26th November 2018 - Rockleaze looking to build from new base

By Simon Parkinson

PETER Bradbury believes Rockleaze Rangers will relish every moment of performing on their brand-new 3G surface at Hillside Gardens.

Whilst Saturday’s eagerly-awaited bow at the £4.5 million UWE sports complex in Frenchay didn’t quite go to plan as Broadwell Amateurs spoilt Rangers’ opening-day party with a come-from-behind 3-2 Marcliff Gloucestershire County League victory, their manager was left nevertheless rubbing his hands at prospects in store.

Ironically Rockleaze’s next big away test tomorrow against league leaders Lebeq United will be played out on the Gloucestershire FA’s own 3G pitch (1pm).

It is then back to Hillside for successive home games on Rangers’ own artificial facility against Hanham Athletic and Stonehouse Town on December 1 and 8 respectively, giving Bradbury’s boys plenty of opportunity to adapt to the change underfoot.

He enthused: "It really is a fantastic new home for us at Hillside. On some artificial pitches the ball bounces and dies, but here it plays just like a grass pitch without the mud and uneven surface.

"There’s a covered stand sited between the two 3G pitches which means spectators standing there can watch two games at the same time.

"Of course it was a pity to lose our first game there but the lads loved it and the changing room block is magnificent too with lots of space.

"It’s all top-notch and there’s clearly been no expense spared where UWE are concerned."

All appeared to be going to plan first-off at the new HQ as Rockleaze surged into a two-goal lead through Rory Langdon’s early second-half brace, only for the visitors to respond by netting three times to steal the points.

"It was just disappointing that shortly after going two-up our winger Jay Moore rounded their keeper and couldn’t quite find the net from a very tight angle," Bradbury reflected.

"Instead Broadwell scored their first goal shortly after and our game management then was found wanting, partly due to us having such a young side lacking in experience.

"I encourage players to play to their strengths and with us it’s about attacking and expansive football. You want players and spectators enjoying themselves and it’s a fine balance to strike. But we’ll get there."

Rangers lock horns with Lebeq seventh in the standings and their boss has been largely satisfied with what he’s seen of his charges of late.

"Our only poor performance came against AEK Boco (3-0 defeat) in our previous game, although maybe me getting our tactics wrong played a part," he confessed.

"Before that we played really well for 90 minutes against Frampton and had we taken our chances in the first half-hour we’d have been out of sight. Like last Saturday, we ended up losing 3-2."

The Rangers supremo stressed: "When we were all based at Coombe Dingle we did struggle to attract players from the locality, with so much competition from other Bristol clubs.

"Now we have a fixed base I’m hoping we’ll prove more of a draw, with four senior men’s sides and a veterans team using our new facility and our juniors and youth from aged 11-up also based here now. The under-6s to under-10s are to continue at Coombe Dingle.

"That should all make the pathway from youth to senior status that much smoother and it’s great that our first-team squad already contains two lads in Marcus Williams and Rory Langdon who began with us as under-6s, whilst 12 or so currently within the club started out with our junior section.

"We’ve also appointed a new reserve team manager in Jack Richardson who had been managing Kingswood in the County League until recently. He’s a young guy and I’m sure his energy and enthusiasm can benefit them and the club."

24th November 2018 - Rockleaze shock Lebeq as Frampton close in at top

By Ron Holpin

Leaders Lebeq United suffer a second defeat in a row when they were defeated 3-2 at home by Rockleaze Rangers. The home side started well and took the lead on 35 minutes with a well struck goal from Dan Payne his first this season. Then a few minutes later Christian Dacosta cut into the box and fired past Brodie to make it 2-0. Rangers were not going to lie down and hit back right-on half-time when Dan Webb slotted home a cross from the left. United should have made it 3-1 a couple of minutes into the second half but Dacosta wasted the chance. A terrible mistake by United keeper Amin Jones giving the ball straight to Rangers and Rory Langdon accepted the chance to make it 2-2. The game was heading for a 2-2 draw but in the very last-minute Dan Webb broke into the United box and was brought down by James Hall and Jay Moore netted the resulting penalty to give Rangers the three points.

