Ron's Match Reports
15th May - Henbury Claim the Les James Cup
Henbury are the new holders of the Les James League Cup beating Thornbury Town 3-1 on penalty kicks after the game in front of 268 spectators at Kingswood finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Henbury Captain Eddie Howells presented with the Les James Cup by League Chairman Robin Stewart
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Henbury never had it all their own way as Thornbury opened the brightest and could have taken the lead in the 4th minute when Steve Alexander got on the end of a Pete Newton-Smith cross but could not force the ball past keeper Phil O’Connell diving to his right to save the shot. In the 7th minute Danny Thompson went on a mazy run beating three defenders before sliding the ball through for Alexander who just failed to reach the ball. In Henbury’s first attack after 9 minutes they took the lead when a pin point pass from Aaron Rosser split the Thornbury defence and Billy George raced down the left to send a cross into Eddie Howells who coolly flicked the ball past Robert Malcolm. After 21 minutes Henbury were forced into making a substitution captain and goal-scorer Eddie Howells had to leave the field and was replaced by George Watts. Thornbury almost leveled on the half hour mark but Steve Alexander’s goal bound effort was headed of the line by full-back Jack Bebbington. Thornbury started to push Henbury harder and in the 43rd minute a through ball to Dan Thompson caught the Henbury defence out and O’Connell upended Thompson just as he arrived in the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing too the spot. O’Connell received a caution for the foul and Chris Parry made no mistake from the spot.
The half time team talk in the Thornbury dressing room certainly worked wonders as 3 minutes into the second half they went 2-1 up as the ball was played into the Henbury box James Derosa hit an unstoppable shot from 16 yards past O’Connell. Henbury had a good chance to level in the 58th minute with a free-kick from the edge of the box but the kick failed to get through the Thornbury defence. Henbury brought on Ben Sandle in the 68th minute which changed things around and after having a penalty claim turned down they broke down the left and the ball was pulled back for George Watts who missed a glorious chance to level. But Watts made up for his miss 3 minutes later when he received a pin point pass from Ben Sandle to fire the ball past Malcolm. Thornbury’s Pete Newton-Smith then saw his header from 10 yards go just over the bar. Thornbury then made a couple of substitutions Chris Parry being replaced by Tom Webb and goalscorer James Derosa being replaced by Christian Irwin. Dan Thompson who had been a threat to the Henbury defence throughout was allowed a run on goal and hit final shot went just past the upright. A minute later Thompson again show his skill when he hammered the ball goal-wards from the edge of the box and saw O’Connell just managing to flick his swerving shot over the bar. Nearing the end Thornbury’s Matt Morrison picked up a knock and had to leave the field to be replaced by James Willott. With a few minutes added time played the referee brought the game to an end with the score at 2-2.
There is no extra time in this competition so the result would be decided from the penalty spot. Henbury netted the first and Thornbury Town had theirs saved. Then Thornbury’s keeper save the second Henbury penalty and Thornbury made it 1-1. The third penalty from Henbury was successful whilst Thornbury again had theirs saved. 2-1 to Henbury. Henbury then netted their fourth penalty and Thornbury Town had their fourth saved leaving Henbury the winners 3-1 on penalty kicks.
Action from Henbury V Thornbury Town in the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from Henbury V Thornbury Town in the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from Henbury V Thornbury Town in the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Action from Henbury V Thornbury Town in the final
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Henbury, Les James Cup Winners 2010-11
Image courtesy Peter Langley
7th May - Bishops Cleeve round of season with win
Bishops Cleeve Reserves were next to bottom at the start of their home game against Henbury and a win would push them up the table to possible safety. Henbury who were lying in sixth place in the table had nothing to lose or gain from this final fixture of the season.
The home side looked the brighter early on with O’Connell pushing the ball away for a corner. Henbury were forced into making a change after 15 minutes Gary Clark coming on for Adam Rosser. Sam Avery’s 30 yard drive on seventeen minutes brought a good save from O’Connell. Henbury’s first effort on goal came from Clark on twenty one minutes, his attempt to lob the keeper was well judged by Dan Greenhouse. The home side took the lead in the twenty fourth minute James Bayliffe turning the ball in from a corner. Henbury’s best chance came in the thirty second minute from a break down the right and a low cross into the box that was eventually scrambled away by the home defence.
Action from Bishops Cleeve Reserves v Henbury
Henbury put a bit more into the game early in the second half and had the ball cleared off the line just five minutes in. At the other end Lee Davis was just wide with his shot from the edge of the box. Then Joe Mogg had a good chance to increase the lead for Cleeve but blasted the ball over the bar. Ashley Jones should have done better with a clear shot on goal but he failed to get the ball over O’Connell. Substitute Craig Heskey made a good break down the right and a sent in a low cross that was cleared away for a corner. James Bayliffe might have made it 2-0 to the home side but skied his shot way over the bar. Henbury almost snatched an equalising goal just before the end but after striking the bar the home defence just managed to scramble the ball away.
