MARCLIFF Gloucestershire County Football League

Ron's Match Reports

12^th May 2018 - Thoenbury clain Les James Cup - sponsored by Boca Teamwear

Report courtesy Jon Palmer

A STUNNING volley from Nathan Sage was enough to secure a league and cup double for Thornbury Town.

Sage struck from 25 yards after a cross into the box was cleared to him in the 57th minute as the Gloucestershire County League champions added the Les James League Cup to their trophy cabinet.

It was a goal fitting for any final and 2015 winners Thornbury were deserving victors against a battling Frampton United side who were without several first team regulars through injury.

There were very few chances during a goalless first half, with Frampton managing to keep dangerman Craig Lancastle, who has scored 41 goals this term, relatively quiet.

Sage's goal lit up the match, which was watched by a healthy crowd at Stonehouse Town's Oldends Lane.

Frampton did have the ball in the net in the 66th minute, but substitute Jonathan Lewis was in an offside position and his effort was chalked off.

Scott McLeod crashed a low shot against the right post for Thornbury in the 76th minute.

Player/manager Steve Jackson went on from the bench for Frampton in a bid to rally his team three minutes later, but they could not find a way through and Tom Sheppard was rarely troubled in the Thornbury goal.

Frampton United: J Marklove, J Bartman, A Barrett, A Cox, D Brown, S Maule (J Lewis 64), L O'Neill, M Cook (A Lowe 85), A Price, R Vincent, M Espada (S Jackson 79).

Thornbury Town: T Sheppard, J Guest, T Webb, N Sage, P Fowler, M Viner, B Benjamin, T Bennett (D Jones 78), C Lancastle, M Warmwell (A Budder 90), S McLeod (N Irwin 90). Subs not used: A Clarke, J Brock.

Referee: Jack Clench.

Attendance 314

Team captains and Match Officials
Image courtesy Hilary Isaac - HJImages

Thornbury Town Captain Pete Fowler recieves the cup from Rob Boyd Managing Director of Boca Teamwear
Image courtesy Hilary Isaac - HJImages

Thornbury Town - Les James Cup Winners 2017/18
Image courtesy Hilary Isaac - HJImages

12^th May 2018 - Broadwell and Henbury share the spoils

Broadwell Amateurs completed their season with a 2-2 draw at home to Henbury. The first 45 minutes saw the sides fairly evenly balanced in play with Jordi Sheen just wide with a header for the homes side and Henbury’s Jacob Hicks brushed the top of the crossbar with a free kick. The game came alive in the second period with the visitors taking the lead on 55 minutes when Hicks picked up the ball beat three defenders before bursting into the box to plant the ball into the top corner. The home side levelled the score on 70 minutes when Harry Williams latching on to a Sheen pass to slot the ball past the advancing keeper Luke Cox. 10 minutes later the home side were in front when provider for the first goal Jordi Sheen headed in a Guy Jones cross. Home keeper Jamie Merry then save well before a mix up in the home defence saw a loose ball headed in by Andrew Dickinson to gain a well earned point for Henbury.

An early deflected shot resulted in Kingswood first corner of the game which resulted in a half clearance and a long range effort from Tom Devine. On 10 minutes Ruardean took the lead through Luke Johnson after being allowed to run clear with no challenge and though keeper Fox got a hand to the ball it crept in. Both side continued to attack each other with Ruardean enjoying the majority although both teams cancelled each other out in the final third. Ruardean were reduced to 10 men when Bobby Walding received his second yellow for a late lunge only 5 minutes after the first for deliberate hand ball. A half chance for the Rangers on 40 minutes from corner was knocked down but cleared away from danger. Early exchanges from both side failed to result in a real threat. A shot from Croot after making a run from deep in his own half saw his effort sail over. A free kick in the 60^th minute saw Fox save well at the near post, also claiming the rebound. A free kick from Rangers saw Matt Barnard direct his header wide. Immediately after a good run past 3 defenders by Levi Morris who failed to find a finishing touch. Kingswood began to make more of an attacking threat as the half grew on but without any real end product. A good interchange between Jones and Morris sent Read clear but his cross across the face of goal was missed by all. A minute later a free kick into the Ruardean box saw the ball drop loose but nobody was able to get it in the net. 80^th minute and cross saw Barnard guide his headed effort well wide. Ruardean doubled their lead in the 85^th minute as Luke Brown broke clear to round keeper Fox and slot the ball home. Controversy in the 90^th minute as Ruardean’s Barnard received his second yellow card for picking the ball up after it hadn’t apparently gone out of play whilst trying to sheppard it out in the corner.

7^th May 2018 - Patchway snatch late draw at Henbury

With the top of the table already decided it is the Clubs down at the bottom that are struggling for survival and any points gained at this stage of the season are vital.

Patchway Town had to travel to Henbury for their last fixture of the season knowing they would need something from the game to help their chances of avoiding finishing in bottom place. The temperature was 27 degrees and it was almost certain that a drinks break would be introduced by the match official during the game. The home side started well almost took the lead in the first minute but the finish was headed wide. 5 minutes later Kieron Cooper was through on goal and with just the keeper to beat from 6 yards was thwarted by the Patchway keeper Phil Vice deflecting his shot away with his legs. A couple of minutes later Reece Purnell was unlucky when his chipped ball towards goal looked as though it was going in but went just past the far post. At the other end Patchway’s Dan Rees let fly from the edge of the box but it went well wide. On 27 minutes Purnell tried another chip this time from a much more difficult angle but again it went just over the bar. Patchway’s Rob Foster had keeper Luke Cox at full length to save his fine shot from the edge of the box. On 35 minutes another half chance for the home side was again thwarted by keeper Phil Vice. Just before the break Adam Rosser sent in two really good shot on target but Vice was there to take them on both occasions.

