Match Reports
28th November - Stanley take the chance to top table
The only game to survive the horrendous weather conditions over the last few days was Kings Stanley v D.R.G. Stapleton. The home side started the day in 4th place in the table whilst D.R.D. Stapleton were one place ahead. Who ever came out on top would almost certainly be the new leaders. It was the visitors who started the game really well and a Ricky Gingell header was well saved in the 2nd minute. Dean was in action again a few minutes later as he fell to his knees to stop a 25 yard drive from Sam Thomas. Stanley’s first effort on goal came from Danny Chandler who made space and then proceeded to blast the ball over the bar. The visitors looked much the better side and constantly pushed the home defence hard and a Robert Treanor shot had Dean watching as the ball flew past the far post. Leon Couzens was put clear and with all the home defence appealing for offside should have opened the scoring but hit his shot straight at Dean. Stanley could not seem to get their usual passing game together as it kept breaking down in midfield, but a break down the right by Mike Beckingham almost brought a goal but the shot was just wide of the upright. D.R.G were well in control but all their efforts were wide or Stanley’s keeper Dean who was in fine form was stopping everything that was thrown at him. In the 35th minute Martin Nicholls goal bound shot was brilliantly saved by Dean and the rebound was then fired goalwards again, only for Dean to save again this time with his legs. In the 36th minute against the run of play Stanley took the lead as a cross from Danny Chandler was not controlled by defender Rob McArthur and Matt Casey hammered the ball past Neil Hanson in the visitors goal. Just before the break Andrew Criddle had a good chance to level but missed the opportunity as he shot wide of the target.
Stanley looked a different side in the second half and their close control kept the ball away from D.R.G. for long periods Neil Hanson brought off a good save to deny Danny Chandler giving Stanley a two goal lead, but constant pressure paid off and in the 65th minute Mike Beckingham’s cross was headed home by full back Steve Walker to give Stanley that 2-0 lead. The visitors almost conceded a third as Steve Potter saw his cross deflected on to the crossbar with Hamson well out of position. In the 83rd minute Rob McArthur made up for his earlier mistake when he deflected Danny Chandler’s goal bound shot out for a corner. Eion Szwejkoski who had come on as substitute saw his goal bound header brilliantly saved by keeper Neil Hanson just before the final whistle. This was a game where D.R.G. Stapleton created many chances but failed to capitalise and when Kings Stanley had the opportunity they grasped it with both hands.
21st November - Brimscombe win battle of new boys
The first meeting for the two promoted clubs to the Gloucestershire County League this season. On a very windy and damp afternoon it was visitors Brimscombe & Thrupp who ran our 3-1 winners over hosts Kingswood. The first chance of the game came after 7 minutes a free kick for Brimscombe, Jamie Martin had a clear shot on goal but hit it straight at keeper Chris Fox. With the strong wind behind them the visitors took the lead in the 9th minute after some good inter-passing between John Dalton and Gary Probert whose final shot flew into the bottom corner well out of the reach of Fox. A few minutes later Fox was in action again as he dived at the feet of Probert. Midway thought the first half the home side might well have scored as they peppered the visitors goal with shots but was unable to break through a very stout defence. Brimscombe almost caught the home side out when they broke clear down the right with Jamie Martin’s shot being cleared off the line. A good move between Dalton and Underwood down the Kingswood left should have come to more but Underwood skewed his shot wide. Kingswood drew level on 29 minutes when Ian Mills was fouled by keeper Adam Thomas in the box which earned him a caution and Gavin Dibden netted from the penalty spot. The home side should have taken the lead just on half time as Gavin Dibden’s header found Tom Higgins in space but he blasted the ball over the bar.
Action from Kingswood V Brimscombe & Thrupp
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Brimscombe were soon on the attack in the second period and Dalton was just wide with a shot and Gary Probert header was just over the top from a corner. At the other end Adam Thomas just managed to push a Gavin Dibden shot just over the bar and Tom Higgins saw the ball knock off his toe at the last minute just as he was about to shoot. Kingswood forced several corners on the right and somehow Thomas brought off a brilliant one handed save to deny Tom Higgins giving the home side the lead. Brimscombe took the lead in the 78th minute when Gary Probert sent Aaron Booth clear to run 30 yards before placing the ball around Fox from the edge of the box. The visitors should have made it 3-1 with just a couple of minutes left, Jamie Martin broke down the right sent a good cross over to John Dalton who struck a fierce shot on target, but some how Fox got across to save. In the very last minute of the game John dalto picked up the ball about 30 yards out ran at the defence and unleashed a superb drive which flew past Fox into the far corner.
