Ron's Match Reports
24th September - D.R.G Stapleton see off Cribbs
Cribbs Friends Life suffered their first defeat of the season as Ben Burrell nets a hat-trick for D.R.G. Stapleton. Ellwood thump a very poor Yate Town Reserves side.
This was D.R.G. Stapleton’s day as they took the lead after 90 seconds against league leaders Cribbs Friends Life when Matt Shaunessy’s attempted back pass to the keeper fell well short and Ben Burrell nipped in to chip the ball over visitor’s keeper Matt Turner. This early shock was a wake up call for the visitors who gradually started to put their game together and leveled the score in the 23rd minute from a free kick out on the left that was hit to the far side of the box and neatly headed down to Simon Bone by Tim O’Loughlin and the striker hammered the ball into the net. With both Clubs enjoying equal amounts of possession it looked very much like a 1-1 score-line would take them into the break, but the home side surprised the visitors with second goal from Ben Burrell in the 42nd minute the striker sliding past Turner after he had be sent clear by Jerome Millard.
Action from D.R.G. Stapleton V Cribbs Friends Life
Early in the second half Kinnerly and Bone linked up down the left with some neat interchange of passes but Bones final shot went well wide of the target. In the 50th minute Joe Galsworthy robbed Shaunessy on the left squared the ball into the box for Ben Burrell to neatly plant the ball into the net. Justin Cattle broke free for the visitors a few minutes later but then blasted the ball over the bar. The visitors almost pulled a goal back in the 65th minute as a Dominic Graffagnino header looked goal-bound but home keeper Ashley Bryan pulled of a great save. In the 68th minute the visitors centre-back Josh Cush gave away a free kick on the edge of the box giving the home side a chance to increase the lead, but John Lock’s free kick was hit straight at the keeper. There were two more half chances for the home side one from Joe Galsworthy whose shot went just over the bar and a last ditch attempt that was just wide of the post by Ashley Hawkins.
Yate Town’s Reserves visit to the forest to meet Ellwood ended in a very heavy defeat by seven goals to one. Ellwood were 3-0 up after 35 minutes when Matt Addis opened the scoring on 15 minutes followed by two further goals from Mike Nelson on 25 and 35 minutes. Lee Scotford made it four on 50 minutes and then Jamie Addis increased the lead in the 62nd minute. Gary Wildin came on as a substitute and netted number six in the 70th minute and Ryan Pendry made it 7-0 ten minutes later. A consolation goal for Yate came in the 85th minute scored by Jake Jackson.
Hanham Athletic recorded their second win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Chipping Sodbury Town. Lucas Hart gave the home side the lead on 10 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box. Sodbury leveled after 35 minutes when Rob Burton sent the ball into his own net. The home side regained the lead right on half time when Mike Saddler raced onto a through ball before squaring it across goal for James Pocock to tap home. Two minutes in to the second half Hanham were 3-1 up when Tolo Taylor lobbed the ball over the defence for Lucas Hart to round the keeper and slide the ball home. Chipping Sodbury hit back with a second goal in the 80th minute from the penalty spot after a foul in the box by Rob Burton, Mike England netting from the spot kick.
Action from D.R.G. Stapleton V Cribbs Friends Life
Taverners ran out 2-1 winners at home to Bishops Cleeve Reserves. Taverners took the lead straight from the kick-off as the ball was played out to the right Josh Blunt crossed into the box and Mark Harsant was there to volley home from ten yards. Lloyd Arkell and Paul Ireland both went very close for the visitors Irelands header being cleared off the line by Russ Chamberlin. Taverners Ed Parslow then had his shot well saved by the visitor’s keeper. Cleeve were unlucky with an in-swinging corner that struck both post before going out of play. The visitors leveled on 68 minutes when Mike Sholly struck a ball from the edge of the box which deceived Jeremy Ward in the home goal and finished up in the back of the net. Two minutes later Taverners regained the lead with a long ball lobbed over the visitors defence and Luke Bartlett chipped the visitor’s keeper.
