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Match Reports

20^th May 2009 - League Cup Final Photos

Action from the League Cup Final
Image courtesy Brian Durie

Gavin Dean saves to win cup for Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Brian Durie

16^th May 2009 Kings Stanley win League Cup

Before the game kicked off Henbury's Shane Hobbs was presented with the leading goalscorer of the year award by League Chairman Bob Stewart.

Shane Hobbs presented with the leading goalscorers award by league Chairman Bob Stewart
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

A fitting finale to the season, the final of the Les James Cup Competition between Henbury and Kings Stanley staged at Slimbridge in front of a crowd 270 spectators.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes with both sides unable to add to the 1-1 score-line at half time. The weather conditions were stormy with a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch and Kings Stanley had the advantage of that wind in the first half. Stanley's Jon Embling shaved the outside of the post after 8 minutes and a couple of minute's later Stanley won their first corner as Holbrook headed away a cross into the Henbury Box. Henbury had a great chance to take the lead in the 23^rd minute when Jon Peacock's pass back to the keeper fell short and Jermaine Wright intercepted and headed for goal, but the ever alert Gavin Dean was quick of his line to smother Wrights shot. Stanley took the lead on the half hour mark when Jon Emblings corner appeared to deceive all and finished up the back of the Henbury net. Henbury kept plugging away and levelled the score in the 41^st minute when Shane Hobbs put Aaron Rosser clear to fire the ball past Dean.

Action from the final
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

Henbury had the advantage of the wind in the second half and Stanley's keeper Dean was at full stretch to prevent a Gary Clark header giving Henbury the lead. Henbury were much the better side at this stage and Shane Hobbs was only just wide as he turned and shot from the edge of the box. Craig Hobbs then had Dean scrambling across goal from a shot just out side the box. Henbury almost let Stanley's Ben Newman in just after but his shot went just wide of the target. A terrific shot from Eddie Howells saw Dean just managing to push the ball over the bar. Late in the game Henbury were a little lucky when a cross into the box saw their keeper Lee Clark making a save he new very little about as the ball spun of a defender and struck Clark and rebounded away to be cleared. Henbury were awarded a couple of free kicks on the edge of the box but Shane Hobbs sent his shot well over the top on both occasions. Stanley thought they head won the game right at the end as they forced the ball into the net, but the Assistant Referee had his flag up for offside. The final effort in the 90 minutes came from Shane Hobbs who had Dean diving full length to push the ball out foe a corner.

The scores level 1-1 on 90 minutes meant a Penalty shoot out to decide the winner. Stanley's Mike Beckingham netted the first for Stanley but Dean saved Howells penalty to give Stanley a 1-0 lead. Sam Prior then had his penalty saved by Lee Clark before Luke Barstow made it 2-1 to Stanley. Shane Hobbs made it 2-2 and Stanley's Martin McDermott put them in front again, Henbury's Peter Holbrook levelled the score once again, then up stepped Tony Francis to put Stanley back in front. Captain Gary Clark was given the job to pull Henbury level and take the penalties into sudden death but it ended there as Dean save Clark's effort and gave Kings Stanley the trophy.

Dean saves the final penalty
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

Kings Stanley captain Martin McDermott receives the Trophy from GFA Chief Executive David Neale
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

Kings Stanley Les James Cup winners 2008-09
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

9^th May 2009 - Kings Stanley wrap up fine season with a win

The last Saturday to report on and just a few games left to play in the mid-week next week the league positions are all most done and dusted. Slimbridge are champions with Kings Stanley taking the runners-up spot and Chipping Sodbury and Hanham Athletic taking the bottom two positions.

Hanham Athletic needed just a point to keep them out of the drop zone when they entertained league runners-up Kings Stanley at Vicarage Road. The Hanham team saw a few different faces to their normal line-up due to the unavailability of some of their first team players. For the first 45 minutes of the game the replacements more than matched their high flying opponents and a Chris Ashwood shot had the visitors keeper Gavin Dean at his very best to keep the ball out of his net. Then centre back Will Cawte hit a tremendous shot from 20 yards that had Dean at full stretch. Kings Stanley had plenty of possession in the first half but failed to trouble goalkeeper Mike Strawford the keeper never had to make a save.