Rockleaze Avonside are the new leaders after their 2-0 success at home to Henbury. No goals in the first half but a serious injury to the Henbury keeper saw outfield player Eddie Howells take over the keepers jersey for the rest of the game. Rockleaze opened the scoring on 60 minutes when Phil Sergeant’s free kick from 25 yards beat the stand-in keeper. The home side made it safe in the 79th minute with a Troy Simpson goal from close range.
Action from Kingswood V Brimscombe & Thrupp
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
An avalanche of goals at Tuffley Rovers as they hammered seven into the Patchway Town net without reply and to make thing worse Town finished with 9 men. This win moves Tuffley into second place in the table. The opening goal came after 11 minutes as Marcus Goodge hammed the ball through a crowd of players leaving the visitors keeper unsighted. Richard James headed home a James Barton cross on 33 minutes to make it 2-0.at the break. Warren Mann who had troubled Patchway throughout the first half was next on the score sheet as he drove a left shot across the keeper into the far corner from the edge of the box. Patchway then conceded an own goal as a cross from Mann was deflected into his own net by a Town defender as he desperately tried to clear. After 64 minutes the home side made it 5-0 as Warren Mann was sent clear of the visitors defence to round the keeper and slot the ball home. Tuffley rounded off their afternoons work with two goals in the last 2 minutes both scored by Chris Lee. The first a simple tap in as the Patchway keeper dropped a cross right at his feet and the second a diving header into the bottom corner from a Warren Mann cross.
Taverners picked up a valuable point at Hanham Athletic with a 1-1 draw. It was the away side who took the lead in then 35th minute with a Tom Stubbs strike, but Hanham hit back in the 70th minute to salvage a point when Nathan Bryer netted from the penalty spot.
D.R.G. Stapleton drop to third place after their 2-2 draw at home to Berkeley Town. Berkeley were soon on the score sheet as Richard Langford drove the ball home after 3 minutes. The home side levelled just before the break with an Aaron Taynton strike. Berkeley shook the previous leader in the 53 minute when a corner was poorly dealt with by the home defence and Paul Brooks made it 2-1. D.R.G. pulled it back level in the 71St minute with a second goal from Aaron Taynton and both sides had chances to steal the points late in the game. Firstly Rob Treanor was wide with his effort and Berkeley’s Peter Lavis headed over the bar.
Action from Kingswood V Brimscombe & Thrupp
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Chipping Sodbury Town and Thornbury Town finished all square on 1-1 No goals in the first 45 minutes but Sodbury took the lead 2 minutes into the second half. They had forced several corners and the ball was moving back and forwards across goal before it fell nicely for Paul Harris to drive home. Thornbury’s goal was a superb 25 yard drive by Dan Thompson to level the score in what was described as a very good game considering the appalling conditions.
The game between Bishops Cleeve Reserve and Ellwood was brought to an end after 30 minutes by the referee because of a very serious injury to Ellwood’s Mike Baldwin who had to be taken to Gloucester hospital for treatment. The deteriorating weather conditions were almost certainly a big factor in this decision.
Highridge United v Kings Stanley was postponed due to an unfit pitch.
14th November - Kingswood edge out Thornbury
Just two fixtures left on after the weather put pay to all the rest. Thornbury Town at home to Kingswood in the league and Taverners v Chipping Sodbury Town in the second round of the Les James Cup Competition.
Thornbury Town looked as though they meant business in the first few minutes of this game as the first opportunity to open the scoring fell to Steve Thompson when he broke into the box before pulling his shot wide of keeper Chris Fox but it went just the wrong side of the upright. Kingswood had the advantage of the wind in the first half and after 13 minute were awarded a free kick 25 yards out to the left of the goal. Paul Bleaken hit a tremendous shot at goal which took a deflection off a Town defender sending keeper James Lewis the wrong way and although he tried his best to recover the ball flew into the bottom corner. A bigger blow 4 minutes later when Gavin Dibden wriggled his way past two Thornbury defenders before being brought down by Lewis in the box. Dibden hauled himself up to place the ball past the diving Lewis from the spot. James Derosa had a great chance to pull a goal back for the home side on 21 minutes when he broke into the right side of the box and hit a low shot at goal only to see keeper Fox smother the shot. Then it was the turn of Chris Parry who also saw his effort saved by the visitor’s keeper. Steve Alexander broke clear on the left but was foiled by a very good tackle just as he was about to shoot. Thornbury were forced into making a change in the 42 minute after Rikki Lippiatt sustained an ankle injury after going in for a tackle. Just before the break Kingswood could easily have made it 3-0 as Ryan Mudd broke clear of towns defence but his shot was really well saved by Lewis who parried the ball and scrambled back to recover it.
