Ron's Match Reports
28th January - Tuffley Rovers win top of table clash at Cribbs
The top of the table clash between Cribbs Friends Life lying in third place and leaders Tuffley Rovers ending in a convincing 3 – 0 victory for the leaders. Henbury who stay level on points with Tuffley after a 3-2 victory over Bishops Cleeve Reserves whilst Ellwood keep up their challenge with a 1-0 win at home to Thornbury Town.
Tuffley Rovers gained sweet revenge for their previous two defeats by hosts Cribbs Friends Life earlier in the season with a convincing away win at Station Road Henbury. Tuffley were the better side through-out the first 45 minutes. They showed their determination to win this game by attacking right from the off and Shane Bradley’s break down the right and cross into the box after two minutes was headed away for a corner. They were a little fortunate to take the lead after 10 minutes after a mistake in the Cribbs defense allowed Warren Mann to get to the by-line pull the ball back to the middle of the six yard box where Cribbs defender Nathan Lumber’s attempt to clear the ball struck keeper Turner and finished up in the back of the net. Another break down the right by Bradley after 18 minutes saw Cribbs defender Scott Burnell lunging at the ball as it flew over the bar from six yards out. Cribbs first attempt on goal after 26 minutes was a 25 yard shot from Dave Truen that went just over the bar. A minute later a cross in the box from the left by Tuffley was met by Liam Harding whose header went just over the top. In the 32nd minute Shane Bradley broke down the left for the visitors squared the ball back for Jivan Munroe who shot from the edge of the box was well taken by Turner. Cribbs failed to find any momentum in the first 45 minutes hence the lack of chances created.
Action from Cribbs Friends Life V Tuffley Rovers
The home side’s first real scoring chance came in the 48th minute from Simon Bone whose shot was well saved by the Tuffley keeper Mark Harris. Tuffley went further ahead in the 51st minute when a corner sent over by Stuart Griffiths and Shane Bradley rising above everyone to head home. Two minutes later it was 3 – 0 to the visitors as a Warren Mann pass was picked up by Bradley who fired an unstoppable shot passed keeper Turner from the edge of the box. The home side made several changes bringing on their three substitutes and began to push forward trying to get themselves back into the game. The visitor’s keeper Harris was very rarely troubled but what he had to do he did very well. The only other real scoring chance the home side created was at the end of the game when Harris pushed the ball around the post from a Simon Bone shot.
Henbury keep up the pressure on leaders Tuffley Rovers with a narrow 3-2 victory over Bishops Cleeve Reserves at Arnell Drive but with the chances they created they should have won by a bigger margin. Henbury opened the scoring in the 15th minute when a long ball out of defense by Aaron Rosser that was picked up by Harry Bartlett whose cross into the box was met by Aaron Anglin to sweep the ball home. The home side then went further ahead after 25 minutes; Ben Sandle’s cross into the box was met by Harry Bartlett to make it 2-0. Bishops Cleeve hit back in the second half and after 65 minutes they reduced the arrears with a superb free-kick from Jamie Lock. Thirteen minutes later Cleeve were back on level terms as a ball into the box was headed home by centre-back Paul Ireland. Almost straight from the kick-off Henbury broke clear and Adam Rosser hit a tremendous shot into the roof of visitors net to give Henbury the three points.
Action from Cribbs Friends Life V Tuffley Rovers
Ellwood continue their good form with a slender 1 – 0 victory over Thornbury Town keeping them in fourth position in the table. There were no goals in the first 45 minutes but Thornbury Town did hit the post. The only goal of the game came when Jamie Addis’s powerful shot was spilled by the Thornbury keeper and it re-bounded to Derek Roberts to fire home. Ellwood were reduced to ten men after 75 minutes when Alex Brown received his marching orders but the home side hung on to claim the spoils.
