reiger’s penalty was well saved by the Thornbury keeper. Stanley eventually took the lead from a corner that was not cleared by the Thornbury defence and Sam Prior was on hand to drive the ball home. Stanley took control of the game but had to wait until the 84th minute when new signing Pascal P-Gi side footed home from close range. In the dying minutes Mike Beckingham seized onto a through ball and out paced the Thornbury defence to make it 3 – 0.
Patchway Town and Henbury shared the spoils in this local derby. Henbury took the lead after 10 minutes through Centre-back Ralph Timms. In the 22nd minute Patchway was level when the luckless Timms put through his own goal. In the second half there were no further goals but a brilliant save from Lee Francis denied Henbury a second goal. The visitors also had a penalty appeal turned down in the last minute of this hard fought match.
Chipping Sodbury Town are still struggling to find their form, after going down 2 – 0 at home to Berkeley Town in an uninspiring goalless first half. Berkeley opened the scoring straight after the break with a Peter Lavis penalty and five minutes later Berkeley completed the double over Sodbury when Adam Philp netted Berkeley’s second. Late on Sodbury had a goal disallowed for off-side.
Leaders Slimbridge gained a very narrow victory over struggling Hanham Athletic at Wisloe Rd. The only goal of the game came after 2 minutes when Craig Cole’s 30 yard rocket gave the Hanham keeper no chance. Both sides had chances and Hanham’s Cartledge and Coster had efforts scrambled of the Slimbridge goal line. Slimbridge’s keeper Ryan Chandler pulled off a tremendous save to deny a shot from Scott Coster in the dying minutes.
A surprise result was the 2 – 0 home defeat of Bishop Cleeve Reserves by B & W Avonside. Two superb strikes from Kye Simpson, the first came after 28 minutes with a brilliant 20 yard strike and his second in the 85th minute, gave B & W a deserved victory according to the home spokesman.
20th December 2008 - Stanley march on in Cup
In the second round of the Les James League Cup Competition, King Stanley go through to meet Yate Town Res in the Semi-Final after a convincing 5 – 1 victory at B & W Avonside. Stanley took a very early lead with a brilliant 20 yard free-kick from John Embling. At this stage Stanley were well in control of the game with B & W finding it difficult to retain the ball. A Mike Beckingham drive from 30 yards was really well saved by the home side keeper Pullara. The first attempt on goal by B & W was a shot from Steve Mason from the edge of the box which failed to trouble the Stanley keeper Gavin Dean. B & W began to get their game together and efforts from Jacob Cox and Mark Linton were just wide of the target. The home side continued to attack but was hit with a counter attack on 40 minutes when Stanley’s full back Sam Prior hit a sweet left foot drive into the bottom corner of the net to give them a 2 – 0 lead. Just before the break Phil Sarjeant of B & W received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Action from B&W V Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
At the start of the second half the home side almost pulled a goal back with a terrific shot from Steve Mason which Dean’s did very well to save. A couple of minutes later the visitors were 3 – 0 up, the ball was struck into the box from a free-kick headed clear by Aaron Day but the ball dropped nicely for Mike Beckingham who’s looping shot dropped over the keeper into the net. At this stage Stanley were well in control and only a couple of good saves from Pullara kept Stanley at bay. In the 65th Minute Stanley went 4 – 0 up when John Peacock broke into the box, the ball seemed to run away from him but the keeper failed to collect and Peacock ran through to score. Jamal Fisher who had come on as a substitute for B & W saw his shot from the edge of the box really well saved by Dean’s. B & W eventually got on the score sheet in the 87th minute when Kye Simpson picked up the ball just inside the Stanley Half, cut inside and delivered a brilliant shot from the edge of the box that flew past the outstretched hands of Dean’s in the Stanley goal. In the very last minute of the game a corner on the right from Stanley was neatly headed home by substitute Dave Legg.
Slimbidge go to the top of the table with a 2 – 0 victory over Patchway Town. According to their spokesman the first 45 minutes of this game was dreadful, with only one scoring opportunity created by either side. The home side took the lead on 57 minutes when a long Steve Badham free-kick was headed onto the bar by James Inch and the rebound dropped to Karl Nash who side footed home from just three yards. Slimbridge wrapped up the points in the 82nd minute when Lewis Wilton’s run down the left ending in a forceful shot that was parried by the Patchway keeper the ball running straight to William Wellon to hammer into the net from 15 yards.