Henbury got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at Rockleaze Rangers. Shane Budding almost opened the scoring for the home side on ten minutes but his shot struck the crossbar. A minute later they were a goal down as Billy George nipped past Aaron Day before sending over a cross for Eddie Howell to volley home. Unfortunately for the home side missed chances in the first 45 minutes seemed to be the order of the day and even early in the second half that trend continued and then in the 75th minute Henbury scored again, and again it was Billy George involved with Ross Johnson the latter netting to give the visitors a two goal lead. Rockleaze eventually got the ball into the net in the 87th minute as Savas Frangoullis headed home at the far post from a Shane Budding free kick.
Longlevens gained a 2-0 victory over Berkeley Town although the first 45 minutes failed to produce any goals. Berkeley’s Sam Strickland came nearest to scoring but failed to find the target. The home side brought on Craig Martin and it certainly did the trick as he netted his first on 75 minutes and then scored again in the 82nd minute when he was put through on goal in a one on one situation.
Action from D.R.G. Stapleton V Cribbs Friends Life
Patchway Town are ruing missed chances that should have seen them win this home fixture with Kings Stanley. Instead they lost the game 2-1. They started really well and opened the scoring after 5 minutes Danny Webb latching on to a rebound from a Jordan Yeo shot to score. Then two goals in three minutes in the second half cost them dearly. Ricky Gaskell leveled the score on 55 minutes with a 25 yard screamer and in the 58th minute Ben Newman netted from close range to give Stanley the lead. The home side were still creating chances but failed to make any count and it cost them dearly in the end.
In the FA Vase Bristol Academy lost 2-0 to Bradford Town
17th September - Berkeley and Ellwood share spoils
Cribbs Friends Life remain top of the table with a victory over Hanham Athletic, but hard on their heels are Tuffley Rovers whose victory at Henbury keeps them in second place just 3 points behind but with a game in hand.
Berkeley Town’s home game with Ellwood ended all square 1-1 and this was just about the right result in a game that saw very few chances in the first 45 minutes. Berkeley’s keeper Ewan Prentice was the first to be tested after just 3 minutes and then a minute later Mike Nelson had a good chance that he headed over the bar. The best chance of the half fell to Mike Nelson when he found himself free in the box but tried a fancy flick to try and deceive Prentice but the keeper read the situation well and made a great save from his resulting shot.
Action from Berkeley Town V Ellwood
Image courtesy of Hilary Isaac
Berkeley broke first in the second half and Sam Strickland saw his effort pushed out for a corner by the Ellwood keeper Tin Yemm. At the other end Prentice saved well from a Lee Scotford shot on goal. In the 53rd minute Berkeley’s Nathan Freeman headed wide from a corner. The visitors took the lead in the 59th minute Mike Nelson driving the ball across Prentice into the far corner. The game became very tense and both teams failed to get the ball down as long balls were the flavor at this stage. Berkeley got a break through in the 78th minute when Gary Gaynor’s attempted shot turned into a cross and Paul Brooks turned the ball into the net. The visitors keeper Tim Yemm brought of a great save to deny Berkeley taking the lead and in the very last minute Ellwood could have stolen the three points but Lee Scotford’s effort went just wide of the far post.
Cribbs Friends Life are still the leaders after their 2-0 home win over Hanham Athletic. In a game that they dominated for long periods they took the lead in the 30th minute when Simon Bone scored from the edge of the box. A second goal on 65 minutes a very well worked move between Simon Bone and Jack Kinnerly with Kinnerly finishing it off with a shot just inside the post.
Action from Berkeley Town V Ellwood
Image courtesy of Hilary Isaac
Henbury slipped up for the second week running going down 3-0 at home to Tuffley Rovers. The opening goal came after 7 minutes a foul by Ben Sandle and one that the referee decided to send him off for that gave Tuffley the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot. It was Shane Bradley who was given the task and neatly dispatched it into the Henbury net. Two minutes into the second half Rovers went 2-0 up with a long ball pumped up field and Bradley netted his second from the edge of the box. Rovers then netted a third in the 69th minute when Ryan Parker beat the offside and ran through to round the keeper before sliding the ball home.