Bristol Academy slumped to yet another defeat this time to visitors DRG Stapleton. The Academy created the first opportunity but Robbie Maggs shot was well saved by Ashley Bryan. Hannin Romadine also had a couple of good chances for the visitors but the score remained goalless at the break. In the 46th minute DRG got the only goal of the game when a corner was only partially cleared, the ball falling nicely for Romadine to volley home into the top corner. Robbie Maggs had a great chance to level but hit his shot into the side netting. Ben Burrell then struck the post for DRG before Romadine then got himself sent off for a bad tackle leaving the visitors to play out the rest of the game with ten men.
Berkeley Town did themselves a big favour with 2-0 home win over Hanham Athletic. Berkeley went ahead in the 14th minute, Sam Strickland latching on to a through ball from Pete Lavis and then drove the ball across the keeper into the far corner. It remained 1-0 until the 70th minute when Hanham’s keeper brought down Strickland in the box giving the home side a chance to go 2-0 up from the spot. Strickland picked himself up and cooley drove the ball home to give Berkeley a valuable three points.
Action from Cribbs Friends Life V Tuffley Rovers
Kingswood and Taverners finished all level with a 1-1 draw but it was the visitors who took the lead after 25 minutes when Freddie Latchford managed to knee the ball into the net in a crowded goal-mouth. Kingswood keeper Chris Fox kept his side in the game a couple of minutes before the break with a tremendous save. The visitors held on to this lead until the 46th minute when Tom Higgins crossed into the box for Ryan Mudd to head home. Kingswood was unlucky when both Adam Harber and Gavin Dibden both struck the post for the home side. In the 56th minute Taverners almost took the lead when Fox was well beaten but Josh Stokes was on the line to save the day. Just after this, Taverners also struck the post but neither side could add to the tally.
After two defeats in a row Rockleaze Rangers turned it around at Kings Stanley capitalizing on Stanley’s recent poor form and coming away with a 3-1 victory. The star of the day for Rockleaze was Jack Rivers who netted all three goals. The opening goal came after 12 minutes, a break down the left and a good cross into the box where Rivers was waiting to side foot home from 5 yards. Stanley upped their game and a Nick Humphries effort was really well saved by the visitors keeper. Then in the 33rd minute Simon Harmer picked up the ball wide cut into the box and fired into the far bottom corner to put Stanley level. Just before the break Stanley keeper Gavin Dean’s in his attempt to punch the ball clear saw his effort drop straight to Rivers to drive the ball past him to put the visitors 2-1 up. Things got worse for Stanley after 65 minutes Danny Stephens was dismissed for a second yellow card offence. Stanley might have leveled in the 84th minute but Andy Maryon’s header went just over the bar. The visitors made the game safe in the very last minute when Jack Rivers netted his third of the afternoon.
Action from Cribbs Friends Life V Tuffley Rovers
Chipping Sodbury Town are still struggling at the wrong end of the table as they went down 3-1 at home to Patchway Town. The star of the match for Patchway was Brandon Benjamin who netted two and set up the third. Patchway took the lead on 17 minutes when Ollie Clarke lost possession, Patchway beat the off-side trap and Brandon Benjamin’s shot beat Ed Mullins from just inside the box. Sodbury contained the visitors until the 50th minute when Benjamin nipped past Lloyd Harding squared the ball into the box for Luke Garbacz to side foot home. Lloyd Harding was again in the mix of things in the 63rd minute when he brought down Matt Davis, Benjamin was given the job of taking the penalty and hit it hard and high but Ed Mullins brought off a tremendous save to tip the ball over the bar. Patchway went 3-0 up in the 74th minute when Matt Davis broke down the left cut in and drove the ball past Mullins. Sodbury’s consolation goal came in the 81st minute with a good passing movement between Dan Bendall and Jimmy Potts, with Bendall hammering the ball into the Patchway net
21st January - Hanham too strong for Bristol Academy
It is a very close run thing at the top of the table as Tuffley go top on goal difference after their 5-1 win over Kings Stanley. Henbury dropped points at Taverners in a 1-1 draw and drop to second place, whilst Cribbs Friends Life gain ground with a 3-2 victory over Patchway Town.