Stanley took control in the second half and Jon Embling, Martin McDermott both went close with shots from the edge of the box. Sam Prior's powerful shot struck the upright in the 69^th minute with the keeper well beaten. Stanley at this stage were now well on top and Steve Potter opened the scoring in the 73^rd minute. Four minutes later Aiden Mercer made it 2-0. Chris Ashwood had Dean at full stretch to push the ball out for a corner in a very rare attack from the home side before Mercer netted his second two minutes from the end.

Action from Hanham Athletic V Kings Stanley
Action from Hanham Athletic V Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

Yate Town Reserves pulled off a good result at Axa with a 5-2 win. They opened the scoring after 5 minutes through Alex Lambert, but the home side hit back to level with a Nathan Lumbar goal. Steve Watts then gave the home side a 2-1 lead five minutes into the second half, before a goal spree by the visitors. Justin Cattle hit a brace and there was one a piece from Jack Smyth and Danny Coombs.

Patchway Town ran out comfortable 3-1 winners over basement club Chipping Sodbury Town. The visitors took a surprise lead in the 20^th minute with a Luke Meacham goal, but the home side drew level five minutes later when Jamie Mitchell netted the first of his two goals, the second coming in the 40^th minute. Patchway wrapped the game up in the second half with a strike from Matt Webb.

Action from Hanham Athletic V Kings Stanley
Action from Hanham Athletic V Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

D.R.G. Stapleton moved up a place to third from bottom with a slender 1-0 victory over B & W Avonside. There were no goals in the first 45 minutes although the home side did have the ball scrambled off the line by the visitors defence on several occasions. When the game looked destined to be a goalless draw Corey Wilson sent over a cross in the 85^th minute for Justin Bishop to head home.

Henbury wrapped up their season with a convincing 4-0 home victory over Berkeley Town. Henbury's feet hardly touched the ground as they raced into a 4-0 lead in the first 45 minutes. Shane Hobbs opened the scoring in the 10^th minute after Nick McCootie set him up. He made it 2-0 on the half hour mark with a brilliant individual effort. Defender Jack Collins then hit a 30 yard screamer before, George Watts made it four two minutes before the break with a shot from the edge of the box.

Highridge United woes grow as they go down 2-0 at home to Tuffley Rovers. Warren Mann gave the visitors the lead on 42 minutes and it remained that way until the very last minute of the game when Chris Lee netted the second.

Kings Stanley, Surridge Gloucestershire County Football League Runners-Up 2009/09
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

Another Slimbridge success, this time coming away with a 3-2 victory at Thornbury Town. Lewis Wilton gave the visitors the lead on 11 minutes turning in a Badham cross, but it took another 48 minutes before Craig Cole put them 2-0 ahead. Town hit back in the 69^th minute with a Riki Lippiatt strike. The swans regained their two goal advantage in the 87^th minute as Lewis Wilton netted from a Tom Radcliffe throw in. Town were not however, down and out, as Steve Alexander netted in the 89^th minute to close the score to 3-2. Slimbridge defended their lead and went away with all the points.

2^nd May 2009 - Slimbridge claim Title

Newly crowned champions Slimbridge finished the season on a high with a 4 - 0 win over Tuffley Rovers at Wisloe Rd.

In a first half which saw very few goal scoring chances the first effort came from Tuffley Rovers when Warren Mann set up Stuart Griffith to blast the ball over the bar from just outside the box. It took the home side thirty minutes to get a shot on target which was comfortably saved by the visitor's keeper Ryan. Tuffley's Shane Bradley came close with a shot after 39 minutes but three minutes later Jamie Martin cut in from the left to hammer the ball past Ryan to give the home side the lead. Lewis Wilton almost made it two but his header went just over the bar. In the dying minutes of the first half Tuffleys Rob Cook saw his header just clear the bar.

Action from Slimbridge V Tuffley Rovers
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney, more images on picasa

At the start of the second half Mark Wallington should have beaten keeper Chandler as he raced from his goal but somehow the keeper managed to get his hand to the shot to deflect for a corner. Tuffley had a great chance to level the score when the ball was bobbling around in the area and eventually cleared off the line. A few minutes later Stuart Griffith was clear on goal with just Chandler to beat but shot straight at the advancing keeper. Slimbridge made it 2 - 0 in the 65^th minute when Marvyn Roberts cross was neatly tucked home by William Wellon. Lewis Wilton then brought out the best in keeper Ryan when he dived at full length to push the ball around the post. Slimbridge went further ahead in the 70^th minute when Jamie Martin netted his second from an Ed Ward corner. Lewis Wilton then wrapped the game up with a cross come shot to make the score-line 4 - 0.

