Match Reports
26th September - Thornbury hold on as Rockleaze drop first points
In their first home game of the season on a superb playing surface Rockleaze Avonside lose their unbeaten record with a 1 – 1 draw against Thornbury Town. Rockleaze started the brighter of the two sides with keeper Rob Malcolm being tested from a Steve Mason shot which he managed to push out for a corner. Thornburys first effort was a Danny Thompson shot which was well saved by Manni Pullara. Rockleaze had several chances with shots from Mark Linton and a Kye Simpson header that went just wide of the upright. Both sides were playing the ball around well on a very good surface both defences were on top of their game. Kye Simpson almost broke through the Thornbury defence on the half hour but a last ditch tackle from Ricky Lippiatt prevented the striker going clear. Just before the break Dean James had a clear shot on goal for the home side but the ball just cleared the cross bar. Then at the other end Chris Parry might have given Thornbury the lead but he hit his shot into the ground and it bounced over the cross bar.
Action from Rockleaze Avonside V Thornbury Towne
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
In the 48th minute Christian Irwin rose to head the ball at the Rockleaze goal but again it just cleared the bar. From the resulting goal kick Rockleaze broke to the other end and forced a corner which was brilliantly cleared of the line by Chris Parry. In the next few minutes Thornbury Town forced two corner but the home defence dealt with the danger. Then Danny Thompson broke down the right and struck his shot across goal with the home keeper Pullara stationary as the ball slid past the outside of the upright. Thornbury took the lead in the 63rd minute when Chris Parry broke down the left and squared the ball for Steve Alexander to slide home from close range. Parry again broke down the left and this time his cross was met by Christian Irwin who shot struck the cross bar from 20 yards. The home side levelled the score on 83 minutes with some good play from Dean James who fired a low shot past Malcolm from the edge of the box. The home side might have snatched a winner in the 88th minute when Rob Neill was put clear but pulled his shot wide of the goal. Then in the last minute of the game Rob Malcolm brought off a brilliant diving save to deny Kia Simpson a winner for the home team.
Action from Rockleaze Avonside V Thornbury Towne
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Kings Stanley maintain their 100% record with a 1 – 0 victory over Yate Town Res. The visitors had the better of the first 45 minutes after Stanley’s Danny Chandler had to leave the field through injury. Yate had a goal disallowed after 20 minutes for an off-side decision. Gavin Dean, the Stanley keeper who had made several good saves brought off a tremendous save from Justin Cattle’s header to deny the visitors the lead. In the second half Peacock had a good chance to open the scoring for Stanley but delayed his shot and the danger was dispelled. The winning goal came in the very last minute of the game when Mike Beckingham made some space for himself on the edge of the box and beat the visitor’s keeper with a low shot into the bottom corner.
Patchway Town's mini winning streak came to an end with a 2 – 0 defeat at Brimscombe & Thrupp. Matt Blyth and Jamie Martin missed some early chances and Fran King missed a sitter from a Pritchard cross. The home side took the lead after 25 minutes through Lee Pritchard, the score remaining like that until the 85th minute when Jamie Martin netted the second to give the home side the points.
Action from Rockleaze Avonside V Thornbury Towne
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
DRG Stapleton remain top of the table with a 3 – 0 victory over local rivals Chipping Sodbury Town. After a goalless 45 minutes the home side open the scoring on 65 minutes when Sam Thomas’s cross was hammered into the corner of the net by Aaron Taynton. Five minutes later they were 2 – 0 up when Tristan Ferguson made a great break down the right, cut inside defender Lloyd Harding and fired the ball past Towns keeper Jon Kerley. The three points were safe when the home side netted the third, Sam Thomas heading home a cross from the right.