Most games today were wind affected with really strong gusts blowing across the pitch at Vicarage Road where Hanham Athletic ran out 2-1 winners over Bristol Academy The home side were the stronger of the two teams in the first 45 minutes and were unlucky not to have taken the lead after just two minutes as Mark Pococks thunderous shot struck the crossbar and rebounded back up field. Twenty minutes into the game Callum Gardener broke free but his goal bound shot was well saved by the Academy keeper Matt Hyslop. Hyslop came to the rescue again a couple of minutes later saving from James Shipman’s fine shot. The Academy had to wait until the 25th minute for their first effort on goal and it came from Mario Mateus his shot going just wide. Robbie Maggs then saw his effort shoot across the goal and just past the far post. The opening goal came in the 40th minute as the home side broke down the right and the ball was crossed to James Pocock who was completely unmarked and he drove a low left footed shot past Hyslop from just inside the box.
Action from Hanham Athletic V Bristol Academy
Three minutes into the second half the Academy were awarded a free kick just outside the box and Ibrahima Diallo was inches wide of the target. With the Academy pushing harder in the second half Hanham made it really hard for themselves when Spencer Collingwood received a straight red card for a foul on Diallo bringing him down some thirty yards from goal. The home side needed to pull out all the stops to deny the visitors getting the equalizing goal as Academy pushed forward more and more. In a rare break into the visitors half Hanham could have snatched a second but for some poor control by Mike Saddler who first attempted to drive the ball home failed and it spun up in the air where he tried to head it past Hyslop but it went just over the bar. In the 83rd minute Academy’s Robbie Maggs struck the crossbar. After considerable pressure the visitors got the goal that they probably deserve in the 85th minute from a corner sent over from the right and Leo Sharer rose above everyone to head home. Straight from the kick off Hanham retook the lead. The ball came over from the right and substitute James Hicks volleyed the ball past Hyslop from 12 yards. A minute later Hicks broke clear on goal but pulled his shot wide of the target as Hyslop came to meet him. Despite the odds the home side took the three points and the Academy slumped to their third defeat in a row.
Tuffley Rovers go top on goal difference with a resounding 5-1 win at home to Kings Stanley. It was the visitors who took the lead on 10 minutes when a long ball up field was latched onto by Ben Newman to score. That lead lasted just 6 minutes as Tuffley’s Jivan Munroe fire a low shot into the corner of the Stanley net from the edge of the box. Stuart Griffiths put the home side in front on 53 minutes from a cross into the box. The home side then went further ahead in the 68th minute from the penalty spot Stuart Griffiths getting his second after Jivan Munroe had been brought down in the box. Rovers went 4-1 up in the 88th minute rather fortuitously as the visitor’s keeper misjudged Mark Wallington’s cross from 25 yards and the ball finished up in the net. Jivan Munroe rounded it off right on time with a good drive from the edge of the box.
Cribbs Friends Life squeezed home with a 3-2 win over Patchway Town. It was the visitors who took an early lead after just 4 minutes when Matt Tovey covered around 30 yards before slipping the ball to Brad Harris to round the home keeper to score. A rare 25 yards right footed shot from Jack Kinnerly was saved and Nick Lloyd turned the rebound in to pull the score level on 15 minutes and it remained that way until the 60th minute. Tony Beecham broke down the right and sent over a cross for Simon Bone to head home. 2 minutes later it was Beecham’s turn to score as he latched onto a knock down to drive the ball home from 25 yards to put the home side 3-1 up. Patchway brought the score-line closer in the 88th minute as Jordan Yeo’s shot took a deflection of Dave Truan and into the net.
Action from Hanham Athletic V Bristol Academy
Ellwood keep up their challenge with a 2-1 win at Longlevens. The home side created several chances in the first 45 minutes with Andy Trout’s shot coming back off the crossbar but eventually they took the lead when Adam Hughes and Andy Trout combined to set up Scott Jones to open the scoring. The second half the visitor’s hit back with two strikes from the Addis brothers. Jamie Addis hooked his shot past Lee Martin in the 65th minute to level. Longlevens were down to ten men on 70 minutes as Scott Goodhall was dismissed for a second yellow card offence. Both Andy Trout and Lee Blackmore had shots charged down on the line before Ellwood snatched the winner in the 77th minute Daryl Addis netting after a goalmouth scramble.
