Ron's Match Reports
27th November - Thornbury and AXA draw a blank
Only two fixtures survived the Cold spell that hit us on Friday afternoon. Thornbury Town entertained Axa at the Mundy Playing Fields whilst Tuffley Rovers took on Bishops Cleeve Reserves at Glevum Park.
Thirty three spectators braved the cold and bitter wind at Thornbury and although the football was excellent neither side were able to find the back of the net. Thornbury Town’s second half performance should have earned them the three points but visitors Axa got bodies behind the ball which made it very difficult to break through.
Dan Thompson had an early shot on target Thornbury but was saved by keeper Matt Turner. In Axa’s first attack Matt Shaughnessy effort flew over the bar from twelve yards. Dominic Graffagino then shot straight into the arms of Alex Lippiatt. A few minutes later Shaughnessy cross was headed wide by Tom Burns. Play was fairly even with both sides getting the ball down and playing it around and a Christian Irwin shot on 19 minutes was only just wide of the upright. Shaunghnessy found the target again for Axa but he shot straight at Lippiatt. On 31 minutes Dan Griffiths got behind the home defence but then fired his shot wide of the goal. A few minutes later Burns made an attempt to get on the end of a low cross from Griffiths and was inched wide as the ball sped across goal and was cleared. With 38 minutes of the game gone James Willott let fly with his left foot from the edge of the box only to see Turner the Axa keeper diving full length to save. With just a few minute to half time James Derosa picked up a loose ball just over the halfway mark ran at the Axa defence before unleashing a superb right foot drive that had Turner at full stretch to save.
Action from Thornbury Town V AXA
Thornbury’s performance was outstanding in the second 45 minutes and Axa were on the back foot for most of it relying on breaks every now and again when they regained possession. Dan Thompson was only just wide from 20 yards after just a minute of the second half. The same player again found space for a shot a few minutes later but again the shot was just wide. Pete Fowler should have done better with a James Derosa free kick but headed over the bar. James Willott hit the side netting with a shot on 79 minutes after breaking into the box on the left. The home side had much more of the possession at this stage of the game but Axa defended in depth and kept the Thornbury forwards at bay. A rare venture into the Thornbury half saw Dan Griffiths fire straight at Lippiatt on 84 minutes. The last six minutes of the game saw some exiting chances from the home side and some desperate defending by the visitors. How Thornbury never scored is a mystery. Firstly Alexander’s flick was cleared of the line as the ball looked as though it was on its way in, then Turner blocked Jamie Woodlands shot and the rebound fell for Scott Budding who then saw his shot cleared of the line. Axa broke away and Griffiths who had looked their most dangerous forward was just wide with a shot and then could not quite find his fellow striker as Ricki Lippiatt intercepted his pass. A very entertaining game in which Town should have probably won, but Axa no doubt will be glad of the point.
The other fixture played today ended in a 1-0 victory for Tuffley Rovers. There opponents Bishops Cleeve Reserves pushed them all the way and their approach work especially in the first forty five minutes was excellent but that final touch when they reached the edge of the box was just not there. Rovers were unlucky in the first half when a scramble in the visitors goalmouth ended with Kyle Kennedy’s shot being deflected on to the post. The only goal of the game came in the 75th minute when Mark Ford picked up the ball on the halfway line on the right switch play with a superb long ball over to Warren Mann on the left and the speedy winger drifted past the visitor fullback before crossing the ball back across the box where Pete Thomas came steaming in to slide the ball into the net. The home side had numerous free kicks in the second half but failed to capitalise and just at the end the visitors saw a good cross into the box skim past the post.
Action from Thornbury Town V AXA
20th November - Taverners thump Thornbury
Kings Stanley move to within one point of leaders Yate Town Reserves with a win at Berkeley Town. The leaders were held to a draw at Patchway Town. The biggest movement in the table came from Taverners with their excellent win over Thornbury Town.
Taverners 4-0 victory over Thornbury Town was the worst defeat suffered by the Champions this season.
Taverners forced several early corners that Town dealt with in their usual calm way and might have taken the lead in the 11th minute if Steve Alexander had managed to get the ball on target after latching on to a long ball from Jack Warren. Thornbury looked settled and played some good passing football but never really managed to break a well organised Taverners defence down. As the game wore on the home side started to force the pace and took the lead from a corner in the 23rd minute when central defender Mike Thornton found space on the far post to head past Alex Lippiatt. The home side almost got a second in the 28th minute as Fran King stole the ball from Jamie Woodland just inside the visitors half, broke to the edge of the box before firing a low shot that just skimmed past the post with Lippiatt looking on. Thornbury first real shot on target came from James Willott in the 29th minute but Portlock was right behind the ball as it came in. Phil Hall followed in a good ball behind the Town defence but Lippiatt just managed to get their first. In the last minute of the first half Hall saw his shot on target deflected for a corner.