In the 51^st minute Patchway could well have taken the lead but both David Ishi and Sam Finn were unable to make it count. The miss of the afternoon must be the chance that Dan Rees had in the 56^th minute when he broke into the box and with a clear sight of goal miss-hit his shot and the ball ran through to Cox. Henbury took the lead in the 66^th minute with a sweet move down the right and Jay Spicer sending a low cross skimming across the six yard box where substitute George Loud came steaming in to side foot the ball into the net. Patchway full-back Shuah Okonmah hit a powerful shot from the edge of the box across the Henbury goal only to see it skim just past the far post. Henbury had a great chance to score a second on 84 minutes when Titus Chinyama cut in from the left along the goal line sent the ball across goal but George Loud was unable to get on the end of it. Patchway levelled the score 2 minutes into time added when a ball up to Dan Rees was missed by the Henbury defence and although the home side were certain Rees was offside the Officials allowed play to continue and Rees ran clear to slot the ball past Cox.

Bottom Club Southmead CS Athletic had to visit Gala Wilton knowing only a win would suffice if they were to get off the bottom of the table. Surprisingly they came home with all three points after beating Gala 3-0. The star for the visitors was Aaron Pope who netted all three goals. The opening goal came in the 1^st minute when he broke clear of the Gala defence and rounded the keeper. The second came from a long ball over the defence and Pope latched on to it and ran clear to score. Gala were handed a lifeline midway through the second half when they were awarded a penalty but a great save from Southmead’s keeper Connelly Jarrett kept the score at 2-0 Pope netted his third when he cut in from the left and hit a right footed shot past the keeper.

Thornbury Town finished their fixtures with an away game at Little Stoke and continued with their winning form coming away with a 4-1 victory. The Champion’s took the lead in the 5^th minute when Toby Bennett’s free kick was put away by Marcus Wormwell. Stoke’s first effort came in the 10^th minute when Luke Henderson headed wide from an Alex Hill cross. Alex Hill then set up Sam Hill for a shot on goal but it went wide. On 22 minutes Ethan Tucker headed a Khalil Lamir cross on to the bar and as it came down keeper Tom Sheppard pushed the ball over for a corner. Just before the break Alex Hill headed wide from another Lamir cross into the box. On 65 minutes Tom Webb broke into the Stoke box and was brought down with Toby Bennett netting the spot kick. On 67 minutes Ethan Tucker robbed Thornbury’s Pete Fowler with the defender bringing him down and the referee gave a free kick right on the edge of the box, Sam Hill blasted his free kick at Sheppard who was unable to hold onto it and Dean Patterson stroked the rebound home. It got worse for the home side on 76 minutes when Harry Smith crossed to Asher Budd to net from inside the six yard box. Leading goalscorer Craig Lancastle rounded the scoring off in the 85^th minute firing the ball home from just inside the box.

Hardwicke gained a slender 1-0 win at home to Broadwell Amateurs although the visitors were first to show after 28 minutes Ben Fishwick going very close. The 2 minutes later Liam Thomas was only just wide of the post. Leading up to half time Hardwicke’s Will Matthews had three good chances to score but somehow failed on every attempt. Another effort from a Matthews and Ractliffe effort also ended up going past the post on 60 minutes. Then 5 minutes later came that elusive goal when Jack Twyman tapped in a Steve Bick cross.

Stonehouse Town were winning 3-0 by the break, with very little happening in the second half. Stonehouse had two early chances to take the lead with efforts from Luke Soule and Adam Harley in the first 12 minutes. Kye Simpsom struck the upright for Rangers before Town’s Alex Kibble also had his shot well saved on 18 minutes. The home side broke the deadlock on 30 minutes when Liam Gale’s cross was turned in by Luke Soule. A couple of minutes later Simpson hit the post again and on 35 minutes Rangers were awarded a penalty which was taken by Dan Webb but his shot struck the underside of the bar and bounced clear. Just 3 minutes later the home side went 2-0 up when Kibble’s shot was parried by the keeper but Will Hayward scored from the rebound. Right on half time Liam Wright and Liam Gale combined to set up Hayward for his second. Rangers Jake Hannam was unlucky when his powerful shot hit the crossbar on 55 minutes.

AEK Boco got back to winning ways with a 3-2 victory over today’s visitors Kingswood. There was a bumper crowd in attendance 149 to see Kingswood’s Jamie Samuels open the scoring on 12 minutes but 5 minutes later Luke Basseng rounded the keeper to level the score with the first of his three goals for the afternoon. Basseng then gave the home side the lead on 30 minutes and on 38 minutes Basseng completed his hat-trick with a headed goal from a Jason Thatcher cross. The home side had most of the possession in the second half and chances went begging then on 75 minutes Kingswood grabbed a second when Charlie Read fired home from the edge of the box.

