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Ron's Match Reports

15th December 2012 - Kings Stanley win to close gap at top

Only three fixtures survived from the nine scheduled for today after yesterday’s rain waterlogged pitches throughout the county.

Three of the top four teams were in action the exception being Tuffley Rovers a victim of yesterday’s weather.

Kings Stanley remains second after a 4-1 home win over Yate Town Reserves whilst Southmead CS Athletic remain in third place with a 3-1 victory over basement club Berkeley Town. Frampton and Ellwood drew 2-2.

Kings Stanley started the better of the two teams and could well have had a 2-0 lead in the first 8 minutes but for some dreadful finishing. Liam Gale had the better of the chances to open for Stanley but scuffed his shot wide. Yate’s Liam Monelle created some space for a shot but then blasted the ball wide. Yate were beginning to show what they can do and got a break in the 13th minute when Jack Parker was brought down in the box by Tony Oakley the referee pointing straight to the spot. Parker was given the job from 12 yards but his shot was very well saved by Stanley keeper Gavin Dean who parried the ball away but Liam Monelle had judged his run well and picked up the loose ball to slide it past Dean for the lead. Ben Newman had a chance to level on 15 minutes but failed to hit the target. A cross from Andy Roberts in the 18th minute found Ryan Stevenson but he failed to take advantage and shot wide. Nick Humphries set of on a great run on the left cutting past two Yate defenders rounding the keeper and with an open goal gaping he shot wide. Yate looked to have taken a two goal lead in the 37th minute as Jack Parker hit a superb 20 yard shot into the roof of the Stanley net only to see it disallowed for offside. Only a great diving save from Gavin Dean in the 42nd minute denied Yate a second, Liam Monelle’s glancing header from Jay Belton cross looked a goal all the way.

Stanley started really strong in the second half and only an outstanding save from Yate keeper Glenn Murley prevented Ben Newman’s header going in. Two minutes into the second half the home side drew level a ball pumped high into the box saw both keeper Glenn Murley and Stanley’s Danny Stephens challenging for the ball and somehow it finished in the back of the Yate net. Yate protested but the goal stood. Stanley were pushing hard and took the lead in the 52nd minute from Ben Newman who had found space down the left drove the ball past Murley and with a Yate defender sliding in to try and clear the ball trickled over the line. Stanley’s third on 67 minutes was a superb low drive from full back Tony Oakley from a full thirty yards out that caught Murley a little by surprise although he did pull off a great save he parried the ball straight into the path of Nick Humphries to tap home. Yate struggled in the second half and created very few chances but they almost pulled a goal back when William Harrison’s shot on goal was flipped over the bar by Dean. Stanley grabbed a fourth goal on 86 minutes after a free kick was lifted into the Yate box from the left it was poorly defended and Andy Roberts was on hand to drive a low shot past Murley. Dan Carmen could have made it five for the home side in the last minute when he found himself clear on goal but a great save from Murley denied the striker.

Southmead CS Athletic got back to winning way after a recent barren spell with a 3-1 win over Berkeley Town. The opening period of this game saw both clubs trying to find their feet, but that changed on 18 minutes with a goal from debutant Frank Stallard. Luke Coghlan played a superb ball into the 16 year old striker who swiveled and drove a sweet left foot drive into the bottom corner. A blatant handball in the box on 36 minutes gave the home side the chance to go two up. Terry Caswell was given the task of netting from the penalty spot and made no mistake. Both sides had chanced to score leading up to the break but they were all squandered. Berkeley were back in it on 60 minutes when they gained possession in midfield the ball was slipped to Tom Palmer who coolly chipped home keeper Sebastian Gribble from the edge of the box. The home side hit back again in the 69th minute after a long ball out of defence found Danny Glancy on the right; he rounded his marker cut into the box and sent a low shot across Mason into the far corner. The home side was well in command at this stage and only some outstanding saves by veteran keeper Lee Mason prevented any further score. He denied Rob Massey after he had been set up by some slick passing from Nick Randall and Danny Clancy in the 76th minute. Berkeley could have made the score-line a little better in the very last minute of the game but are well and truly stuck at the bottom of the table.

Frampton United had to come from behind to salvage a point from this home game with Ellwood. They gave the visitors the chance to take the lead on 27 minute when a clumsy tackle from Jake Ward in the box gave the visitors the opportunity to score from the spot. Penalty taker for Ellwood Dan Nelson made no mistake from 12 yards. The home side found themselves 2-0 down two minutes before the break. Frampton’s keeper had managed to make three brilliant saves before Julian Addis bundled the ball home. Player Manager Lee Driver Dickerson gave the home side some hope when he drove a sharp volley into the Ellwood net early in the second half. This gave the home side the inspiration to push forward to try and grab a second. They managed that in the 73rd minute from a Frazer Wilson 20 yard free kick that gave the visitor’s keeper no chance. A spokesman for Frampton said it was a fair result in the end.

