Ron's Match Reports
29th September 2012 - Southmead win game of two halves
Tuffley Rovers remain top of the table but only on goal difference as they are held to a 2-2 draw by third in the table Kingswood. Southmead are second after there 2-1 win at home to Bishops Cleeve Reserves, but Kings Stanley were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Berkeley Town after the game was switched because Berkeley’s pitch was waterlogged.
We traveled to Southmead today for our first visit on a Saturday to watch the game between Southmead CS Athletic and Bishops Cleeve Reserves. An old cliché but it was a game of two halves with the visitors much the better side in the first 45 minutes and were unlucky not to have gone in at the break with a lead. Bishops showed their intensions right from the off when Jack Fairbairn fired just over the bar in the very first minute. A couple of minutes later a long throw from Andy Palmer sent Jamie Lock clear but he also fired over the bar. Liam Scott had a great chance to give Cleeve the lead but also fired over the bar. The home side were struggling to get their game together whilst Cleeve were driving forward with some slick passing movements. Only a terrific save by Sebastian Gribble from a fierce low drive from Fairbairn in the 28th minute kept the home side in the game. Then in the 36th minute Mike Sholly almost broke the deadlock with a brilliant run and interchange of passes only to see his final shot saved by Gribbles legs. The first real attempt on goal by the home side came in the 38th minute from a Rob Sivers shot that was brilliantly saved by Cleeve keeper Dan Greenhouse. A minute later it was Greenhouse who fisted away another Rob Sivers shot on target. At the end of the 45 minutes neither side had managed to break through but the home side would have been relieved.
Southmead CS Athletic v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Southmead looked a different side in the second period and might have taken the lead on 52 minutes when Chris Williams broke clear down the left sent over a superb cross to Sub Danny Warren who failed to get a good connection on his shot. The deadlock was broken in the 73rd minute when the home side won a corner on the left. It was curled into the box and with a rush of home player homing in on the ball it was Rob Massey who got to it first and drove the ball past Greenhouse. Three minutes later the scores were level when Jamie Lock picked up a loose ball just inside the Southmead half drove forward, the space opened up and from 25 yards he drove an unstoppable left foot shot past Gribble. It was nothing more than the visitors deserved at this stage of the game. The home side had a different attitude in the second half and drove forward again and a good break down the right by Chris Williams who threaded the ball into Luke Coghlan on the edge of the box and his cross to the far post found Rob Sivers who rose above the visitors defence to head the winner.
Tuffley Rovers threw away 2-0 halftime lead in their home game with Kingswood. Shane Bradley had given Rovers the lead on 28 minutes when he drove home a cross from Warren Mann from 12 yards. Bradley was again involved with the second Rovers goal when he applied pressure on the Kingswood defence, whjch resulted in the visitors putting through their own goal. It had not gone all Rovers way in the first half and it was only some very good goalkeeping from Mark Harris that gave the home side a clean sheet at the break. Kingswood were back in the game on 78 minutes as Gavin Dibden netted from a free kick just on the edge of the box. Another free kick from Dibden on 86 minutes brought Kingswood a second goal as the ball rebound off the wall and Simon Clark stabbed the ball home.
A shock result of the day was the Kings Stanley v Berkeley Town the game was played at Kings Stanley because Berkeley’s pitch was waterlogged. Unbeaten Stanley had a good chance to keep the pressure on the leaders when they took on the basement Club but a spokesman from Stanley said that if both sides had played for the rest of the afternoon it would have still ended the same result. The one good thing that came from the game was Berkeley’ gaining their first point of the season, whilst Stanley remains undefeated.
Southmead CS Athletic v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
A Hattrick by Justin Cattle gave Chipping Sodbury Town their second win of the season, the team on the end of a 3-1 defeat was Thornbury Town. Cattle opened the scoring for Sodbury on 15 minutes with a brilliant overhead kick. 5 minutes later he made it 2-0 when he capitalised on a mistake by the visitor’s keeper who dropped the ball right at his feet. Cattle completed his hattrick on 50 minutes finishing off a superb build up and team effort. Thornbury grabbed a consolation goal through Steve Alexander on 75 minutes.