5^th May 2018 - Thornbury crowned champions

Champions Thornbury Town completed their home programme for the season with a 3-2 victory over Broadwell Amateurs. A crowd of 135 watched the Champions at work for possible the last time in the Gloucestershire County Football League pending notification of promotion to the Toolstation League next season.

This was a game of few chances for the visitor’s who failed to trouble Tom Sheppard in the home gaol for the first 45 minutes. Thornbury were rather fortunate to take the lead on 12 minutes when a low cross from the right by Marcus Wormwell caught the Broadwell defence out and Sam Keetch was unable to prevent the ball hitting him and spinning past keeper Merry. A shot from Toby Webb on 15 minutes from the edge of the box flew over the bar and another effort from full-back Joe Guest also finished up in the same place on 39 minutes.

Less than 2 minutes into the second half the Broadwell defence were caught flat and Wormwell’s low cross from the right found Craig Lancastle completely unmarked to tap the ball in. Out of the blue Broadwell pulled a goal back on 77 minutes a great strike from 25 yards by Jordi Sheen but just 2 minutes later Thornbury regained that two goal cushion when Guest broke into the box fed the ball through to Lancastle who was upended for a penalty. Lancastle then took the spot kick to make it 3-1. With just a minute left on the watch Ben Fishwick netted a second for Broadwell from just inside the box.

At the end of the game the Champions were presented with their trophies and the Championship Cup by Cliff Orchard Managing Director of Marcliff the leagues sponsors.

Lebeq United secured the Runners-up spot with a 6-1 win at bottom Club Southmead CS Athletic. United got off to a great start opening the scoring after 45 seconds a cross from the left was headed home by Kelvin Williams. Aaron Cornwall then made it 2-0 on 30 minutes and 2 minutes later the home side gave away a penalty for handball which was put away by Cameron Brown. Neikell Plummer headed in a cross from the right on 40 minutes for a 4-0 lead. A long ball from the left found Rick Davis wide on the right he cut into the box and fired home for the fifth. The home side pulled a goal back on 75 minutes when Dwayne Pope latched onto a long free kick into the united box to slot the ball home. Abdirizak Hussein completed the scoring for the visitors with 5 minutes to go.

Gala Wilton took an awful hammering at home to Frampton United the home side failing to score and then conceding seven. Max Harper-Emerson got the show on the way after 17 minutes with a simple tap in and 3 minutes later Ryan Vincent broke through the defence to slot the ball into the bottom corner. Another mistake in the home defence allowed Sean Lawson to break clear for a 3-0 lead in the 24^th minute. Just 4 minutes later a cross into the box came off Tom Dunsford for an own goal and a 4-0 lead for United. Right on half time it was 5-0 as Ryan Vincent netted his second of the afternoon. Jonathan Lewis then latched onto a poor back pass to score the sixth on 70 minutes and it was Lewis again in the 86^th minute to complete the scoring and a 7-0 defeat for Gala.

Hanham Athletic lost out to a single goal defeat at the hands of Little Stoke at Vicarage Road. Ellis Kow had a great chance to give Hanham the lead on 15 minutes but his shot just cleared the bar. The visitors went ahead on 25 minutes with a rather lucky goal the ball striking Dean Patterson from a fifty fifty challenge and looping over the home keeper. The home side had a great chance to level on 75 minutes from the penalty spot but Sam Brown’s penalty was saved by keeper Dave Franklin.

Patchway Town failed to score for the second game in a row after going down 2-0 at home to Ruardean Hill Rangers. Rangers Luke Johnson was the first to hit the target on 18 minutes but the shot was well saved. On 31 minutes the home side had a great chance to take the lead from a cross into the box that found Joe Dalby but he failed miserably in front of goal. Just 3 minutes later and the home side were trailing as Luke Johnson’s solo effort saw him chip the home keeper. A good move by the home side between David Ishi and Dan Rees could well have levelled the score but poor finishing let them down. Rangers scored a second 10 minutes from the end when Matt Barnard volleying home.

Another home defeat for AEK Boco this time at the hands of Stonehouse Town another big crowd of 109 saw the visitors take the lead on 25 minutes even though the home side had clearly more of the possession the goal came from Liam Beachus who cut in from the left before curling the ball past keeper Hawkins. A second goal from Luke Soule in the second half put the visitors in the driving seat. The home side gained a consolation goal in the dying seconds when Callum Ball netted from the penalty spot.

Hardwicke entertained Henbury today and took the lead after just 5 minutes from Paul Carter’s in-swinging corner that was powerfully headed home by Glen Gittins. Jay Spicer and Reece Purnell were causing the home side a few problems but they were well marshalled by Tobi Webb and Rich Mansell. An Adam Rosser free kick looped over the home keepers head but Mansell scrambled back to clear off the line. However in the last 10 minutes of the first half Henbury levelled the score with a Jack Bebbington strike to make it 1-1 at the break. Jack Twyman was introduce by the home side on 75 minutes and it was his pass a couple of minutes later that led to a series of passes and the ball being laid off to Paul Carter to drive the ball home from 20 yards. The home side created several more chances before the end but it remained 2-1.