Henbury were replaced at the top of the table after being held to a 1-1 draw at Taverners. The home side went ahead after 35 minutes from a Joss Jones free kick that was launched into the box helped on by Rory Gardner and Matt Spring hooked the ball home. Henbury leveled in the 75th minute from the penalty spot after a needless challenge by Craig Hughes brought down Jack Bebbington, Vinny Coote scoring from the spot. As Henbury pushed hard for the winner home keeper Jeremy Ward brought off several good saves to deny the visitors.
Kingswood gained a good result at Rockleaze Rangers going away with all the points after a 4-2 victory. The visitors took the lead after 4 minutes from a low drive from Adam Harber after the home defense had got itself into a right mix up. Cory Simpson had a great chance to level on 29 minutes but missed the target from just 6 yards out. Kingswood went further ahead in the 31st minute when Savas Frangoullis gave the ball away and Ryan Mudd drove the ball home from 20 yards. Shane Budding set up Cory Simpson to pull a goal back for the home side a minute into the second half, but it was home keeper Nick Adams who kept them in the game with a brilliant save from a an Adam Harber free kick on 55 minutes. Rangers drew level on 75 minutes from the penalty spot after Chris Fox brought down Cory Simpson in the box and Aaron Day netted from the spot. Kingswood hit Rangers with two late goals to snatch the three points. Simon Clark’s 25 yard shot gave them the lead on 86 minutes and then Ryan Mudd grabbed his second on 88 minutes.
Action from Hanham Athletic V Bristol Academy
Chipping Sodbury Town slump to yet another defeat this time going down 2-0 to D.R.G. Stapleton at Frenchay. The home side opened the scoring on 26 minutes as Ben Burrell got on the end of a long goal kick from Ashley Bryan and simply chipped the ball over the advancing keeper. A second from Liam Planter a shot from the edge of the box in the 59th minute gave the home side the points.
A goalless draw at the Mundy playing Fields between Thornbury Town and Berkeley Town But it could have been very different after Thornbury had Tom Webb dismissed after 7 minutes for handling the ball on the goal line. The ensuing penalty was taken by Sam Strickland but Thornbury keeper Rob Dent brought off a tremendous save. Nathan Irwin set up Scott Reeves for the home side but he fired his shot way over the bar. Berkeley’s James Mackie had a great chance to score but he to fired over the bar. The visitor’s failed to take advantage of the situation and it was Thornbury who almost grabbed a winner right at the end when Irwin and Alexander combined to give Dan Thompson a chance, but his shot went just past the post.
Yate Town Reserves picked up another point to add to the three they gained last Wednesday with a 1-1 draw at home to Bishops Cleeve Reserves. A header from Jamie Lock after 15 minutes put the visitor’s in front and they should have gone further ahead in the 35th minute but Ben Maguire blasted a penalty high over the bar. Yate salvaged a point in the 80th minute with a strike from Ibrahima Sarr.
Action from Hanham Athletic V Bristol Academy
14th January - Berkeley and Longlevens share points
Henbury remain top after a win at home to Rockleaze Rangers, but Tuffley Rovers move into second place with a win at Kingswood. Cribbs Friends Life drop to third place after being held to a draw at home to D.R.G. Stapleton.
Two penalties were the order of the day as Berkeley Town and Longlevens drew 1-1 at Station Road.
The first 20 minutes produced very little in the way of chances although the visitors had a couple of free kicks from way outside the box that never troubled Ewan Prentice in the home goal as they both cleared the crossbar. Andy Trout was next to try his luck from distance for Longlevens but the end result was the same as the ball disappeared over the bar. Berkeley’s first effort on goal came after 30 minutes a Sam Strickland shot that also cleared the crossbar. In the 36th minute the deadlock was broken after Mike Reece brought down Andy Trout in the box for a penalty. Craig Martin was the player handed the responsibility to try and put the visitors ahead from the spot and his powerful shot went just under Prentice as he dived to try and save. In the 38th minute Dave Merrick’s shot found the target but it was not good enough to beat Prentice in the home goal.