Ellwood are difficult to beat at home and gained another three point with a 2-1 win over Longlevens. Lee Scotford gave the home side the lead on 20 minutes and then they went 2-0 up just 2 minutes later with a strike from Jon Bowdler. Longlevens pulled a goal back late on. Scott Goodhall getting on the score sheet.
Patchway Town got back to winning ways with a 3-1 success over Taverners. This defeat drops Taverners into the bottom two. Jordan Yeo volleyed home a Mark Palmer cross in the 6th minute to put the home side in front and then Brandon Benjamin put the home side 2-0 up in the 30th minute with a low drive at the near post. Two minutes before the break Taverners pulled a goal back from a superb curling free kick from Matt Spring that skimmed the inside of the post on its way in. Jordan Yeo made the game safe for the home side in the 70th minute when he curled his free kick around the wall and well clear of the Taverners keeper.
Southmead CS Athletic v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
Henbury slip up at home to Hanham Athletic. Jack Tottle gave Hanham the lead on 7 minutes tapping the ball home after the Henbury keeper dropped the ball after being challenged. The visitors took a two goal lead in the 44th minute from a long ball knocked up field to Nick Pratten who coolly chipped the home keeper. The home side got a goal back in the 85th minute when a free kick on the edge of the box was neatly driven home by Jack Mills. Two minutes later the same player struck the visitors crossbar only to see it cleared off the line.
Bristol Academy’s game at Filton against D.R.G. Frenchay only produced one goal. In a very tame match especially in the first half the only goal of the game came in the 75th minute with some slick passing by the home side the ended with Jake Jackson netting from the edge of the box to give the Academy the three points.
Frampton United will be pleased that they came away with a point from this game at Yate Town Reserves after gaining all three last week this result will help them climb the table. Jack Parker gave Yate the lead on 20 minutes volleying home a cross from the right. United hit back in the 32nd minute when Stuart Maule score after a goalmouth scramble.
Southmead CS Athletic v Bishops Cleeve Reserves
22nd September 2012 - Tuffley leave it late at Thornbury
Tuffley Rovers go two points clear at the top after a late, late winner at Thornbury Town. Southmead are in second place but were held to a draw at Hanham Athletic. Kingswood who are third at present drew with Ellwood, but creeping up fast, are Kings Stanley who had another good win at home to Henbury.
The game at Thornbury Town ended in a dramatic win for Tuffley Rovers with Shane Bradley netting the winner in the second minute of time added at the end of the game with the referee blowing for full-time straight from the restart. Rovers looked the better side in the early stages with Thornbury having to do most of the defending. The break through came in the 19th minute when Shayne Bradley rose to head home a superb cross from the right by Warren Mann. Thornbury had several free kicks and corners out on the right side of the field that were curled into the box giving the Rovers defiance some concern as they scrambled the ball away each time. Town almost leveled on 24 minutes as Christian Irwin connected from another in-swinging corner from the right but was dismayed to see his header bounce off the upright and was cleared away. Mark Ford missed a golden chance to put Rovers two up in the 38th minute when he just failed to make contact with Mark Wallington’s cross into the six yard box. Rover’s keeper Mark Harris did very well to flick the ball over the bar in the 40th minute from a free kick that was again curled into the Rovers box. Right on half time Courtney Hamilton had a great chance to increase the visitors lead but skied the ball over the bar.