Kingswood might have scored early in the second half but Town’s keeper Lewis brought off another good save. Thornbury began to take control of the second half and were back in the game on 56 minutes as Steve Thompson scored a superb goal from just inside the box curling it into the far corner well out of reach of the diving Fox. Town were attacking more and more and Fox pulled of a great save to deny Steve Alexander. It was Fox again to the rescue as he threw himself full length to keep out a Chris Parry 25 yard free kick. The visitors defended well as town just kept pushing forward to try to get the equalising goal and they might well have levelled when Steve Alexander broke into the box on the right but then pulled his shot wide of the target. The visitors found it very difficult getting forward in the second half but on the rare occasion Dibden might have done better with a good chance but his shot was well saved by Lewis. Town kept pressing and a cross come shot from Derosa only needed the slightest of touches to find the back of the net but the ball sped past everyone and out of play. In the dying moments substitute Danny Thompson’s effort was cleared of the line.
In the 2nd Round of the Les James Cup Competition Taverners progress to the Semi-finals after winning 3-2 on penalties. The final score had finished 3-3 after 90 minutes. There is no extra time in this competition.
Both teams had to contend with a very strong wind blowing straight down the pitch at Nailsworth and it was the home side that were up against it in the first 45 minutes. Chipping Sodbury kept the pressure on the Taverners defence right from the kick-off and only some brave defending kept them at bay. The deadlock was broken in the 30th minute when Sodbury’s Alex Fox sprung the offside trap to round keeper Duanne Portlock for a 1-0 lead. Sodbury continued to press and goal-line clearances from Craig Roberts and Mike Thornton kept the score-line down to one at the break. Taverners made sure that they would take full advantage of the wind in the second half and thought they had levelled the score on 55 minutes as Tom Burridge headed home from a corner only to have the goal ruled out for a foul on the visitor’s keeper. Five minutes later he was at it again heading in from a corner and this time the goal stood Taverners were level. The home side then went ahead after a low drive at goal was handled in the box and Mike Thornton netted the resulting penalty. In the 67th minute Taverners found themselves 3-1 up as a ball into the box was flicked on by Ian Preece and all the defender could do was try to prevent the ball entering the net. In the 80th minute Sodbury made a double substitution Chris Power and Shaun Halford coming on and within 3 minutes Power had pulled a goal back to make it 3-2. This lifted the visitors, who then levelled the score in the 86th minute as Shaun Halfords cross was neatly headed home at the near post by Paul Harris. This lead the game into penalties to decided who would go through.
Mike Thornton netted the first for the home side, but Lloyd Harding’s attempt for Sodbury was well saved by the home keeper. Tom Burridge then proceeded to miss the second Taverners penalty and Danny Coombes levelled with Sodbury’s second. Craig Mills made it 2-1 to Taverners and Ollie Clark levelled for Sodbury. The home side then went 3-2 up as Matt Spring netted, then disaster for Sodbury as Mike England missed. The 5th penalty for Taverners was taken by Paul Jennings and he missed so that meant Paul Harris had to score to level for Sodbury, but he missed and that sent the home side through.
11th November - Tuffley Rovers 1 Yate Town Reserves 2 - Les James Cup
Some pictures from the Les James Cup tie from Peter Langley
Action from Tuffley Rovers V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from Tuffley Rovers V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from Tuffley Rovers V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from Tuffley Rovers V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from Tuffley Rovers V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Peter Langley
7th November - Hobbs Hat Trick for Highridge shoots down leaders
Highridge United’s striker Shane Hobbs netted three outstanding goals against league leaders DRG Stapleton to give the home side a 3 – 1 win. The first shot on goal came from DRG’s Andy Criddle, after 6 minutes but was well saved by keeper Ray Johnson. Hobbs opening goal of the game came after 12 minutes when a free-kick on the edge of the box taken by Hobbs rebounded kindly for the striker to move past the DRG defence and drive a left footed shot into the far corner. Two minutes later Neil Hanson the DRG keeper was called upon again to deny Highridge a second goal and from his punch out Ryan McKillop fired over the bar. In the 20th minute the visitors centre-back Ricky Gingell saw his free-kick well saved by Johnson. A few minutes later Hobbs made it 2 – 0 to the home side when he rounded two defenders to drive a right-footed shot from a very tight angle into the far corner. Martin Nicholls had a very good chance to pull a goal back when a good move down the right gave him space for a shot on goal but he fired straight at Johnson. Keeper Johnson was again in action in the 44th minute when he dived to push Matt Maynard’s header out for a corner.