Action from Berkeley Town V Longlevens
The home side failed to get beyond the visitors defense which resulted in a lot of midfield play with no penetration from either side. A header in the 62nd minute from Tom Andrews brought the first save of the second half from Longlevens keeper Lee Martin. The game changed in the 71st minute when Berkeley were beginning to push forward more and the referee gave a handball in the box against Longlevens defender Ed Smyllie giving Berkeley the chance to draw level from the penalty spot. Sam Strickland stepped up to take the kick and sent Martin the wrong way. The home side took heart from the situation and began to push the visitor’s defense hard. A corner from the right sped through the Longlevens defense and found Nathan Freeman unmarked on the far post, he sent in a tremendous shot but keeper Martin brought of a great save to deny Berkeley taking the lead. In the 82nd minute Martin was in action again this time denying James Mackie a goal with another brilliant save. Berkeley were definitely looking as though they could win the game at this stage and a cross from new signing Tom Patterson found Mackie again but Martin kept the shot out.
Henbury’s narrow 3-2 victory over local rivals Rockleaze Rangers keeps them on the top of the table. The home side got off to a good start taking the lead on 12 minutes when Ben Sandle crossed into the box and Vinny Coote fired a low shot under the keeper for a 1-0 lead. Two minutes into the second half Rockleaze were level as Shane Budding cut into the box and curled his shot around O'Connell in the home goal. Ben Sandle and Aaron Rosser interchanged passes before sending a cross into the box where Eddie Howell was waiting to dink the ball over the keeper to put Henbury back in front. Henbury went further ahead in the 80th minute as Ben Sandle crossed in to the box for Eddie Howell to head past the keeper for a 3-1 lead. Rockleaze hit back four minutes later from a Rob Lee corner that was headed home by Aaron Day. This spurred the visitors on and Henbury were put under considerable pressure for the remaining six minutes but hung on for the win.
Cribbs Friends Life were 2-0 up by half time but were pegged back to 2-2 by the final whistle. Simon Bone headed the home side into the lead after 33 minutes after Jack Kinnerly had broken down the left and sent over an inch perfect cross. The second came just a minute before the break as Kinnerly’s in swinging corner from the right was met by Dominic Graffagnino. D.R.G reduced the arrears in the 62nd minute from a Fabian McCarthy free kick that was swung into the box where Joe Galsworthy lunged at the ball as it looked to be going wide it took a deflection off Chris Kite and finished up in the back of the net. The visitors grabbed a point in time added at the end of the game from along ball pumped up field and as it bounce goal wards Luke Bryan managed to lift the ball over the home keeper to salvage a point. Their eighth draw of the season.
Action from Berkeley Town V Longlevens
Thornbury Town gained their send successive win this time by two goals to one over Bristol Academy. Thornbury went ahead on 20 minutes Steve Alexander latching on to a rebound off the keeper and drove the ball home after Dan Thompson had created the chance with a run that took him past two defenders before sending in his shot. The Academy drew level after 33 minutes Mario Mateus broke trough the home defense and left them for dead as he fired his shot into the net. Thornbury were a little fortunate to regain the lead on 50 minutes although Dan Thompson made no mistake when the Academy’s defense got themselves in a muddle allowing Thompson in to score. Town’s Pete Fowler missed a great chance to increase the lead and when the Academy keeper took it on himself to go walk about Riki Lippiatt almost scored from the halfway line as his long range shot was only just cleared of the line. Right at the death Academy almost leveled as a free kick went just wide of the upright.
