Ron's Match Reports
23rd May 2010 - Taverners claim Les James League Cup
Report by Steve Parsons
Although Taverners have had a poor season in the league, they did themselves proud by winning this League Cup contest against local rivals and holders Kings Stanley.
It was probably the hottest day of the year so far, but what a superb setting at Brimscombe & Thrupp to stage this final. Around 300 spectators decided to brave the heat and support the final game of the season.
The game was played at a much slower pace than normal due to the heat but never the less both teams gave their all for the 90 minutes. After just 2 minutes Aiden Mercer was fouled by Craig Mills midway into the Taverners half, but the free kick was wide of the target. Taverners Paul Jennings was just wide with a shot but again it was wide of the target. After 15 minutes of the contest Taverners had just about edged the play.
The opening goal came after 17 minutes as a long throw into the box by Rich Kerry was poorly defended by Stanley the ball falling into the path of Craig Mills to hit a great shot at goal. The power of the shot saw keeper Gavin Dean just manage to get his hands to the ball but it fell straight o Central defender Mike Thornton to hammer into the net from 8 yards.
Stanley almost levelled a couple of minutes later as Adam Smith’s shot rebounded of the crossbar. In the 23rd minute a break down the right by Stanley saw Mike Beckingham slip the ball through to Aiden Mercer to send in a cross that was net by Ben Newman but it was just the wrong side of the upright.
A few minutes later Beckingham broke into the Taverners box but Mike Thornton was there to muscle him off the ball and avert the danger. A foul on Stanley’s Captain Sam Prior resulted in a free-kick which was not cleared by Taverners and Eion Szwejkowski blasted over the bar from close range.
Stanley had a penalty appeal turned down as they looked to have a player brought down in the box, then Eion Szwejkowski’s great pass out wide on the left found Mike Beckingham who’s shot was cut out by Taverners defence for a corner.
Stanley started the second half a lot more positive and a 35 yard free-kick from Jon Embling was well saved by keeper Duanne Portlock.
Stanley’s Ben Newman broke the off-side trap as he was put clean through only to be denied by a good save from Portlock.
Taverners missed a good chance to increase their lead when Dean missed a cross from Chris Preece but no one was on hand at the far post to poke the ball home.
Stanley had a great chance to equalise when Matt Davis was put clean through but scuffed his shot wide of post. Another good chance for Stanley when a long throw from Jon Embling was punched out by keeper Portlock straight to Mike Beckingham who’s volley from just outside the box went well over the bar.
In the 77th minute a Taverners free-kick 30 yards out was well struck by Craig Mills and Stanley’s keeper Dean just got down to the ball after seeing the shot late to tip around the post for a corner.
In the 83rd minute Stanley’s Adam Smith had good chance after good build up play but his chip over the defence went just over the bar.
In the 89th minute Taverners Tom Hanley dispossessed a Stanley defender just inside their half and his 50 yard run to the goal line was crossed to the near post and Jay Redbond was on hand to nip in to score from close range.
In the added time played Stanley still created a couple of half chances when Substitute Paul Webster turned and hit a fierce shot at goal with keeper Portlock having to save low to his right pushing the ball away for a corner. Just a few seconds later Ben Newman rattled the cross bar from close range.
With all the efforts they had on goal it was just not Kings Stanley’s day.
After the match the trophies were presented by GFA Chairman Roger Burden who is also joint Chairman of the Football Association at this present time.
23rd May 2010 - League Cup Final Photos
Action from the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Mike Thornton celebrates Taverners first goal
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Jay Redbond turns in Taverners second goal
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Taverners captain Tom Burridge accepts the cup from FA Joint Chairman Roger Burden
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Taverners Les James League Cup Winners 2009/10
Image courtesy Peter Langley
18th May 2010 Thornbury Town crowned champions.
Thornbury Town are the New Champions of the Surridge Gloucestershire County Football League. In front of a crowd of 260 spectators the biggest gate of the season they eventually wore down their opponents Taverners to win 2-0.
It was a tense first 45 minutes Thornbury were never allowed to settle by the visitors who closed down every pass quickly to prevent town getting into ant sort of rhythm. Taverners looked the much better side in the first half, but as usual the struggle to find the back of the net.
