Ron's Match Reports
27th February 2016 - Henbury take the points at Hardwicke
Henbury keep up their challenge with a 2-0 victory at Hardwicke. A bitter cold day with the wind blowing straight down the pitch from the British Legion end. The visitors always looked the better side throughout and kicked with the wind in the first half taking the lead on 12 minutes when a long ball found Kane Simpson to nip past his marker and drive the ball past keeper Jermaine Hunt from 20 yards. The next 5 minutes produced two more chances for Simpson but he failed to find the target on both occasions. Adam Rosser’s shot from wide on the right hit the target but Hunt was on hand to save. Hardwicke’s first attempt on goal came after 30 minutes a shot from Toby Webb that flew over the bar. The home side did manage a couple of corners in the last few minutes of the half but the Henbury defence cleared both times.
At the start of the second half the home side forced a corner on the left that was curled across the six yard box but nobody got on the end and it went out for a goal kick at the far post. Kane Simpson struck again on 66 minutes again it was a long ball up the left side with Simpson outstripping his marker to chip the ball over Hunt who got finger tips to the ball but could not prevent it going in. Hardwicke had a free kick 30 yards out on the right which was on target but was headed clear at the last moment. The nearest the home side came to scoring was a rasping 30 yard free kick from Paul Carter that was pushed round the post by Henbury keeper Jack Bebbington.
AEK Boco left it to the last 15 minutes to wrap up the three points at Ellwood. Liam Jenkins gave Boco the on 75 minutes with a strike from the edge of the box. Leon Malony knocked in the second on the far post five minutes later and George Yates grabbed the third right on time with the home defence appealing for offside.
Bishops Cleeve Reserves gave the other Reserve side in the league Yate Town a lesson on how to find the back of the net hammering six without reply. Matt Magee picked up on a back pass to give the home side the lead on 12 minutes and then scored a gain on 25 minutes to make it 2-0. A header on the far post by Gareth Ball five minutes before the break made it 3-0. Then a James Pickup header on 44 minutes gave the home side a comfortable 4-0 lead at the break. Rob Reid then chipped in with two goals - the first on 60 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box and his second in the 85th minute from around 15 yards.
Gala Wilton bounced back from their defeat last week to gain a 2-0 victory over today’s visitors Broadwell Amateurs. A barren first 45 minutes but Gala took the lead on 63 minutes from a free kick struck by Alex Pritchard that the visitor’s keeper could only palm away to Kyle Bakewell to pounce. A 30 yard free kick from Joel White in the 84th minute struck the inside of the post on its way in to seal the victory.
Patchway Town had so much possession and created so many chances throughout the game against Southmead CS Athletic it is hard to believe that they only managed to win 1-0 in the 49th minute a cross from Luke Fricker found Matt Davies to fire home.
Hanham Athletic and Cheltenham Civil Service who are very close to one another in the table had to be satisfied with a point each after drawing 1-1 at Vicarage Road. Jack Welling put the home side in front on 6 minutes with a superb free kick over the wall. Cheltenham equalised 5 minutes before the break with an in-swinging corner from Jamie Locke that deceived everyone and went straight in.
Kingswood remain on a single point after they were defeated again - this time only 1-0 by Thornbury Town. It looked as though they might get their second point of the season until Joe Guest popped up to score with just 2 minutes to go.
Frampton United were surprised at home by Rockleaze Rangers. United who have been excellent at home this season went down 3-1. Rangers went ahead on 3 minutes when a ball into the box was adjudged to have been handled by Liam O’Neil with Steve Fitzpatrick netting the spot kick. Frazer Wilson went close on 14 minutes for United his header just over the bar. United drew level on 44 minutes when Minola Marques Espada turned the ball into the net from a good cross into the box. Rangers retook the lead in the 49th minute with a superb free kick from Jordan Connor curling the ball into the top corner. United went close on several occasions during the second half but were undone in the 89th minute when Rangers netted a third goal an opportunist strike fro Steve Fitzpatrick which struck Marklove on its way in.
20th February 2016 - Rockleaze bounce back to beat Gala Wilton
With the leaders out of action today it gave the chasing pack a chance to close the gap. Henbury and Bristol Telephones drew whilst Frampton United won at home. Thornbury Town jumped into 5th place with a big win at home to Ellwood.
Our travels took us to the Coombe Dingle Sports Complex for the game between Rockleaze Rangers and Gala Wilton. Rangers were looking to get back on track after their heavy defeat last week whilst Gala were well up for it after their triumph over Frampton United. The weather conditions were awful with rain falling the entire match and a very strong wind blowing made things even more difficult. The pitch itself gradually became very heavy making it very difficult for the players. The first 45 minutes never produced one shot on target with both keepers having the easiest of afternoons.