The Champions finished on a high with a 3-0 win at Kingswood. This defeat for the home side sent them to second bottom of the table. All the goals came in the last thirty minutes of the game and Brimscombe’s leading goal-scorer Mike Beckingham adding two more to his tally for the season. The first came on the hour mark when he turned in Ben Jones’s cross and the same two players combined again twenty minute later for Beckingham to net his second. Five minutes from the end Jon Lang miss-controlled the ball and the provider of the first two goals Ben Jones nicked it and ran through to make it 3-0. Kingswood did have a few chances during the game with Adam Harber and Ryan Mudd coming up against the inform Adam Thomas who stopped everything that was thrown at him from the Kingswood attack.
Ellwood made their position safe with a win at Patchway in midweek and a draw at Berkeley Town today. Berkeley were fortunate in the 20th minute when Ollie Tate deflected James Mackie’s shot past his own keeper Ellwood hit back in the thirty ninth minute when Mark Wayman latched onto a long ball over the home defence to level the score. The visitors then took the lead in the fiftieth minute and it was again Mark Wayman who slid the ball home after a scramble in the box. Berkeley then had a second bit of fortune in the seventy third minute as Sam Strickland’s shot was blocked by the visitor’s keeper but in his attempt to clear the ball Byron Ranford headed into his own net.
Action from Bishops Cleeve Reserves v Henbury
After today’s two nil defeat at home to Tuffley Rovers Hanham Athletic will finish at the bottom of the table this season. Rovers opened the scoring one minute before the break with a shot from the edge of the box by Scott Jones that flew through a crowd of players before nestling in the back of the net. Liam McCaughey hit the cross bar for the home side but that was the closest they came to scoring during the game. In the eighty seventh minute Ben Timms gave away a penalty and Mark Ford made no mistake from the spot.
Rockleaze Rangers and Patchway Town finished there last game of the season with a point each even though a double strike from Matt Davis had given the visitors the lead twice, Kye Simpson struck the crossbar with a thirty yard drive after seven minutes but a second yellow card for Savis Frangoullis on thirty eight minutes meant the home side were down to ten men for the rest of the game. Matt Davis gave Patchway the lead right on half time after beating the last defender to drill the gall across the keeper into the net. Luke Drew should have put the visitors further in front after Danny Webb had set up a great goal-scoring chance but the shot went over the bar. In the sixty eighth minute Rockleaze leveled the score when Joe Shepherd picked the ball up on the half way line before making ground and seeing the Town keeper off his line chipped the ball over him from 40 yards. The visitors went back in front ten minutes later with a second Matt Davis goal the striker avoiding off-side before planting the ball in the net. Rangers got out of jail in time added at the end when Matt Webb was adjudged to have handled in the box and Kye Simpson made no mistake from the spot.
Action from Bishops Cleeve Reserves v Henbury
2nd May - Henbury stun Yate Reserves
Henbury put a severe dent in Yate Town Reserves chances of finishing runners-up in the league with a 6-2 drubbing at Arnell Drive.
Axa hold the champions to a 0-0 draw and have finished their season on 60 points 4 point ahead of Yate but they have two games left to play and could overhaul Axa if they win both or win one and draw one.
This was a very poor display by Yate Town Reserves who were ripped apart in the first 31 minutes of this game. Henbury were ruthless and had taken a 5-0 lead in that first 31 minute period. Yate keeper Damien Freemen was tested by George Watts after 4 minutes and seconds later pulled off another great save to keep his goal intact. Gary Clark had a clear shot on goal for the home side but blasted it over the bar. Within a minute Henbury were ahead when Eddie Howell latched on to a ball knocked into the box and coolly drove the ball past Freemen from ten yards. In the 16th minute after the ball had been passed across goal on several occasions Howells shot just whizzed past the outside of the upright. The home side scored a second on 18 minutes as Clarks angled shot hit the base of the upright and fell nicely into the path of Aaron Anglin who had the simple task of knocking the ball home. Howells then had a shot pushed over the bar by Freeman a couple of minutes later In the 21st minute Henbury went 3-0 up as Kris Sage curled the ball across goal from a free kick and central defender Vinny Coote’s angled header flew in at the far post. Yate had a great chance to pull a goal back as Justin Cattle burst through the middle of the home defence but keeper Phil O’Connell pulled of a great save to deny the striker. A few minutes later Matt Tovey was just wide with a shot from the edge of the box. A great through ball to Alex Lambert could well have brought the opening goal for the visitors but the ball sent across goal was hit to hard and Jake Jackson was unable to reach it as it sped away for a throw. In the 28th minute Henbury added to their score when a corner from the left was met by Ross Johnson on the edge of the box and he hit a thunderous drive past Freeman. The cheekiest goal of the day was the little back heel from Aaron Anglin from a very tight angle that put the home side 5-0 up after 31 minutes. The Yate manager knew he had to do something to try and stop the rampant Henbury side so he made a substitution and reorganised his defence to try and stem the flow. It had the desired affect and kept Henbury out for the remainder of the half. Just before the break Justin Cattle should have done better with a header at the far post and it went out for a goal kick.