D.R.G. Stapleton continued their recent good form with a slender 1-0 success at Kings Stanley. The only goal of the game came in the 30th minute from a throw in that eventually ended up in the Stanley box and Matt Maynard had the simple task of scoring from close range. Stanley had several chance late on in the game the first in the 80th minute as Paul Day just failed to reach a low cross into the box by Danny Stevens and a few minutes later the visitors keeper brought off a great save to deny Liam Gale.
Action from Berkeley Town V Ellwood
Image courtesy of Hilary Isaac
Five goals at Chipping Sodbury Town with Thornbury Town running out 3-2 winners after trailing for sometime. It was Thornbury who took a surprise lead in the 3rd minute when the home keeper dropped the ball right at the feet of Nathan Irwin to stab the ball into the net from close range. Ricky Hemmings set up Lee Smart to net the equalising goal after 27 minutes and then the home side took the lead when Mike England scored from point blank range. Thornbury hit back with two goals in the last 16 minutes both coming from Pete Fowler. The first on 74 minutes when he knocked home a cross into the box and a second on 82 minutes a header from a corner.
The game at Kingswood where the visitors were Patchway Town ended goalless and a spokesman for Kingswood quoted that there were only four chances created all game two for each side.
Action from Berkeley Town V Ellwood
Image courtesy of Hilary Isaac
10th September - Kings Stanley make Hanham pay the penalty
A very eventful afternoon at Kings Stanley who were playing their first home game of the season hosting Hanham Athletic. There were 7 goals 2 penalties and 2 sending offs with Hanham being on the receiving end of a 5-2 defeat. Cribbs Friends Life continues their good start to the season with a victory at Thornbury Town whilst the early league leaders Henbury suffer their first defeat at Patchway Town.
Kings Stanley opened the scoring after 14 minutes after a break down the right by Mercer with the ball being squared to Haines who was brought down in the box and Ben Newman netted from the spot. Hanham’s first chance came after 22 minutes when Jack Baber’s 30 yard drive almost caught home keeper Pete Davis out but he managed to smother the ball at the last moment and it ran away and was cleared. A few minutes later Hanham’s right fullback Rob Burton also hit a tremendous thirty yard drive that saw Davis at full stretch to prevent the ball going in. Stanley went further ahead in the 32nd minute when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box for hand ball Ben Newman took the kick which took a wicked deflection off a Hanham defender sending Dan Fletcher the visitor’s keeper completely the wrong way. The home side then went 3-0 up when Sam Prior put Chris Haines clear to fire the ball past Fletcher. Five minutes before the break Hanham were back in the game when Mike Sadler hit a tremendous 30 yard drive into the roof of the net giving keeper Davis absolutely no chance.
Four minutes into the second half Hanham scored again when Stanley failed to clear a ball knocked into the box and Mike Sadler saw that Davis was off his line and hooked the ball over the keeper into the empty net. Sadler had another great chance to level ten minutes later but his shot went just over the bar. Stanley went 4-2 up in the 65th minute when a superb interchange of passes between Ben Newman and Ricky Gaskell led to Gaskell breaking into the box and firing a left foot shot past Fletcher. In the 84th Minute Hanham were down to ten men and at the same time conceded a second penalty Joel Clutterbuck who had come on a sub for Stanley broke into the box and as he attempted to round Fletcher the keeper brought him down. Full Back Jack Baber took over the goalkeeper’s jersey for the visitors and was faced with a penalty which was to be taken by Ben Newman. The keeper guest the right way for Newman’s shot and although he reached the ball was unable to keep it out. Minutes later Clutterbuck found himself again clear on goal slid the ball across the keeper and then watched agonizingly as it clipped the post and was cleared.
Cribbs Friends Life remains top with a 2-0 victory at Thornbury Town. Simon Bone netting the first after 25 minutes as he turned on the edge of the box and fired into the bottom corner. The visitors sealed the points in the 75th minute when across into the box was turned in by Dave Truan.