Thornbury’s manager Dave Lippiatt certainly said something to his team in the dressing room during the break because they took control of the second half. But as usual in such an important game, as time went on frustration was beginning to show, would Town be able to get that all important goal to win them the championship. The first real chance to open the scoring fell to James Derosa whose effort struck the crossbar with yet more frustration mounting. The all important break through came in the 71st minute when Sam Lippiatt hit a shot from just outside the box that flew past the outstretched arms of the visitors keeper Portlock. Relief all round, 19 minutes to play and a second goal would probably seal the game. Taverners who had put up such a good performance in the fist 45 minutes were now on the back foot rarely venturing into the home sides half. Could Town get the second goal to make the game safe and walk away with the Championship? Well the answer to that was yes and it came in the 81st minute another fine 20 yard strike from Ukrainian Artem Azytskyi and they were home and dry.
League Chairman Bob Stewart congratulated the Champions before presenting the individual trophies and the Championship Cup to the Thornbury Captain Riki Lippatt.
Thornbury Town 2009/10 League Champions
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
15th May 2010 - Patchway win basement battle
Yet another day when spectator numbers were well up on normal and it being on Cup Final day.
The game at Scott Park between the two bottom clubs Patchway Town and Ellwood kicked off at 3pm and 71 spectators turned out to watch. Spectators arrived from various parts of the country to watch a very good game that produced 6 goals. Ellwood looked the better side in the first half and Gary Wilden headed just wide from an Ed Dawkins cross after just 3 minutes. Two minutes later the visitors were in front, a free kick was pinged into the box Patchway failed to clear as the ball moved across goal and Ed Dawkins stabbed the ball home from 12 yards. Ellwood continued to press forward and Byron Ranford was very close with his shot from 30 yards. Patchway had their first real shot on target after 22 minutes a rasping shot from Nick Rugman that was well saved by keeper Lee Barnard. We then saw the home keeper Martin Alford at his best as he saved well from Lee May. The home side should have levelled on 25 minutes as Nick Rugman had a clear run on goal but Barnard did well to save the shot. Patchway had another great chance to level on 35 minutes when Adam Grinter broke through the visitors defence only to fail to take the ball clear of Barnard who saved with his legs. Callum Bagley might have done better with his effort on goal after Ollie Bacon had sent him clear but he shot straight at the keeper.
Action from Patchway Town V Ellwood
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Patchway looked more determined at the start of the second half and levelled the score on 48 minutes Dan Webb was heading for goal with just Barnard to beat but the keeper somehow managed to deflect the ball but it ran loose to Adam Grinter to knock into the empty net. Ollie Bacon shot wide of goal from 25 yards and then Lee May saw his last ditch header deflect away for a Patchway corner. Both Nick Rugman and Danny Webb went close before Ellwood took the lead after 68 minutes, a great bit of work on the left found Martin Reed unmarked on the right and Alford just managed to get a hand to his shot but could not prevent it going in. Straight from the restart Patchway were level as a long ball into the box was picked up by Dan Webb to give Barnard no chance. Webb should have given the home side the lead just a minute later but pulled his shot wide of the target. At the other end Alford was at full stretch to deny Jamie Addis. The home side grabbed the lead in the 85th minute from a free kick on the right that was taken to the by-line and pulled back for Tom Knight to score from close range. Patchway made it 4-2 right on the 90 minute mark as Dan Webb’s shot was parried by Barnard and Matt Fowler netted the rebound.
In today’s early kick-off Chipping Sodbury Town went away with all the points at Henbury with a 2-1 victory. The home side had the first real chance after just 8 minutes but Luke Walker shot straight at Chris Simsek from 12 yards out. Both sides were trying to play the ball around on the hard pitch, but it was a long ball into the Henbury box that created the open goal in the 14th minute Lee Gardiner cracking the ball past O’Connell fro just inside the box. Henbury’s fist effort on goal came after 15 minutes a superb shot from Aaron Rosser that was just wide of the upright. Henbury should have levelled on 25 minutes when Chris Simsek could only parry Billy Georges shot straight into the path of Luke Walker who contrived to hit the upright from a yard out with all the goalmouth empty and the keeper on the ground. Joe Love had a clear header on goal for Henbury but hit it straight at the keeper. The home side drew level on 38 minutes when Joe Mullins pushed Gary Clarke in the box the referee giving a penalty. Luke Walker hit the ball down the centre of the goal as Simsek dived to his right. The visitors grabbed the lead in the 44th minute with a great drive from Danny Coombes as the ball fell nicely to him from a cross from the right. Sodbury almost made it three as O’Connell fingertipped Alex Fox's header over the bar right on half time.