Five minutes into the second half thing got even worse for Yate when Gary Clark was fouled in the box and Eddie Howells netted number six from the penalty spot. Midway through the second half Freeman brought off two brilliant saves in succession to deny Henbury going even further ahead. After 73 minutes Yate brought on Neikeil Plummer and within a few minutes he was on the score sheet driving an angled shot past O’Connell. Marc Hughes bundled home a second for Yate right at the end but the visitors were well and truly beaten on the day.
Axa’s visit to League Champions Brimscombe & Thrupp failed to produce any goals. The home side had to make several changes to their squad through injuries and some of the other players looked a little jaded after the hectic programme over the last week or so. Tim O’Loughlin missed and early chance to put Axa ahead and Ben Jones was guilty of missing a good opportunity at the other end. Just after the break Chris Underwood missed a glorious chance to put the home side in front and Shaughnessy hit the ball over the bar for Axa. It was difficult for both sides on a very hard pitch and a spokesman for Brimscombe said that a draw was probably the right result.
After struggling at the foot of the table for a long period of the season Rockleaze Rangers have secured a place in the league for next season with a 3-0 win at home to fellow strugglers Ellwood. The home side almost went ahead after 15 minutes but Ellwood keeper Tim Yemm brought off a great save to deny Joe Shepherd. They did however take the lead in the 22nd minute when Joe Shepherd took a long throw into the box and Brendan Curran hooked the ball over his shoulder and over the head of Yemm before the ball dropped into the net. They went 2-0 up on 28 minutes with a free kick from Jack Rivers that took a wicked deflection before nestling in the back of the net. In the 63rd minute Yemm was there again this time to deny Carl Hart. The third and final goal came in the 75th minute when a cross from Richard Bray who was back in action after a six weeks lay off was headed home by Nathan Bryer for his sixteenth of the season. The home side might have had a fourth but somehow Shepherd missed from four yards as the ball flew of his shin to safety
30thApril - FA Inter Leagues Cup - Gloucestershire County League 4 Mid-Sussex Football League 0
No league matches arranged for today because the Gloucestershire County Football League were playing host to the Mid-Sussex Football League in the FA Inter-Leagues Cup Competition.
Gloucestershire ran out comfortable winners over the visitors by four goals to nil. The home side were much the better side throughout but some stubborn defending by the visitors and some glaring misses by the home side early on kept the score-line down in the first half. The visitor’s keeper Mark Windsor was brought into action in the 5th minute pulling off a great save to prevent Karl Nash from opening the scoring. Mid-Sussex's first attack on goal came to nothing when they were caught offside. Nash looked really dangerous and went close to opening the scoring after 9 minutes when he headed a cross from Kris Sage onto the crossbar. Dave Woodfield was the next on target with a header but hit it straight at Windsor. The first real attempt by the visitors came after 17 minutes but the shot went wide of the target. Gloucestershire kept plugging away with numerous attacks breaking down on the edge of the box due to some excellent defending by the visitors. Billy George who had started the game felt ill and was substituted on 30 minutes with Jack Kinnerly taking his place. The eventual break through came in the 43rd minute when a throw in from Chris Addis found Alex Fox to turn a low cross into the box for Mike Beckingham to fire past the keeper.
Gloucestershire continued where they left off in the first half with keeper Mark Windsor pulling off another great save to deny Nash. From the resulting corner central defender Aaron Day was only just wide with a header. There was no doubt about it the home side were well on top and another great save from Windsor denied Gary Probert a goal. Gloucestershire made it 2-0 in the 57th minute when a great run by Woodfield down the right and a super pass into Alex Fox who drove the ball across goal into the far corner. With the home side well on top Nash saw his shot blocked and after several corners in succession Alex Fox missed a golden opportunity from 6 yards. Nash was causing the visitors defence a lot of bother as he pulled yet another shot wide of the post. Chris Fox had his easiest game in goal for Gloucestershire as he rarely had a shot to save and when the visitors were on target they were not placed well enough to beat the keeper. With all the effort Nash had put in throughout the game he got his just rewards in the 75th minute as Woodfield again broke down the right and sent in a low cross for Nash to steer into the visitors net. At this point of the game the home side made two further substitutions and whilst they were settling in Mid Sussex created their best chance of the game when Luke Turner broke down the left and sent in a low cross that beat everyone but the ball went harmlessly away for a throw in. With just minutes left in the game Karl Nash put Mike Beckingham through on goal and he coolly rounded the keeper before sliding the ball home. It looked very close to offside but the Assistant Referee kept his flag down. In the very last minute of the game Windsor pulled of yet another great save to push Gary Probert’s goal-bound shot away to safety.
This win has given the Gloucestershire County Football League a marvellous trip to Jersey for the first round proper. This will take place in September / October next season.