28^th April 2018 - Little Stoke leave it late to beat Kingswood

After two successive 1-1 draws Little Stoke grabbed a winning goal in 4^th minute of added time at the end of to beat today’s visitors Kingswood 2-1. Little Stoke had most of the possession in this game and could have gone ahead in the 8^th minute from a cross swung in from the left straight to Dean Patterson’s head but he directed it wide of the target. Then Rich Homer tried his luck from distance but it went the wrong side of the post. On 21 minutes Kingswood keeper Chris Fox fisted away a Sam Thomas shot. Kingswood’s first effort on goal came in the 22^nd minute a long range shot from Elliott Pearce that flew high over the bar. There second attempt on goal 5 minutes later was a shot from Ton Divine that was punched clear by Stoke keeper Amin Jones. In the 29^th minute Fox brought off a great save form Tim O’Loughlin after he had met a cross from Jessie Owen’s. Just before the break Fox saved well again this time to deny Russ Church.

Straight from the off in the second half a good move by the home side getting the ball wide on the right and then into the box for Patterson to shoot but it was the same old story wide of the target. A rare attack by Kingswood 6 minutes into the second half brought the opening goal Ben Foxwell shot from the edge of the box went straight at keeper Jones who somehow let the ball slide through him into the net. The home side drew level on 58 minutes with a very good goal again the ball came in from the right from Sam Burgess skimmed across the six yard box and Tim O’Loughlin was on the far post to tap the ball home. A few minutes later a Dean Patterson header on target was just deflected over the bar by a Kingswood defender. Sam Thomas’s header on 81 minutes went flying over the bar and the home side were now getting very frustrated pushing the visitors very hard for the winner. O’Loughlin burst into the box but his effort was saved by Fox. On 89 minutes Fox saved O’Loughlin’s shot and then Russ Church headed the rebound over the bar. The pressure from the home side paid off in the end when Rich Homer struck a sweet shot from the edge of the box past Fox 4 minutes into time added on.

After losing 7-0 in midweek Southmead CS Athletic changed their Manager with Simeon Hopkins taking over for the rest of the season and he got off to a great start with a 2-1 win at home to Hanham Athletic. The home side got off to a great start scoring after 10 minutes when Rob Sivers squared the ball across to Akibodin Akiwumi to score at a second attempt. In the second half Sivers headed onto the post and the ball was scrambled away by the visitors. Hanham levelled the score in the 78^th minute when Adam Grinter headed home at the back post from an in-swinging corner. However Southmead grabbed the winner in the 89^th minute when Ile Jarrett hit a long ball forward to Rob Sivers who chested the ball down and then drove it past the visitors keeper from the edge of the box.

Patchway Town scored late on in their away Fixture at Gala Wilton to gain a valuable point. Both sides had a few half chance but most of the play was in midfield until the 38^th minute when Mark Mason was fouled in the Patchway box with the Referee pointing to the spot. Ryan Dobbins took the kick which the keeper saved but it rebound to Dobbins who slotted the ball home at the second attempt. Kyle Blackwell had a great chance to make it 2-0 to Gala on 66 minutes but with just the keeper to beat he shot wide. Patchway earned their point in the 78^th minute from a good break down the flank and a good ball into Sam Finn to drive home.

AEK Boco who lost again at home for a third time in a week must be cursing all the postponements that took place after Christmas. This time it was Ruardean Hill Rangers who went away with the points with a 2-0 win. Luke Brown gave Rangers the lead on 18 minutes but Harrison Kyte had a great chance to level when he was put through on goal but then saw his shot saved by Rangers keeper Steve Bowles but although it returned to Kyte he then stabbed the ball wide. The home side were enjoying a lot of possession but could not turn it into chances. The second half also saw the home side having a lot of the ball but it was Rangers who scored again on 60 minutes breaking from the back which Luke Johnson finishing off. Although the home side still had a lot of possession Rangers limited them to long range shots which never really trouble Bowles in the Rangers goal. A comment in the report which is unusual but very pleasing to hear was that the Referee had an outstanding game.

Henbury won 2-0 against today’s opponents Frampton United which surprised some people because they could well finish in the runners up spot again this season if they win their remaining fixtures. In fact the report stated that Frampton failed to create any scoring chances throughout the game. Although it got to half time 0-0 the home side should have gone in with a comfortable lead but Jay Spicer missed a simple chance on 35 minutes and then 5 minutes later Reece Purnell also missed an easy header. A minute before the break the home side had the ball in the Frampton net when Keiron Cooper hooked the cross home but then saw the Assistant Referee’s flag up and it was ruled out for offside. Henbury took the lead in the 70^th minute from a long ball hit up field by keeper Luke Cox, Cooper picked it up wide on the right cut in chipped the ball at goal the Frampton keeper got his hands to it but could not prevent it going in. The home side got a second 10 minutes later when Ross Jones found Andy Dickinson who crossed into Reece Purnell to fire the ball home from 12 yards.

Broadwell Amateurs seem to have lost their scoring touch and were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Rockleaze Rangers. There were chance throughout the game and Greg Lewis headed wide after just 2 minutes. Then Harry Williams was through on goal but the Rangers keeper Will Stabb brought off a great save. At the other end home keeper Jamie Merry brought off a great save to deny Rangers striker Dan Webb from scoring. In the second half Ben Fishwick cut inside and unleashed a great shot but Stabb pushed it out for a corner. With time nearly up Rangers Matt Jones saw his goal-bound effort well saved by keeper Merry.