Tuffley Rovers move into second spot with a 4 goal scoring spree by Ryan Parker in their 5-3 victory over Bishops Cleeve Reserves. It was Bishops Cleeve who opened the scoring after 18 minutes when Paul Irelands header grazed the inside of the post on its way in. Within a minute Rovers were level when Shane Bradley’s shot was parried by the keeper but Ryan Parker was there to tap the ball in from eight yards. Parker netted his second in the 25th minute when he side footed home a Liam Harding Cross. Nine minutes later Parker completed his hat-trick when Shane Bradley’s through ball sent him clear on goal to slot the ball home. Three minutes before the break Tuffley who were well in command took a 4-1 lead when Liam Harding scored from close range. Rovers were caught out early in the second half when a bad back pass was intercepted by Lloyd Arkel to make it 4-2. The visitors then pulled a further goal back in the 70th minute from a Paul Sayce header. With just two minutes left a neat pass from Richard James allowed Parker in to net his fourth goal to round off the scoring for the afternoon.
Kingswood took the lead at DRG Stapleton after Adam Harber netted from the penalty spot when a defender handled in the wall set up from a previous free-kick. The visitors hung on to this lead until the 45th minute when Jay Belton leveled for the home side. Four minutes into the second half Joe Galsworthy netted the first of his three goals when he broke clear and fired across the keeper. Galsworthy netted a second in the 73rd minute when he was clear on goal and just lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper and in the 85th minute it was Galsworthy again who broke clear to complete his hat-trick. Then two late goals from Ben Burrell the first a pass from Pat Maynard and the second a header saw the visitors well and truly beaten.
In front of the smallest crowd of the season so far Longlevens ran out 4-0 winners over Chipping Sodbury Town. The opening goal came after 5 minutes Lee Blackmore turning in a cross into the box. Sodbury then conceded an own goal to give the home side a 2-0 lead then in the 74th minute a through ball from Ryan Dunn allowed Scott Jones to net number three. Nick Bradley outpaced the Sodbury defense in the very last minute to give the home side a comfortable victory.
Rockleaze Rangers gained their second successive win with a 2-1 victory over Taverners but they had to come from behind. Mark Harsant had given Taverners the lead on 17 minutes when Aaron Day missed timed a chance to clear Harsant lobbing the keeper from 18 yards. Taverners then missed several scoring opportunities early in the second half before Shane Budding equalized in the 79th minute with a 20 yard shot that struck the post on its way in. Rangers grabbed the winner in the very last minute of the game when Ben Lear was put clear in a one on one situation to settle the match.
Bristol Academies first visit to the Forest Of Dean proved worthwhile when they came home with a point with two late goals after the home side Ellwood had taken a 2-0 half time lead. Mike Nelson set up Gary Wilding to open the scoring after 15 minutes and the same player then squared the ball back for Matt Addis to net the second three minutes before the break. Mario Mateus volleyed home at the far post to make it 2-1 and in the 70th minute Scott Wilson scored to make it 2-2.
Henbury’s undefeated record came to an end at Patchway Town with a 2-0 defeat. Jordan Yeo gave Patchway the lead after 14 minutes when he hit a cracking shot from the edge of the box past the Henbury keeper. Matt Davis should have made it 2-0 just after the break but the Henbury keeper brought off a magnificent save to deny the striker. Patchway netted a second on the hour when some good movement between Jordan Yeo and Kris Rubens set up Matt Davis to drive the ball home.
Berkeley Town v Yate Town Reserves had to be postponed due to Yate being unable to raise a side. A Yate spokesman said that a number of unfortunate circumstances had created the situation.
3rd September - Rockleaze kickstart their season to send Yate bottom
Only five games played today as various cup competitions took preference over league fixtures
The two Clubs languishing at the bottom of the table Rockleaze Rangers v Yate Town Reserves met at University complex at Coombe Dingle with the home side running out 4-1 winners to record their first win of the season and send Yate Town Reserves to the bottom of the table. Rangers Shane Budding went very close with a free-kick on 14 minutes but just a minute later the home side were in front when Ian Burnell’s pass found Carl Hart to drive the ball past Damien Freeman in the Yate goal. The young Yate side leveled on 39 minutes when a Ibrahima Sarr through ball split the home defence and Cory Simpson with that extra turn of pace nipped in to fire past Sam Burgess.