Kings Stanley grabbed the Runners up spot with a 5 - 3 victory at Patchway Town. After 14 minute's the home side were leading 2 - 0 with goals from Blaine Mitchell and Ollie Bacon. Stanley hit back in the 29^th minute with a goal from Aiden Mercer and a minute before the break were level when Tony Francis netted from the penalty spot. Two minutes into the second half, Stanley took the lead through Martin McDermott and in the 70^th minute Mike Beckingham made it 4 - 2. Patchway hit back five minutes later with a second from Ollie Bacon but with just four minutes to go Nick Rieger netted a fifth for Stanley.

Action from Slimbridge V Tuffley Rovers
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney, more images on picasa

Chipping Sodbury Town and Axa shared the spoils in a 1 - 1 draw at the Ridings. Andrew Miles opened the scoring for the home side after 12 minutes with a 25 yard drive that left the keeper stranded. Axa drew level 6 minutes later with a Ryan McKillop strike after a mix up in the Sodbury defence. Both sides had chances in the second half but there was no further score.

Hanham Athletic and Thornbury Town met for the second week running and this time Hanham taking all three points with a 1 - 0 victory. The only goal of the game came mid-way through the second half when Mark Pocock was brought down in the box and Shaun Morris netted from the penalty spot.

Ellwood finished off their home fixtures with a 1 - 0 defeat to Bishops Cleeve Res the second reverse they had suffered with in four days by the same team. The only goal of the game was netted by Jamie Hammond in the 10^th minute.

Action from Slimbridge V Tuffley Rovers
Jamie Martin's Header makes it 3-0 to Slimbridge
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney, more images on picasa

B & W Avonside's inconsistent form continued as they went down 2 - 1 at home to Highridge United. Highridge took the lead after an hour through Nick Pratten. Six minutes later they were 2 - 0 up when Mitch Kavavagh headed home from a tight angle. B & W pulled a goal back in the 79^th minute with a Ricki Boulton strike. B & W pushed forward in the dying minutes but couldn-t find a way through the Highridge defence.

Henbury ended their losing run with a 1 - 0 victory over Berkeley Town. The only goal of the game coming in the third minute when Shane Hobbs was brought down in the penalty area with Hobbs then netting the resulting penalty. There was quite a few chances created by both sides through-out the game but the score line remained the same.

2^ndMay 2009 - Slimbridge Crowned Champions

Congratulation to Slimbridge who sealed the Championship with a 4-0 home win over Tuffly Rovers

Slimbridge Captain Marvyn Roberts accepts the Trophy from League Chairman Robin Stewart
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney, more images on picasa

Slimbridge with the Trophy
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25^th April 2009 - Kings Stanley and Ellwood Slip up to hand Slimbridge advantage in title race

Any chance of Kings Stanley winning the title has almost disappeared after their 1-0 defeat at home to Bishops Cleeve Reserves. With a strong wind behind them in the first half Bishops Cleeve took full advantage with Gavin Deans in the home goal being called upon to tip the ball over the bar from a James Pickup header in the 12^th minute. The visitors looked the better side and took the lead in the 21^st minute when Jamie Hammonds cross was punched in the air by Deans and it dropped nicely for Jamie Lock to sweep into the net from just a yard out. At the other end the visitor's keeper Danny Greenhouse made a great save from a Matt Casey header. Towards the end of the first half two great saves from Deans prevented Jamie Lock grabbing a second.

Action from Kings Stanley V Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney, more images on picasa

Although the home side had the advantage of the wind in the second half they struggled to break down the dogged defensive play from Cleeve In fact Bishops Cleeve should have increased their lead in the 50^th minute when a shot from Ben Maguire was saved by Deans with the ball flying straight to Jamie Hammond who headed over the bar with the keeper still on the ground. Centre back Jon Peacock almost levelled with a brilliant piece of individual skill and a final shot that took a deflection just passed the post. At the other end James Pickup had a glorious chance to net a second for Cleeve after Lock had crossed from the left. The last 15 minutes Stanley pushed the Cleeve defence hard with Greenhouse saving well from a Matt Casey header in the 83^rd minute, and then the visitors scrambled the ball out for a corner as it bobbled about in the six yard box. With Stanley desperately trying to grab an equaliser they left gaps at the back and were almost caught out with a Jamie Hammond shot that went just over the bar. Stanley never gave up and right at the end Jon Peacock saw his shot just skim past the upright.