Thornbury Town v Tuffley Rovers
Four minutes into the second half Shane Bradley found himself clear on goal but failed to beat Alex Lippiatt as the keeper save his shot with his legs. Richard James who had come up for a corner went very close in the 68th minute his header just going over the top. A couple of minutes later Bradley was just wide with a header. Thornbury decided to make a triple substitution in the 70th minute and it worked as Nathan Irwin picked up the ball just inside the Rovers half drove forward and split their defense with a superb pass for Substitute Dean Morgan to run clear and slot the ball past Harris. This lifted the home side and Dan Thompson who had also com on as a Sub broke down the right crossed to the far post where Tom Webb drove a low cross goal-wards but it went just wide of the post. Alex Lippiatt kept Town in the game pulling off a great save in the 85th minute from Shane Bradley. The killer blow for Town came in the second minute of time added at the end of the game with a superb low drive from Shane Bradley from just inside the box.
Rockleaze Rangers gained their first away win of the season with a 5-0 victory over Chipping Sodbury Town. Rockleaze took a very early lead after 2 minutes, Oshane West netted with a shot from just inside the box. Matt Beadle made it 2-0 on 25 minutes with a 25 yard shot that gave the home keeper no chance. Matt Beadle then struck the crossbar in the 55th minute and Nathan Bryer followed up to head home from close range. Rangers made it 4-0 in the 70th minute when Aaron Day headed home from a corner and the best goal of the afternoon came in the 80th minute from substitute Jack Rivers who hit a screamer into the roof of the net from 25 yards.
Kings Stanley are fourth in the table after their 4-1 win over Henbury. The best crowd of the day 90 spectators saw the home side take the lead on 8 minutes when Nick Humphries capitalised on a mix-up in the Henbury defense. Liam Gale headed back across goal for Andy Roberts to score a second for Stanley after 11 minutes. Ben Newman netted a third from close range on 30 minutes and it was Newman who was involved in the fourth as he broke down the left and crossed for Humphries to net his second at the far post. Henbury pulled a goal back in the 50th minute from the penalty spot after Danny Stephens brought a Henbury player down in the box, Aaron Anglin making no mistake with his shot.
Thornbury Town v Tuffley Rovers
Hanham Athletic took a 30th minute lead at home to Southmead CS Athletic from a long ball that was pumped into the visitor’s box; they failed to clear and Josh Dakwa netted from 6 yards. James Shipman almost made it two five minutes later but his shot struck the crossbar. A mix-up in the home defense right on half time gave Deon Williams the chance to slot the ball home for the visitors. Neither side were able to find the back of the net in the second 45 minutes so it ended all square.
Kingswood took a tenth minute lead when everyone was astounded as Joe Compton’s free kick floated into the Ellwood net. The visitors were the better side and were able to level the score on 30 minutes after they were awarded a penalty after Stuart Rae committed an infringement in the box. Charlie Russell was given the chance to level from the spot and made no mistake. Both side had to settle for a draw as they failed to find the back of the net again in the second half.
A double strike from Shane O’Connor gave Longlevens the three points against bottom of the table Berkeley Town. It might have been more but for the outstanding performance from Ewan Prentice the Berkeley keeper, who constantly denied the home forwards. It took the home side until the 44th minute to break the deadlock when Brad Martin broke down the right rounded his defender before squaring the ball back for Shane O’Connor to net. The second came in the 70th minute from some good interchange of passes between Ryan Dunn and Craig Beaton that set up Shane O’Connor to grab his second.
Thornbury Town v Tuffley Rovers
Frampton United gained their second win of the season with a slender 1-0 victory over visitor’s Bishops Cleeve Reserves. The only goal of the game came in the 60th minute from a Steve Bennett free kick that Daniel Huxstep drove into the visitors net. Towards the end of the game the home defense were under considerable pressure but they managed to keep the visitors out to gain the three points.
Patchway Town slipped up at home 2-1 to D.R.G. Frenchay. The visitors took the lead in the 35th minute from a break down the right the ball crossed into Kris Douglas who neatly back healed the ball to Fabian McCarthy to fire home. Patchway drew level in the 70th minute as Paul Barnes capitalised on a error by the visitors keeper who dropped the ball right at his feet. D.R.G. grabbed the winner 10 minutes from the end through Liam Powell whose 25 yard shot screamed into the roof of the Patchway net.