21^st April 2018 - Hanham and Broadwell share the points

Hanham Athletic gained a valuable point against today’s visitors Broadwell Amateurs in their quest to avoid finishing in a relegation position. A long ball up field from the Broadwell defence on 11 minutes found Harry Williams who shrugged of the challenges of two Hanham defenders to neatly lob the ball over keeper Ross Britton for the lead. The home side got back in the game on 24 minutes when the ball was headed goalwards the bounce completely deceived Broadwell keeper Jamie Merry it dropped over his head and James Fry was on hand to knock it home. Broadwell retook the lead on 39 minute with a superb piece of skill from Kristian Burnard bursting into the Hanham box past two defenders and unleashed a left footed shot that thumped against the back of the net. Right on half time the visitors should have scored again when Burnard sent in low cross that found Williams but he fumbled the ball and it was cleared.

Early in the second half there was quite a long stoppage for an injury to Broadwell’s Jono Bowdler but after treatment he continued for some time before going off. The home side went close on 59 minutes from an in-swinging corner that Merry pushed away and Ben Fishwick cleared up field. A long range shot from Jack Fry almost caught Merry out again as the ball lifted sharply and was pushed over the bar by the keeper. The home side drew level on 79 minutes from a free kick about 10 yards in from the goal line which was hit very low by Sam Brown it skimmed across to the far post and Adam Grinter tapped it in. The home side had a great chance to win the game on 89 minutes when Sam Brown sent in a low cross to Giovanni Fisher who had time to place the ball home but miss kicked and it was cleared. The referee played 7 minutes of added time and it was the home side who were pressing hard at this point. Sam Brown hit a shot just over the bar and Tom Welling’s header was only just wide from a corner.

Thornbury Town are very close to taking the title after they comfortably beat Hardwicke 5-1 at the Mundy Playing Fields today. Leading goal-scorer Craig Lancastle completed another hat-trick to add to his total for the season with the first coming after just 6 minutes from a cross into the box where the visitor’s keeper got into a muddle with a defender and the ball fell to Lancastle to tap home. It was 2-0 on 16 minutes when Joe Guest burst down the right cut into the box was brought down for a penalty. Lancastle took the kick and made no mistake. A third goal on 25 minutes a tremendous curling shot that whistled into the top corner from Luke Franklin made it 3-0 at the break. On 51 minutes Lancastle completed his hat-trick and then Hardwicke got on the scene with a goal a ball squared back across the box and Craig Harris was on hand to drive it home. Toby Bennett then finished the scoring for the day on 75 minutes. Hardwicke finished the game with 10 men when Jamie Reid was sent off near the end.

Stonehouse were 2-0 up after 27 minutes in their home game against AEK Boco. The home side had two early chance both coming from Dan Stephens but a good break by Liam Wright down the right on 25 minutes led to the opening goal volleyed home by Jonny Brodie. 2 minutes later it was 2-0 when Alex Kibble hit a 35 yard free kick past the Boco keeper. Boco then pulled a goal back from a long ball that found Scott Woodman who managed to shrug off Stephens and fire the ball through the legs of the advancing keeper Adam Clark. Boco squared the score on 41 minute again a long ball over the top and this time Harrison Kyte burst through to fire the ball home. Not a lot went down in the second 45 minutes accept right at the end the home side thought they had won a penalty when Luke Soule was brought down but the referee gave a free kick on the edge of the box.

Patchway Town have eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 win at Kingswood. A goalless first half and two late goals from the visitors - the first on 78 minutes a penalty put away by Dan Rees and the second on 86 minutes from a break down the left crossed into the box and an unmarked Dan Rees put away his second.

Frampton continue their quest to finish as high as they can again this season with a 2-0 win at Rockleaze Rangers. Both goals in this game came in the first 30 minutes with the opening goal tapped home by Frampton’s Jonathan Lewis after 6 minutes and the second was netted straight from a corner in the 29^th minute by Manolo Espada. Rangers had plenty of possession in the second half but failed to create any really good chances.

Ruardean Hill Rangers trailed in this game for 71 minutes after Russ Church had given Little Stoke the lead on 19 minutes with a lucky goal that bounced over the diving keeper Steven Bowles. Both keepers were called into action during the second half but it was not until the 90^th minute that Rangers netted the equalising goal. Luke Browns 25 yard free kick was saved by Amin Jones pushing it away for a corner and from that resulting corner Jones again pushed the ball out but it hit one of his own defenders and dropped to Joe Kilty to drive home.

Gala Wilton went down 2-0 at home to Wick. The visitors took the lead on 26 minutes from a mistake by home defender Billy Wintle that allowed a break down the flank with the ball being crossed into the box for Allen Williams to turn in. A second goal on 65 minutes - an own goal from a corner kick from Wick that was turned past his own keeper by Jonathan Clay. The home side then had Junior Mbika sent off on 80 minutes and had to play with 10 men for the last 10 minutes.

14^th April 2018 - Thornbury keep title chase on track at Rockleaze

Thornbury Town increased their lead at the top with a slender 1-0 win at Rockleaze Rangers. On a very difficult pitch for both sides a good proportion of the play was in midfield with both sides struggling to create chances. The home side battled well against the leaders and it was them that created the first half chance a shot on target from Dan Webb that went straight to keeper Tom Sheppard after 14 minutes. At the other end Towns first effort on goal came from a Toby Webb free kick but that went straight to home keeper Will Stabb. Thornbury got the only goal of the game on 29 minutes after the home side failed to clear and gave away a penalty trying to do so. Craig Lancastle stepped up and fired the ball home. The visitors had several half chances to increase their lead but failed to hit the target. Right on half time Stabb was called into action tipping the ball over the bar. A Dan Webb free kick in the 1^st minute of the second half went straight to Sheppard. The nearest the visitors came to scoring a second goal was a brilliant header from Brandon Benjamin in the 48^th minute that beat Stabb but hit the crossbar.