Gloucester County League Team : Chris Fox (Kingswood), Chris Addis (Ellwood), Kris Sage (Henbury), Aaron Day (Rockleaze Rangers),Mitch Kavanagh (Axa) [sub:Grant Gordon (Chipping Sodbury Town)], Alex Fox (Chipping Sodbury Town), Dave Woodfield (Taverners) [sub:James Derosa (Thornbury Town)], Gary Probert (Brimscombe & Thrupp), Mike Beckingham (Brimscombe & Thrupp), Karl Nash (Berkeley Town), Billy George (Henbury) [sub:Jack Kinnerly (Yate Town)]
Unused Subs:Adam Thomas (Brimscombe & Thrupp), Ricki Lippiatt (Thornbury Town)
Goalscorers : Mike Beckingham (2), Alex Fox, Karl Nash
Manager: Dave Lippiatt
Assistant. Manager: Carl Derosa
Therapist: Malcolm Carr
Mid-Sussex Football League
Image Courtesy Hilary Isaac
Gloucestershire County League
Image Courtesy Hilary Isaac
Match Officials and captains
Image Courtesy Hilary Isaac
Action from Gloucestershire County League V Mid-Sussex Football League
Image Courtesy Hilary Isaac
Action from Gloucestershire County League V Mid-Sussex Football League
Image Courtesy Hilary Isaac
Action from Gloucestershire County League V Mid-Sussex Football League
Image Courtesy Hilary Isaac
Action from Gloucestershire County League V Mid-Sussex Football League
Image Courtesy Hilary Isaac
Action from Gloucestershire County League V Mid-Sussex Football League
Image Courtesy Hilary Isaac
Action from Gloucestershire County League V Mid-Sussex Football League
Image Courtesy Hilary Isaac
25th April - Brimscombe see off Hanham
The Champions Brimscombe & Thrupp were presented with their winners trophies after this home fixture with Hanham Athletic.
Brimscombe & Thrupp Champions 2010/11
Image Courtesy Pete Langley
There were 170 spectators present to watch the Champions march on and open up an even bigger gap at the top with an excellent 4-1 victory. The early stages of the game saw the home side on the back foot as Hanham’s attacks looked dangerous every time they came forward. Christian Miller looked really threatening down the right and after rounding his marker should have done better with his shot at goal. After riding the early storm Brimscombe took the lead in the 16th minute when Ben Jones got behind the visitors defence and drove a low cross into the six yard box where Mike Beckingham was waiting to hammer the ball home. Pete Smith almost netted a second when a free kick was struck into the box took a deflection of a Hanham defender and Smiths first time shot struck the crossbar. Leon Grange almost levelled the score from a corner swung in from the right but the ball came through fast and Grange was wide with the header. In the 37th minute Beckingham nicked the ball away from Ben Timmins ran at goal but then shot wide of the target. A minute later the home side were 2-0 up as Gary Probert bore down on goal, he was dispossessed but the ball went straight to Chris Underwood to drive home. The visitors pulled a goal back in the 40th minute as a long free kick went over the home defence where James Pocock had moved into space and he sent a powerful header across to Leon Grange to drive past Thomas. Hanham almost levelled in the 42nd minute when he nipped past the last Brimscombe defender who craftily dragged him back enough to allow Thomas to get in position to block the shot.
7 minutes into the second half Fletcher brought off a great save to deny Martin McDermott’s header going in. Hanham were their own worst enemies as a foul on Ben Jones in the Box resulted in the referee giving a penalty. Beckingham took the kick but Fletcher read it well and brought of a good save but was unlucky as the rebound went straight to Ben Jones whose shot was on its way into the net but the last touch came from a defender rushing back. The home side were well on top at this stage and it took some desperate defending by the visitors to keep Brimscombe out. In the 83rd minute Miles Allen was harshly judged to have handled the ball in the box resulting in a second penalty. Beckingham lined up again to take it and made no mistake as the keeper went the wrong way. Right at the death Jon Dalton who had come on as a substitute went close with a header that just cleared the bar.
Fletcher saves the first Brimscombe penalty
Image Courtesy Pete Langley
Axa came up against the inform team at the moment when they entertained local rivals Patchway Town. Desperately needing a win to secure the runners-up spot in the table they eventually went down 3-1. Axa started great and pushed the visitors really hard and were rewarded after 15 minutes when Adam Bates turned in a Matt Shaughnessy cross. When it looked as though the home side would go into the break with that one goal lead a mistake in the home defence allowed Matt Davis to level right on half time. Luke Drew then gave Patchway the lead on 60 minutes volleying the ball home from 20 yards following a corner. Five minutes later Davis set up Aaron Anderson for number three. Axa did really well for the remainder of the game but could not make the break through they needed to get back in the game.
After falling to the bottom of the table last Saturday Kingswood struck back with a vengeance firing five into the Thornbury net with only one in reply. The opening goal came after 24 minute when Paul Bleaken headed home a Adam Harber cross. On 28 minutes Tom Higgins bundled in number two after an in swinging corner struck the upright. This was the first of Higgins three goals of the afternoon. The second coming in the 60th minute after Jim Davis’s cross was head back across goal for Higgins to strike. Thornbury pulled a goal back in the 71st minute when Riki Lippiatt broke clear through the middle to give Fox no chance. With just a couple of minutes left Higgins sent Adam Harber clear to net the fourth a goal to celebrate on his birthday. Then right on time Harber repaid the compliment as he set up Higgins to complete his hatrick.
The game at Station Road between Berkeley Town and Bishops Cleeve Reserves ended 0-0. With very few chances crated throughout the game it was a fitting result.