Thornbury Town v Tuffley Rovers
15th September 2012 - Kings Stanley maintain unbeaten start to season
Tuffley Rovers go top of the table after their 6-1 thrashing of Chipping Sodbury Town and Southmead CS Athletic lose their unbeaten record to going down 3-2 at home to Kings Stanley.
There were six different goal-scorers for Tuffley Rovers as they annihilate Chipping Sodbury Town 6-1. Richard James scored the only goal in the first 45 minutes from close range, but a glut of goals in the second half from Rovers hit the visitors hard. Mark Wallington made it 2-0 on 49 minutes with a shot from just inside the box and a close range header in the 54th minute by Mark Ford made it three nil. Courtney Hamilton side footed home number four from a Mark Ford cross in the 66th minute and ten minutes later it was 5-0 when Ryan Brown headed home at the far post. An 81st minute goal by Shane Bradley a chip over the keeper from the edge of the box made it six. Sodbury’s consolation came in the 84th minute from Craig Davidge
Frampton United v Hanham Athletic
The only team unbeaten in the league is Kings Stanley as they won 3-2 at Southmead CS Athletic to inflict their first defeat of the season. Neither side managed to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes, but five minutes into the second half Stanley took the lead from a cross into the box where Ben Newman was loitering on the far post to knock the ball home. The home side leveled the score on 58 minutes a mistake by the Stanley keeper allowed Dan Warren to steal the ball and square it back for Chris Williams to score. The home side then went ahead when Bobby Massey split the Stanley defense with a pass for Rob Sivers to latch onto and hit an unstoppable left foot shot into the roof of the net. Southmead let Stanley back into the game in the 73rd minute with a mistake that was pounced on by Danny Chandler and he chipped the keeper to level. Just three minutes later Stanley went into the lead with an excellent string of passes that was finished off by Steve Robertson.
The game at the Bell Field where Frampton United took on Hanham Athletic was a very uninspiring affair in which the home side had plenty of possession in midfield but lacked any real punch to break down a very strong Hanham defense. Frampton started the brighter of the two teams but their lack of penetration was soon to show. A lot of the game was a midfield contest. James Cross did give Dan Fletcher his first taste of action after 15 minutes with a good cross shot that the keeper saved well. It was Fletcher who again kept his goal in tacked in the 22nd minute saving James Cross’s header. Hanham took the lead in the 24th minute with a fortuitous goal and a real mix up in the home defense. Craig Barnfield the home keeper came to collect the ball but Stuart Lawrence headed it back and it cleared the keeper and went into the net for an own goal. A couple of minutes later Josh Dakwa’s 20 yard shot was well saved by Barnfield. A cross into the box on 35 minutes by Kris Bulley could have brought an equaliser for the home side but Ryan Vincent’s shot flew over the bar. Just before the break the Frampton defense were in all sorts of trouble as the ball bobbled backwards and forwards across goal but was eventually cleared.
5 minutes into the second half Hanham scored again. This time from a ball fed out to James Shipman on the right, he rounded the full back before sending over a pin point cross to the far post where Nick Pratten headed past Barnfield from 10 yards. Although the home side had plenty of possession they did very little when it came to finishing off all their hard work.
Frampton United v Hanham Athletic
Berkeley Town are sitting right on the bottom of the table after going down for the fifth time this season at home to Kingswood. The only goal of the game came in the 62nd minute from a shot by Gary Gaynor that was only parried by the home keeper and Gavin Dibden followed up to net. Kingswood were the better side and struck the crossbar twice and should have netted a second, but Gavin Dibden struck the upright from the penalty spot.
Rockleaze Rangers home form continued with a 2-1 win over Taverners. Shane Buddings 20 yard strike flew into the net after 20 minutes and they were 2-0 up on 37 minutes as Oshane West turned in Savas Frangoullis’s cross. Josh Jones missed a good chance for Taverners in the 48th minute but a Matt Spring solo goal in the 64th minute gave the visitors some hope, but the home side held firm.