The visitors were the better side in the second half and were guilty of several missed chance that would have given them a much more comfortable win. The guilty parties that should have scored were Alex Fox on two occasions and Paul Lucas also missed a good scoring chance. The easiest of the chance coming in the 80th minute as Lucas crossed in a superb ball from the right only for Fox to completely miss the ball from a couple of yards out facing an open goal..
Action from Patchway Town V Ellwood
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Rockleaze Avonside were lucky to be able to call upon the two Simpson brother Troy and Kye for their last few fixtures and it has certainly shown up in their last 5 results, all victories. Today they took on Axa and ran out 5-2 victors but at one stage were trailing 2-1. The home side started very strong with both Troy and Kye Simpson going close. It was a Troy Simpson effort after 17 minutes that was saved by the visitors keeper but the ball fell nicely for Kye Simpson to slot home. Kye Simpson should have netted a second after he had outstripped the Axa defence but then shot over the bar. Right on half time Axa were on level terms. Simon Gilbert was hauled to the ground by Andy Barton and Dan Griffiths netted from the spot. A mistake by Aaron Day a minute into the second half allowed Axa to take the lead as Steve Watts tapped in from close range. Troy Simpson squared the game on 54 minutes when he drove home from a difficult angle. The home side then went ahead as Richard Nelmes pulled Troy Simpson down in the box and Aaron Day made no mistake from the spot. In the 69th minute Troy Simpson scooped the ball over the keeper for a 4-2 lead and with just 2 minutes to go Paul McKenny chipped the keeper who tried to retrieve the ball but it just crept over the line.
D.R.G. Stapleton finished off their season with two 3-0 defeats. The first came in the week against Yate Town Reserves and today’s home game against Brimscombe & Thrupp. John Dalton gave the visitors the lead on 31 minutes as he chipped the ball over keeper Neil Hanson. Dalton netted a second on 51 minutes with a header and the third came in the 84th minute when defender John Henson failed to head the ball away and Luke Fletcher’s perseverance paid off as he ran through to place the ball past the keeper. The home side struggled throughout to create any real good opportunities.
Tuffley Rovers have secured third spot in the table with a 2-0 win at Kingswood. Both goals for the visitors were courtesy of Danny Wallington. The first after 30 minutes came from a corner with the ball running loose and Wallington tapping the ball home from close in. The second in the 51th minute came from the penalty spot after Paul Bleaken had hauled a Rovers striker back in the box.
Action from Patchway Town V Ellwood
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
8th May 2010 - Highridge thump Tuffley to keep title hopes alive
It looks very much as though the Championship is going right down to the wire as both the top teams win again
Today’s early kick-off between top of the table Highridge United and third place Tuffley Rovers might well have been a much tighter result than the final score of 5-1 to the home side if Tuffley had put away their chances in the first half. It was the home side who came close to opening the scoring after just 3 minutes when Craig Hopkins sent in a curling left foot drive from the right which sped across goal and saw two Highridge players failing to make contact. At the other end a long through ball almost caught the home defence out but it was scrambled away by Dominic Graffagnino. Tuffley had a great chance to take the lead as Richard James got clear but his control let him down as he bore down on goal and Johnson was able to nip the ball off his toe. A few minutes later Highridge only just managed to clear the ball of the line with Johnson well out of position. Tuffley were definitely enjoying more of the possession in the first period of play and should have scored from a header but this time Johnson was perfectly placed. Shane Hobbs then saw his free kick fisted away by Rovers keeper Adam Bennett. With all the effort put in by the visitors they failed to break down the home defence and the score remained 0-0 at the break.
It was a different story in the second half with Richard James giving Rovers the lead in the 47th minute as he smashed the ball home from close in. Highridge who needed to win to keep up their title hopes hit back to level the score in the 54th minute as Shane Hobbs sent a free kick into the box it was headed on to the far post where Mickey Adams scrambled the ball home. Minutes later United were in front as mistake by the rovers defence allowed Hobbs the space to slide the ball to Adams to drive the ball home. Adams should have netted his third minutes later but somehow missed the target with Bennett scrambling back across goal the ball ending up in the keepers arms. In the 67th minute United made it 3-1 this time it was Hobbs who fired home from just inside the box. It was all Highridge at this point and Adams missed an easy chance after Hobbs had set him up. Then Hobbs set up Dominic Graffagnino who shot struck the crossbar. Rovers should have scored a second on 81 minutes as Shane Bradley sent in a superb cross that zipped across goal but Mark Wallington failed top get on the end. Andy Sledge who had come on as a sub for United gave the home side a 4-1 lead and in time added on Shane Hobbs waltzed around the Rovers defence to net number five.