Frampton United close the gap to one point at the top of the table with an excellent 5-2 victory over Gala Wilton. The home side opened the scoring on 12 minutes from a corner helped on by Matt Cook and Nathan Dennis stabbed the ball home. Gala were unlucky in the 18th minute when Tom Dunford’s powerful shot struck the upright. Frampton took a two-goal lead when Sean Lawson’s cross was turned in by Max Harper-Emerson. It should have been 3-0 on 36 minutes when Matt Cooks penalty was saved by Skyers – the keeper making amends after he had brought down Kris Bulley. Gala pulled a goal back in the 38th minute when home keeper Sparrow misjudged a long ball and from the resulting cross Dan Creed made it 2-1. Frampton increased their lead to 3-1 on 48 minutes when Gala keeper Skyers spilled the ball and Sean Lawson was on hand to drive it into the net. The visitors hit back a second time with a goal from Jason Littleton on 52 minutes but the home side made it 4-2 on 70 minutes when Sean Lawson outmuscled a Gala defender to drive the ball past Skyers. Then right on 90 minutes Manolo Espada netted a fifth.

Ruardean Hill Rangers recent good run came to an end today when they were beaten 2-0 at home to Little Stoke. The home side created the first real chance on 10 minutes but Stoke keeper Ollie Jones saved well from Shaun Tingles header. A minute later Stokes Jordan Yeo went close with a shot that just cleared the bar. Stokes Luke Meacham then saw his effort on goal well saved by keeper Underwood. Stoke were unlucky in the 30th minute when they saw Jordan Yeo’s shot cleared off the line by Mitch Griffin. A couple of minutes later Shaun Tingle had a great chance for the home side but shot wide. Stoke went ahead in the 38th minute when a defence splitting pass gave Jordan Yeo the chance to fire the ball past Underwood. Stoke should have made it two on 43 minutes but Luke Meacham missed with an easy header. The first chance of the second half fell to Rangers Luke Johnson but Jones saved well. Stoke made it 2-0 on 63 minutes when Luke Meacham made a great 20-yard run to fire the ball past Underwood. There were a couple of further chance one from each side but the score remained 2-0 to Little Stoke.

The Score-line changed twice in the game at Hardwicke where today’s visitors were Hanham Athletic. The first chance fell to Hanham on 19 minutes from a corner from Jack Camm that had home keeper Jacob Hobbs pushing the ball onto the post and Craig Beaton clearing it away. A 30-yard drive from Rob Hine after he had burst into shooting range was well saved by the visitor’s keeper Hawkin’s on 35 minutes. Then just a couple of minutes later the visitors took the lead the ball was not cleared by the home defence and Ash Bowle drove it into the Hardwicke net from 10 yards. A great run by Craig Beaton down the flank he cut in and sent a fierce shot on goal that was well saved again by Hawkin’s. The home side levelled on 65 minutes when Rich Mansell raced down the right and sent the ball over for Tobie Webb to drive home from 15 yards. A couple of minutes later James Ratcliffe had his goal-bound shot well saved by Hawkin’s then in the 68th minute the home side got their noses in front when Rob Hine headed home from a Ratcliffe corner. But the visitors made it 2-2 on 84 minutes when Ash Bowle was brought down in the box and Jack Camm netted from the penalty spot.

In the 3pm kick-off Southmead CS Athletic went down 3-2 at home to Patchway Town. It was a goalless first 45 minutes with the opening goal coming in the 63 minute and it went to Patchway Ben Purdy heading home from a corner. Southmead levelled on 75 minutes when Simeon Hopkins raced down the flank cut in and sent the ball into the net at the near post. Just 5 minutes later Patchway were in front again and this time it was Tallen Smith driving the ball in from 20 yards after a break down the right was cut back to him. The home side were level again just a minute later when Remi Fergusons shot crashed against the underside of the crossbar on its way into the net. In the very last minute of the game Patchway grabbed the winner but there was an element of luck attached as a shot was saved by the legs of home keeper but then rebounded out and off the back of Dave Talbot to make it 3-2.

GFA Challenge Trophy Round 3

Henbury had drawn AEK Boco at Arnell Drive for this 3rd round tie and won the game quite comfortably. The home side went one nil up on 25 minutes from a corner sent over by Jensen Mannings it was poorly dealt with by the Boco defence and only half cleared with the ball being knocked to the far post where Joe Loney finished it off. The home side went further ahead on 56 minutes again it came from a corner sent over by Luke Cox and Joe Cox drove it home from the edge of the box. It went to 3-0 on 75 minutes when Jake Hannams curling free kick was poked over the line by Ross Jones, then in the 80th minute 16-year-old Sam Fitzpatrick drifted past two Boco defenders before driving the ball home to make the final score 4-0.