Slimbridge take a big step towards winning the title with a 2 - 0 victory over Henbury. Hobbs and Wright combined in the early stages with the final shot from Wright being blocked. But Slimbridge rode the early pressure and controlled the game for the remaining first half but failed to capitalise. In the first minute of the second half, Henbury could have taken the lead but Hobbs shot went just wide. Then in the 49^th minute a George Watts shot just cleared the bar. Watts was on target again but this time Chandler pulled off a great save. Slimbridge opened the scoring in the 72^nd minute when Dennis Hylton's through ball found Marc Roffe to score from 15 yards. Seven minutes later the home side were 2 - 0 when Craig Cole set up Dennis Hylton to net. With seven minutes remaining a 25 yard shot from Hylton was well saved by keeper Hobbs to deny the striker a second goal. Slimbridge now only require a point from their remaining three games to secure the Championship.

Berkeley Town secured a 1 - 0 victory at Patchway Town with a Ben Gillison strike in the 70^th minute. To add to Patchway's woes they missed a penalty and finished the game with nine men.

Action from Kings Stanley V Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney, more images on picasa

Thornbury Town and Hanham Athletic shared a point a piece at the Mundy playing fields. Chris Parry opened the scoring for Town on the half hour mark but with in a minute Hanham drew level with a strike from Mark Pocock. Ten minutes into the second half the visitors took the lead through Shaun Morris and should have gone further ahead in the 87^th minute but missed a penalty and that cost them dearly as Thornbury broke away and scored an equaliser through Steve Alexander.

Axa come from behind twice to take all three points with a 3 - 2 victory at Tuffley Rovers. Stuart Griffith opened the scoring for Tuffley in the 9^th minute with a goal from close range, they hung on to that lead until the 70^th minute when Axa's Ryan McKillop followed up a fierce shot which the keeper could not hold, the loose ball falling to Mckillop to stab home from close range. The home side re-took the lead in the 76^th minute when Stuart Griffith netted from the penalty spot. Axa hit back in the 81^st minute with a shot from Matt Curry that took several deflections on its way into the net. The visitors grabbed the winner with four minutes remaining as Steve Watts headed home at the far post from a corner.

Yate Town Reserves came back from a goal down to Taverners to salvage a point at Lodge Rd. Both goals came in the second half of the game with Tom Hanley opening the scoring for the visitors on the hour mark and Grant Brown levelling for the home side in the 80^th minute.

Action from Kings Stanley V Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney, more images on picasa

A double from B & W Avonside's Kye Simpson in the 25^th and 70^th minute has virtually ended Ellwood's title chance this season. With Kings Stanley losing 1 - 0 today the two clubs are now vying for the runners up position.

DRG Stapleton helped their chances of survival with a 2 - 0 victory over Highridge United. A Corey Wilson goal in the 37^th minute gave the home side the lead. Highridge thought they had equalised but the goal was disallowed. The home side made sure of the points when Jamie Coombs netted a second in the 81^st minute. In the final few minutes Highridge put DRG under a lot of pressure but failed to find the back of the net.

18^th April - Slimbridge maintain gap at top

A victory in the week against Axa and a slender 1-0 victory at Patchway Town gives Slimbridge a four point lead at the top of the table over Kings Stanley both clubs have played the same number of games.

Slimbridges victory at Patchway came in the 16^th minute when Jamie Martin forced the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. The home side had plenty of possession but were unable to break down a defence that has conceded just 19 goals in 27 games in the league. Patchway thought they had equalised on the hour mark but the goal was disallowed for a push on the keeper. Matt Webb's shot looked goal-ward bound in the 80^th minute but the visitor's keeper brought of a stunning save. Then right at the end Martin Alford in the home goal who had very little to do brought of a great save to deny the leaders a second goal.