Taverners gained a good 3-1 victory at Bishops Cleeve Reserves It was the home side who took an early lead when a long throw from Alex Buckland was helped on by Nick Rhodes for Stuart Midwinter to volley home. Taverners hit back on 30 minutes when Josh Jones picked up on a mistake by home Keeper Dan Greenhouse to level. Then a two goal strike on 40 and 44 minutes by Luke Bedwell for the visitors gave them a two goal cushion. Neither side was able to add to the score in the second half.
Tuffley Rovers could go top if they can win their game in hand after their 3-1 success at Kingswood. They showed their intent as early as the 5th minute Jivan Munroe gave them the lead. Kingswood were well in the game and hit back right on half time when Ryan Mudd broke clear to drive the ball home from 14 yards. In the second half the home side had several good chances to take the lead but Ryan Mudd was guilty of missing those chances. The game took a turn for the worse when Kingswood’s Josh Stokes was sent of for a second yellow card. Rovers took full advantage and Kacey Johnstone’s 20 yard strike in the 79th minute put them ahead. Warren Mann sealed the victory in the 90th minute when he scored from close range.
Action from Berkeley Town V Longlevens
Chipping Sodbury Town’s woes continue as the went down 3-0 at home to Hanham Athletic Callum Garner gave the visitors the lead on 22 minutes, then they went further ahead in the 46th minute from a James Shipman strike. James Pocock netted a third from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute and then Sodbury were reduced to 10 men when Ben Hobson was dismissed. Town will be looking to improve their performances over the next few game to try and haul themselves away from the bottom of the table.
7th January - DRG ease to win over Kings Stanley
Henbury lose ground at the top of the table after their defeat at Tuffley whilst both Cribbs Friends Life and Ellwood win to keep the pressure on.
Kings Stanley’s visit to DRG Stapleton ended their successful away form when they were well and truly beaten by four goals to nil, although Stanley had a few chances in the second half they were never really at the races. It was Stanley who created the first opening after just four minutes when Nick Humphries sent a low drive across the face of the home goal but there was no one there to get on the end of it. Two minutes later DRG took the lead, when Luke Bryan picked up the ball on the half way line ploughed forward past several defenders before slipping the ball through to Ben Burrell to drive home. The home side was well in command and went further ahead in the 25th minute when Hanin Romadine scored with a shot from the edge of the box. A couple of minutes later Kings Stanley had their best chance of the half when Liam Gale chipped the ball over Ashley Bryan and with the keeper stood there watching the ball dropping towards goal it struck the cross bar and was cleared. The third goal in the 43rd minute for DRG was headed home by Mike Connor which meant that they went in at half time with a comfortable lead.
Action from DRG Stapleton V Kings Stanley
Kings Stanley looked a little more enthusiastic at the start of the second half and Andy Maryon was just wide of the upright with a shot from just inside the box. Ben Newman had a good chance to pull one back for the visitors in the 57th minute but with just the keeper to beat he fired the ball straight into his arms. In the 60th minute Fabian McCarthy broke down the left for DRG and although his shot was on target, keeper Pete Davies managed to deflect it out for a corner. The best chance for Stanley came in the 75th minute when Nick Humphries was clear through on goal but his shot was brilliantly saved by Ashley Bryan. In the 80th minute the home side should have gone 4 - 0 up but Luke Bryan missed the easiest chance of the afternoon when the ball was squared across goal and from six yards his shot went wide. Ashley Hudd who had come on as a substitute for DRG Stapleton made the most of a defensive mistake by Kings Stanley and with a clear run on goal should have scored but for a tremendous save from Stanley’s keeper Pete Davies. The home side did eventually get that fourth goal in the 88th minute from a corner on the right which was headed on by Ashley Hawkins to the far post where substitute Joe Galsworthy was waiting to head home.
Action from DRG Stapleton V Kings Stanley
Patchway Town recorded a comfortable 2 – 0 win over Kingswood with a double strike from Matt Davies. Davies opened the scoring as early as the 4th minute but then had to wait another 61 minutes before he netted his second. His second goal was a superb effort shrugging off several defenders before firing home. Patchway missed a chance to go further ahead in the 85th minute after Matt Webb’s penalty was well saved by the Kingswood keeper. The match was soured near the end, when Patchway’s Matt Tovey was sent off for a bad tackle and Stuart Rae of Kingswood was also dismissed for retaliation. Two minutes from the end Patchway’s Dan Webb missed a golden opportunity to give them a 3-0 lead after being set up by Matt Webb.