Stonehouse Town entertained Roman Glass St George from the Premier Division of the Toolstation League in this 3rd round tie at Oldends Lane. The final score of 1-0 to the visitors was a credit to the home side playing a team 2 divisions above them. The first real chance fell to the home side on 20 minutes when Liam Gale ran at the visitor’s defence and was brought down but the free kick was well saved by the visitors keeper. The visitors were gifted the lead in the 37th minute when Luke Soule passed to Legg on the edge of the Stonehouse box by mistake and he ran clear to slot the ball home. The home side almost levelled on 44 minutes but Gale’s shot hit the post. They had another chance to level on 71 minutes but Jamie Spring headed just over the bar. The Romans almost made it 2-0 mid way through the second half but Ibrahima Sarr’s free kick just cleared the crossbar. A disappointing end to the game for the home side when Tim Williams was dismissed for a second yellow card.

20th November 2018 - Patchway looking to the future

By Simon Parkinson

PLAYER-BOSS Phil Vice says he is relishing his opportunity to try and steer Patchway Town to safer shores – and is even eyeing a future title success.

The Scott Park outfit have looked much more the part in this season’s Marcliff Gloucestershire County League competition following the turbulence that not only led to a grim 2017-18 relegation fight but the prospect of crashing out of existence altogether.

Patchway’s experienced and versatile campaigner Vice was amongst the hardy few to stick their heads above the parapet over the final six games and guide the first team to a third-bottom conclusion.

No one went down as it transpired, but the feat at least raised spirits heading into a much-needed summer sabbatical.

Town tomorrow confront third-placed visitors Ruardean Hill Rangers (2pm) from a far more comfortable mid-table berth.

And although their 33-year-old leader isn’t completely enamoured by all he’s seen from his side of late, he nevertheless accepts things have come a long way since those dark days of last season.

"I’m not quite sure how we managed to stay out of the bottom two in the end but we did it," he said. "We’d been rock bottom when I took over.

"I’m normally a central midfielder but I played four of our last six games in goal back then and this season I’ve played at left-back, centre-half and upfront; so to call me a utility player wouldn’t be far off the mark!

"Being player-manager obviously has its difficulties and going from being one of the lads to gaffer is a transition which takes some getting used to.

"I still play regularly so I select the sides, oversee the warm-ups and deliver the chats, and then I hand the reins over to Tom Vaughan (assistant) on the sidelines."

Vice noted: "We started the season well and as a result our aspirations grew. Now we’ve taken a slight dip our lads are scratching their heads not quite sure how good a team we are.

"That said the club was on the brink of folding at Christmas so the progression has been greater and faster than any of us could have envisaged.

"We have a new reserves manager in Gareth Strange and we’re hoping for good things from them too after a difficult start in the District League Senior Division.

"The mood has definitely lifted about the club and there are far more bodies in the clubhouse after games. Certainly I’m planning to be here for the long term."

Patchway have won the County League crown three times in their history, the last in 2003, and their ambitious boss stressed: “Although we can’t progress to the next level at this time as our facilities would need to be upgraded, to be County League winners again in the near future would be nice.

"First and foremost it’s a case of bringing back the glory days and striving to win trophies."

17th November 2018 - Broadwell comeback stuns Rockleaze

By Ron Holpin

Rockleaze Rangers were hoping for a win as they moved into their new ground at Hillside Gardens Hambrook but after taking a two goal lead Broadwell Amateurs hit back to take the points with a 3-2 win.

In the early stages of the game Rangers adapted to the 3G surface much better than Broadwell. Marcus Williams had a great chance to score for Rangers after only 50 seconds but put through clear on goal shot straight into keeper Jamie Merry’s arms. Then on 4 minutes Merry was in action again when he turned away Dan Webb’s shot for a corner. At the other end Harry Williams shot at the goal was deflected well wide. A minute later Webb broke down the left sent over a cross that was tipped onto the bar by Merry and out for a corner. Then Rory Langdon tried his luck from the left but shot high and wide. Broadwell’s second attempt on goal came from Jacob English who shot well over the top. On 24 minutes Broadwell’s Harry Williams sent in a low cross from the left that was scrambled away by Rangers. Broadwell’s Liam Thomas missed the best chance of the first half when he was put through on goal with a clear shot in front of him but he hit it wide. Both sides had one more chance each to open the scoring but both went wide of the target.