Ellwood were down to 10 men when Gary Wildin was sent off after 8 minutes but they still took the three points against visitor’s Thornbury Town. In the 40th minute Derek Roberts was brought down by the Thornbury keeper as he tried to go round him resulting in a penalty which Dan Mason put away to give them the lead. Matt Addis made it 2-0 on the hour with a neat back heel through a crowd of players. Thornbury netted a consolation goal right on time Dan Bendall getting on the score sheet.
Frampton United v Hanham Athletic
Henbury went behind at home to Longlevens who took the lead after 7 minutes with a goal from Adam Phillips. The ball had been knocked long up field to the edge of the Henbury box where Phillips drove the ball home The home side leveled on 24 minutes from a shot by Jack Mills that was spilled by the visitors keeper right into the path of Aaron Anglin to drive home. There were numerous other chances for both sides during the game but none were forthcoming.
Yate Town Reserves fell behind after 25 minutes when Jordan Yeo volleyed home a cross into the box. Yate leveled a minute before the break when new signing James Harmer drove an angled shot into the net from the corner of the box.
Frampton United v Hanham Athletic
FA Vase - Whitchurch United 3-3 Bristol Academy AET Bristol Academy win 4-2 on pens
Playing up the slope Bristol Academy started strongly and settled well against their Sydenham League one opponents. On 13 minutes Malick Jammeh was upended on the edge of the area of the area. Ibrahima Diallo made the most of this by sending the resulting free kick beyond the reach of the Whitchurch keeper to give Bristol Academy the lead. Whitchurch responded well and equalised four minutes later from a corner which a Whitchurch player who was unchallenged beat Horsell. Bristol Academy began to get back on top and after 28 minutes a Tauren Williams through ball Jake Jackson drew a foul and dispatched the penalty to give the Academy the lead.
On 49 minutes Whitchurch caught Bristol Academy on the counter attack and struck from the edge of the box to equalise. Whitchurch were reduced to ten men on 60 minutes after the central defender was dismissed for a second yellow card. Bristol Academy began to dominate possession and Whitchurch defended deep and well and the Academy could not break them down.
With the scores level after 90 minutes extra time was played. On 93 minutes Whitchurch floated a free kick into the box Jake Britton was adjudged to have fouled a Whitchurch player which they dispatched to lead for the first time. Bristol Academy laid siege to the goal in search of an equaliser and neat interplay saw Malick Jammeh fouled the referee pointed to the spot and Jake Jackson scored his second penalty of the game. Into penalties Connor McCormack scored for the Academy to lead 1-0. Horsell saved Whitchurch’s first. Tauren Williams made it 2-0. Whitchurch pulled it back to 2-1. Jake Jackson made it 3-1. Whitchurch pulled it back to 3-2. Malick Jammeh had his penalty saved. Whitchurch fired a penalty wide leaving Ibrahima Diallo to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and Bristol Academy into the next round.
8th September 2012 - Southmead leave it late to take points at Tuffley
The clash of the day was the game at Glevum Park Gloucester where Tuffley Rovers who were lying second in the table, took on League leaders Southmead CS Athletic. Both teams were level on points at the start with only goal difference separating the two teams.
A win for either team would send them three points clear at the top of the table. Southmead snatched the win to the great delight of their player who celebrated as though they had won the league at the end. The visitors were not at full strength for this game as their leading goalscorer Rob Sivers had to sit this one out due to injury.
The visitors opened the brighter of the two teams and had two chances to take the lead in the first 5 minutes the second a brilliant shot from Danny Glancey that just went over the top. Mark Harris in the home goal had to be at his best to tip Dave Hewitt’s free kick over the bar. Rover’s first attempt on goal was a header from Shane Bradley that did not trouble Sebastian Gribble in the visitor’s goal. A few minutes later a Antoine Thompson shot for Rovers was just wide of the upright. A minute later Rover took the lead. Warren Mann robbed Athletic defender Dale Simpson 25 yards out then broke into the box and drove a low cross past Gribble into the far corner. The play remained fairly even and there was no further score before the break.