23rd April - Brimscombe claim title
Brimscombe & Thrupp are celebrating tonight as they have become the new Champions of the Surridge Gloucestershire County Football League. They have certainly showed what a very consistent team they have been throughout the season and have won the league with five games still to play.
140 spectators turned out to watch the game today that turned out to be no stroll in the park for the home side as their opposition on the day Rockleaze Rangers playing really well considering their position in the league table.
It took two late goals to clinch the title. The first was a break down the flank by Pete Smith and an excellent cross into the box for Ben Jones to turn in. The second just a few minutes later, was a cracking 30 yard volley from Pete Smith, that the visitors keeper could not hold as the ball flew into the net.
The Champions are home to Hanham Athletic on Easter Monday and will be presented with their Winners Trophies after the game by the League Management Committee.
At the bottom end of the table both Ellwood and Hanham Athletic won away from home and sent Kingswood to the bottom of the table
The game at Lodge Road between Yate Town Reserves and Axa, second and third in the table ended all square at 1-1. The Axa keeper was first into the action with a good save from Ashley Lock pushing the ball around the post for a corner after eight minutes. The next 30 minutes hardly produced anything for either keeper to be worried about. Tarik Whitcliffe had a header on target for Yate in the 39th minute and Jermaine Wright saw his shot on target well saved by Turner. The deadlock was broken in the 40th minute as Jermaine Wright broke into the box and was brought down and Lewis Hughes gave the home side the lead from the spot kick.
Action from Yate Town Reserves v AXA
Yate started the better early in the second half and Jake Jackson saw his goal bound effort blocked by an Axa defender. From that point onwards Axa suddenly sprung into life and really took hold of procedures. The Yate defence were under a lot of pressure and keeper Lubos Ancin did well to get behind a Dominic Graffagnino shot from 20 yards. With the visitors well on top Ancin brought of an unbelievable save to deny Danny Thorpe levelling for Axa diving full length to push the ball away after a long ball over the home defence was smashed at goal by Thorpe from just 6 yards. In a rare attack by the home side they almost snatched a second goal in the 71 minute after the ball was pinging across goal in both directions before the eventual shot was cleared of the line. All the Axa pressure paid off in the 77th minute as a shot from the edge of the box was again brilliantly saved by Ancin but Dominic Graffagnino was there to head home from the rebound. Substitute Steve Watts had a great chance to put the visitors ahead but after making space for a shot blasted the ball over the bar. The visitors almost gave it away in the last few minutes as a back header by Mitch Kavanagh saw Turner scrabbling across goal just in time to push the ball wide for a corner.
Ellwood have grabbed a life line with a 1-0 victory at fellow strugglers Bishop Cleeve Reserves. The only goal of the game came after 30 minutes Kerry Hale hammering home from the rebound after the home keeper had made a tremendous save to keep the ball out from the first shot on goal.
Kingswood find themselves at the foot of the table for the first time after going down 1-0 at home to Taverners. Adam Harber should have given Kingswood the lead on 30 minutes when he rounded the visitor’s keeper and then pulled his shot wide of the target. Dan Griffiths kept the home side in the game when he cleared off the line in the second half, but they were undone by the visitors in the 88th minute when Theo Stubbs headed home a Dave Woodfield corner.
Hanham Athletic pulled of a good win 3-1 at Berkeley Town but were trailing after just five minutes when James Mackie turned in Sam Strickland’s cross. Darren Burt levelled the score in the 42nd minute when he turned in the box and lashed his shot into the top corner of the net. Jason Grange put the visitors ahead in the 73rd minute with a low shot into the corner of the net and Tom Hamilton made the points safe five minutes from the end.
Action from Yate Town Reserves v AXA
Patchway Town are the form team at present after beating local rivals Thornbury Town 4-1 at Scott Park. The hero of the day was Jordan Yeo who netted all four goals for the home side. His first arrived on 20 minutes when he latched onto a long ball aver the defence and hammered the ball into the bottom corner. His second just after the half-time break was another good individual goal as he rounded several defenders before driving the ball home. Number three came on the hour mark almost a carbon copy of the first goal. Leading up to the fourth goal Matt Davis broke down the right and sent over a great cross for Yeo to net his fourth. Patchway could have had a couple more as they struck the crossbar twice late in the game. Thornbury’s consolation goal came right at the end Steve Alexander stabbing the ball home in a goalmouth scramble.
Tuffley Rovers looked to be home and dry after taking the lead in the 49th minute when Scott Jones did well to get the ball under control to slot the ball under the keeper. Chipping Sodbury Town snatch a late equalising goal in the very last minute from a free kick that was pumped across goal headed back into the centre and Paul Lucas headed past the home keeper from 6 yards.
Action from Yate Town Reserves v AXA
16th April - Bishops Cleeve grab late point at Kingswood
With leaders Brimscombe & Thrupp not in action today it was an opportunity for Axa to close the gap at the top.
The game between Kingswood and Bishops Cleeve Reserves was set for a 2pm kick-off and with the sun shining and the pitch in good condition both sides would be looking to win to try and hall themselves away from the bottom reaches of the table. The match was played in an excellent spirit with both sides playing some very good approach football but with out any real punch when they reached the edge of the box. Kingswood had a good chance early on that went over the bar and Cleeve’s Liam Scott should have done better with a long ball over the home defence but pulled his shot wide. Both keepers had an easy time in the first 45 minutes, but things got a lot better in the second period of play.