The visitors started the second half a little better but Rangers broke the deadlock on 50 minutes when Dan Webb got the ball just inside the visitors half made a break down the right and sent a low cross into the six-yard box where Rory Langdon finished it off. Broadwell’s reply was a great shot from Harry Williams that flew past the far post. A minute later Williams tried a little chip over the keeper but it went wide. Then he headed wide from a great cross from the right. But it was the home side who went 2-0 up in the 55th minute as the ball was hit low into the box Dan Webb and Marcus Williams went for the same ball it spun away to Rory Langdon and he made no mistake. Rangers had a great chance to make it 3-0 and sew the game up just 3 minutes later as Jay Moore rounded the keeper and with an open goal begging he hit his shot across the goal and out for a goal kick. Harry Williams then struck the post with a curling shot from the left for Broadwell and at the other end Merry managed to get a hand to Mark Ridgeways shot as it went loose and was cleared. Broadwell made it 2-1 on 68 minutes from a break down the right and a good cross into the box that found Harry Williams to make some space and drive the ball home from 14 yards. Broadwell’s keeper Merry almost gave away a goal to Rangers when his kick out found Rory Langdon whose powerful shot was on target but Merry made amends and saved well. The visitor’s drew level on 82 minutes from a break down the left and the ball was slotted back to Ben Fishwick 25 yards out and he hit a brilliant shot that flew past Brodie into the top corner. Broadwell grabbed the winner in the 84th minute from a free kick which was fumbled by Rangers keeper Brodie and Williams was on it like flash to drive the ball into the roof of the net.

A second defeat of the season for the leaders Lebeq United going down 1-0 at Hanham Athletic. In a game that saw very few chances according to the report Hanham’s George Cryer scored the only goal of the game after 2 minutes. Lebeq’s James Hall saw his shot thunder back off the crossbar on 25 minutes and the only other chance to speak about was George Cryer’s header in the second half that was well saved by the Lebeq keeper.

Gala Wilton recorded their second victory of the season with a 2-1 win at home to Southmead CS Athletic. Gala's Jason Littleton had the ball in the Southmead net early on but it was ruled out for offside. It was the home side pressing early on and Dan Creed had two great efforts saved by the visitor’s keeper. Against the run of play Southmead took the lead in the 21th minute a free kick from Remi Ferguson that saw home keeper Skyers slip as he tried to save. Gala levelled on 34 minutes as Steve Smith chased down the ball with the visitor’s keeper, they both got there at the same time but the ball ricocheted off the keeper and into the net. The second half both sides created chances but Gala just edged it on chances but could not get the ball past the Southmead keeper until the very last minute of the game when Dan Creed sent Jason Littleton through on goal and he chipped the ball over the keeper to make it 2-1.

Stonehouse Town keep up their challenge with a 3-0 win over today’s visitors AEK Boco. The home side opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Tim Williams decided to go on a mazy run down the right cut inside and thundered the ball into the Boco net. Boco had a fair amount of the possession and forced several corners but failed to break down the home defence. Liam Gale almost made it 2-0 just before the break as he weaved his way into a shooting position but Boco Keeper Liam Jacques saved well from the shot. Right-on half-time Stonehouse scored a second, a free kick from Tom Palmer was chested down by Jamie Spring and then volleyed past Jacques. Boco’s Cash Vinall had his shot well saved by the home keeper at the start of the second half but very little happened until the 85th minute when Liam Gale picked the ball up wide on the right in his own half saw Jacques well off his line hit a long shot that caught the keeper back pedalling but could not stop the ball going in.

Wick and Frampton United had to settle for a point each in this encounter but most of the first half was mostly Wicks as firstly Sam Thomas’s shot was well saved by the Frampton keeper and then Joe Thomas’s shot was blocked on the line with the keeper beaten. Sam Thomas had another great chance saved then right-on half-time Frampton saw their first attempt on goal cut out by home keeper Joe Pople. Wick’s Alex Whale was no far of the mark as his 25-yard free kick went just over the bar early in the second half. Frampton grabbed the lead on 75 minutes when a superb pass out to Shaun Lawson saw his cross headed home by Ryan Vincent. Wick threw everything at the Frampton defence Joe Thomas had his shot blocked on the line on 85 minutes but with time running out it looked as though the visitors had snatched the points until the very last minute when Shaun Morris levelled from the penalty spot.

Ruardean Hill Rangers have moved into third place in the table with a slender 1-0 win at Patchway Town. Sam Finn had his shot well saved by the visitor’s keeper on 20 minutes and 10 minutes later Josh Morris was on target only to see his shot well saved. Rangers Stuart Cornwall-Boote was clear on goal on 31 minutes but failed to hit the target from a tight angle. Luke Brown should have scored for Rangers on 41 minutes but for a great save by keeper Sam Burgess. Patchway had a great chance to open the scoring in the 68th minute when Phil Vice sent over a pin point cross but Josh Morris just failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy. On 74 minutes Rangers Luke Johnson missed a good chance but 4 minutes later came the only goal came when a cross from the right was headed back across goal and Shaun Tingle pounced to drive it home. Right on 90 minutes Luke Garbacz saw his effort on goal turned over the bar by the keeper.

