Match Reports
27th February 2010 - Yate ease to win at Ellwood to go second
Just when you think you have seen the worst of the winter weather it comes back with a vengeance. The over night rain put pay to four games early on, whilst Taverners worked really hard to get their game on but were defeated in the end. Thornbury Town had their game with Axa called off 15 minutes before kick-off as the heavens opened up and flooded the pitch. With all the doom and gloom there were three fixtures that went ahead.
This week we made the trip to Ellwood to see if they could repeat their form from last week and beat visitors Yate Town Reserves. Unfortunately it was not to be and they were heavily beaten 5-1. Yate always looked the better side but Ellwood did create scoring chances but only managed to find the back of the net on one occasion. The first 10 minutes saw the visitors on top and Craig Power had a shot well saved by keeper Lee Barnard. The continuous pressure paid off in the 11th minute when full-back Craig Power rifled home a 30 yard shot from wide on the right. Ryan Bath should have made it 2-0 a few minutes later but his header was not powerful enough to beat the keeper. New signing Dominic Holver should have scored after he picked up a through ball 40 yards out and outstripped the defence but was thwarted by a brilliant save from Barnard. Ellwood’s first really good chance came in the 22nd minute as Gary Wildin broke through the Yate defence only to see the visitors keeper Adam Growcott pull of a brilliant diving save to push the ball away for a corner. In the 40th minute Ellwood gave away a free kick on the edge of the box and to the left. The kick was taken by Jacob Cox who curled the ball past Barnard and into the roof of the net. 3 minutes later Yate took a 3-0 and it was Jacob Cox on target again with his second a perfect 40 yard drive that caught Barnard off his line and the ball dropped just under the bar. Holver could well have made it four before the break as he rounded 3 defenders before sending his shot wide of the goal.
Action from Ellwood V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
The home side gave a better display in the second half and should have pulled a goal back in the 70th minute as a cross from the left by Julian Addis was met by Byron Ranford and from 3 yards out he fumbled the ball and the chance was lost. Yate brought on Justin Cattle in the 75th minute and it was from his free kick that Yate took a 4-0 lead. The ball was pumped into the box and hesitation from the Ellwood defence and Barnard allowed Ryan Bath the opportunity to score from close in. Yates Ashley Lock saw his goal bound effort well saved by Barnard whilst at the other end Byron Ranford should have score as he broke free of the Yate defence but his shot went wide. Yate made it 5-0 in the 85th minute as another new signing Deon Noakes rounded three Ellwood defenders to slot the ball home. The home side never gave up and were rewarded with just a few minutes left as a cross from the right eluded every one except Gary Wildin on the far post who drove the ball home. After this victory Yate move into second place in the table.
Action from Ellwood V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
A big shock of the day was the 4-1 defeat of Kings Stanley by Hanham Athletic, and the visitors completed the double with this victory. Hanham went 2-0 up after 16 minutes Jay Owen netting the first and James Shopland grabbing the second. Stanley hit back with a goal from Eoin Szuejkowski in the 21st minute and might well have levelled when Martin McDermott’s shot struck the upright. Ben Newman should certainly have levelled the score in the 26th minute but some how headed past the post when completely unmarked. Stanley also had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half. Hanham’s Jack Rivers struck twice in the second half once in the 75th minute and again a minute from the end to give the visitors a very satisfying victory.
Action from Ellwood V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Henbury struggled again at home to D.R.G. Stapleton going down 1-0 to a goal from Femi Balogun in the 15th minute the player taking full advantage of a defensive mix up by the home side. Henbury thought they should have had a penalty in the second half when Craig Stewart had his shirt pulled inside the box but the referee waved play on.
Action from Ellwood V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Match Reports
20th February 2010 - Chipping Sodbury and Kings Stanley Serve up thriller
What a cracking match between title contenders Kings Stanley and very much improved Chipping Sodbury Town at the Ridings. The lead changed hands three times before both sides had to settle for a 3-3 draw. This game was one of the best I have watched all season and a credit to both sides who both set their stall out to win the game.