8th December 2012 - Frampton come back to win ten goal thriller as Tuffley go clear

Tuffley Rovers have opened up a five point gap at the top of the table with a 3-1 win at Patchway Town. Kings Stanley were without a game this weekend. Southmead CS Athletic were held to a 0-0 draw with local rivals Henbury and move into third place. Ellwood lose ground after going down 3-1 at Bristol Academy.

At the bottom of the table Berkeley Town were beaten at home by Frampton United and Taverners slip into 18th position after a home defeat by Thornbury Town.

The game of the day was undoubtedly the result between Berkeley Town and Frampton United with no less than 10 goals for the spectators who braved the cold to watch the game. Berkeley must be kicking themselves for losing this game after storming into a 4-0 lead in the first 41 minutes. Sam Strickland cut the ball back for James Mackie to give Berkeley the lead after 23 minutes and four minutes later Luke Palmer netted number two in a goalmouth scramble. Sam Strickland rounded the United keeper to put the home side 3-0 up in the 36th minute. Sam Strickland was involved in the fourth crossing the ball for Tom Palmer to give Berkeley that 4-0 lead. Frampton did pull a goal back in the 44th minute when Tom Paterson followed up a Zac Tyres shot that was saved by Mason but rebounded to Paterson. Frampton’s Kris Bulley shot from the edge of the box brought a second for the visitors in the 53rd minute and then Zac Tyres netted number three for the visitors heading home a left wing cross in the 62nd minute. A clash between Berkeley keeper Lee Mason and Steve Jackson on the edge of the box in the 75th minute resulted in both players being dismissed for a second yellow card offence. New signing Mike Attwell-Smart leveled the scores on 78 minutes and two late goals from Karl Palmer in the 85th minute a knock in from a free kick to the far post and a second on 89 minutes following a Ryan Vincent pass sealed the three points for Frampton United.

The game at Scott Park between Patchway Town and league leaders Tuffley Rovers was a fairly dour affair for the first 45 minutes, although the home side did take the lead on 20 minutes with a superb finish from Matt Davies firing his shot across Chris Perks into the far corner from just inside the box. Tuffley only effort on goal in the first period came courtesy of Warren Mann who’s curling left foot shot from just outside the box was easily collected by Alford. The home side should have gone in at the break with a two goal lead but for a glaring miss by Matt Davies firing over the bar from just 8 yards with only the keeper to beat.


Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers
Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers

What a different story in the second half as the leaders came out with all cylinders firing and were on level terms in the 52nd minute the first of three goals in the 18 minutes after the restart. Marcus Foxwell’s superb free kick from 20 yards struck the cross bar before being knocked away for a corner. From the corner that was hit long to the far post Richard James rose above the home defence to head the ball home and level the score. The home side was caught out in the 55th minute from a long ball pumped into their box by Antione Thompson it bounced past the last home defender and lurking on the far post was Mark Ford to slide the ball past the stranded Alford. A third goal on 63 minutes was the best of the afternoon and it was a thirty yard free kick taken by Marcus Foxwell his curling shot sped past the outstretched arms of Alford into the net.

Taverners slip into the bottom two after a home defeat by Thornbury Town. Taverners had the best of the early exchanges and should have gone into a two goal lead but for some hard luck and some bad finishing which let them down. Matt Spring had two great chances to give the home side the lead with a one on one situation, his first effort shot striking the upright and then when the other chance arrived and the same situation he blasted the ball over the bar. Thornbury grabbed the lead on 30 minutes with Danny Thompson strike and although the home side had plenty of possession they failed to find that elusive goal.


Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers
Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers

Bristol Academy are slowly climbing the table and have games in hand over some of the teams around them. Today they entertained Ellwood from the Forest of Dean, who were at the start of the day, lying third in the table. The Academy opened the scoring on 13 minutes Jake Jackson flicked the ball through to Jordan Lawrence to drive home from 20 yards. The visitors drew level in the 30th minute from a cross into the box that found the unmarked Daryl Addis to guide the ball into the net with his head. The Academy regained the lead right on half time from a free kick taken by Tauren Williams from just outside the box curling the ball over the wall into the left side of the goal. A penalty in the 81st minute sealed the points for the home side, Alex Fox netting from the spot after Mario Mateus had been brought down.

A double from Rockleaze Rangers striker James Pilling was enough to give them the three points at Hanham Athletic. Pilling put the visitors ahead on 25 minutes and it was not until the 75th minute that Hanham managed to draw level, Shaun Morris netting from the penalty spot. A second goal by Pilling deep into time added on at the end of the match saw Rangers home.


Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers
Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers

D.R.G. Frenchay moved up the table slightly with a second successive victory this time over Kingswood, who are not having the best of times at the moment being on the receiving end. James Kenway gave the home side a 6th minute lead when he picked up a loose ball in the box to fire home. A goal on 15 minutes, a Mike Connor header from a Joe Godfrey free kick put the home side 2-0 up and a second from James Kenway before the break, a great shot from an acute angle gave them a comfortable 3-0 lead. Three minutes into the second half Adam Eldridge pulled a goal back for Kingswood heading home from a corner and a second on 77 minute from Josh Stokes who stabbed the ball home from a free kick, put the pressure on the home side. The visitors pushed forward trying get a third goal but the home defence held well and were pleased to gain another three points.

Yate Town Reserves had a two goal lead over visitors Longlevens but finally had to settle for a 2-2 draw as the visitors hit back in the second half. Jack Parker gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot in the 30th minute after a handling offence by.Longlevens. Two minutes into the second half Parker was brought down in the box and was given the opportunity to net his second penalty of the afternoon. Longlevens although hovering near the foot of the table have quite few games in hand and needed to try and pull something from this game. They pulled a goal back in the 75th minute after a defensive error by the home side Shaun O’Connor getting on the score sheet. Five minute later Ryan Dunn leveled the score and gave the visitors a much needed point.


Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers
Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers

The biggest game of the day the first ever competitive game between Southmead CS Athletic and Henbury drew a record gate of 187 spectators but they were probably disappointed as it ended goalless. Eddie Howell had the best chance for the visitors in the first half but shot wide of the target and Rob Sivers had his shot well saved by the Henbury keeper to deny the home side taking the lead. In the second half Chris Williams had a great chance to give the home side the lead but shot over when clear on goal and in the dying minutes Sebastian Gribble brought off a great save to deny Henbury’s Jack Mills from scoring.


Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers
Patchway Town V Tuffley Rovers

1st December 2012 - Bristol Academy too strong for Berkeley

Tuffley Rovers go two points clear at the top after a 2-1 win at Bishops Cleeve Reserves. Kings Stanley remains in second place after being held to a 1-1 score line by Hanham Athletic. Ellwood’s 2-0 win over Patchway Town move’s them into third place, whilst Southmead CS Athletic slip to fourth after a 3-1 defeat at Rockleaze Rangers.

Our first visit on a Saturday this season to the Wise Campus at Filton to watch Bristol Academy v Berkeley Town. The bottom side in the table Berkeley are really struggling at present and had to call on veteran goal keeper Lee Mason to cover the void left by Ewan Prentice who left the Club last week. 41 year old Mason who has had serious injury problems in the past gave an outstanding performance to keep the score line down to just three goals.

The Academy who have an excellent surface to play on just seem to stroke the ball around with ease making their opponents work really hard to gain possession at times. The Academy could have taken the lead in the fifth minute as Mario Mateus went clear on goal but Mason closed him down quickly and he shot wide. Mason was again in action in the 13th minute saving well from a Jordan Lawrence low shot that would have crept in at the near post. Berkeley’s only real chance in the first half came in then 28th minute as Jamie Mackie went clear of the home defence but had his shot brilliantly saved by home keeper Martin Horsell. Berkeley were living on the edge as the home side’s quick movement of the ball saw it pinging backwards and forwards in the box before Town managed to get it clear. Mason was the savior again in the 34th minute as he cut out a three man move from a free kick that split the visitors defence. Jordan Lawrence missed a glorious chance to put the home side in front on 36 minutes blasting the ball over the bar from 8 yards. The Academy did however take the lead just a minute later as Ibrahima Diallo crossed into the box it was touched on by Mario Mateus the ball struck the upright and from the rebound Charlie Novoth touched the ball home.


Bristol Academy V Berkeley Town
Bristol Academy V Berkeley Town

The second half saw the visitors spending most of the time defending as the Academy were relentless in the quest for more goals. The second came on the hour mark from a long free kick down the right and some clever passing before the ball was crossed into the box for Jordan Lawrence to fire home. In the 68th minute Mateus broke clear on goal but Mason was quick of his line and very brave as he took the ball off the striker’s foot to deny a third for the Academy Five minute later Mason made three brilliant saves one after the other as he kept the rampant Academy at bay. It looked like the visitors had limited the score line to 2-0 until a third goal arrived courtesy of a Tauren Williams in time added, a shot that Mason got his hands two but could not prevent it going in

Tuffley Rovers netted a penalty in the 75th minute to take the three points at Bishops Cleeve Reserves. Rovers had taken a very early lead in the second minute with a goal from Courtney Hamilton and it remained that way until the 65th minute when Cleeve leveled with a Jamie Lock penalty. The home side felt they had done enough to gain a point but slipped up when they gave away a penalty themselves and Richard James netted from the spot for the winner.