Action from DRG Stapleton V Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

Kings Stanley kept up the pressure with a 3-1 win at home to B & W Avonside. The opening goal came in the 42^nd minute when Martin McDermott headed home a Paul Day cross to give Stanley a 1-0 lead at the break. Five minutes into the second half B & W were level when Kris Rueben hammered a volley past Dean's from 15 yards. In the 65^th minute Stanley regained the lead from an Aiden Mercer free kick that squeezes just inside the post. Then in the 80^th minute substitute Nick Rieger latched on to a dreadful back pass to fire Stanley into a 3-1 lead. In the last few minutes the home side had chances to increase their lead but some poor finishing let them down

Ellwood lost ground when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Taverners. Neither team were unable to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes, but three minutes into the second half a free kick from Russell Chamberlain was misjudged by the Ellwood defence and the ball crept in at the far post. The visitors hit back in the 68^th minute with a superb free kick from striker Daryl Addis that struck the inside of the post an its way into the net.

Thornbury Town dented any outside chance Henbury had of winning the title with a 4-2 home victory. Henbury took the lead in the 15^th minute when Thornbury's defence got themselves into a mess allowing George Watts to knock the ball home. Town drew level on the half hour mark with a free kick from Steve Alexander that flew across goal missed by everybody and landed up in the Henbury net. Ten minutes later Henbury were back in front as Craig Hobbs hit a cracking shot from the edge of the box. Town drew level five minutes into the second half as Chris Parry's cross was shinned into the net by James Derosa. In the 70^th minute it was Chris Parry's turn to get on the score sheet as he netted from the penalty spot after a Henbury defender handled in the box. Town brought on substitute Steve Rice who had only flown back into the country from a holiday just hours before the game and his superb lob over Winkler from the edge of the box gave the home side a deserved win.

Action from DRG Stapleton V Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

D.R.G. Stapleton's roller coaster season continues as they go down 3-1 at home to Bishops Cleeve Reserves. After winning 5-3 in the week they probably thought a win today would see them move clear of the bottom but it was not to be. Two bad defensive errors in the first 45 minutes saw the home side trailing 2-0 at the break. James Pickup gave the Bishops the lead after 19 minutes from a failure to clear their lines and the second on 40 minutes was from a free header by Jamie Hammond who was left completely unmarked in the six yard box. The home side looked more confident as the started the second half and they thought they had scored when substitute Conrad Mignottt had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside. Clinton Wilson gave the home side some hope in the 80^th minute when he was put clear to lob the ball over the advancing keeper Greenhouse. Jacob Cox should have levelled but failed to beat the young keeper. With just 5 minutes left Mr Reliable Tarik Whitcliffe mishit the ball and Jamie Hammond raced away from the home defence to beat Telfer in the home goal with a cracking shot.

Axa gained a very narrow 1-0 victory over Highridge United with Nigel Ramana goal in the 55^th minute which he headed home from an Andy Watts free kick. Highridge pressurised the home defence in the latter stages of the game but could not break down a very resilient defence.

Hanham Athletic and Chipping Sodbury the two bottom clubs in the table needed to win this game to help them move up the ladder and it was the home side who grabbed all three points with a goal in the 85^th minute from Mark Pocock after Richard Grinter had set the move up.

Action from DRG Stapleton V Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

Berkeley Town came back from behind to grab a 3-2 victory over Yate Town Reserves. The home side opened the scoring first with a strike from Peter Lavis from the edge of the box. Then two goals from the visitors in the 19^th and 22^nd minute put them in front, first Alex Lambert with a tap in and then Jack Smyth heading home a cross. Berkeley's Mike Bryant then headed the equaliser in the 62^nd minute and sealed the point for the home side when he headed home from a corner in the 74^th minute.

11^th April 2009 - Yate return to winning ways

The game between Yate Town Res and Hanham Athletic ended in a 3 - 1 for the home side, but for the first 62 minutes of this game Hanham were much the better side. As early as the 6^th minute Richard Grinter broke free of the home defence but only a brilliant save from Adam Growcott denied the striker. Yate's first attempt on goal came from Jack Smyth in the 15th minute as he picked up the ball just inside the visitors half drifting past three defenders before seeing his shot from the edge of the box go just wide of the upright. Hanham who continuously put the Yate defence under pressure eventually scored a brilliant opening goal when Richard Grinter squared the ball across the goal for Jamie Mitchell to hammer the ball past Growcott. Yate's Danny Coombes then brought the visitors keeper into action with a fierce drive which he palmed out for a corner. For most of the first half the home side failed to find their rhythm whilst the visitors passing and movement caused the home defence a lot of problems.