In the 56th minute Kingswood took the lead, a mistake by James Bayliffe allowed the ball to run through to Paul Bleaken who neatly chipped the ball over the two Cleeve defenders for Adam Harber to hook the ball home from a yard. In the 69th minute, Harber had a great chance to make it 2-0 to the home side but keeper Dan Greenhouse narrowed the angle quickly and Harber shot wide. Bishops Cleeve drew level in the 78th minute when a long throw into the box was poorly dealt with by the home defence and Joe Mogg fired home from close range. The home side regained the lead in the 84th minute when a tremendous 30 yard drive from Paul Eldridge saw Greenhouse at full stretch to prevent the ball going in, but the ball rebounded back to Dan Griffiths who had an easy task to knock the ball home. The visitors grabbed a point from the game with the clock ticking down, a free-kick from the left was knocked into the box it was headed back into the centre of the goal where James Bayliffe just rose high enough to head the ball past Fox. In time added Cleeve almost snatched a winner as Bayliffe found himself with a clear cut shot on goal but his decision to chip the keeper failed as Fox just managed to get his finger tips to the ball a pull it down to safety.
Action from Kingswood v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
The surprise result of the day was the 2-1 defeat of Axa by basement club Hanham Athletic. Hanham took the lead in the 12th minute, when from neat play Leon Grange played the ball through to Cameron Brown who’s return pass was then struck goal wards by Grange hitting the inside of the upright on it’s way in. Axa were back on level terms after 20 minutes when a corner was partially cleared by the visitors defence, Ryan McKillop played the ball back into Nick Lloyd who headed home from 8 yards. Hanham regained the lead a minute before the break when Leon Grange sent over a corner and found Cameron Brown to head home on the near post.
Thornbury Town bounced back from their mid-week defeat to win 3-0 at Kings Stanley. Thornbury opened the scoring in the 12th minute when poor marking allowed Steve Thompson to find James Derosa who scored with an angled shot. Kings Stanley had a good chance to level the score on the half hour mark when a long ball up field caught the Thornbury defence out and Ben Newman with a clear run on goal tried to chip the keeper but over hit the ball and it went over the top. Thornbury got a second goal in the 50th minute when the Stanley defence lost the ball on the right, it was pushed through for Derosa to score his second goal. In the 75th minute Danny Stevens had a great chance to pull a goal back for Stanley but with a clear header on goal he headed it down and the bounce took it over the bar. Thornbury wrapped the game up with ten minutes to go when Dan Thompson was allowed to cut in from the left unchallenged to drive the ball home.
Action from Kingswood v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Tuffley Rovers topsy turvey season saw them go down to a 3-0 defeat at home to DRG Stapleton. Tristan Ferguson opened the scoring for the visitors after 21 minutes his shot from just inside the box was saved by the home keeper but the rebound was knocked back across goal and Ferguson hooked the ball into the net. Just before the break Tuffley could have been level but Richard James missed a golden opportunity. The visitors then grabbed two further goals in the last fifteen minutes from Matt Thorne. The first on 75 minutes when he picked the ball up in his own half, ran at the home defence beating three defenders before sliding the ball home. His second on 86 minutes was a mix up in the Rovers defence and Thorne neatly chipped the ball over the keeper.
Patchway Town continue their excellent form with a 2-1 over Berkeley Town. A Luke Drew volley on 25 minutes put the home side in front but then had to wait until the 70th minute before a cross into the box saw Keith Williams smash the ball into the bottom corner. In time added on an Ashley Brown own goal was some consolation to the visitors.
Henbury let slip a two goal lead to finish 2-2 at home to Taverners. No goals in the first 45 minutes but a double strike from Aaron Anglin, the first after 60 minutes from a Chris Sage corner and the second in the 75th minute, a tap in from a Ben Sandle cross put the home side in the driving seat. Taverners however, had other ideas as they hit back with two goals from striker Freddie Latchford. The first came in the 80th minute when he turned in the box and fired past O’Connell and five minutes later an almost identical situation gave Taverners an equalizing goal. A late save by O’Connell denied the visitors taking all the points.
Action from Kingswood v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Rockleaze Rangers versus Chipping Sodbury Town ended goalless but with chances created it could well have finished at least 2-2. Danny Coombes missed a golden opportunity in the very first minute when through on goal with just the keeper to beat he shot wide. Tom Godsall then hit the upright in the 20th minute that could have seen the visitors take the lead. Rangers Ian Burnell took matters into his own hands as he drifted past four defenders before sending a superb cross into the box and three players all lunging at the ball failed to make contact. In the 65th minute Rangers Savas Frangoullis was just wide with a 20 yard drive and late in the game Matt Smith tried to lob Towns keeper without success.
9th April - Brimscombe open a gap at the top
Brimscombe & Thrupp are clear leaders with a 5 point cushion over second place Axa and still have two games in hand. Their 3-1 win at Ellwood in the week and a narrow victory at D.R.G. Stapleton today has created some breathing space. Both Yate Town and Chipping Sodbury Town lost which allowed Axa to slip into second spot.