Action from Rockleaze Rangers V Yate Town Reserves
Rangers edged back in front on 64 minutes with an opportunist goal from Shane Budding who looked to cross the ball but it deceived the keeper and went in at the far post. Budding might have score a second on 64 minutes but he mistimed his shot and Freeman was able to clear. Budding made up for that glaring miss in the 72nd minutes turning home a low cross from the right by Ben Lear. Five minutes later Ben Lear got himself on the score sheet with some excellent work on the edge of the box pushing the ball past two defenders before firing a shot across Freeman into the far corner.
Cribbs Friends Life are the new leaders after their 2-0 win at Longlevens. It was Simon Bone at the double as he netted both the visitors goals. The first was rather fortunate as the ball looped over the keeper on what looked like just a cross into the goal after 55 minutes and then ten mites later he was sent clear on goal and coolly chipped the ball over the keeper for his second.
Action from Rockleaze Rangers V Yate Town Reserves
Henbury dropped two points at home to D.R.G. Stapleton and drop into second spot ion the table. It was the visitors who opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Jay Belton scrambled the ball home. Eddie Howells leveled for the home side with a header on 24 minutes and then Ben Burrell gave the visitors the lead with deflected shot on 30 minutes. A serious injury to Henbury’s Aaron Anglin held the game up whilst the ambulance came to ship him off to hospital. Noel O’Sullivan who replaced Anglin made it 2-2 in the 71st minute with a glancing header from a Ben Sandle cross.
Chipping Sodbury Town Slipped up at home to Ellwood going down 2-1 with all the goals coming in the second half. A Matt Addis goal opened the scoring in the 56th minute for Ellwood and a second by Alex Brown after 64 minutes looked to have sealed the game, but a penalty from Sodbury’s Alex Fox a couple of minutes later gave the home side a glimmer of hope.
At Nailsworth the game between Taverners and Tuffley Rovers was held up for an hour after 20 minutes as a clash of heads left Taverners Tom Stubbs in a bad way. The ambulance arrived to take Stubbs to the hospital and then the game restarted. Earlier in the game Rovers had taken the lead when Mark Wallington’s shot on goal took a wicked deflection off fellow team mate Ryan Parker to put Rovers 1-0 up. Within five minutes of the restart Taverners were awarded a penalty which was taken by Mike Thornton who proceeded to miss the target. Ryan Parker then saw his cross come shot elude the home keeper Duane Portlock to put them 2-0 up. Taverners did however pull a goal back in the 75th minute with a Luke Bartlett goal but failed to find an equalising goal.
Action from Rockleaze Rangers V Yate Town Reserves
2nd September - Kingswood snatch late point as Hanham
The leagues first effort in staging a match on a Friday evening Hanham Athletic v Kingswood. The original fixture should have taken place on Saturday 3rd September but due to unusual circumstances it had to be brought forward or postponed altogether.
The result ended 2-2 but missed chances including a penalty by the home side the third they have missed this season cost them dearly when in fading light Kingswood leveled the score from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.
Hanham started the brighter and it was a bit of a shock when Kingswood took the lead in the 9th minute from a free kick that was floated into the box where Tom Higgins headed it on and Josh Stokes lobbed the ball over Fletcher into the far corner. The home side hit back in the 22nd minute with a bizare goal. Sean Morris took a free kick wide on the right and the ball cleared everyone and finished up in the roof of the Kingswood net. Hanham had a great chance to take the lead when James Shipman was brought down in the box the referee immediately awarding a penalty. Shipman took the kick himself but the Kingswood keeper had to move very little to prevent the ball going in. The home side went ahead in the 48th minute after a good break down the right and a cross into the box where Sam Thomas was waiting to head the ball past Blackwell. Hanham should have made it safe when they caught the visitors pushing up to try and get an equalising goal, the ball being pumped out of defense up the middle of the park where Shipman latched onto it and headed for goal. Blackwell was right out of position trying to recover ground to get back and Shipman had an open goal but snatched at the ball and it eventually rolled wide of the target. With the light fading Kingswood hit a long ball up field and in a moment of madness the home keeper brought the only Kingswood player in the box down and gave away a penalty. Adam Harber fired the ball home from the spot and Kingswood went away the happier of the two sides with a point that they probably should never have gained.