Action from Yate Town Reserves V Hanham Athletic
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

Hanham continued where they left off in the first half pressing the Yate defence back but the game turned in the 62^nd minute when Justin Cattle who had come on as a substitute for Yate at the start of the second half challenged the visitors keeper to a high ball which eventually struck the cross bar and in trying to clear the loose ball Hanham's Justin Cartledge hooked the ball into his own net. This lifted the home side and in the 67^th minute Cattle headed home from a Gary Powell corner to give Yate the lead. Three minutes later Cattle was put clear and from the edge of the box hammered the ball past the visitors keeper to give them a 3 - 1 lead. This is the first win for the home side in five games.

DRG Stapleton improved their chances of climbing the table with a 1 - 0 at B & W Avonside. The first 45 minutes was a dour affair with neither side creating any chances. Two minutes into the second half the visitors should have taken the lead when Clinton Wilson was put clear but fired straight at the keeper. Then in the 63^rd minute Ricky Bishop missed a glorious chance when he fired wide of the target from ten yards. The winner came in the 87^th minute from former B & W player Jacob Cox.

Action from Yate Town Reserves V Hanham Athletic
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

A surprise result of the day was Highridge United's 4 - 0 win at Tuffley Rovers. Highridge opened the scoring in the 38^th minute through Mickey Adams and increased their lead in the 49^th minute through Nicky Pratten. He then netted his second on the hour mark to put Highridge into a comfortable 3 - 0 lead but in the very last minute of the game Mickey Adams popped up for his second of the game.

The leaders Slimbridge kept up their winning formula with a 3 - 1 win over Thornbury Town. Debutante Dennis Hylton opened the scoring in the 22^nd minute and in the 30^th minute Slimbridge increased their lead when Jamie Martin's free-kick was glanced home by Marc Roffe. In the second half Slimbridge put the game beyond doubt when Lewis Wilton headed on for Dennis Hylton to fire home. Thornbury scored a consolation goal in the dying seconds from Steve Alexander who had earlier missed three golden opportunities to score.

Chipping Sodbury Town staged a remarkable come back after trailing Patchway Town by two goals. Adam Searle opened the scoring for the visitors in the 24^th minute and a Tom Monks own goal in the 50^th minute put the visitors in a commanding position. Sodbury then played their trump card when they brought on Paul Harris. Within the next 15 minutes Harris turned the game around with a superb hat-trick and gave Sodbury three valuable points.

Third place Kings Stanley were the visitors at fourth in the table Henbury who were conquerors of top of the table Slimbridge last week, and were out to improve their league position with another win over their close rivals. It was Henbury who opened the scoring in the 20^th minute when Eddie Howell's struck a superb volley past Dean's from Adam Rosser's cross. Kings Stanley drew level in the 35^th minute through Ben Newman. In the second period, Henbury regained the lead when Ralph Timms headed home a Shane Hobbs free-kick. Stanley salvaged a point when Ben Newman scrambled the ball home in the 70^th minute.

Second place Ellwood keep up their challenge for the title with a 1 - 0 victory at home to Axa. In an entertaining game in which both sides played some very good football the home side felt that they should have had a penalty in the very first minute when Daryl Addis was brought down in the box. The game was evenly balanced and with both sides unable to find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes. The only goal of the game came in the 65th minute when Gary Roberts's superb free-kick gave Pearce in the visitor's goal no chance. The only thing to dampen the Ellwood spirit was the late dismissal of Tom Creed in the very last minute of the game.

Action from Yate Town Reserves V Hanham Athletic
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney

Mid-table Taverners and Bishops Cleeve Reserves shared a point a piece in a 1 - 1 draw at Nailsworth. Tom Burridge gave Taverners the lead on the half hour mark with a simple tap in from a corner. Right on half time the visitors drew level when James Pickup netted from the penalty spot.