Sodbury almost opened the scoring in the very first minute as Luke Meacham’s shot was brilliantly smothered by Stanley’s keeper Gavin Dean. Both sides looked dangerous around the box, but the opening goal came from a set piece. Stanley had a corner on the left and the ball came over high and to the far post where central defender Steve Walker rose above everybody to power his header into the net. Sodbury hit back and Jamie Coombes went close with a header , then a few minutes later Dean had to be at his best to save from a free kick on the edge of the Staley box. In the 20th minute Sodbury drew level as Luke Meacham broke down the left and sent in a great cross that fizzed past the Stanley defence and there was Paul Harris to knock the ball in from close range. Stanley always looked sharp on the break but it was the home side that went ahead in the 24th minute when a corner from the right was only half cleared and the ball was hammered into the box where Paul Harris had the simple job of side footing the ball home. A couple of minutes later Paul Harris got behind the Stanley defence but then shot straight at Dean. Matt Casey had a clear shot on goal but Chris Simsek fisted the ball away. Stanley were back in the game after 29 minutes when Eion Szuejkowski fired home from just inside the box.
Action from Chipping Sodbury Town V Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Just after the break a through ball played through for Matt Casey was really well read by Simsek who denied the striker a goalscoring chance as he came off his line to clear. Both teams kept the goal keeper busy with efforts from Stanley’s Ben Newman and then Jamie Coombes was on target with his shot from the edge of the box. Kings Stanley took the lead for a second time with a superb pass from Mike Beckinghan for Ben Newman to score. Mike Beckingham could well have increased Stanley’s lead if it had not been for a brilliant save from Simsek. The home side scored a deserved equalising goal in the 83rd minute through Danny Coombes after a mistake in the Stanley defence.
Highridge United remain top of the table with a 4-1 win at Henbury. The first 29 minutes produced a blank but then in the 30th minute Highridge were fortunate to take the lead when the Henbury keeper spilled the ball after clashing with his own defender and the ball finished up in the back of the net. A minute later Henbury levelled with a brilliant 4 man move that was finished off by Billy George. Right on half time Highridge established a 2-1 lead with a Del Cottle Strike. In the 70th minute Henbury had their keeper sent off and this caused a few problems for the home side but they held out until the 89th minute when Highridge netted a third through Andy Sledge, a minute later Shane Hobbs found space behind the home defence to slot home number four.
Action from Chipping Sodbury Town V Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Yate Town Reserves gained a very decisive 4-0 win over Rockleaze Avonside with a brace of goals in each half. Justin Cattle opened the scoring after 23 minutes with a close range shot and 2 minutes before the break Ashley Lock netted a second on the third attempt after two previous shots had been blocked. Mark Hughes volleyed home a cross from Jake Cox in the 53rd minute and George Brimson netted a fourth from a free kick on the edge of the box.
Ellwood picked up only their second win of the season with a 1-0 victory at Brimscombe & Thrupp. This win moves them up one place in the table level on points with basement club Patchway Town. This win by Ellwood was done the hard way as they had Martin Reed dismissed after 38 minutes. Both sides had a few chances throughout the first half but it was the visitors who stole the lead from a corner in the 45th minute Julian Addis poking the ball home from close range. The second half was back to the wall for the visitors as they defended in depth to keep the home side out. Gary Probert struck the crossbar in the 48th minute and Jamie Martin hit the bar after 67 minutes for Brimscombe but Lee Barnard in the visitor’s goal stopped everything that was thrown at him to keep that clean sheet.
Action from Chipping Sodbury Town V Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Axa's recent run of poor results continues as they slipped up at home going down 3-1 to Tuffley Rovers. Tuffley took the lead after 10 minutes when Marcus Foxwell side footed home a Warren Mann cross. Axa hit back in the 18th minute after a good interchange of passes between Nathan Lumber and Andy Watts set up Matt Shaughnessy to drive the ball into the roof of the net. Tuffley got their nose in front again after 51 minutes when Warren Mann crossed for Eddie Weyman to net from 12 yards. The visitors then scored a third as Weyman got clear on goal with the Axa defence claiming offside he was brought down by keeper Shepherd and Victor Webb netted from the penalty spot.