The worst thing that can happen to a team is to concede after just 30 seconds of the start of the second half and that is exactly what happened to Thornbury Town. They were caught out with a through ball to Dave Woodfield who just ran clear to fire the ball past the helpless Lippiatt. Woodfield would have netted a third for the home side on 50 minutes but for a fine save from Lippiatt. At this stage of the game the home side were definitely on top and a third goal came on 59 minutes when Woodfield slide home a free kick from Craig Mills. Taverners piled on the agony with a fourth goal in the 64th minute as Dave Woodfield split the visitors defence with a pass that set up Phil Hall to run clear across the box before picking his spot to drive the ball past Lippiatt.
Berkeley Town’s up and down season continued when they went down 3-1 at home to Kings Stanley. After last weeks success at Chipping Sodbury this week they were on the receiving end. Ben Newman gave Stanley the lead on 5 minutes but Richard Langford levelled on the half hour. Lee Prichard put the visitors in front on 65 minutes and Matt Casey sealed the points with ten minutes left. This win puts Stanley just one point behind the leaders with a game in hand.
The game at Axa ended all square as Kingswood came from behind to gain a point in a 2-2 draw. Adam Harber rounded Axa keeper Matt Turner early in the second half to give the visitors the lead, but Steve Watts pulled it level on 65 minutes when he latched onto a loose ball that keeper Fox had saved from Lewis Morgan’s shot to score from eight yards. The home side then took the lead in the 76th minute after Nathan Lumbers cross had been helped on to Lewis Morgan to fire home. Kingswood salvaged a point in the 84th minute when Harber netted his second.
Ellwood’s dismal form continued as they went down 3-0 at home to Tuffley Rovers. The man of the match for the visitors was Richard James who netted all three goals for Tuffley. The first was from the penalty spot in the 44th minute. Five minutes into the second half Elwood were turned down on a penalty appeal and five minutes later they went down to 10 men when Chris Addis got his marching orders. Tuffley took full advantage and James netted his second after 66 minutes and completed his hattrick in the 80th minute.
Patchway Town were 2-0 down after 20 minutes to league leaders Yate Town Reserves but hit back to gain a 2-2 draw and another valuable point to climb away from the bottom of the table. Alex Lambert netted for the visitors after just 5 minutes when the home keeper made a mistake allowing Lambert in to score. Justin Cattle made it 2-0 on 20 minutes with a superb shot that flew into the top corner from the edge of the box. The home side hit back in the 44th and 45th minute to level Brad Harris netting the first and Keith Williams getting the second with a cross come shot that looped into the net. Patchway had a great chance to take the lead in the 86th minute when they were awarded a penalty but for the second week running Mark Palmer missed from the spot. In the very last minute of the game Ricky Boulton had a clear header on goal but sent it straight at the keeper.
Henbury are another team who are finding it difficult to string two wins together after a good home win last week they went down 2-0 to visitors Bishops Cleeve Reserves. Ben McGuire gave Cleeve the lead after just 4 minutes with a superb 25 yard drive and although Henbury had a few half chances in the second half they never really threatened the visitors goal. The final straw came in the very last minute when Cleeve broke away and Liam Scott netted a second to take the three points.
Hanham woes continue as they lost 3-0 at home to Brimscombe & Thrupp. No goals in the first 45 minutes with the home side having as much of the play as the visitors. Things turned in the 65th minute when Ben Jones scored for Brimscombe from the edge of the box. Five minutes later they went 2-0 up when Jones got behind the home defence to net his second. Brimscombe’s leading goalscorer Mike Beckingham then got in on the act in the 80th minute as he was put clear to slide the ball home.
The game between D.R.G. Stapleton and Rockleaze Rangers was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
13th November - Berekley smash five to stun Chipping Sodbury
With both Brimscombe Thrupp and Yate Town Reserves playing each other in the second round of the Les James Cup and Chipping Sodbury slipping up at home to Berkeley Town this opened the door for Kings Stanley to gain ground on the leaders.