4^th April 2009 - Henbury stun league leaders

Slimbridge lose ground as they suffer a 2 - 0 defeat at the hands of Henbury their first defeat since January. With Ellwood picking up three points, this closes the gap to just one point at the top with the leaders having a game in hand. Henbury, who looked the better side throughout, took the game to Slimbridge right from the outset. A free-kick from Shane Hobbs on 10 minutes was well saved by the visitor's keeper Andrew Radford who had to be at his best as the home side continuously pushed forward. On 20 minutes a cross from Adam Rosser looked as though it had deceived Radford but the ball landed on the roof of the net. In the first attack by the visitors Winkler the home keeper just managed to fist the ball away from the incoming Marvyn Roberts any mistake would have almost certainly led to an equalising goal. Shane Hobbs who always looked dangerous when on the ball created space for a shot from the edge of the box which went just wide of the upright. The opening goal came in the 37^th minute when Hobbs picked up the ball on the right, rounded defender James Inch and fired the ball past Radford from just inside the box. Minutes later Henbury's Eddie Howells was unlucky with a shot that just went wide of the upright. The home side should have increased their lead five minutes before the break when a break down the right was brilliantly squared back for George Watts but the youngster blasted the ball over from six yards.

Slimbridge started the second half more confidently and the Henbury defence had to be resolute. The visitors should have equalized in the 52^nd minute when Jamie Martin was clear on goal but Henbury's keeper Mark Winkler pulled off a tremendous save. The home sides defence then cleared another goal mouth scramble to deny the visitors getting on level terms. After Henbury had weathered the storm, they broke into the Slimbridge half with Aaron Wilson's shot being well saved by Radford with the rebound falling to Hobbs and the keeper scrambling across the goal to bring off another great save to deny the striker. Henbury sealed the points in the 86^th minute when a break down the right saw Eddie Howells angled shot fly past the visitor's keeper. Minutes later a break down the left by Aaron Wilson found Hobbs just on the edge of the box and the leading goal scorer saw his chip beat the keeper but just cleared the bar.

A goal in the 7^th minute by John Adams sent Patchway Town into a 1 - 0 lead over fellow strugglers Hanham Athletic at Scott Park. In the second half Patchway took a 2 - 0 lead when a corner from Marlon Francis was headed into is own net by Mark Pocock. Mark Pocock then made amends netting a consolation goal in time added on at the end of the game.

DRG Stapleton picked up a valuable point with a 2 - 2 draw at Kings Stanley. The visitors took the lead in the 7^th minute when Clinton Wilson scored from close range. Trailing 1 - 0 at the break it looked as though the home side could possibly suffer a second defeat in as many games, but in the 55^th minute they were on level terms when Tony Francis netted from the penalty spot. Five minutes later they were rather fortunate to take the lead when a free-kick pumped into the box was poorly dealt with as the ball fell nicely for Nick Rieger to hammer it into the roof of the visitors net. DRG salvaged a point right at the death when Stanley were caught pushing forward and a break down the right saw the ball squared into the box for Clinton Wilson to drive home his second of the afternoon.

Axa go down again for the second week running with a 2 - 1 defeat at home to Bishops Cleeve Reserves. The home side opened the scoring in the 20^th minute with good play down the right and Andy Sledge's cross being headed home by Steve Watts. Bishops Cleeve drew level ten minutes later when Jamie Hammond slotted home from 8 yards. The visitors grabbed the winner in the 55^th minute when Dan Harvey's shot went through a crowded box into the Axa net.

Chipping Sodbury Town gained a valuable point with a 2 - 2 draw at Thornbury Town. The home side opened the scoring after 15 minutes when a cross from Chris Parry was headed home by Steve Rice. Sodbury drew level in the 80_th minute when Lloyd Harding netted from the penalty spot. Thornbury Town then took the lead again through Mike Usher. But Sodbury hit back in time added on through Paul Harris.

A first half goal from Matt Spring a lob over the keeper gave Taverners a 1 - 0 lead over B & W Avonside. The visitors hit back 15 minutes into the second half through Ian Burnell and grabbed the winner through Mark Linton with ten minutes remaining.

Ellwood close the gap on the leaders with a 3 - 1 home win over Tuffley Rovers. Leading scorer Daryl Addis opened the scoring after 15 minutes, but Tuffley levelled with a cracking volley from Pete Thomas in the 25^th minute. Two minutes before the break Gary Wilding restored the lead for the home side. In the 60^th minute Ellwood took a 3 - 1 lead when Daryl Addis's penalty was well saved by the Tuffley keeper but the rebound was then headed home by Addis following up.