The game at Frenchay finished 3-2 to Brimscombe & Thrupp but after taking a 2-0 lead in the first half D.R.G Stapleton hit back to level the score with two brilliantly taken goals by 46 year old veteran striker Geoff Britton. The home side opened the brightest and only a good save from Brimscombe keeper Thomas denied the home side taking the lead. Tolo Taylor then saw his header fly just wide of the visitors goal. On a very bumpy surface it was difficult for both sides to keep the ball on the ground which resulted in a scrappy game at times. Brimscombe got a break in the 26th minute as Beckingham sent over a corner from the right that hit a defender high up on his shin and the rebound fell nicely for Brimscombe defender James Tubb to hook the ball home from just two yards. Three minutes later the visitors went 2-0 up with a cracking 30 yard strike from Peter Smith that curled into the far corner well away from keeper Ashley Bryan. Just before the break Smith went close twice with shots that were just wide of the target.
Action from DRG Stapleton v Brimscombe & Thrupp
Five minutes into the second half the home side pulled a goal back as Geoff Britton who had come on a substitute in the first half latched on to a ball just inside the box and volleyed it into the net via the underside of the bar with the visitors defenders looking on. A header from Tristan Ferguson from a corner almost levelled the score but John Davis cleared off the line. A few minute later Brimscombe were just glad to scramble the ball away for a corner as the home side pilled on the pressure. D.R.G. Stapleton grabbed a deserved equalising goal on 58 minutes from a long ball up field from the home keeper that bounced over several defenders and fell straight to Britton who coolly lobbed the ball over Thomas from 25 yards out. With time running out it looked as though the game might end all square but a mistake by the home defence in the 85th minute allowed Mike Beckingham the chance to break free and rifle the ball past the advancing keeper. The home side almost stole a point in the very last minute as Darren Werrett's shot just skimmed past the far post with everyone looking on.
Axa gained all three points with a 1-0 victory at Chipping Sodbury Town. Not an over inspiring game but one that a win for either side would keep up their challenge for the title. The only goal of the game came in the 49th minute from former player Ollie Clarke. The Sodbury keeper picked up a back pass and the referee awarded an indirect free kick. The ball was knocked sideways to Clarke who neatly tucked it away.
Yate Town Reserves chances of winning the title took a knock at Bishops Cleeve Reserves where they went down 2-1. All three goals came in the space of six minutes in the second half. Jack Kinnerly gave the visitors the lead in the 53 minute a brilliant piece of individual skill that saw the ball fly into the Cleeve net at the far post. Within a minute the home side were level as Gavin Garthwaite raced down the right crossed for James Bayliffe to flick the ball on for Joe Mogg to score. Five minutes later Cleeve were in front again it was Garthwaite who stole into the box was brought down and Ben McGuire netted from the spot.
Action from DRG Stapleton v Brimscombe & Thrupp
The rehearsal for the Les James Cup Final between Thornbury Town and Henbury saw visitors Henbury go away with a very convincing 3-0 win. All three goals came in the first half with a double from Adam Rosser and a third from George Watts. Rosser netted his first on 22 minutes running on to a long ball over the Town defence and then grabbed a second in the 27th minute when a break down the right was squared back to the edge on the box for Rosser to drive home. The third on 38 minute was a great bit of skill from George Watts who rounded four defenders before slotting home.
The struggled at the wrong end of the table between Ellwood and Hanham Athletic ended in a 2-0 triumph for Ellwood. Nike Nelson netted his first on 20 minute after a great ball from Gary Wildin and the home side sealed the points in the 85th minute when Nelson netted a second.
Kings Stanley halted Rockleaze Rangers recent good run with a 2-1 home victory. It may well have been a different story as the visitors dominated the first ten minutes with the home side hardly getting a look in but they failed to score. They did however take the lead on 26 minutes through Savas Frangoullis but within two minutes Stanley were back on level terms after Ben Newman scored. A minute before the break Ben Newman found the back of the visitors net again to send them into the break in the lead. Stanley had several more chances in the second half but was unable to increase the score-line.
Kingswood picked up their first point for a number of weeks with a 1-1 draw at home to Berkeley Town. Kingswood were fortunate to take the lead in the 49th minute as a cross from Ryan Mudd was sliced into his own net by Nathan Freeman. Freeman made up for his earlier mistake in the 85th minute as he latched on to a loose ball to give the visitors a point, after Chris Fox had brought off a great save.
Action from DRG Stapleton v Brimscombe & Thrupp
Tuffley Rovers ran out 2-1 winners over Taverners at Glevum Park. Scott Jones gave the home side the lead on 21 minutes in a one on one situation with the keeper. Freddie Latchford levelled for Taverners two minutes into the second half, but the winner for Rovers came in the 49th minute when Warren Mann scored direct from a free kick
2nd April - Sodbury salvage a point against Taverners
Brimscombe & Thrupp remain top with a narrow win at home to Bishops Cleeve Reserves, whilst Yate Town Reserves jump into second spot with a resounding win at Kingswood. Axa lose ground after being held at Henbury.