The second half Rangers definitely took the game to Gala with the visitors barely getting anywhere near the Rangers goal until very late on. The opening goal on 63 minutes came from a free kick just inside the Gala half. Greg Parr pumped the ball into the box and Savas Frangoulis found the back of the net 1-0 to Rangers. An 18 yard drive from Ieuan Crowe on 86 minutes also found the back of the Gala net giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead. Gala suddenly woke up and for the next five minutes they pushed hard but the Rangers defence dealt with the pressure and gained the 3 points.
Yate Town Reserves were well beaten at home to Hardwicke. Hardwicke went ahead on 5 minutes when Steve Bick latched onto a long ball over the Yate defence. Within five minutes the home side levelled. James Kenway took the free kick from just inside his own half, the wind got hold of the ball and Hardwicke’s keeper had advanced to far and the ball flew over his head into the net. Yate are their own worst enemies when a mistake in clearing the ball out of the box was picked up by Will Matthews to give the visitors a 2-1 lead five minutes before the break. Tobie Webb was brought on for Hardwicke and two late goals from him sealed the points. The first he rounded the keeper to score and the second came from the penalty spot.
A battle at the bottom between Southmead CS Athletic and Cheltenham Civil Service went the visitor’s way with two late goals. The home side made it hard for themselves when they were reduced to ten men after 12 minutes when Jon Kilpatrick received his marching orders. Andy Makepeace hit the crossbar on 30 minutes for the home side, and just before the break the Cheltenham keeper made two great saves from Lee Crosby. Another good chance for the home side went begging on the hour mark. Cheltenham took the lead on 75 minutes when the home keeper’s poor clearance went straight to Jamie Locke who rounded two defenders before planting the ball in the net. A second goal just two minutes from the end for the visitors came after the home side were caught pushing forward and Cheltenham hit them on the break with Aaron Walker getting himself on the score-sheet.
Thornbury Town showed no mercy as they ran six into the Ellwood net with out reply. Toby Bennett gave town the lead on 11 minutes with a superb free kick that may have been affected by the wind the flight of the ball was not picked up by the Ellwood keeper. On 20 minutes Bennett broke through on goal his shot was well saved by the Ellwood keeper but Luke Franklin was on hand to tap the ball home. Thornbury went 3-0 up right on half time when the ball was switched to the right for Joe Guest to send over a great cross to the near post that was met by Mark Viner to head home. Three minutes into the second half it was four as Craig Lancastle received the ball in the box interchanged passes with Franklin before tucking it into the Ellwood net. Thornbury were awarded a penalty on 66 minutes for a soft looking tackle and Craig Lancastle scored from the spot. Franklin hit number six on 77 minutes when he rounded the keeper to slot the ball into an empty net.
Bishops Cleeve Reserves are going well at present. After their big win last week they continued their good form with an excellent win at Broadwell Amateurs. The weather conditions affected the game but both sides tried their best to adapt. The home side took the lead on 14 minutes with a somewhat bizarre goal. A long ball into the box was held up in the wind the Cleeve keeper was a little slow off his line and Steve Belfitt got there first to smash the ball into the roof of the net. Cleeve drew level on 35 minutes from a free kick that was really well read by Gareth Ball who ghosted in at the near post to head home. The home side made some changes to the line up on 60 minutes and pushed the visitors really hard for a second goal but Cleeve held out with Ball the star man in the centre of defence. Cleeve grabbed the winner five minutes from the end when Giles Elliott picked up a loose ball in the box and fired home from 12 yards.
Frampton United were back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over today’s visitors Hanham Athletic. Nathan Dennis had the first chance but struck his effort over the bar after 10 minutes. Six minutes later the home side went one up when Matt Cook turned the ball in from a Nathan Dennis free kick. Home keeper Marklove kept the home side 1-0 lead in tact when he brought off a great save to deny Hanham’s Nick Waldron. Frampton took a 2-0 lead on 52 minutes when Matt Cooks shot rebounded off the keeper straight to Myron Turner to slot home. Both sides had several more chances in the remainder of play but the score remained 2-0 to the home side.
Henbury v Bristol Telephones was a game that was crucial for both sides to win to keep up their challenge. It ended 1-1 with both sides not gaining any ground on the leaders. Both goals came in the first 45 minutes the opening goal on 15 minutes came for the home side a cracking 25 yard shot into the bottom corner from Caelen Simpson. Telephones leading goal-scorer Dhani Golding replied 10 minutes later with an equally sensational goal that flew into the top corner.
13th February 2016 - Yeo double sees Patchway edge out Thornbury
Two very High scoring results from today’s fixture with Henbury winning 8-2 at Kingswood and Bishops Cleeve Reserves winning 7-0 at home to Rockleaze Rangers
Patchway Town v Thornbury Town could be classed as a local derby with around seven miles between the two Clubs.
On a very wet day both teams produced some excellent football trying to build their attacks from the back with slick passing but for the first 35 minutes their final pass was not quite what was desired and both defences played well. Thornbury broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box on the left which Toby Bennett took and curled the ball over a packed goalmouth striking the far post on its way into the Patchway net. Patchway’s equalising goal in the 41th minute was also quite bizarre and also came from the left side of the box a strike by Jordan Yeo who fired the ball into the box it caught the Thornbury keeper Alex Lippiatt off guard and the ball crept under the bar at the far post. The score of 1-1 at the break was a fair reflection on how the game had been played in the first 45 minutes.