Tuffley Rovers v Southmead CS Athletic
Early in the second half Rovers were given a free kick 25 yards out which gave them an opportunity to increase their lead, but Johnny Meadows drove the ball straight at Gribble. Shane Bradley got his header on target but could not get it past Gribble. Southmead should have been on level terms in the 55th minute when Danny Warren sent over a superb cross to the near post but Chris Storr headed wide from 6 yards. The visitor’s keeper Sebastian Gribble certainly played his part in preventing the Rovers getting a second when he brilliantly tipped the ball over the bar from a Shane Bradley header and Bradley was left holding his head in disbelief. Luke Cox had come on as a substitute for the visitors and was right in the action with a good shot on target that had Harris in the home goal diving full length to save. Southmead got back in the game with a stroke of fortune and a bad tackle just inside the home box giving them a definite penalty. Dave Hewitt was given the task of taking the spot kick and drove the ball home giving Harris no chance. Another Hewitt break down the left in the 80th minute almost brought a second goal but the shot went just wide of the far post. Rovers won a corner on the right with 86 minutes on the clock and it was floated over to the far post where Richard James got on the end of it and headed goal-wards, but somehow Gribble kept it out. There were 3 minutes added at the end of the 90, and two minutes into that Southmead grabbed the winner. A corner from the right was badly dealt with by the Rovers defense and the ball fell to Chris Storr on the edge of the six yard box and he drove a fierce shot into the net.
Kings Stanley had the biggest gate of the day - 91 spectators saw them win 3-0 against local rivals Taverners. Neither team could break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes, but five minutes into the second half Stanley scored. A long kick out of defense by Stanley keeper Gavin Dean cleared the Taverners defense and Liam Gale nipped in behind to score. Ten minutes later it was 2-0 to Stanley as Danny Chandler latched onto a defensive mistake by the visitors and crossed the ball into the box for Ben Newman to sweep home. Stanley netted a third in the 65th minute as Steve Robertson’s header was handled in the box and Ben Newman netted from the spot for his second of the game. A glorious chance to make it 4-0 in the 85th minutes was squandered by Andy Maryon
Kingswood bounced back from their heavy defeat at Southmead last week with their fourth win of the season against high riding Henbury. There were no goals in the first 45 minutes but both sides created numerous chances. The trend continued in the second half with more chances created but either saved or missed that is until an outstanding overhead kick from Gavin Dibden won the game for Kingswood.
Tuffley Rovers v Southmead CS Athletic
Chipping Sodbury Town could not follow up their success last week at Berkeley as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Ellwood. The home side took the lead in the 15th minute with a strike from Danny Coombes and held onto that lead until the 55th minute when they gave away a penalty that was driven home by Dan Mason. The winner for Ellwood came in the 70th minute a break away by Matt Addis who made no mistake.
A shock result between Bristol Academy and Hanham Athletic with the latter winning 3-0. Jamie Shipman gave the visitors the lead after 20 minutes from a corner and then in the 35th minute Jack Baber rose at the far post to head Hanham into a 2-0 lead. A third goal by the visitors in the 71st minute this time from Jack Tottle heading home from a corner.
Tuffley Rovers v Southmead CS Athletic
GFA Challenge Trophy
Longlevens go through to the next and with a 3-2 victory and gain sweet revenge over their opponents Cribbs Friends Life for the defeat in the final of the Les James League Cup last season. Longlevens opened the scoring after just 4 minutes, Mark Prichett was fouled in the box and Ryan Dunn made no mistake from the spot. Brad Martin made it 2-0 in the 58th minute when he headed home Jamie Dunn’s cross. Cribbs pulled a goal back in the 70th minute Nathan Lumber stabbing the ball home in a goalmouth scramble. Longlevens regained their two goal lead in the 85th minute when Jamie Dunn knocked home Ryan Dunn’s pass to the far post. Matt Shaughnessy netted a second for Cribbs in time added at the end with a free kick from 20 yards.