Hanham Athletic who dominated the first 45 minutes at home to Berkeley Town had to wait until the 76th minute to grab the only goal of the game a cross from the right headed home by Nathan Bryer.
Patchway Town came away with a point at Kingswood after a 1-1 draw but with Ellwood’s success at Brimscome they have slipped to the bottom of the table. Patchway took the lead after 40 minutes with a Brad Harris goal that looked like a cross from the left but actually deceived all and ended up in the back of the Kingswood net. Patchway’s football was much improved on last week and they played the ball around well, but the home side always looked dangerous on the break and so it proved to be in the 60th minute as Gavin Dibden picked the ball up just inside the Patchway half ran at the defence and drove a low drive into the bottom corner of the net. A fair result on the day so the Kingswood spokesman reported.
Action from Chipping Sodbury Town V Kings Stanley
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Two matches were postponed Thornbury Town v Taverners snow covered pitch and Bishops Cleeve Reserves v D.R.G. Stapleton frozen pitch.
13th February 2010 - Highridge take over at the top
Yate Town Reserves go away with the 3 points after a 2-0 win at Patchway Town, but it could have been a much higher margin than two as Yate squandered so many chances in the second half.
Only a great save from Patchway’s keeper Martin Alford in the first minute prevented a George Brimson free kick from open the scoring. Then a few minutes later Justin Cattle stole in behind the Patchway defence but headed the cross straight at Alford. Patchway’s only effort on goal in the first 25 minutes was headed clear by the Yate defence. In the 25th minute Alford was called upon again to make a diving save from a Justin Cattle shot. It was Alford to the rescue again ten minutes later as he hurried off his line to deny Cattle getting a clean shot on goal. A long ball up the centre almost caught Yate’s defence out as John Pugsley was well tackled by Grant Brown to deny the striker a clear shot on goal. In the 42nd minute the deadlock was broken when Cattle was fouled on the left side just outside the box, and Jake Cox’s free kick swerved past the Patchway defence and Alford in to the far corner of the net.
Action from Patchway Town V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Ron Holpin
Yate went 2-0 up in the 50th minute as George Brimson was brought down in the box and Justin Cattle netted from the spot. Patchway’s Brad Harris broke into the box after rounding three defenders and then fired his low drive straight at Growcott. Mat Webb bustle his way clear only to see his feeble shot end up in the arms of Growcott. The last 15 minutes belonged to the visitors as they created numerous chances to increase the score-line but squandered the lot with finishing that either went wide or over the top.
Ellwood’s season seems to be going from bad to worse as the crash 6-2 at home to Thornbury Town. The home side were guilty of squandering early chances but went ahead in the 40th minute with a Gary Wildin goal. Then a minute before the break Thornbury drew level through Steve Thompson. Julian Addis restored the lead for Ellwood on 50 minutes but then Thornbury took over. Peter Fowler completed a hattrick and further goals from Ashley Lloyd and James Derosa completed a thoroughly satisfying afternoon for the visitors
Chipping Sodbury Town hit back to win 4-3 after going 3-0 down after 51 minutes in a very exciting game at Berkeley Town. The home side opened the scoring in the 40th minute when Peter Langford was put clear to drive the ball home. Gary Gaynor made amends for his own goal last week as put the home side 2-0 up with a header right on half time. Mike Bryant made it 3-1 6 minutes into the second half and it looked as though the points were safe, but Sodbury had other ideas as Paul Harris netted the first of three goals in the 54th minute when he bundled the ball home from a free kick. Six minutes later Sodbury pulled the score back to 3-2 as Harris netted his second with another close range effort. Berkeley Peter Lavis then levelled it up when he put the ball into his own net and then in the very last minute Paul Harris got clear of the Berkeley defence to complete his hattrick and give Sodbury three very valuable points.