What a come back for Little Stoke who were trailing 2-0 at the half time interval and won the game 3-2 at home to Henbury. Henbury took the lead on 19 minutes with their first attempt on goal a half volley from the edge of the box by Joe Cox. Then a minute before the break they made it 2-0 when Harvey Moran turned in a low cross from the right. The second half was a different story as the home side hit back on 65 minutes when Luke Meacham tapped in at the far post following a Jordan Yeo cross. Meacham then levelled the score when he picked up a long pass up the middle and fired past the advancing keeper. The winner came just two minutes from the end when the Henbury keeper’s attempt to punch clear was hooked into the net with a splendid overhead kick from Ethan Tucker.

12th November 2018 - Hanham heading in the right direction

By Simon Parkinson

HANHAM Athletic boss John Barker pointed to two recent acquisitions as evidence his team are finally heading in the right direction.

Perennial strugglers Hanham, who hit new depths last term rock-bottom of the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League ladder, are a reinvigorated force this season having won three and drawn two of their ten league fixtures ahead of tomorrow’s trip to face a sixth-bottom Broadwell Amateurs outfit they can leapfrog with victory (2pm).

Whilst Hanham’s 2018-19 record to date might appear modest by comparison to many of their rivals, it nevertheless reflects significant progression and the club’s important summer signing Barker certainly believes that.

The 52-year-old Vicarage Road manager maintained: "We’ve made massive steps forward, although we’re not where we want to be yet. But we ARE improving all the time.

"We’ve lost three of our last nine games (including a tight GFA Trophy shoot-out defeat by AEK Boco) and done really well in that time.

"A bit more luck and we could be even higher than we are at the moment (11th). Against Ruardean Hill last month we were 2-1 up only for them to equalise with the last kick of the game to take a point.

"And in our local derby with Boco at the weekend we were one-up before they tied it up in the dying stages.

"We’d also played really well in our previous game with Frampton United who are right up there challenging hard at the top. Again we were 1-0 up at half-time before they scored around the hour mark and got a second not long after.

"Still we came back and put them under a lot of pressure and in the end we were unlucky not to get something out of it.”

Asked what he considers has sparked the turnaround in fortunes, Barker reasoned: "There’s a complete difference in thought processes.

"There’s a full-on focus on the first team being the best it can be and that approach has carried right through the club.

"We’ve also worked really hard on fitness and shape and that’s paying off.

"Having a couple of new faces on board has lifted things too. Mason Hawkins, an 18-year-old goalkeeper who had previously been with Boco, plays for Yate Town in the Somerset Youth Floodlit League and he has a very positive future ahead of him.

"He’s a confident lad and big for his age and while he has a lot to learn still, of course, he is a good talker and settles the back four down well.

"Jack Camm also came in recently, an attacking midfielder who scored on Saturday and has played at the higher level of the non-League game with the likes of Cinderford Town, Larkhall Athletic, Weston-super-Mare and Yate Town, having begun his career on a pro contract at Bristol Rovers.

"Jack is a Hanham lad and he’s already given us a different dimension. Having players like these in our ranks shows how far we’ve come, that we’re worth them investing their time and effort in us.

"We had 16 players available for the Boco game at the weekend and that sort of number hasn’t been heard of at Hanham for a match for a long time."

Barker, who formerly operated as a coach at Bristol Rovers Supporters Juniors, Bristol City Academy and Bristol Inner City Academy, has only centre-half Jack Baber missing from Saturday’s Broadwell-bound squad.

And he stressed: "We have no targets set as to where we want to be this season.

"That said I do feel a mid-table finish wouldn’t do us justice as I firmly believe we can be better than that."

10th November 2018 - Stonehouse win Derby at Frampton United

By Ron Holpin

A minute’s silence was observed prior to kick off in all of today’s league matches.