In a very uninspiring game at Scott Park between Patchway Town and Shirehampton the final score ended 0-0 after 90 minutes. Patchway Town went through 4-2 on penalties.
Berkeley Towns season is not going to plan as they are bundled out of the Cup by Frampton United. The only goal of the game came in the 78th minute when Ryan Vincent volleying home from just inside the box.
Rockleaze Rangers had to face D.R.G. Frenchay for a second week. Last weeks encounter was a league game which they won, but could they do it again. The answer to that is yes but only by one goal to nil. Although their were chances throughout the game for both sides the only one that went in came after 13 minutes when Carl Lakey bundled his way passed several defenders before driving the ball into the net.
1st September 2012 - Thornbury edge out Henbury
Southmead CS Athletic go marching on with a convincing victory at home to previously unbeaten Kingswood. Henbury slip up at home to Thornbury Town whilst Tuffley Rovers continue their challenge with a victory at Ellwood. While at the other end of the table Chipping Sodbury Town record their first points of the season with a decisive win at Berkeley Town.
A Hat-trick from Rob Sivers in a 5-2 home victory over Kingswood saw the Bristol side go back to the top of the table on goal difference over Tuffley Rovers. Sivers opened the scoring after just 17 seconds, a four pass move out to the left and a cross into the box for Sivers to volley home. A second goal after 17 minutes for the home side came from Dan Glancy after Luke Coghlan’s ball over the top was driven home from the edge of the box. It was Rob Sivers netted his second on 24 minutes after Luke Coghlan’s through ball split the visitor’s defense. Kingswood pulled a goal back two minutes before the break when Gary Simmons headed home after a scramble in the box. Rob Sivers completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute heading home a free-kick sent over by Gary Booth. The home side went further ahead in the 75th minute when substitute Luke Cox put Dwayne Pope clear to score. The visitors reduced the arrears in the 87th minute when Frank Hitchings cut in from the left and drove a superb left foot shot into the Southmead net.
An excellent win for Thornbury Town at Henbury, a very good all round performance from the visitors who deserved their win. Thornbury were the best footballing side on the day and showed their intensions after just two minutes when a great ball out of defense from Danny Thompson who sped down the right clear on goal but then skied his shot well over the bar. But it was Henbury who took the lead after 12 minutes when Aaron Anglin broke into the box and was clearly pushed over by Nathan Irwin resulting in a penalty. Henbury skipper Eddie Howell made no mistake from the spot. Thornbury drew level in the 20th minute when Danny Thompson’s through ball beat the Henbury defense and Dean Morgan just placed the ball past keeper O’Connell. Henbury had several opportunities to take the lead, the first after 30 minutes when Ben Sandle’s free-kick from the edge of the box went just wide and another effort from Adam Rosser that also went just wide. Gary Clark should have made it 2-1 to the home side on 39 minutes but a great cross in to the box by Carlos Hart was headed over from six yards. Thornbury almost got a second in the 41st minute when Danny Thompson’s low in-swinging corner was cleared off the line by the Henbury defense. Just before the break, Steve Alexander set up Dean Morgan with a clear shot on goal but the ball was stabbed off his toe at the last moment.
Henbury v Thornbury Town
Danny Thompson brought the best out of Henbury keeper Phil O’Connell in the 51st minute with a great shot that he managed to push away for a corner. Two minutes later Thornbury took the lead, full-back Nathan Irwin crossed the ball in from the right it deceived everybody and crept in at the far post. In the 55th minute Thornbury increased their lead after Alexander had broken into the box turned the ball back for Dan Thompson to shoot, O’Connell saved but the ball rebounded to Rob Cave to drive home. Thornbury had several more chances to increase the lead but O’Connell kept them out. Henbury brought on Jack Mills and in the 79th minute he got behind the Thornbury defense down the right sent a low cross across the six yard box where Jack Bebbington had the easiest of chances to tap home.