Highridge United sit top of the table after their 2-1 win at home to Bishops Cleeve Reserve. The home side were shocked after 4 minutes when Lorcan Sheehan opened the scoring for the visitors. United drew level after 24 minutes as Shane Hobbs broke into the box only to brought down and from the resulting penalty Craig Liddell made no mistake from the spot. Highridge had several good chances to take the lead but Gary Cripps missed from 6 yards after 55 minutes and then a minute later Micky Adams also missed a glorious chance. Persistence paid off and Highridge grabbed the 3 points in the 89th minute Nick Pratton’s pass to Hobbs saw the striker round several defenders before driving the ball into the net.
Action from Patchway Town V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Ron Holpin
D.R.G. suffered a second successive defeat this time going down 1-0 at home to Hanham Athletic. It was a scrappy first 45 minute in which neither side could find the back of the net, but saw Neil Hanson pull of a great save from Jay Owen to keep the home side in the game. The only goal of the game came in the 82nd minute as Jay Owen sent Nathan Bryer clear to drive the ball home. A late rally by the home side saw Ricky Gingell and Andrew Criddle’s efforts both strike the crossbar.
Rockleaze Avonside dented Brimscombe & Thrupps recent good run with a 3-1 win at home. The home side took the lead as early as the 5th minute with a Kristian Douglas strike and it remained that way until the 65th minute when Jamie Martin levelled. Peter Tomiak gave the home side the lead on 70 minutes and Kye Simpson who had come on as a substitute made the game safe in the 85th minute.
Taverners continue to show good form as they gained another 2-1 victory this time over visitors Axa. Rich Davis gave Taverners the lead in the 32nd minute when his cross deceived the Axa defence and the keeper and crept into the net. A long ball over the top in the 44th minute allowed Mark Harsant to slot the ball home for a 2-0 lead. Axa’s new signing Jing Yuan Cia caused Taveners a few problems and after their speedy striker had chipped keeper Duane Portlock for what looked like a certain goal he was amazed when Mike Thornton some how got back to clear off the line. The visitors were now much the better side and giving Taverners quite a few problems as they surged forward to get back into the game. The excessive pressure paid off in the 56th minute when a cross into the box saw a clumsy challenge by Thornton resulting in the referee giving a penalty. Player manager Steve Winter stepped up to make no mistake from the spot. The home side were on the back foot and only a brilliant save from keeper Portlock kept them in the game. Somehow the home side managed to hang on until the end to gain another 3 points in their quest to move up the table.
Action from Patchway Town V Yate Town Reserves
Image courtesy Ron Holpin
Tuffley Rovers and Henbury share a point each in the only draw of the day. Henbury whose recent form has improved tremendously took the lead in the 33rd minute with an Eddie Howells strike and held on until the 75th minute when Tuffley equalised from the penalty spot Victor Webb netting from 12 yards.
In the second round of the Les James League Cup holders King Stanley fought their way into the semi-final with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Kingswood. A very competitive game in which both sides were dishing it out the deadlock was broken in the 28th minute when Stanley’s Matt Casey scored from 10 yards. Gavin Dean Stanley’s keeper at to be at his best as he turned a certain goal bound shot out for a corner. At the other end Ben Newman had a great chance after receiving a cross from Adam Smith but he shot wide. Kingswood almost levelled the score on 80 minutes but again that man Dean saved the day. Stanley booked their place in the semi-final to face Yate Town Reserves when Aidan Mercers shot took a deflection and beat the Kingswood keeper in the very last minute of the game.
6th February 2010 - Five star Henbury stun AXA
The local derby between Axa and Henbury turned up a very surprising result as Henbury went away with all three points after thumping 5 goals into the Axa net without reply. This might have been a different story if Axa had scored the two great chances they had just before the break but it was just not their day. The visitors will be very pleased with a great result and a brilliant hattrick from Ben Sandle who entered the game as a substitute 3 minutes before half time.
Axa had a good chance to open the scoring after 4 minutes but Steve Winters free kick went straight into the arms of the keeper. Within a minute Henbury were in the lead when an interchange of passes on the edge of the Axa box ended with Adam Rosser driving the ball home. A fumble by the Henbury keeper almost gave Axa a chance to level but Henbury just managed to clear. The home side should have levelled the score in the 43rd minute but David Shore’s header went just over the bar. Then a minute later Dan Griffiths skied his shot over from 8 yards with only the keeper to beat.