Action from Highridge United V Tuffley Rovers
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Thornbury Town knew that to keep their title hopes alive they needed to win their match at Patchway Town to keep the pressure on leaders Highridge United. The first half performance from the Thorns was a little tense and the home side looked the better side but failed to put their chances away. The break through came in the 60th minute and it went to Thornbury one of the smallest players on the Thornbury team Danny Thompson heading home through a crowd of players. Ten minutes later the pressure relented slightly as Patchway’s Nick Rugman gave away a penalty and Thornbury’s Ukrainian Artem Azytskyi netted from the penalty spot. They knew they had made the game safe 3 minutes from the end when Steve Alexander broke free of the home defence to round the keeper and slide the ball home.
Chipping Sodbury Town are finishing the season strongly as they record a 4-1 victory at Axa. Lee Gardiner opened the scoring for the visitor after just 2 minutes when he was lucky enough to see his shot rebound of a defender strike his knee and loop over the Axa keeper. Sodbury made it 2-0 on 10 minutes when a move set up by Gardiner and Coombes was finished off from 5 yards by Alex Fox. The visitors went 3-0 up on 25 minutes as Danny Coombes netted a Lee Gardiner cross. Axa pulled a goal back on the half hour when Steve Watts played in Dan Griffiths who’s shot was well blocked by the Sodbury keeper but fell nicely for Jamie Pellow to drive home Sodbury’s final goal had a slice of luck attached to it as Alex Fox’s cross was deflected into his own net by Steve Winter.
Action from Highridge United V Tuffley Rovers
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Rockleaze Avonside recorded their fourth consecutive win a 3-1 victory over visitors Berkeley Town. The home side took the lead on 5 minutes a strike from Troy Simpson from the edge of the box. Simpson added a second in the 35th minute when he headed home from a free kick. Kye Simpson was next on the score sheet as he broke through the Town defence to round the keeper before tapping the ball in. Berkeley pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Paul Brooks latched on to a poor pass back from Mark Linton to make it 3-1.
Ellwood’s season has probably been their worst in many years and it does not help when you’re on the bottom of the table and lose by an odd goal and to cap it all your side misses a penalty, but that is what happened in their game today. Ellwood should have taken the lead but D.R.G. Stapleton’s keeper pulled off a great save from Ryan Pendreys spot kick. Then just before the break the visitors scored with a breakaway goal netted by Martin Nicholls.
Yate Town Res won the battle of the two reserve teams in the league recording a 2-0 win over Bishops Cleeve Res. Both goals came in the first 17 minutes of the game. The opening goal on 10 minutes was a cross from Lewis Hughes volleyed into the net at the far post by brother Marc Hughes. Seven minutes later a 20 yard drive from Jacob Cox struck the inside of the post on its way into the net.
Action from Highridge United V Tuffley Rovers
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Brimscombe & Thrupp finished their home programme with a 3-1 victory over Henbury. In a game that was mostly controlled by the home side throughout they opened the scoring when Jamie Tubbs free kick was fired home by Ben Jones after 12 minutes. O’Connell in the visitor’s goal was really busy as he saved well from a Craig Cole shot and then a few minutes later he brought of another great save to deny Cole again. Underwood should have made it 2-0 but missed a sitter. Right on half time and against the run of play Henbury levelled the score as Aaron Anglin cleverly lobbed the home keeper Adam Thomas. Brimscombe took the lead early in the second half when Tubbs and Pritchard interchanged passes to set up Craig Cole to net. The final goal for the home side came in the 70th minute from Lee Pritchard.
A 2-0 home victory for Kingswood over visitors Hanham Athletic was a comforting victory in a game that saw few chances throughout the 90 minutes. A 20 yard strike from Gavin Dibden on 20 minutes flew into the top corner giving the home side the lead at the break and there it stayed until the 80th minute when Tom Higgins broke away from the visitors defence to race clear, round the keeper and tap the ball home.
3rd May 2010 - Bank Holiday Reports
Positions at the top of the table changes yet again as Highridge gain a 2-0 victory over Brimscombe & Thrupp.