Tuffley Rovers came away from Ellwood with a 3-0 victory, all the goals coming in the second 45 minutes. A fairly even first half with both sides creating chances but failed to convert. A Shane Bradley double in the 50th and 75th minutes put the visitors in the driving seat and a third goal from Courtney Hamilton in the 85th minute sealed the points for Rovers.
Chipping Sodbury Town got off the mark with a convincing 4-0 victory over fellow strugglers Berkeley Town. The visitors took the lead in the 26th minute when Craig Davidge pulled the ball back across goal for Alex Fox to drive home. Berkeley’s only response in the first half was header over the bar from Tom Freeman. And just before the break Danny Coombes struck the cross bar. Sam Strickland had a great chance to pull a goal back for the home side but his goal bound shot was tipped over the bar by Sodbury’s keeper. A tremendous run on goal by Danny Coombes who just seemed to evade the Berkeley defenders before firing past home keeper Ewan Prentice to put Sodbury 2-0 up. Ten minutes later it was 3-0, a free-kick by Karl Reese was headed home at the far post by Ben Hemmings. In the very last minute a break down the left by Sodbury and a great cross into the box allowed Craig Davidge a simple tap home.
Henbury v Thornbury Town
King Stanley recorded a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Bishops Cleeve Reserves. The home side took the lead after just five minutes when a throw in from Luke Barstow caught the visitors defense napping and Liam Gale seized the chance to score. The visitors drew level on 40 minutes with a goal from Sam Gaisford. Stanley re-took the lead in the 55th minute when a cross was headed on by Steve Robertson to Liam Gale who fired a diagonal shot into the roof of the net. In the 70th minute Stanley increased their lead, Fran King’s free-kick was headed on by Luke Barstow for Danny Stevens to out jump the keeper and head the ball home. Stanley made it 4 after 75 minutes when Paul Day who had come on as substitute split the visitor’s defense with a superb ball that allowed Danny Chandler to round the keeper and slide the ball into the net.
Frampton United’s form seems to be at low ebb as they are beaten at home 4-1 by Longlevens. Dave Rich opened the scoring for the visitors after 6 minutes. Ten minutes later Ryan Dunn made it 2-0. In the second half a Brad Martin goal on 65 minutes gave Longlevens a 3-0 lead. Three minutes later Frampton got the ball in the net from a Ryan Vincent strike, But Adam Phillips scored a fourth for the visitors on 78 minutes.
Patchway Town are fourth in the table after a slender 1-0 victory over Hanham Athletic. However, the home side should have won more comfortably but squandered their chances. The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession at times but failed to penetrate. The only goal of the game came after 37 minutes when Mark Palmers through ball to Matt Davis spilt the Hanham defense and with a one on one situation with the keeper, Davis coolly slotted the ball into the net.
Henbury v Thornbury Town
Rockleaze Rangers gained their second win of the season with a 2-0 home victory over DRG Frenchay. There was very little action in the first half only a half hearted effort from Pete Newton-Smith that was saved by the visitor’s keeper. Rangers took the lead in the 50th minute when Matt Beadles cross from the right was knocked in by Shane Budding. Matt Beadle could have made it two on the hour but with a clear shot on goal drove it straight at the visitor’s keeper. In the 73rd minute a superb solo effort from Shane Budding, picking the ball up on the half way line, he made his way through the DRG defense before driving the ball home. A superb save from home keeper Sam Burgess ten minutes from the end denied DRG the chance to get back in the game.
The only draw of the day came at Nailsworth where Taverners and Yate Town Reserves shared a point a piece in a 1-1 result. Yate went into the break with a 1-0 lead after Ashley Hawkins scored from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute. Taverners grabbed an equalizer in the 78th minute, Tom Hanley’s cross deceiving everyone and going in off the far post, both sides had several more chances to win the game but a draw was a fair result
Henbury v Thornbury Town