Action from AXA V Henbury
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Axa's intentions were clear right from the start of the second half as they pushed forward to try and pressure the visitors into making mistakes, but it back fired when a long ball up field from the Henbury defence was latched onto by Ben Sandle who coolly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper after 49 minutes. Henbury made it 3-0 on the hour when Axa’s Steve Winter allowed Sandle to run clear and drive the ball home for his second. 2 minutes later Eddie Howells saw his shot well saved by the home keeper. Then at the other end Axa just skimmed the upright. Ben Sandle completed his hattrick in the 66th minute as he steamed away from the Axa defence to slot the ball home. Eddie Howells completed the misery for Axa as he was put clear to round the keeper and knock the ball into an empty net. Axa did there best to get back into the game but it was just not to be.
Kings Stanley with games in hand go back to the top of the table with a 4-2 victory at Yate Town Reserves. It was the home side who took the lead after 6 minutes when Ryan Bath netted a flick on from a free kick. Stanley were level 9 minutes later Matt Casey heading home. It was Matt Casey who then gave the visitors the lead on 58 minutes as he latched onto a through ball from midfield. Two more goals in the 68th minute and 75th minute from Jon Embling and Ben Newman gave Stanley a convincing 4-1 lead until Yate’s Justin Cattle rounded several defenders in the 85th minute to net a second.
Thornbury Town’s Steve Thompson grabbed the only goal of the game in this home fixture with Rockleaze Avonside. In a very even game when it looked as though it might end in a goalless draw a run by Liam Dixon down the right to the by-line saw him scuff his cross into the goal area it was missed by everyone except Steve Thompson who prodded the ball home on the far post.
Action from AXA V Henbury
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Patchway Town are still struggling near the foot of the table after their 4-2 defeat at the hands of Brimscombe & Thrupp. The visitors opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a 25 yard screamer from Gary Probert. Town hit back to level on the half hour with a brilliant build up that saw the Brimscombe defence mesmerized as John Pugsley finished off the move. Just before the break Brimscombe took the lead again this time John Dalton finding the back of the net. John Dalton increased the visitors lead in the 60th minute before Tim O’Loughlin headed home from a free kick to bring the score back to 3-2, then with 5 minutes to go Lee Pritchard struck again for the visitors and there was no way back for Town.
Taverners continue their recent good form with a 2-1 win over bottom club Ellwood. The visitors took the lead midway through the first half when Gary Wildins great run down the right was met by Julian Addis whose shot was well saved by Duanne Portlock but Allan Williams followed up to net the rebound. Taverners were level just before half time when Mike Thornton’s low drive crashed through a crowded box into the net. The home side grabbed the winner on 70 minutes as Jamie Bish found himself clean through on goal but then squared the ball across for Tom Hanley to tap into the net.
Hanham Athletic’s recent good run of results came to an end when they went down 2-0 at home to Highridge United. In the first 45 minutes the home side had much of the play but it remained 0-0. The second half belonged to the visitors and two late goals by Shane Hobbs in the 80th minute and Nick Pratton five minutes later saw Highridge United go away with the three points.
Chipping Sodbury Town recorded their first win with new boss Mark Stenner in charge and a much need three point indeed. Sodbury opened the scoring on 35 minutes with a superb 35 yard drive from Alex Fox and the same player grabbed a second with a header on 78 minutes.
Action from AXA V Henbury
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Kingswood made sure of a victory with three second half goals to add to the one they scored in the first half gaining a 4-1 victory over visitors Berkeley Town. Berkeley shocked the home side when Richard Langford gave them the lead on 30 minutes, but the home side levelled on 40 minutes with a Ryan Mudd strike. Ten Minutes into the second half The home side took the lead through Gavin Dibden and then disaster for Berkeley as Gary Gaynor drove the ball into his own net to put Kingswood 3-1 up. Kingswood rounded the scoring off in the 88th minute when substitute Scott Wooder netted a superb goal.
Bishops Cleeve Reserves v Tuffley Rovers postponed due to waterlogged pitch.