With eight fixtures being completed on this Bank Holiday the attendances at seven of those fixtures were well up. The best crowd of the day 103 came at the 7.30pm kick-off at The Creek. Brimscombe who were unable to field a full strength side due to injuries and unavailability but gave Highridge a good run for their money. The home side might have taken the lead as early as the 3rd minute as Shane Hobbs pumped a free kick into the box where Peter Ball hooked a left foot shot goal-wards but it was well saved by Adam Thomas. Ryan McKillop sent over a cross from the left that was really well struck by Adam Winstone but Thomas was there to make the save. Brimscombe’s first chance fell to Steve Bennett who saw his shot just dip over the bar. At the other end Thomas was in action again this time to save from a Gary Cripps shot. Ryan McKillop saw his well struck left footed drive strike the upright and rebound into play but was cleared by the visitors defence. Shane Hobbs almost opened the scoring in the 53rd minute as he broke down the left cut into the box, but Thomas came out to save the day as the ball bounced away off the keeper to safety. Craig Liddell’s pass set up Adam Winstone just inside the visitors’ box and he drifted past two defenders before shooting wide. The break through came in the 70th minute as Hobbs picked up the ball on the left cut inside then drove a hard low shot along the ground and into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box. Brimscombe’s best chance to score came in the 75th minute as Matt Blyth broke free from the Highridge defenders and was bearing down on goal with just Johnson to beat but the keeper narrowed the angle and he shot wide of the target. Highridge wrapped the points up in time added on when Sub Andy Sledge laid the ball through to Adam Winstone to drive the ball past Thomas.
The first fixture of the day was at Yate Town Reserves where they entertained Tuffley Rovers who were looking to bounce back from their defeat at the weekend to try and keep up a challenge for the title. The visitors never really looked as though they were up for the game even though they had a chance to close the gap on the two clubs in front of them in the table. George Brimson gave the home side the lead after 14 minutes as he cut across the box before unleashing a tremendous shot that beat blogs in the visitor’s goal. Yate made it 2-0 after 23 minutes when Justin Cattle played the ball back to Marc Hughes whose shot was blocked by the keeper but it fell nicely for Cattle to hammer into the net. Two minutes later Yate went 3-0 up when a mistake on the halfway line by Tuffley allowed Hughes to run clear on goal and hit the ball cleanly only for it to be cleared of the line but he then knocked in the rebound. Tuffley almost pulled a goal back right on half time but Beecham brought off a great save to deny Mark Wallington’s header going in. Yate went 4-0 up in the 53 minute as Matt Tovey drove home from the edge of the box. 2 minutes later Tuffley were awarded a penalty and Player manager Shane Bradley who had come on as a sub at the break stepped up to take it. It was a very poor effort and Beecham saved with ease. In the 78th minute Bradley made up for his penalty miss when he drove the ball home from the edge of the box. Two minutes later he netted his second from a free kick as he drove a low shot from thirty yard into the bottom corner. Yate made the game safe in the 86th minute when George Brimson crossed from the left straight on to the head of Marc Hughes who then saw his header rebound of the keeper to Justin Cattle to head home. By this time Yate were well on top and Cattle had two glorious chances to have increased the lead but missed badly with the first attempt and saw his final shot well saved.
A goal in time added on saved Kingswood’s blushes as the salvaged a point in their home game with Henbury. It started so well for the home side when Tom Higgins tapped the ball into the net after just 1 minute. It shook Henbury but they started to get their game together and levelled the score in the 14th minute when Matt Roberts hooked a left footed drive across goal and the ball looped over the keeper into the net. A couple of minutes later Chris Fox pulled of a great save to deny George Watts. Just before the break Henbury keeper O’Connell saved well from Higgins. A minute later George Watts looked as though he would give the visitors the lead, but as he broke clear he nudged the ball a little to far forward and Chris Fox took the ball from his feet. Henbury’s Adam Rosser then saw his Shot well saved by Fox in the 59th minute. With the game evenly balanced and both sides failing to break down each others defence a moment of magic broke the deadlock. Both the Rosser brothers were involved in the move that got Henbury their second goal. A free kick out on the left was taken by Aaron Rosser who hit a long ball to the far post where brother Adam hooked the ball back across goal from a very tight angle the ball flying into the net, with Fox having no chance. At the other end Gavin Dibens shot just dipped over the bar. With just a couple of minutes left in normal time George Watts could have given the visitors a 3-1 lead when he broke through the Kingswood defence ran 30 yards only to miss-control the ball when he was about to shoot and Fox again took the ball from his feet. 3 minutes into time added on Kingswood got that all important goal as a corner from the right was brilliantly headed home by Simon Graham.