Lebeq United who hammered seven past a Frampton United side a few weeks ago at Oakland’s Park were brought back down to earth today after going down by a solitary goal at the Bell Field. The home side went ahead on 12 minutes when a ball into the box found Matt Cook who turned and fired the ball home. The home side almost got a second on 23 minutes from a Manolo Espada free kick to the far post where Steve Jackson was only just wide with his header. Lebeq had a free kick just out side the box but Danny Wring fired it over the bar. On 34 minutes a cracking shot from Lebeq’s Leroy Swaby was well saved by keeper James Marklove. The visitors made it hard for themselves when Danny Wring was sent off in the 40^th minute for a bad tackle. On 63 minutes Espada’s free kick was really well saved by the visitor’s keeper then with 5 minutes to go Kris Bulley was through on goal his shot was well saved by the keeper and Sean Lawson following up missed the target from the rebound.

Little Stoke and AEK Boco had to be satisfied with a point each after a 1-1 draw today. The home side took the lead on 10 minutes from a move that involved Jazz Bright – Alex Hill with Russ Church hitting the target only to see Boco Keeper Mason Hawkins parry it away but Rich Homer picked it up and fired it into the Boco net. Jack Burgess then hit the crossbar for the home side on 15 minutes and Tucker was just over after Church had slipped the ball in his path. Boco’s Luke Basseng had his shot well save by Amin Jones on 25 minutes and minutes later Jones pulled of another good save to deny Jason Thatcher. Boco levelled the score 5 minutes before the break when Liam Crewe set up Luke Basseng to chip the ball over Jones as he rushed off his line. Boco’s Jack Winters had his shot well saved by keeper Jones on the hour but 5 minute later Boco were down to 10 men when Callum Ball was sent off for an off the ball incident. On 80 minutes Boco were down to 9 men when Dan Reeves handled Rich Homer’s shot on the line and was sent off. Homer took the penalty but failed to get it past the Boco keeper Hawkins.

Stonehouse Town were comfortable 5-0 winners at home to Southmead CS Athletic. Good work by Will Hayward set up Luke Soule to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Southmead had Abdi Gure sent off just before the break which made it much harder for the visitors in the second half and on 55^th minute Dawid Regula made it 2-0 from a corner. Liam Wright turned in a cross on 78 minutes and substitute Ben Langworth made it 4-0 just after he had been introduced. Liam Wright wrapped up the scoring with his second near the end.

Hardwicke are having a tough time at present losing their 3^rd successive game 2-0 at home to Kingswood. The visitors took and early lead after just 2 minutes when a poor clearance sent the ball straight to Charlie Read to knock home. There followed lots of midfield play without any chances being created by either side until the 65^th minutes when Jordan Simms broke down the right cut in and from 25 yards fired his shot past Chris Perks in the home goal. The home side felt that they should have had a couple of penalties in the second half then near the end they were awarded a penalty when Will Matthews was brought down in the box and then proceeded to take the penalty and hit it straight at Chris Fox - who had had an out standing game for the visitors throughout.

Henbury took on Hanham Athletic at Arnell Drive today and won the game 3-2 but according to the report the home side missed a catalogue of chances in the first 45 minutes and the guilty parties were Reece Purnell – Luke Cox - Adam Rosser and Jay Spicer. In fact it was the visitors who went into the lead in the 44^th minute when Adam Grinter headed home from a corner. The home side drew level 3 minutes into the second half with a headed goal from Reece Purnell after Adam Rosser had sent the ball over from the flank. It was another cross from Adam Rosser on 60 minutes that was headed in by Keiron Cooper that gave Henbury the lead. Purnell got his second on 75 minutes from a cross into the box that found the striker completely unmarked to make it 3-1. With just 2 minutes left Hanham got a second and it came from a long ball up field that Sam Brown latched onto and fired the ball past keeper Dan Parsons from outside the box.

Ruardean Hill Rangers had a convincing 5-2 win at home to Patchway Town and although the home team had an early chance through Kane Fellows from a Luke Johnson cross it was the visitors who almost scored when Underwood saved well from a Sam Finn shot. They did however go in front on 10 minutes when Dan Rees scored from the edge of the area. Patchway keeper Bragg then saved well from Luke Johnson but a couple of minutes later Matt Barnard beat him to score the first of his three for the afternoon. Just 2 minutes later the home side went ahead when Shaun Tingle netted from a Luke Johnson pull back. Patchway were only behind for 3 minutes when Joe Dalby scored from a 25 yard free kick. The home side had several more near misses before the break but it remained 2-2. Rangers went 3-2 up on 57 minutes when Barnard was pulled down in the box and Luke Johnson scored from the spot. Barnard made it 4-2 on 59 minutes when he picked up the rebound from a Luke Johnson shot. Patchway’s Joe Leslie struck the post on 70 minutes. Barnard completed his hat-trick on 81 minutes after Bragg spilled a previous shot on goal.