Yate Town Reserves improving season continued with a convincing victory over Berkeley Town at Lodge Road. First half Goals from Justin Cattle in the 24th minute and Gary Symonds ten minutes later gave Yate a 2 – 0 advantage by the break. In the second half Yate put the game beyond doubt with a late flurry. Jack Smythe added his first of the afternoon in the 76th minute and Jack Dempsey completed the rout in the 84th minute.
Action from B&W V Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Bishops Cleeve Reserves came back from the dead with 3 goals in the last seven minutes to nick victory from bottom side DRG who were leading 4 – 2 at one stage. Bishops Cleeve opened the scoring in the 3rd minute through Jamie Lock. James Cesay equalised for the visitors in the 19th minute. The home side took the lead again when Robbie Allen scored in the 23rd minute. DRG levelled the score on the stroke of half time with a Paul Henry strike. Within 5 minutes of the interval Justin Bishop gave DRG the lead for the first time and then in the 80th minute it looked like Zayne Simpson had given DRG their first victory of the season but in a dramatic come back the home side pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute with a Gavin Garthwaite goal. And then two further headers from James Pickup and Dan Harvey in the 85th and the 90th minute respectively stole the points.
Highridge United and Axa shared the spoils with a 2 – 2 draw at the Creek. Highridge were the first on the score sheet when Mickey Adams knocked in Jack Mitchells cross in the 12th minute. A mix up in the Highridge defence and a mistake by central defender Mitch Kavanagh allowed Steve Watts to level the score on the half hour. Highridge regained the lead after 65 minutes when Nicky Pratten’s 20 yard drive flew into the bottom corner of the net. The never say die Axa hit back in the 80th minute with a 25 yard free-kick from Danny Thorpe.
Action from B&W V Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Ellwood retained their winning form with a 2 – 0 victory over Taveners. In the early stages of the game Taveners looked the better side but an incident mid-way through the first half which saw Taveners lose a player sent off for a foul on Byron Ranford in the box changed the game. Ryan Pendry gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot. In the second half which Ellwood were the better side they sealed the points with a second goal from Byron Ranford.
Henbury salvaged a point after falling behind to an early Thornbury Town goal from Chris Johnson in the 10th minute. In a dour game that never really got going. Henbury’s Shane Hobbs netted the equaliser after 55 minutes.
13th December 2008 - Ellwood wash away AXA's unbeaten record
In the only match to survive the heavy overnight rain Axa lost their unbeaten record to a very well organised Ellwood side.
The 4-2 result was a fair reflection on the game overall with Ellwood really playing some very good football throughout. The flavour of the day was Byron Ranford who scored all four goals for Ellwood, with Danny Thorpe and Steve Watts netting the home sides goals.
Action from AXA V Ellwood
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Axa had an early free kick on the right which Nathan Lumbar curled into the box but Sledge was unable to connect properly and the ball ran straight to Edwards in the Ellwood goal. Ellwood first attempt on goal also came from a free kick that was equally well dealt with by the Axa keeper Pearce. Ellwood took the lead on 8 minutes when a long ball into the Axa box was not dealt with by centre back Chris Marsh the ball span away from keeper Pearce and Byron Ranford had the simplest of tasks to knock the ball into the empty net from 12 yards. A minute later Axa’s Nathan Lumber’s free kick from 25 yards sailed over the bar. Ellwood were now taking control of the game and efforts from Jamie Addis and Mike Nelson went just over the bar. Chris Marsh made up for his earlier mistake with a very good tackle on Daryl Addis to prevent another goal-scoring chance for Ellwood. In another Ellwood attack Axa’s Fred Hopkins was at full stretch to knock the ball over the bar with Daryl Addis waiting to pounce. In a rare Axa attack Danny Thorpe broke down the right side and lifted the ball into the box right onto the head of Steve Watts but his header was not strong enough to beat Edwards. With 30 minutes of play gone Axa’s Fred Hopkins crossed into the visitors box was brilliantly cut out by Derek Roberts to deny Watts a clear shot on goal. At the other end Pearce brought of a brilliant save from Jamie Addis after brother Daryl had set him up for the shot. Ellwood were well in control when Daryl Addis almost netted a second with an over head kick that just cleared the bar. There was no doubt who was the busiest keeper as Pearce was again in action to deny Byron Ranford’s 25 yard drive from going in. Ellwood got a second goal on 39 minutes when a cross from right full back Tom Creed found Ranford in a crowded box and the striker neatly headed past Pearce into the far corner. The visitors were well worth their 2-0 lead at the break.