After a resounding win at home last week Chipping Sodbury Town can think themselves luck to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Taverners. This was a game in which the visitors were much the better side throughout but particularly in the first 45 minutes yet had only one goal to show for their fine display and that was down to home keeper Chris Simsek who made a number of good saves to keep his side in the game. It was Simsek who denied Tom Hanley after 5 minutes diving full stretch to save his goal-bound header a few minutes later the pulled off another great save when Mike Thornton turned a free kick into a good headed chance but the keeper was there again. Hanley broke through on goal for Taverners but Simsek was quick off his line to whip the ball off his toe. Sodbury were all at sea and an in-swinging corner from the left saw the home keeper at full stretch to punch clear. Sodbury had to wait until the 27th minute before getting a shot on target and it had no pace and was easily dealt with by Portlock. Taverners took a deserved lead in the 28th minute when a ball through the middle caught Simsek a little flat and Freddie Latchford poked the ball past the keeper into the net taking a blow to his knee from the keeper. A break down the right by full-back Josh Blunt and a great cross into the box found the unmarked Jamie Bish who powered his header goal-wards but Simsek was there again. Alex Fox had a good chance just before the break but was just beaten to the ball by Taverners keeper Duane Portlock.
Sodbury opened a little brighter in the second half and Portlock was called into action to punch clear a Liam Barrett cross. Ten minutes into the second half Sodbury’s Alex Cummings came to the rescue when he headed a Tom Burridge effort off the line following a corner. The home side had a stroke of luck in the 63 minute as long cross into the visitors box was called for by keeper Portlock but it skimmed of defender Paul Jennings head and fell nicely for Lee Britton to drive the ball home from close in. In the 70th minute Simsek was in action again as he turned the ball over the bar from a Dave Woodfield shot. A minute later Taverners were back in front. Simsek had given away a corner which was pumped over to the far post where Dave Woodfield hit a low drive under the diving keeper. Sodbury got out of jail with just four minute left when Paul Lucas broke into the box and with no immediate danger, Taverners defender Paul Jennings somehow managed to drag the striker down giving away a penalty. Lucas decided to take the kick and hit it hard to Portlocks right but the keeper read it well and made a brilliant save only to see the ball bounce up for the incoming Tom Godsall to head the equalising goal.
Brimscombe & Trupp are still leaders after a 2-1 victory over Bishops Cleeve Reserves. The home side dominated the game and missed several good chances to take the lead before Mike Beckingham riffled home his 34th goal of the season on 25 minutes to give them the lead. A few minutes later Beckingham was guilty of missing a good opportunity to increase the lead but it remained 1-0 at the break. Probert struck the upright for the home side before Chris Underwood fired in a second in the 60th minute. There could well have been a third but for a great save by the visitor’s keeper from that man Beckingham. The visitor did eventually find the back of the net when Ben McGuire netted in the very last minute of the game.
Yate Town Reserves jumped into second spot in the table with a 5-0 victory at Kingswood. This was the second meeting in a week for these two teams with Yate running out winners on both occasions. Tim Baker gave Yate the lead after ten minutes from the penalty spot after Alex Lambert had been brought down. Ryan Jefferies netted a second in the 34th minute from an Alex Lambert cross into the box. In the 50th minute Jake Jackson was fouled in the area and Tim baker duly obliged with a second spot kick. Joe Dawka netted the fourth from a Sam Sarre cross and Dawka supplied the cross for Jake Jackson to net number five.
Axa slipped to third after a 2-2 draw at Henbury. Aaron Anglin shot the home side into the lead on 32 minutes but Axa hit back three minutes later when Mitch Kavanagh scored. Jack Bebbington headed Henbury into a 2-1 lead on 65 minutes but it was short lived when a defensive error allowed Nick Lloyd in the level. The visitors were reduced to ten men after 30 minutes when Scott Burnnell received his marching orders.
Patchway Town continue to climb the table with an excellent 4-1 victory at Tuffley Rovers. The visitors were leading 4-0 after 68 minutes with goals from Matt Davis on 29 minutes Adam Missiato 38 minutes then two second half goals from Aaron Anderson on 55 minutes and 68 minutes. Rovers got a consolation goal through Mark Ford in the last minute of the game.
Rockleaze Rangers found themselves trailing to Dan Thompson goal after 31 minutes but salvaged a point when Will Bowley scored in the 44th minute. Thompson was guilty of missing a one on one chance in the 3rd minute of the game and missed another good chance in the 42nd minute. Nathan Bryer also missed a good chance for the home side. Rockleaze were down to ten men in the 74th minute when Ian Burnell picked up a second yellow card. The home side were under some pressure near the end and Aaron Day headed of the line from a James Willott effort.
Kings Stanley who had to field a weakened side against D.R.G. Stapleton felt this was probably a fair result on the day. The home side took the lead after 10 minutes when a long throw from Matt Casey found Simon Harmer who squeezed his shot in off the post. Stanley missed several good chances to increase their lead and paid the price in then 49th minute when Darren Werrett cut in from the left and curled the ball into the net.