A Danny Coombes hattrick for Chipping Sodbury Town and three more from Jamie Coombes, Shaun Halford and Lee Gardiner gave them a very convincing 6-1 victory over Bishops Cleeve Reserves. The home side were only leading 1-0 at the break with a goal from Danny Coombes, but the second-half produced a further six goals. Jamie Coombes made it 2-0 on 47 minutes then Danny got his second before Jamie Lock pulled one back for the visitors after 66 minutes. Then the last 5 minutes produced a further 3 goals. Shaun Halford on 85 minutes Danny Coombes with his third on 89 minutes and Substitute Lee Gardiner netted the final goal right on time.
Axa secured a 3-2 victory over Hanham Athletic, but it was the visitors who took the lead on 20 minutes as Darren Burns over the defence for Jay Owen to strike a left footed shot into the bottom corner. Axa levelled on 55 minutes as matt Shaughnessy’s pass found Dan West clear on the right and a good cross into the box was driven home by Steve Watts. Paul Armstrong gave Axa the lead on 59 minutes and in the 75th minute Dan West cut the ball back for Fred Hopkins to drive the ball into the roof of the net. Hanham were never going to roll over and made things tight when James Laver scrambled the ball home with a few minutes to go.
Taverners and Berkeley Town ended all square with a 1-1 draw at Nailsworth. The home side had several chances in the first half with Tom Hanley striking the post and Harsant claiming a goal but the Match Officials said the ball had not crossed the line. Taverners took the lead in the 65th minute when Mark Harsant squared the ball back for Craig Mills to score. Duane Portlock brought of a great save to keep the home side in front but failed to stop Mike Bryant’s header going in from a long throw.
Rockleaze Avonside made it two in a row with a 3-1 win at home to Patchway Town. They went in front after 7 minutes as Andy Barton saw his well struck shot hit the inside of the post as it went in. Patchway were gifted an equaliser by the Rockleaze defender Mark Lewis as he over hit a pass back to Pullara the ball flying over the keeper into the net. In the 69th minute the home side were back in front as Troy Simpson was brought down in the box and Aaron Day netted from the penalty spot. Troy Simpson then made it 3-1 on 86 minutes as he lobbed the keeper from 40 yards. With just a couple of minutes to go Kris Sage missed a sitter for Patchway.
A comfortable 4-0 victory for Kings Stanley over Ellwood. The visitors looked really sharp for the first 15 minutes, then Fran King struck the crossbar for Stanley and minutes later Aiden Mercer did the same and by this time Stanley were getting on top. Just before the break Stanley took the lead from the penalty spot after Mercer had been brought down then got up to net the penalty. Stanley were awarded a second penalty but the visitors keeper save well. A second goal came when Mike Beckingham netted the rebound from an Eoin Szuejkowski shot. It was Mike Beckingham who made it 3-0 on 65 minutes when he was put clear of the Ellwood defence. Fran King rounded the scoring off in the 84th minute.
1st May 2010 - D.R.G hit back to beat Patchway
Patchway Town throw away a 2-0 half time lead as D.R.G. Stapleton hit back with four goals in the second half to take the 3 points.
Patchway’s Owen Greening was the first to get a shot on target after 14 minutes but it was no trouble for the home keeper Jake Canty-Davis. A few minutes later Nick Rugman went close with a 20 yard drive that went just over the bar. Jason Thatcher hit a tremendous dipping shot that just cleared the Patchway bar. Patchway looked the better side in the early stages and Brad Harris gave them the lead on 17 minutes with a sweet low drive across the keeper from 25 yards on the right side of the box. The home sides Luke Clarke then saw his shot well saved by Alford after 22 minutes. Just before the break Patchway took a 2-0 lead as Nick Rugman shrugged off a challenge from Ricky Gingell to fire past the keeper.