In the local derby between Henbury and Axa, the visitors took the honours with a 2 – 1 victory. Axa had an early chance when Noel O’Sullivan went close with a header after 25 minutes. But Henbury’s Ashley Lock and Adam Rosser also had good opportunities to score. It was the visitors who took the lead with a tremendous shot from Andy Sledge mid-way through the half. But Henbury levelled the score just before the break through Eddie Howells. In the second half, Howells might have given the home side the lead when his header struck the upright. At the other end Shepherd brought off a great save to deny Axa going further ahead. The winner came in the 87th minute for Axa when Scott Burnell netted.
After two below par performances, Tuffley Rovers got back to winning ways with a 2 – 0 victory over Bishops Cleeve Reserves. The opening goal came after 7 minutes when Mark Wallington hooked the ball over his head goal bound and the Bishops Cleeve defender raised his arms to stop the flight of the ball resulting in a penalty. Vic Webb duly converted from the spot. In the first 15 minutes of the second half the home side were on the back foot as Bishops Cleeve pushed forward for an equaliser. The home side weathering the storm and then got themselves back into the game and in the 80th minute a cross from Warren Mann was poorly dealt with by the visitors defence and Mark Ward netted to make it 2 – 0.
Action from Rockleaze Avonside V Thornbury Towne
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Taverners pick up their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Ellwood. They fell behind after just 5 minutes when Byron Ranford headed home a far post cross. The game was evenly balanced throughout and Taverners got a deserved point when they levelled the score through Jay Redbond in the second half.
A goalless 90 minutes in the game between Berkeley Town and Kingswood although the visitors missed the better chances throughout the game. The home side did manage to get the ball into the net but it was ruled out for a foul. This will be a welcome point for Berkeley as they languish near the foot of the table.
19th September 2009 - National League System Cup
The Gloucestershire County Football League travelled to Arkley near Barnet London the home of London Lions for this first round tie in the FA Calsberg National League Systems Cup Competition to take on the holders of the cup the Southern Amateur League.
Action from Southern Amateur League V Gloucester County League
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On a very warm afternoon more fitting for cricket than Football this was always going to be a testing time for the visitors. Although Gloucestershire enjoyed plenty of possession early on it was the home side that had the first shots on target. Nathan Lumber created the first opening for Gloucestershire, a cross that skinned across goal with no one being able to make contact.
Action from Southern Amateur League V Gloucester County League
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The home side gradually worked their way into the game with some slick passing and movement off the ball that had the visitors defence at full stretch to keep them out. Steve Thompson should have made better use of a through ball in the 24th minute but he was slow to react and the ball was nicked of his toe.
Action from Southern Amateur League V Gloucester County League
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The home side should possibly have taken the lead in the 32nd minute but the striker pulled his shot wide of the goal with a one on one situation. The Southern Amateur League took the lead in the 40th minute with a superbly taken goal a through ball placed between the Gloucestershire defenders for Nick Haynes to lift the ball over Robert Malcolm as he came off his line.
Action from Southern Amateur League V Gloucester County League
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Gloucestershire opened the second half much stronger and pushed the home defence back into their own half and a free kick from the edge of the box by Mike Beckingham went just past the upright with the keeper unsighted. A few minutes later it was the turn of Jonathon Peacock to fire just over the bar from 25 yards. In the 67th minute Justin Cattle had what was probably the best chance for Gloucestershire when a long corner dropped for the striker to hit his volley over the bar from close in.
Action from Southern Amateur League V Gloucester County League
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Manager Dave Lippiatt brought on Chris Parry for Warren Mann to try and get some width down the right hoping to get behind the home defence with some crosses. A break down the right by Peacock saw his low cross skim past the home defence but the Gloucestershire forwards were unable to connect with the ball.
Action from Southern Amateur League V Gloucester County League
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With Gloucestershire pressing for the equalising goal they were stunned by the speed of the home forwards following a Gloucestershire corner on the right as they broke into the visitors half and with a through pass that looked as though the player was offside they gave Malcolm no chance in the Gloucestershire goal. The home side might have increased their lead in the 80th minute as a shot on target sipped past Malcolm struck the post and then struck the keeper but spun away from the goal.
Action from Southern Amateur League V Gloucester County League
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
This was a very good experience for the Gloucestershire team as they had come up against a very well organised team that obviously play together on a regular basis.