Action from AXA V Ellwood
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
It took just 2 minutes into the second half for Ellwood to increase their lead when Byron Ranford head past Pearce from a Jamie Addis cross. Axa hit back straight away with Edwards pulling off a brilliant save from an Andy Sledge header after Nathan Lumbar had made the space down the left to send in the cross. The home side eventually got on the score sheet in the 52nd minute when Danny Thorpe drove a 20 yard free kick past the outstretched hands of Edwards. Ranford almost scored again for Ellwood when a rare Lumbar mistake allowed the striker a clear shot on goal, but Pearce closed the space down and the shot struck his legs and was cleared. At the other end Edwards pulled of a magnificent save to deny Tim O’Loughlins free kick from going in. In the 69th minute Byron Ranford netted his 4th of the afternoon with a powerful left foot drive from the edge of the box that hit the underside of the bar before going in. With time running out rapidly Axa scored a second again involving Nathan Lumbar getting behind the Ellwood defence and pulling the ball back from the by-line for Steve Watts to simply tap into the Ellwood net.
Action from AXA V Ellwood
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
This was a very entertaining game of football which was watched by a much larger crowd than usual, because of all the other cancellations.
Action from AXA V Ellwood
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
6th December 2008 - It's a day to play away
Yate Town Reserves thoroughly deserved their victory against a Patchway Town side that rarely threatened the Yate defence. Patchway lost their goalkeeper Martin Alford early on with a bad ankle injury and was replaced in goal by outfield player Dean Woods. Yate opened the scoring midway through the first half, a cross into the box was headed on to the cross bar by Luke Coles and Justin Cattle was there to head home from close range. Yate went further ahead in the 35th minute when Danny Coombes broke free down the right wing and his shot went through the keeper’s legs to give them a 2 goal advantage in the first half. Patchway were reduced to ten men in the 40th minute when Bradley Harris was sent off for handling the ball, his second bookable offence.
Luke Coles heads goalwards for Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
The ten men of Patchway started the better in the second half and got their first shot at goal when Marlon Francis broke through but shot straight at Adam Growcott the Yate keeper. Yate gradually worked them selves back into the game when Jack Dempsey’s 30 yard drive was pushed round the post by Wood. Patchway then lost the services of Stuart Jenkins who stayed down after challenging for the ball. Yate made it 3 – 0 after 70 minutes when Justin Cattle’s left foot drive curled into the far corner of the Patchway net. What with two bad injuries and the sending off it was just not Patchway’s day.
Thornbury Town came from behind to take all three points in this bottom of the table clash at the Ridings. Sodbury defender Dave Coombs opened the scoring when he headed home unmarked from a corner in the 20th minute. Thornbury equalised from Sammy Lippiatt following a corner and then Thornbury grabbed a late winner in the 85th minute when Pete Fowler struck home the winner.
Action from Patchway Town V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
A second half scoring spree ensured Ellwood took all three valuable away points at Tuffley Rovers. Ellwood opened the scoring on the verge of half time when Byron Ramford scored after a goal mouth scramble following a corner. In the second half further goals from Daryl Addis in the 67th minute with Mike Nelson adding a third on 84 minutes and Addis completing a brace in the dying seconds.
After a hard fought point last week, DRG again failed to score with a 4 – 0 home defeat to high flyers Kings Stanley. After a fairly even first half, Stanley were fortunate to take the lead when Rob McArthur’s back pass fell short and keeper Chris Telfer rushed to clear the ball which struck Stanley’s Nick Rieger and then fell nicely for him to slot home. A second half spree ensured all three points for Stanley with a brace from Lee Barstow, the first a corner headed home and the second after a clever move saw his low drive hit the back of the net. In between Barstow’s two goals, Sam Prior broke clear of the home defence and fired in a diagonal shot.
Berkeley Town bounced back from a dip in form to win a hard fought match at the creek against Highridge United. Berkeley took an early lead when Adam Philp scored on 4 minutes. Craig Hopkins levelled the score on 20 minutes with a low drive under the Berkeley keeper. No further score until the 70th minute when Philp lobbed Brimble in the Highridge goal to restore the lead. Berkeley made sure of the three points when Richard Langford drove home a low drive from a corner from the right.
Action from Patchway Town V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Lowly Hanham Athletic suffered another home defeat at the hands of Bishops Cleeve Reserves. After some good open play James Pickup opened the scoring for the visitors on 15 minutes. Two second half goals on 55 and 56 minutes from Richard Barnes again involving good open build up ensured the three points went back to Cheltenham.
In the GFA Challenge Trophy Round 3 Cadbury Heath from the Toolstation League go through to the next round with a narrow 3 – 2 win over Henbury from the Gloucestershire County League Trailing 3 – 0 at the break Henbury hit back with two second half goals from Craig Hobbs and Ralph Timms.