Action from Highridge United V DRG Stapleton
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
In the second half, Andy Criddels header was again well saved by Johnson. In the 70th minute the visitors scored a superb goal when a quick free-kick was slotted into Aaron Taynton who turned and fired the ball over Johnson from 30 yards. Within a minute Highridge took a 3-1 lead as a foul on the edge of the box by DRG, allowed Shane Hobbs to curl the ball around the wall into the bottom right hand corner. Three superb goals from a player whose finishing is outstanding but whose work rate leaves a lot to be desired.
Bishops Cleeve Reserves move up into third place with a resounding 6-2 home win over Patchway Town with double that-tricks from Elliot Kennedy and Timmy Haddock. The visitors took the lead after 10 minutes when a foul by Jamie Lock in the box resulted in a penalty for Patchway, James Stephens netting from the spot. An error by the Patchway defence allowed Elliot Kennedy to level for the home side on 25 minutes. Then three minutes later a cross from Lloyd Arkell was headed home by Timmy Haddock. In the 40th minute Patchway drew level with an Adam Grinter strike. Bishops Cleeve made it 3 – 2 on the hour mark, a pass from Lloyd Arkell setting up Kennedy for his second goal. Timmy Haddock then netted his second in the 75th minute, five minutes later Elliot Kennedy completed his hat-trick. And with just five minutes left on the clock Haddock netted number six.
Action from Highridge United V DRG Stapleton
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Axa left it late to claim all three points when they beat Berkeley Town 2-1. In a goal-less first half, Axa stepped up a gear and on 68 minutes a nice pass found Noel O’Sullivan who squared the ball across goal from the bye-line for Steve Watts to back heel through the keeper’s legs. A dramatic end to the game saw Berkeley equalise on full time when a cross from Richard Langford found Pete Holder to head back across goal into the far corner. Deep into added time a long shot wasn’t cleared by the Berkeley keeper and the ball came straight to Mike Burnett who chipped the keeper from 45 yards.
Chipping Sodbury Town let slip a two goal advantage as they shared the spoils with a 2-2 draw against Ellwood at the Ridings. After 12 minutes Alex Fox was brought down by the Ellwood keeper and Lloyd Harding made no mistake from 12 yards. Two minutes later Lee Gardiner’s speculative shot from 30 yards bounced off the keepers knee and into the net. Ellwood fought back in the second half and in the 65th minute Sodbury keeper Jon Kerley gave away a disputed penalty and Darren Weyman scored from the spot. Five minutes later Ellwood drew level when substitute Julian Addis netted a goalmouth scramble.
Kings Stanley move into second place in the table with their excellent 6-2 victory at Henbury. Danny Chandler opened the scoring on 5 minutes with a cracking shot from the edge of the box which gave the keeper no chance. Ben Newman then made it 2 – 0 in the 38th minute with a shot from just inside the box and a minute from half-time Aiden Mercer netted the third picking up a rebound from the keeper’s clearance. Five minutes into the second half, Stanley increased their lead to 4 – 0 with a Matt Casey strike and went further ahead in the 75th minute when Danny Chandler netted his second after a cross into the box was only half cleared. The home side then scored two quick goals in the 80th & 83rd minute, Eddie Howells heading home a free-kick for the first and Dominic Holver scrambling the ball in for the second. But Stanley were not finished when Ben Newman netted his second in the very last minute.
Action from Highridge United V DRG Stapleton
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Thornbury Town came back down to earth with a bump after their 5-1 success last week they were beaten 2-1 by Yate Town Reserves. Justin Cattle opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when a cross from the left was headed back across goal by Lewis Hughes for Cattle to head home. Jacob Cox made it 2 – 0 to the home side when he side footed home a Justin Cattle cross in the 49th minute. Thornbury hit back with an outstanding goal from Steve Alexander a 20 yard drive into the top corner of the net.
Taverners gain their first victory of the season with a 2 – 1 success at Kingswood. It was the home side who took the lead after 6 minutes when Mike Shaw chipped the keeper from 18 yards. But the visitors hit back in the 21st minute when Jay Redbond scored from close range. The visitors then took the lead in the 34th minute when Chris Preece’s long range effort flew into the bottom corner of the net. There was no further score in the second period but Taverners were reduced to ten men after Mike Thornton was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Hanham Athletic and Rockleaze Avonside finished with a 1-1 score-line. The first twenty minutes belonged to the visitors and they opened the scoring through Kristen Douglas but just before the break Hanham levelled with a goal from Savas Frangoullis. Rockleaze had the chance to take the lead in the 88th minute when Craig Sperring up-ended Troy Simpson in the box but Mike Low’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by James Chidgey.