Jordan Yeo’s second goal 3 minutes into the second half came from a break down the right and a cross into the box from Matt Tovey where the unmarked Yeo swept the ball past Lippiatt to give them the lead. Play then resumed as before with both teams producing good approach work but that final finishing touch was lacking. Thornbury pushed hard in the time added at the end of 90 minutes and Patchway had to be at their best to keep them out. One disappointing incident happened in added time when Patchway’s Matt Tovey picked up a second yellow card and was dismissed.
Cheltenham Civil Service stunned the leaders when they took the lead in the 25th minute when Gareth Evans, picked the ball up on the edge of the Boco box, sidestepped a tackle and calmly placed the ball into the bottom left corner. Boco hit back on 30 minutes from a scrambled ball into the box that ricoched around and wasn't cleared by the home side before the tall Danny Brister headed home from close range. Boco went ahead on 55 minutes another ball knocked into the box wasn't cleared by the home side and Jordan Scott knocked it over the line to make it 2-1. On 60 minutes, Joe Ryder tackled the Boco defence and tried his luck from 30 yards, the keeper reacted slowly and watched the ball onto the base of the post then bouncing away to safety. In the 65 minute, Paul Ireland brought down the quick Boco winger as he cut into the box and Boco went 3-1 up from the penalty spot converted by Jason Thatcher. After 85 minutes Boco’s Jason Thatcher cut in from the right and fired a fierce left foot shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Bottom Club Kingswood were well and truly hammered by second place Henbury conceding eight and only managing two in reply. A hattrick from Aaron Anglin and two from Kane Simpson accounted for five of the Henbury goals. A close range effort from 8 yards by Kane Simpson on 15 minutes gave Henbury the lead then four minutes later following a free kick Aaron Anglin scored from close range. Kingswood hit back in the 24th minute after some great work by Ryan Mudd beating three defenders before setting up Frank Hitchings to score. Just two minutes later Henbury scored again Adam Rosser netting after some poor defending by the home side. An eighteen yard shot from Aaron Anglin on 34 minutes sent Henbury into a 4-1 lead. Then on 42 minutes Kane Simpson scored his second of the afternoon to give Henbury a 5-1 lead at the break. On 64 minutes Anglin completed his hat-trick. The goal of the afternoon on 70 minutes came courtesy of Henbury’s Jack Mills a 20 yard volley into the roof of the net. Kingswood were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute after Sean Heal handled in the box but Adam Eldridge missed the spot kick. The home side got their second on 80 minutes as Ryan Mudd again set up Frank Hitchings to score. But Henbury had not finished and Rob Wilks made it eight on 89 minutes with a strike from the edge of the box.
Bishops Cleeve Reserves ran riot at home to Rockleaze Rangers banging in seven without reply. Cleeve took the lead in the 37th minute when Giles Elliot broke clear to chip the keeper. Two minutes later James Pickup laid the ball back for Mark Connelly to fire home from 25 yards. Just two minutes before the break Elliot netted his second in a goalmouth scramble. Cleeve made it 4-0 on 55 minutes when Martin Tomes cut in to the box and drove a low shot past the visitor’s keeper. On 60 minutes Giles Elliot completed his hat-trick when he tapped home a cross from Dan White. Ten minutes later White sent over another cross this time met by Matt Magee to make it 6-0. James Pickup rounded the scoring off in the 89th minute when he headed home from a corner.
Frampton United lost for only the third time this season when they went down 2-0 at Gala Wilton. This was an excellent result for the home side with both goals being scored by Kyle Bakewell. The first on 55 minutes was a glancing header from a corner and the second ten minutes later when he was put clear to chip the keeper. One sour note for Frampton was the sending off of Steve Jackson receiving a straight red in the 70th minute.
Hanham Athletic eased their worries with a 1-0 win at home to close rivals in the table Southmead CS Athletic. The goal which came in the 77th minute was an individual effort from Tyrone Fudgell breaking down the right cutting in to the box and driving a low shot into the bottom corner. The home side might have had more but for some great saves by the Southmead keeper.
The two newly promoted Clubs to the league this season met at Hardwicke with both teams having to settle for a draw. Broadwell went ahead on 24 minutes from a cross into the Hardwicke box by Neil Bailey which they failed to clear and Derek Roberts drove the ball home from twelve yards. Hardwicke pressed hard for the rest of the half but failed to break down the visitors defence. Hardwicke’s Will Higgins might have scored but hit the upright from eight yards. A double substitution on 60 minutes by Hardwicke would eventually change the game, they brought on Ed Rimmer and James Reid and in the 80th minute after Will Matthews had held the ball up before sending it to Reid who then laid it on for Ed Rimmer to drive the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.