Rockleaze Rangers won the local derby against Southmead CS Athletic by three goals to one in what was described as a very entertaining game to watch. Both sides went hammer and tongs right from the start. Kye Simpson went close for Rangers after 10 minutes his shot just wide of the target. Just before the break an outstanding save from Southmead keeper Sebastian Gribble touching the ball over the bar from a Ben Lear shot that was heading for the top corner, kept the score at 0-0 at the break. The home side broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half with a mazy run from Ben Lear passing several defenders before driving the ball home. Rangers could have been 2-0 up in the 50th minute but somehow Pete Newton-Smith missed an open goal volleying the ball over the top. Rangers went further ahead in the 63rd minute with a brilliant individual goal from Kye Simpson coolly sliding the ball through the legs of the keeper and into the net. A third goal three minutes later gave the home side a comfortable lead. Carl Lakey setting up James Cinicola to blast the ball home. More drama in the 84th minute as Sebastian Gribble brought off a brilliant save to deny Aaron Day a fourth goal from the penalty spot. Southmead were rewarded for their efforts in the very last minute as Nick Rendall struck the ball home through a crowd of players. There could well have been more goals in this game but for some outstanding saves by both goalkeepers.


Bristol Academy V Berkeley Town
Bristol Academy V Berkeley Town

Kingswood have gone off the boil in their last few fixtures this time they went down 3-0 at home to Yate Town Reserves. This a great result for Yate following their 5-0 win in midweek. Jay Belton headed home a Jack Parker cross to give the visitors the lead and they went further ahead in the 36th minute with a Jordan Greenwood 30 yard special from a free kick. Jay Belton then became provider in the 55th minute setting up Liam Monelle for the third.

Kings Stanley were held to a 1-1 score line against Hanham Athletic and according to their spokesman probably a fair result, although both sides missed chances throughout the game. This was good point for Hanham after suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat at Yate in the week. The visitors started really well taking the lead after 2 minutes with a Jack Baber header from a free kick. Both sides them missed chances until just before the break when Ryan Stevenson headed home for Stanley to level the score. The second half brought more chances to both sides but nobody managed to break through.

Ellwood have crept into third place in the table with a 2-0 win at home to Patchway Town who finished the game with ten men after a dismissal on 40 minutes. Daryl Addis gave the home side a ninth minute lead waltzing around the keeper before sliding the ball into an empty net. A 20 yard strike from Jamie Powell in the 70th minute was enough to take all three points.


Bristol Academy V Berkeley Town
Bristol Academy V Berkeley Town

Chipping Sodbury had to come from behind against Taverners who were much the better side in the first 45 minutes. The visitors took a deserved lead on 30 minutes with a Matt Spring goal but failed to take advantage of their form in the first half. Sodbury hit back in the very first minute of the second half with a Justin Cattle penalty after a Taverners defender handled in the box. The winner came in the 59th minute from an unstoppable shot from Alex Fox striking the ball from the edge of the box giving the visitor’s keeper no chance.

Thornbury Town’s unpredictable form continues as they go down 3-1 at home to D.R.G. Frenchay. The visitors struck twice in the first 16 minutes the opening goal a strike from Ollie Clarke and a minute later a mistake by stand in keeper Steve Thompson allowed Jay Wallace to net number two. The visitors took a 3-0 lead on 55 minutes when Mike Connor headed home. Thornbury netted a consolation goal in the 70th minute Nathan Irwin heading home a Nathan Sage free kick.

Henbury felt that the 3-1 score line could have been closer but take nothing away from Frampton United who went away with all the points. It was United who took the lead in the 20th minute a corner headed home by Steve Jackson. The visitors went 2-0 up on 40 minutes as United took a quick free kick that caught the home side lacking in their concentration the ball being played into the box for Zak Tyers to fire home. Henbury were back in the game on 57 minutes when Harry Bartlett was impeded in the box and Aaron Anglin netted from the penalty spot. The final blow came in the 85th minute when a Frazer Wilson free kick was pumped into the box, it deceived everyone and crept into the net.


Bristol Academy V Berkeley Town
Bristol Academy V Berkeley Town

Longlevens go out of the GFA Challenge Trophy on penalties after drawing 2-2 at home to Hellenic League Tytherington Rocks. The home side took the lead on 12 minutes when Brad Martin headed home a Danny Moore cross. Rocks hit back in the 28th minute from the penalty spot after Jack Smythe had been brought down Stuart Nelson netting from the spot. Rocks got off to a great start in the second half just two minutes in Stuart Nelsons cross to the far post was turned in by Tony Colburne. The home side rallied and leveled the score on 68 minutes a second from Bradley Martin this time he was put clear on goal and his shot was parried by the Rocks keeper but it spun back into the net. The home side might have snatched the tie but some good defending kept them out and it ended 2-2 and penalties to decide the tie. The final penalty count 4-3 to Tytherington Rocks.