The game at Kings Stanley only produced the one goal but the 72 spectators were treaded to a very entertaining match. Stanley created the first opportunity on goal after 10 minutes when Matt Casey’s shot was pushed around the post by keeper Dan Greenhouse. The visitors were just of target a couple of minutes later as Alex Buckland saw his 35 yard shot slip past the outside of the post. Joe Mogg then saw his effort fly straight into the arms of Stanley’s keeper Pete Davis. The visitors were having their fair share of possession and created the better chances in the first half with Davis having to save a Nick Weeks shot from 20 yards and then Danny Stevens blocked Matt Wade’s shot on the edge of the 6 yard box, minutes later Joe Mogg saw his shot blocked and spin away for a corner. Luke Barstow then blocked a tremendous effort from Ben McGuire and in the 41st minute Nick Weeks clipped the top of the crossbar from a free kick. With the best chances falling to the visitors in the first half neither side had found the back of the net.
Action from Kings Stanley v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Two minutes into the second half the deadlock was broken by Stanley with a really well taken goal. Cleeve gave away a free kick on the edge of the box on the right and Paul Day curled a superb left foot cross into the box and Luke Barstow steered his header past Greenhouse. The home side looked in control and the visitors were limited to trying their luck from way outside the box. The were a little unfortunate in the 52nd minute as Joe Mogg saw his shot on target pushed onto the post by Davis. Stanley should have scored a second on 85 minutes as Ben Newman split the defence squared the ball back but Nathan Buckland fired his shot way over the bar.
The spectators at Chipping Sodbury were treated to goal galore as they saw the home side go down 5-3 to Berkeley Town. Berkeley took a very early lead after just 4 minutes when Richard Langford netted from the penalty spot. Luke Meacham levelled for Sodbury with a header from a free kick six minutes later. Berkeley went ahead on the half hour as Karl Nash turned on the edge of the box and fired the ball home. Within a minute the home side were level from a penalty scored by Alex Fox. Two minutes before the break the visitors edged back in front when Ryan Stevenson headed home from a free kick. Unfortunately Sodbury were reduced to ten men in the 56th minute when Tom Godsall was sent off for a second yellow card. Two minute after the sending off Berkeley went further ahead with a second Richard Langford penalty. Then in the 69th minute Sam Strickland poked the ball home from close in to give Berkeley a 5-2 lead. Sodbury did pull a goal back when substitute Shaun Halford scored in the 78th minute.
Taverners pulled off a good result with a 1-0 victory over Axa. Phil Hall netted the winner in the 55th minute after he had controlled a throw into the box wriggled his way into a half a yard of space before shooting into the bottom corner of the net. Axa almost levelled in the 70th minute as substitute Matt Shaughnessy’s volley struck the upright and rebounded into play. The home side should have netted a second in the dying minutes when Phil Hall set up Freddie Latchford but he failed to control the ball and it bounced wide of the post.
Action from Kings Stanley v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Patchway Town recorded a very convincing 3-0 home win over Kingswood but they still languish in the bottom 3 in the table. On target for Patchway were Brad Harris, Mark Palmer and John Stephens. A spokesman for Patchway said that town could well have netted a couple more especially as Mark Palmer missed a penalty.
Henbury gained a good three points with a convincing 3-1 win over Ellwood. Eddie Howells put the home side in front on 41 minutes after Billy George had rounded several defenders before crossing for Howells to tap the ball in. Howells was involved in the second when he chased a long ball out of defence won the tackle with the Ellwood defender before laying the ball back for Gary Clarke to score from the edge of the box in the 62nd minute. Henbury’s third came four minutes later again Howells was involved this time his free kick was block, knocked back into the box by new signing Andy Lynch, Billy George headed goalwards the ball was pushed away and fell nicely for Vinny Coote to hammer into the net. Ellwood scored a late goal through Mike Nelson.
Thornbury Town who had been out of action for a couple of weeks lifted themselves up the table with a 2-1 victory over D.R.G. Stapleton. Danny Thompson gave them the lead on 10 minutes his first shot was blocked but he netted from the follow up. The visitors were on level terms on 18 minute with a Lee Smart strike but 5 minutes before the break Town were in front as Morrison’s pass to Alexander was lifted over the D.R.G. defence for Jamie Woodland to run through and score.