Action from Southern Amateur League V Gloucester County League
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
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19th September 2009 - Avonside leave Taverners Rock Bottom
Rockleaze Avonside continue their unbeaten league form with a hard fought 1 – 2 away victory over basement club Taverners. In the 17th minute Rockleaze took the lead when Troy Simpson broke down the left and cut into the box only to collide with Taverners keeper, the ball broke loose for Neil Simons to tap into an empty net. The game was delayed 8 minutes with both players being taken to hospital. In the 23rd minute Rockleaze stretched their lead after a mix up in the Taverners defence allowed Neil Simons to score his second of the afternoon. Taverners fought back and in the 71st minute Andy Griffiths was brought down in the box and Mike Thornton converted the spot kick.
Kingswood upset the form book with a hard fought victory over league leaders DRG Stapleton to set up their first win of the season. DRG had a good chance to go ahead just before the break when they were awarded a penalty after Adam Eldridge handled in the box, but keeper Chris Fox pulled off a good save to deny the visitors. Three minutes after the break, Paul Bleaken put the home side ahead with a superb 25 yard right footed strike that left the keeper no chance. In the 75th Minute after good possession Barrie Dibden put Kingswood further ahead with a low drive from 8 yards. Three minutes later DRG keeper spilled a high ball into the box and Dibden was on hand again to tap in from close range. Ten minutes before the end DRG pulled a goal back when Tristan Ferguson headed in a cross from the right.
Chipping Sodbury Town’s good form mid-week suffered a dip after a home defeat at the hands of Highridge United. Paul Harris put the home side ahead on 38 minutes with a strike from a cross after good pressure. Highridge stepped up a gear in the second half and were level with in a minute of the restart. A mistake from Chris Simsek allowed Shane Hobbs to tap in from close range. Ten minutes later Highridge took the lead through Dominic Graffagnino. In the 60th minute Highridge were awarded a penalty for which defender Shaun Overton was sent off and Craig Liddell netted from 12 yards. Highridge’s Nicky Pratten was also sent off late in the match.
Patchway Town continued their winning form from last week with a 0 – 2 victory away to Hanham Athletic. An error in the Hanham defence allowed Brad Harris to score from close range. Despite Hanham having the majority of play in the second half, Patchway rode the storm and a breakaway in the 75th minute allowed Ben Murphy to elude several defenders before squeezing his shot past the keeper.
Axa hit good form with a 4 – 1 home victory over Brimscombe & Thrupp. In the 5th minute, good play down the left resulted in a cross from Matt Shaugnessy which found Brad Saunders unmarked to hit on the half volley to put the home side ahead. Axa went further ahead in the 13th minute after a ball over the top found Jason Reynolds who past one defender to coolly smash it home from 8 yards. Steve Watts made it three from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the 33rd minute. Brimscombe’s Lee Pritchard pulled a goal back for the visitors just before the break when he weaved his way through many tackles to slot home. Another penalty in the dying minutes this time from Nick Jones added Axa’s Fourth of the day when Reynolds was fouled in the box.
12th September 2009 - Nine man Highridge hang onto point
Highridge United took the lead in the 33rd minute with a disputed goal, Nick Pratten put through clear on goal to chip the ball past Fox with all the Kingswood defenders appealing for off-side and they may have had a good case. The first chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Kingswood Tom Higgins hit a curling free-kick from just outside the box but Ray Johnson in the Highridge goal gathered easily. At the other end the Kingswood keeper Chris Fox pulled off a tremendous save to deny Shane Hobbs. A brilliant shot from Adam Eldridge was really well saved by keeper Johnson to deny the visitors the lead. Another well placed chip by Shane Hobbs was neatly flicked over the bar by keeper Fox. Then came the controversial goal in the 33rd minute, Highridge should have increased their lead in the 42nd minute but Dominic Graffagnanio shot wide of the target. Then Fox pulled off another great save when he denied Craig Liddell a minute later.