In today’s early kick off Wick and Broadwell Amateurs played out a 0-0 draw with very few chances being created throughout the game.

7^th April 2018 - Lebeq edge out Hardwicke in thriller

Hardwicke’s visit to Oakland’s Park to face second in the table Lebeq United got off to a fantastic start when Tobie Webb headed home Paul Carters corner from the right after just 55 seconds. Lebeq’s Twaine Plummer had to be replaced after just 9 minutes through injury and on came Rick Davis who has been out with a long term injury. A minute later an in-swinging free kick out on the left from Cameron Brown hit the side netting. Then Hardwicke’s keeper Mark Harris pulled of a great save to deny Davis with a shot low on the near post. The home side took the game to the visitors and Nathan Hall headed wide at the far post from a corner. On 19 minutes a cross from wide on the left found Rick Davis on the far post and he volleyed his shot at the goal and Harris somehow managed to keep it out and fisted it away. At this stage of the game Hardwicke were under considerable pressure and it was Harris to the rescue again saving from another Davis shot. On 29 minutes it was Elan Plummer who saw his effort on goal saved by Harris. On 30 minutes a rare venture into the home penalty area should have brought Hardwicke a second goal but Steve Bick lifted the ball over the keeper and the bar. Fabian McCarthy was the next on target for the home side only to see his shot cleared off the line. After all the pressure that the home side had applied the equalising goal came in the 41^st minute with an excellent build up finished of by Elan Plummer. The home side continued their assault right up until the half time whistle with Harris yet again pulling off another save to deny Cameron Brown.

The early part of the second half saw both sides sharing the possession until the 55^th minute when Lebeq’s Sheldon Sawyers made space for himself 25 yards out and hit an unstoppable shot past Harris to take a 2-1 lead. Just 2 minutes later Hardwicke were level and it came from a Paul Carter free kick out to James Ractliffe on the edge of the 18 yard box he headed goal-wards the ball bounced in front of the Lebeq keeper Maciej Jesionowski and over his head into the net. On 70 minutes Harris was in action again this time saving Nathan Halls 20 yard shot. Lebeq retook the lead on 78 minutes following a short corner on the left Rick Davis made the angle for a shot and drove it past Harris from the edge of the box. Just 2 minutes later it was 4-2 to the home side after the ball had come in from the right there was a scramble around the six yard box and the ball broke to Fabian McCarthy to drive home. Straight from the restart The ball was threaded through to Steve Bick who got himself into a great position to fire the ball across the keeper into the far corner. The last effort of the day fell to Elan Plummer whose shot on target was deflected away for a corner. this was an excellent game of football.

Hanham Athletic picked up three valuable points with a 3-0 win over close rivals Kingswood at Vicarage Road today. They opened the scoring on 21 minutes Sam Brown finishing off a great through ball from Tom Welling. Right on half time Kingswood keeper Chris Fox pulled of a great save to deny Sam Brown a second goal. Hanham made it 2-0 0n 49 minutes when Tom Welling turned in Sam Brown’s corner. Then on 55 minutes a fine individual effort from Kurtis Henry picking the ball up on the halfway line running at the Kingswood defence round several defenders before sliding the ball past Fox.

Thornbury Town continue to pursue their challenge for the title with a 3-0 win over Ruardean Hill Rangers. Rangers had the first attempt on goal after 17 minutes but never really troubled Town’s keeper Lee Mason. The home side took the lead on 23 minutes when Craig Lancastle tapped in after Marcus Wormwell’s header was parried by the Rangers keeper. A tremendous drive from Lancastle on 35 minutes just cleared the bar. The Rangers were hard to break down and defended well and were a little unlucky on 53 minutes when a free kick from Toby Bennett was headed on by Sage it deceived the keeper dropped on the line and Pete Fowler forced it into the net. In the 58^th minute Rangers Luke Johnson had a great chance to pull a gaol back left unmarked on the penalty spot his shot was smothered by the Thornbury keeper Lee Mason. Town made sure of the points in the 85^th minute when they hit Rangers on the break the ball was swiftly moved from the left back position to wide on the right and Craig Lancastle’s through ball to Brandon Benjamin finished up in the back of the Rangers net.

Patchway Town kept today’s visitors Frampton United at bay for 65 minutes and might have taken the lead on 25 minutes when Dan Rees was put through but shot just wide. A minute before the break a last ditch tackle by Joe Dalby on Manolo Espada who was bearing down on goal helped the cause. Unfortunately they were unable to keep the visitors out and on 65 minutes Frampton’s Ryan Vincent stabbed the ball home in a scramble in the box. Just 10 minutes later it was 2-0 to the visitors when Sean Lawson headed home from a cross into the box.

A short distance to travel for AEK Boco to take on Wick today. Both teams were up for this game with possession being shared early on Wick had a couple of early efforts on goal but was unable to find the back of the visitor’s net. The opening goal went to AEK Boco on 20 minutes when Callum ball found himself unmarked on the edge of the box and fired the ball past keeper Jack Madge. On 41 minutes Wick’s Dan Sheldon tested Boco keeper Hawkins with a long range shot. Boco made it 2-0 just before the break when Jack Green collected a long ball and slipped it past Madge. On 54 minutes Hawkins brought off another good save this time to deny Joe Thomas. and just 2 minutes later Wick were awarded a penalty as Joe Thomas broke into the box and was brought down by Austin Shopland, Shaun Morris stepped up and sent Hawkins the wrong way to make it 2-1 to Boco. On 60 minutes Sheldon’s shot clipped the crossbar and Shopland brought Thomas down again just out side the box but the keeper saved the resulting free kick. Both sides had a couple of half chances but were unable to take them and Boco went away with the 3 points.