Action from DRG Stapleton V Kings Stanley
Third place Tuffley Rovers make up ground on leaders Henbury with an excellent 4-2 home victory. Rovers opened the scoring after just 3 minutes when Johnny Meadows in swinging corner was misjudged by the Henbury keeper and it went straight into the net. Henbury pulled a goal back in the 15th minute, Jack Mills heading home from 8 yards. Tuffley Rovers re-took the lead in the 38th minute when Marcus Foxwell’s free-kick rebounded off the chest of the Henbury keeper leaving Dean Gorman to side foot the ball into the net. Rovers went further ahead in the 61st minute with a near post header from Shane Bradley. Rovers increased their lead again when substitute Jivan Munroe on his debut scored with a header at the far post. Henbury netted their second in the 76th minute after a defensive mistake allowed Aaron Rosser to score from close in.
Action from Tuffley Rovers V Henbury
Image courtesy Peter Langley
A crowd of 64 saw Cribbs Friends Life beat Hanham Athletic at Vicarage Rd by three goals to Nil. The goals coming after 10mins from a defensive error by Rob Burton who failed to clear and Tony Beecham pounced to put the visitors ahead. After 20 minutes a fumble by Hanham keeper Dan Fletcher allowed the ball to slip from his grasp and Chris Kite slotted in from close range. The second half saw Tony Beecham added his second and Cribbs third, from a well work movement which ended in him slotting the ball away from just outside the box. In between Hanham missed their tenth penalty of the season Darren Burt being the culprit this time.
Action from Tuffley Rovers V Henbury
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Ellwood remain in fourth position in the table after a 2-1 home win over Berkeley Town. A goalless first half with both sides having their fair share of the play. Ellwood broke the deadlock in the first minute of the second half when Jamie Addis was brought down in the box and Mike Nelson netted from the spot. Julian Addis increased the lead for the home side with a fine shot into the roof of the net and then came an instant reply from Berkeley as they were awarded a penalty and Sam Strickland made no mistake from the spot.
The biggest score of the day came from Thornbury Town who netted five times against Chipping Sodbury Town with out reply. The hero of the day was Steve Alexander who netted a hat-trick. It was Alexander who opened the scoring after 24 minutes after Dan Thompson had broke down the right and crossed into the centre for Alexander to drive the ball home from the edge of the box. Then two goals in two minutes in the 42nd and 43rd minutes put the home side well in command at the break. Sam Lippiatt scored the first when he surged forward and drove his shot goal wards it struck the upright and rebounded nicely for Lippaitt to follow in and drive the ball home at the second attempt. Dan Thompson got the third in the 43rd minute with a terrific left foot shot from just outside the box. Two further goals from Steve Alexander in the 65th and 80th minutes rounded of the scoring sending Sodbury back home well defeated.
Action from Longlevens V Bristol Academy
Image courtesy Peter Langley
Yate Town Reserves picked up a valuable point at Taverners to help them claw their way from the bottom of the table. Taverners started well and took the lead after 10 minutes when Rory Gardiner picked the ball up 35 yards out rode two challenges before firing a low shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards. The only other chance of the first half fell too Taverners Tom Hanley who should have scored but drove his shot straight into the Yate keepers arms from 8 yards. Ten minutes into the second half Yate created their first scoring chance but home keeper Jeremy Ward brought off a great save to deny them equalizing. Yate scored after intercepting a poor pass from Richard Davies as they broke in behind the home defense the ball was squared to Paul Dempsey who was brought down by keeper Ward and Fraser Robertson netted from the spot.