Action from Kings Stanley v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
In the Les James League Cup 2nd Rd Brimscombe Thrupp progress to the Semi-final with a 2-0 win over league leaders Yate Town Reserves. The home side were in front after just 3 minutes when a cross from Mike Beckingham was turned in by Pete Smith. Yate hit back but were guilty of missed opportunities. Watson, Lambert and Cattle all missing good chances to level the score. In the second half Tim Baker brought out the best in home keeper Thomas with a tremendous shot. Then at the other end Freeman denied Jack Cannon after John Davis had set him up. The game was sealed in time added on when Baker brought down Ben Jones in the box and Mike Beckingham netted from the spot.
6th November - Kings Stanley fight back to go second
With the top three teams out of action today it was an opportunity for Kings Stanley to make up ground.
Their visit to Ellwood turned out to be fruitful, but at one stage it looked as if they might go away empty handed.
Although no goals in the first 45 minutes, there were several chances created by both sides but both keepers were in excellent form to keep their goals in tact. Ellwood’s Kerry Hale saw his 30 yard shot pushed around the post by Stanley’s keeper Pete Davis and at the other end Simon Harmers shot was well saved by Martin Lawrence. Lawrence was in action again saving a good shot from Alex Brown. The keeper then made two outstanding saves to deny Joel Clutterbuck keeping the home side in the game. Ellwood had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 28th minute as Julian Addis clear on goal and cutting in from the right missed a glorious opportunity when he fired his shot low and hard only for Davis to glance it around the post. Just before the break Derek Roberts saw his shot go just wide of the upright for Ellwood. Early in the second half, Stanley were awarded a free-kick around 25 yards from goal with Luke Barstow firing a low shot that hit the target but Lawrence just managed to get his fingers to the ball to stop it going in.
Action from Ellwood V Kings Stanley
The home side took the lead in the 51st minute when a break down the right by Mike Nelson pulling his cross back into the centre of the box where Gary Wildin was on hand to smash the ball into the net. A minute later they almost made it 2-0 when Gary Wildin’s cross into the 6 yard box almost deceived Davis as the ball ran across the goal which Davis scrambled to collect. Davis again kept the home side in the game when he pulled off a good save to deny Derek Roberts. With 80 minutes of the game gone it looks as though the home side were on their way to victory but a cross in from the left from Sam Prior was misjudged by keeper Lawrence and fortunately the ball fell nicely for Simon Harmer to slot the ball In. This lifted the visitors who started to take control of the game and a right footed curling shot from Sam Prior eluded the home defence and keeper Lawrence and spun into the net off the inside of the post. The visitors made sure of the three points in the 86th minute when a through ball by Matt Casey found Ben Newman who scored from close range.
This victory moves Stanley into second place in the table.
Patchway Town went into the half-time break with a 2-1 lead after Mark Palmer and Clark Taylor had given them a 2-0 advantage but a goal from Andy Watts on 44 minutes got Axa back in the game. A second goal by Andy Watts then levelled the scores and a Ciaran Greening goal in the 85th minute stole the three points for the visitors.
Rockleaze Rangers earned a valuable point in their quest to move off the foot of the table in a 3-3 draw at Berkeley Town. Town took the lead in the 12th minute when James Mackie fired the ball home from 12 yards after a cross from Sam Strickland. Rockleaze equalised in the 21st minute when Joe Sheppard hit the target with a cross come shot. Five minutes later a shot from the edge of the box by Karl Nash put the home side into the lead. A far post header from Matt Smith after the ball had deflected off the cross bar put the visitors on level terms before the break. Rockleaze took the lead for the first time in the game in the 58th minute when Matt Smith netted his second. It looked as though were going away with the three points until Alex Akerman netted in time added on from a free-kick to give them a point.
Action from Ellwood V Kings Stanley
DRG Stapleton seventh draw of the season as they were held 2-2 at home by Taverners. It was the visitors who took the lead after 12 minutes, Phil Hall’s shot from the edge of the box finding the back of the net. No further goal until the 70th minute when Taverners went 2-0 up from a simple tap in by Dave Woodfield. With 13 minutes to go the home side suddenly woke up and Lee Smart reduced the arrears with a 20 yard drive. Tristan Ferguson grabbed a point for the home side in the 89th minute when he slid the ball home after a goal mouth scramble.
For the first time in three weeks Hanham Athletic managed to keep a clean sheet with a strong defensive display. In a game of few chances the visitors Henbury hit the cross bar in the 83rd minute and right at the death Hanham struck the upright.
Action from Ellwood V Kings Stanley