Little Stoke had a comfortable 4-0 win over Southmead CS Athletic at Little Stoke Park but they were only 1-0 up at the break. The home side asserted the early pressure and went close on a couple of occasions and eventually took the lead on 25 minutes from a corner on the right with the ball played into Dan Cockram and he laid it off to Alex Hill who curling shot avoided Southmead keeper Kyran Jones and drifted into the top far corner. Stoke almost got a second on 45 minutes when Ethan Tuckers cross was controlled by Alex Hill but the shot was parried away for a corner by keeper Jones. 5 Minutes into the second half Jessie Owens played the ball into Hill who attempted to go round Jones but the keeper brought him down and Fraser Robertson netted the resulting penalty. Homer and Tucker combined well for the home side but Tuckers shot was well saved by Jones. Stoke took a 3-0 lead when Cockram lifted the ball over the visitors defence and Rich Homer then chipped the keeper. A couple of further chances went begging before Homer set up Russ Church to net number four.

2^nd April 2018 - Ruardean and Broadwell in Derby Day Stalemate

Once again the weather played havoc with the fixtures with just two of the scheduled six played.

The big game of the day in the Forest of Dean was the fixture between Ruardean Hill Rangers and Broadwell Amateurs, just 6 miles separate these two Clubs. 146 spectators watched this game the Clubs biggest gate of the season but unfortunately they were not treated to any goals but plenty of effort from both teams with some near misses and some good goalkeeping in the mix. The was a strong wind blowing from right to left with some extra gusts to cope with as well with the visitors kicking with the wind in the first half. The opening 10 minutes saw the home side having to defend with Broadwell pushing forward and forcing several corners which were defended well by Rangers. The first real effort on goal came from Broadwell a shot from Kristian Burnard that flew over the bar. A scare for the home side on 17 minutes when Jake Blackstock challenged home keeper Steve Bowles as he was dribbling the ball away from goal and the keeper’s clearance struck Blackstock and rebounded into the side netting. Five minutes later Paul Manns had a clear shot on goal but hit it straight at Bowles. On 33 minutes a Paul Manns cross from the right was headed wide by Harry Williams. The Rangers had a great chance to take the lead on 35 minutes when Shaun Tingle was through on goal but the Broadwell keeper Jamie Merry was quick of his line and the shot was deflected out for a corner. On 39 minutes Tingle hit a ball from well outside the box but again it went straight to keeper Merry.

With the wind now in the home sides favour Kane Fellows looked to be in with a great chance to shoot but had the ball pushed of his foot and away for a corner by Ben Fishwick just 3 minutes into the second half. Kane Fellows was on target again 5 minutes later but he hit it straight to keeper Merry. On 58 minutes Rangers Luke Johnson was bearing down on goal as the Broadwell keeper approached him Johnson went tumbling to the ground for what looked like a penalty shout but the referee better placed gave a goal kick with no real protest from the home side. Rangers replaced Stuart Cornwall-Boote with Luke Brown just after with the hope that it would possible create some more chances. Rangers were pushing the visitors more in this half and only a great tackle from Greg Lewis stopped Luke Johnson having a clear shot on goal. At the other end Rangers keeper Steve Bowles closed down Kristian Burnard quickly to deny him a clear shot on goal. In the 73^rd minute Brown broke down the left flank crossed into Shaun Tingle but he shot straight at Merry. The Broadwell’s Liam Thomas latched on to a long ball out of defence broke clear down the left but his cross went behind the two players that had broke into the Rangers box. On 76 minutes Kristian Burnard had a shot on goal after it had come out to him on the edge of the box but although Bowles seen it late he managed to push it round the post for a corner. Luke Brown had his shot pushed away for a corner and from the corner kick Merry punched clear but it came back in again and this time Shaun Tingle was unable to turn his header towards goal. Then in time added Rangers Luke Brown had a really good chance to snatch the points but with a clear shot on goal from just inside the box he hit straight into the arms of keeper Merry.

The other fixture played today was the game between Patchway Town and Hardwicke which ended in a 3-0 win for the visitor’s but the home side missed several good chances and were always in the game. Hardwicke took the lead on 18 minutes with a very unusual goal a cross that drifted over home keeper Connor Walsh and dropped into the far corner of the net from a very tight angle. Patchway should have equalised on 25 minutes from a cross from David Ishi that was met by Phil Vice but the Hardwicke keeper saved well. The home side were unlucky again on 44 minutes when a great shot from Dan Rees struck the upright and went out of play. A second goal from the visitors on 52 minutes was an individual piece of skill from James Ratcliffe picking up the ball in mid-field going past a couple of home players before chipping the ball over Walsh. Dan Rees had a couple of near chances in the second half but it was just not going for Patchway, and to make things worse Hardwicke made it 3-0 right on 90 minutes when a tame looking shot from Shaun Smith crept under Walsh as he dived to save and rolled into the net.

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