An excellent result for Longlevens as they record a 2-0 win at home to Bristol Academy. The best chance in the first half fell to the home sides Andy Trout who was put clear but failed to hit the target. Longlevens had a goal disallowed in the 65th minute after Craig Martin scored but it was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper. But two minutes later they did take the lead when Craig Martin’s knock down was latched onto by Andy Trout who’s shot from the edge of the box hit the inside of the post on its way into the net. Longlevens made it 2-0 in the 85th minute when Andy Trout put Lee Blackmore clear and he rushed through to drive the ball home.
Action from Longlevens V Bristol Academy
Image courtesy Peter Langley
2nd January - Cribbs keep up pressure at top
Only two of the eight fixtures scheduled for today beat the terrible weather conditions, Cribbs Friends Life beat Thornbury Town and Bishops Cleeve Reserves and Tuffley Rovers finished all square.
With a good number of games postponed in the area over 100 spectators braved the cold and at the end the driving rain to see Cribbs take the three points with a goal just 2 minutes from the end after trailing 2-1 at the break. Thornbury can think themselves really unlucky not to have taken at least a point from this game, but it was a needless free kick given away just two minutes from the end that cost them dearly.
Cribbs opened the brighter and a shot from the edge of the box by Dominic Graffagnino went just wide of the upright with Alex Lippiatt stranded on the other side of the goal. Lippiatt had replaced Rob Dent in goal for Thornbury after the keeper was injured in the pre-match warm-up. James Willott then saw his effort, the first for the visitors skim just past the post. Thornbury settled well and were knocking the ball around with consummate ease but they were caught out in the 11th minute when Simon Bone was put clear and with the Thornbury defense appealing for the offside that never came Bone ran clear to drive the ball past Alex Lippiatt from the edge of the box. Within a minute Thornbury drew level after a long ball down the left was picked up by Steve Alexander who fed a square ball into Danny Thompson to strike a sweet left footed shot past Turner. In the 18th minute Alex Lippiatt was at full stretch to keep out Simon Bones’s free kick from just outside the box. Thornbury had been playing some good football and the Cribbs defense gave away a free kick out wide on the right. James Willott sent over a curling left foot cross and Pete Fowler came steaming in to head the ball past Turner to give the visitors the lead. A few minutes later the combination of Alexander and Thompson almost brought Thornbury a third goal as Thompson’s shot from the edge of the box flew past the upright. Just before the break Cribbs almost leveled as Alex Lippiatt brought of a great save to push Tony Beechams neat flick over the bar.
Action from Cribbs Friends Life V Thornbury Town
The home side started the second half with a more determined approach and got a second goal to put the scores level in the 48th minute. The ball had been pumped into the box and was headed back across goal and with both Simon Bone and Thornbury’s keeper Alex Lippiatt jumping for the ball it was the Cribbs striker who managed to get there first and head the ball into the net. In the 63rd minute Thornbury had Scott Reeves sent off for a second bookable offence and this put the visitors at a big disadvantage. The home side upped their game and Thornbury found themselves on the back foot for most of the half. Nick Lloyd who had come on as a substitute had his effort well saved by Lippiatt and then the keeper brought of another great save to deny Simon Bone completing his hat-trick. Late in the game the visitors could well have snatched the lead as Steve Alexander created some space for a shot but the striker lifted the ball over the bar. With just minutes to go Riki Lippiatt headed the ball clear over his own crossbar with several home forwards waiting to pounce. Cribbs stole the three point’s in the 88th minute when Thornbury gave away a needless free kick out on the left and Simon Bone drove a hard low shot into the box and the ball that was going straight across goal deflected off a Thornbury defender in to the net. Very unfortunate for the visitors, but the home side will be pleased as this win puts them into second place in the table.
Action from Cribbs Friends Life V Thornbury Town
In the only other game played today Bishops Cleeve Reserves entertained Tuffley Rovers both teams were looking to get back to winning ways after defeats last Saturday. But despite plenty of effort from both teams neither side had the striking power to find the back of the net throughout the ninety minutes and it ended all square 0-0.
Action from Cribbs Friends Life V Thornbury Town
Action from Cribbs Friends Life V Thornbury Town