The home side made a change for the start of the second half with Jordan Hazell and it was from his long throw that D.R.G. Stapleton pulled a goal back as the bounce flew over Town’s defence for Liam Powell to slide the ball past Alford. The home side then levelled the score on the hour when a cross from the left to the far post was headed home by Rob Selman. Stuart Jenkins almost put the visitors ahead but his brilliant shot from outside the box did not quite dip enough and just cleared the bar. The home side were enjoying much more of the possession in the second half and a ball knocked into Luke Clarke saw him turn through two defenders and then run 30 yards to round Alford before slotting the ball home. Clarke made it safe for the home side on 80 minutes when a cross in from the left from Liam Powell saw the striker side step a Town defender before hammering the ball goal-wards and Alford getting a hand to it but could not prevent it going in.
Action from D.R.G. Stapleton V Patchway Town
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
With Highridge United out of action today, Thornbury Town go back to the top of the table with a 3-1 victory over Hanham Athletic. After 15 minutes Artem Azytskyi picked up the ball in his own half drifted passed three Hanham defenders before slotting the ball home. Thornbury went 2-0 after the half hour mark when Steve Alexander pulled the ball down perfectly from a long ball out of defence and his precision pass found Steve Thompson to allow the striker to slide the ball under the Hanham keeper. A third goal 3 minutes before the break was a carbon copy of Thompson’s goal but this time it was Thompson who provided the pass for Steve Alexander to get on the score sheet. Hanham pulled a goal back after 60 minutes when Dan Burt dived full length to head home a cross to give the Thornbury keeper no chance.
Rockleaze Avonside dented Tuffley Rovers title ambitions with a slender 1- 0 victory at Coombe Dingle. The only goal of the game came in the 70th minute from a corner that was headed home by Ben Precious.
Berkeley Town were trailing 2-0 after 28 minutes to visitors Axa but hit back with 4 goals to take all three points. Axa should have taken the lead after just two minutes but they missed from the penalty spot. Axa opened the scoring after 23 minutes when Steve Watts headed in a left wing cross. Five minutes later a second penalty was converted by Dan Griffiths after the player had been brought down by the home side keeper Ewan Prentice. Five minutes before the break, Berkeley were back in the game with a Mike Bryant goal struck from the edge of the area. The home side levelled on 58 minutes when a long free-kick was headed home by Paul Brookes. Seven minutes later Berkeley were in the lead, Richard Langford latched onto a through-ball and lobbed it over the advancing keeper. Town sealed the points when Langford popped up with a second goal rounding the keeper in the 82nd minute.
Action from D.R.G. Stapleton V Patchway Town
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Ellwood’s struggle at the bottom of the table continues as they are again defeated this time 2-1 at the hands of Henbury. The visitors took the lead from the Penalty spot in the 19 minute when the ball was handled in the box Eddie Howell making no mistake from the spot. A 20 yard shot from Gary Wilding in the 39th minute pulled the home side level. It remained all square until the 80th minute when a controversial free-kick was awarded to Henbury and Eddie Howell netted to give the visitors a 2-1 Lead. Ellwood thought they should have had a penalty in the very last minute of the game with all the players appealing for a hand ball on the line.
Brimscombe and Thrupp squeezed home with a narrow 1-0 victory over Chipping Sodbury Town. The only goal coming after just five minutes from quick thinking play from a corner as Ben Jones released the ball to Jamie Martin who turned and hit a great angled shot from the edge of the box. Five minutes later Martin almost made it 2-0 but his shot struck the cross bar. In Sodbury’s first attack Danny Coombes had a great chance to level but shot wide of the target. Brimscombe lost influential player Gary Probert during the second half this unsettled the home side and Sodbury full advantage but were unable to find the back of then net.
Action from D.R.G. Stapleton V Patchway Town
Image courtesy Nigel Meaney
Yate Town Reserves piped Kingswood 3-2 at Lodge Road. But it was Kingswood who opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Dan Griffiths broke down the right drove a fierce shot which the keeper only parried and Griffiths slotted home the rebound. The home side equalised a minute before the break when Matt Groves broke through the middle of the Kingswood defence and rounded the keeper to slide the ball home. The home side took the lead in the 55th minute again Groves on target this time it was a 1 on 1 situation with the striker taking the chance well. Kingswood equalised in the 75th minute when Mike Rodman was unmarked in the box and headed home from the resulting free-kick. Yate snatched the winner on 88 minutes when Justin Cattle was left unmarked at the near post to head home from Andreas Mavrides right wing cross.
Taverners and Bishops Cleeve Reserves battled out a goal-less draw at Forest Green. A mix up between Taverners keeper and the defence led to a mysterious penalty in the 15th minute which Cleeve missed. Both sides had good chances through-out but failed to hit the back of the net.