Action from Highridge United V Kingswood
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Three minutes into the second half brothers Craig & Shane Hobbs were dismissed by the Referee, Craig Hobbs for a serious tackle and Shane for inappropriate language. This gave the visitors the opportunity to push more players forward and in the 55th minute a cross from the left was smashed into the net by Richard Wyse from close range. Kingswood were unlucky not to have taken the lead when a shot from Paul Bleaken was brilliantly saved by Johnson. Johnson kept the home side in the game with another brilliant save from Tom Higgins after Mike Shaw had crossed from the right. In the 76th minute Kingswood struck the cross bar with Johnson well beaten. Highridge made several substitutions and in the last ten minutes although down to 9 men, they looked like they might snatch a winner. Substitute Steve French struck the cross bar with minutes remaining.
DRG Stapleton increase their lead at the top with a 2 – 1 win at Yate Town Reserves. Strikes from Aaron Taynton secured all three points for visitors while Omari Sims netted the only goal for Yate.
Action from Highridge United V Kingswood
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Patchway Town grabbed their first victory of the season with a 2 – 1 win at home to Taverners. Mark Palmer set up Adam Grinter with a superb through ball for the striker to score from the edge of the box. Patchway added a second in the 48th minute when a Chris Chinnock cross was turned in by Luke Garbacz. Three minutes later Taverners pulled a goal back when Tom Hanley headed home from 12 yards.
Henbury and Hanham Athletic shared a point each with a 1 – 1 draw at Arnell Drive. Henbury went close after 35 minutes when a shot from Molami Bokota was just the wrong side of the upright. Hanham took the lead on 40 minutes through Nathan Bryer to give them a 1 – 0 lead at the break. Henburys Craig Davis should have levelled in the 50th minute when Eddie Howells put him clear. Henbury drew level midway through the second half with an Eddie Howells strike. Aaron Wilson had to take over in goal due to an injury to the keeper who made a series of superb saves to keep Henbury in the game.
Action from Highridge United V Kingswood
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Berkeley Town and Brimscombe and Thrupp finished all square at Station Road. A goalless first half with visitors taking the lead in the 57th minute, Fran King heading home a Matt Blythe cross. Town levelled it up in the 72nd minute when Richard Langford was put clear. The home side might have grabbed all three points near the end but the shot struck the cross bar.
5th September 2009 - Kings Stanley smash seven in ten goal thriller
Kings Stanley are on fire as they rattled in seven goals against Taverners. The score at half time was 3 – 3 with both sides making errors in defence. The opening goal came in the very first minute when a Taverners defender was robbed by Matt Casey who slid the ball past Portlock. After 13 minutes the visitors were level, a free-kick from Thornton was brilliantly headed home by Richard Carey. Four minutes later Taverners were in the lead, Stanley’s goalkeeper Gavin Dean misjudged a cross into the box and Matt Spring flicked the ball into the roof of the net. In the 26th minute Stanley were level when Portlock failed to reach the ball allowing Mike Beckingham to slide the ball home. Stanley took the lead for the first time in the 38th minute when a dreadful back pass by Taverners defender Paul Jennings allowed Casey an easy task to push the ball into the net. Taverners hit back in the 40th minute with a brilliant shot from Jay Redbond that flew across the goal with Deans unable to prevent it going in.
Action from Kings Stanley V Taverners
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The second half belonged to Kings Stanley; they totally dominated the game and went ahead with a 30 yard shot from Danny Chandler in the 58th minute. Matt Spring missed a rare chance to draw Taverners level. The home side increased their lead when a cross into the box was headed forward for Ben Newman to score from six yards. Danny Chandler then missed a sitter from 6 yards but Stanley were rampant and made it six when Chandler scored from the penalty spot after Ben Newman was brought down in the box. Stanley’s final goal came in the 83rd minute when a cross into the box was punched clear by Portlock but fell straight to John Embling who had come on as a substitute to chip the ball into the empty net from 30 yards.
Action from Kings Stanley V Taverners
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The other big winners of the day were Thornbury Town with a 6 – 0 drubbing of Berkeley Town. Steve Alexander opened the scoring after five minutes and then in the 25th minute Steve Rice missed a penalty. Thornbury’s second goal came in the 50th minute from Pete Fowler. New signing Steve Thompson from Tytherington was brought on with 20 minutes to go and immediately opened his account for his new club. Steve Rice made amends for his penalty miss to make it 4 – 0 and then Sam Lippiatt made it 5 in the 75th minute. Steve Thompson grabbed his second in the 80th minute to round off Thornbury’s first win of the season.
Action from Kings Stanley V Taverners
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Rockleaze Avonside came away with an excellent 2 – 4 victory at Axa. The highlight of the day was a Troy Simpson hat-trick. He opened the scoring in the 12th minute after Kye Simpson had set the chance up. Sam Gill netted the second with a forty yard chip after a poor clearance by the Axa defence. Steve Watts pulled a goal back for the home side after 50 minutes but then Simspon netted his second in the 65th minute. Brad Sanders brought the score back to 2- 3 when he netted in the 77th minute but Simpson had not finished and netted his third with just five minutes to go.
Yate Town Reserves hit back to win 3 – 2 against Highridge United but at one stage were trailing 0 – 2. Highridge’s Nicky Pratten had given them the lead after 31 minutes and Adam Winston after 55 minutes. Jack Smyth then pulled one back for the home side after 76 minutes with Jacob Cox levelling five minutes later. Smyth then grabbed the winner for Yate with 2 minutes remaining.
Action from Brimscombe & Thrupp V D.R.G. Stapleton
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Patchway Town gained their first point of the season with a 2 – 2 draw at Ellwood. It is also the first time they have found the back of the net in five outings. Two goals mid-way through the first half for the home side from Gary Wildin and Matt Addis gave them a comfortable lead until the 85th minute when Tim O’Loughlin netted from the penalty spot for Patchway. With just two minutes to go Adam Grinter popped up to salvage a point for Town.
Chipping Sodbury Town went down 1 – 3 to Henbury. A double from Ashley Lock in the 40th and 60th minute put Henbury firmly in the driving seat and a third from Molami Bokoto in the 65th minute looked to have sealed the points. A consolation goal in the 80th minute from Paul Harris saw Town fall to a second defeat in four days.
Action from Brimscombe & Thrupp V D.R.G. Stapleton
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Tuffley Rovers hit back to win 2 – 1 against Kingswood after Tom Higgins had given them a 42nd minute lead when he ran clear to smash the ball into the roof of the net with the Tuffley defenders appealing for off-side. The home side lifted their game in the second half and drew level with a Victor Webb penalty in the 54th minute after Matt Griffiths had been pulled back. Mark Wallington grabbed the winner in the 80th minute after being set up by Chris Lee.
Hanham Athletic held previous league leaders Bishops Cleeve Reserves to a 2 – 2 draw at Vicarage Road. The visitors took the lead after 15 minutes through Bob Allen but the home side levelled 8 minutes later through James Shopland. Bishops Cleeve regained the lead in the 43rd minute with a James Pickup goal. Hanham had the chance to level in the 50th minute but missed from the penalty spot. But Hanham fought back to gain a point when Mikey Ayton netted in the 70th minute. Ten minutes from time Hanham were reduced to ten men when Keeper Ashley Bryan was sent-off.
Action from Brimscombe & Thrupp V D.R.G. Stapleton
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After a goalless result last week, DRG Stapleton got back to winning form with a 4 – 1 victory at Brimscombe & Thrupp. Martyn Nichols opened the scoring after just 3 minutes for the visitors with Lee Pritchard levelling it up after 15 minutes. A 20 yard drive from Nichols in the 38th minute put DRG in front and right on half time Aaron Taynton headed home a third. With In five minutes of the second half resuming, Taynton netted his second and the fourth for DRG with a shot across the goalkeeper.