A real local derby in the north of the County Frampton United v Stonehouse Town ended in a win for the visitors, but it might have been so different if Frampton had put away the early chances they created. For the first 30 minutes the home side looked the better side although town’s Liam Gale had the first shot on goal after just 2 minutes but it went past the far post. Frampton thought they had scored on 7 minutes when a cross from Matt Cook out wide on the right was met by the head of Ryan Vincent and the ball sped goal-wards but then struck the crossbar bounced down and was cleared. In the 14th minutes Sean Lawson split the town defence with a raking pass to Alex Barrett but he fired over from 12 yards. A minute later quick thinking by the Stonehouse keeper Pedrick averted a possible goal when he nipped the ball of the toe of Sean Lawson. Manolo Espada got in on the action and saw his 25-yard drive fizz past the outside of the post on 18 minutes. Then two minutes later another great cross from Matt Cook was headed over by Lawson. The home side continued to attack and a 35-yard free kick from Nathan Dennis had keeper Will Pedrick on his knees to save. After all that defending Stonehouse started to push up more and forced four corners in quick succession but without anything to show for it. What looked like a goalless first half was turned upside down in the 44th minute when Liam Gale was brought down in the box for a penalty with Alex Kibble sending keeper Steve Sparrow the wrong way to give Stonehouse that 1-0 lead at the break.

Frampton started the better again in the second half and Manolo Espada took Pedrick by surprize on 54 minutes when his cross in from the right struck the crossbar. Espada was on target again on 63 minutes but he failed to beat Pedrick. A minute later Ryan Vincent solo run was knocked away for a corner. Then following a free kick by Nathan Dennis Pedrick saved well again from a Vincent shot. In the 73rd minute Luke Barstow hit a desperate clearance over his own bar from a Sean Lawson Cross. After absorbing the pressure from the home side Stonehouse broke away down the left flank Liam Gale sent the cross into the box Luke Soule met it full on with his head but it struck the crossbar rebounded to Chris Earle who then shot wide of the target. A minute later Sparrow pulled off a great diving save to deny Liam Gales 25-yard shot going in. It looked as though the visitors would go away with a 1-0 win but 2 minutes into time added a long ball out to the left was misjudged by the Frampton skipper Liam O’Neil and Gale ran clear cut inside and fired the ball past Sparrow to make it 2-0.

Another local derby this time in the South of the County saw Henbury entertain Patchway Town. According to the report on the match it was not a very inspiring game. Patchway took a very early lead on 2 minutes when Henbury defender Hayden Lee gave away a penalty and Josh Morris duly dispatched the kick. The home side mounted their first real threat on goal in the 30th minute when Harvey Moran’s header was poorly directed after the ball had been hit into the box from distance. Then just before the break Jenson Manning’s goal-bound shot was well saved by keeper Sam Burgess. The home side upped the tempo in the second half but it took them until the 83rd minute to get on level terms and it came from a cross from Joe Lomey that was driven home by Rex Manning. The home side grabbed the winner 2 minutes from the end and it came from a cross from Jenson Manning that was well controlled by George Loud before driving the ball past Burgess from the edge of the box.

AEK Boco will be celebrating tonight after they gained their first win of the season beating Rockleaze Rangers 3-0. The home side started really well and took the lead on 10 minutes from a long range shot from Cash Vinall that screamed through the Rangers defence taking a slight deflection on its way into the net. Rangers never really got going and went 2-0 down on 30 minutes when Jack Green intercepted a pass across the box and drew the keeper before slotting the ball home. Green was at it again on 35 minutes when he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box slipped past a defender and curled the ball past the Rangers keeper. Rangers started better in the second half but were unable to break through the home defence who defended stoutly throughout the game.

A 4-1 win for Hardwicke whose opponents today were Little Stoke. Little Stoke had an early chance to score but Tuckers shot was well saved by keeper Hobbs. The home side went ahead on 12 minutes when James Ractliffe raced down the left flank cut into the box and was brought down Jack Burgess giving the home side a penalty, Will Higgins took the kick and Hardwicke were leading 1-0. The home side went 2-0 up on 37 minutes from a Ractliffe cross that was powered into the net by a Pat Vernall header. Little Stoke must have thought they had levelled a minute later when Luke Meacham’s 30-yard drive sped past home keeper Hobbs only to see it cleared off the line by Craig Beaton. Robertson’s 25-yard shot saw Hobbs save well again then on 60 minutes Stoke did manage to pull a goal back when the ball was knocked over the defence and Ethan Moore ran clear to score. Ractliffe then hit the crossbar with an in-swinging corner and in the 85th minute the home side got a third when Will Matthews headed home from Rich Mansell free kick. Stoke keeper Jones then foiled Ractliffe on 88 minutes but just a minute later Higgins slipped into the box to make the final score 4-1.

Bottom of the table Gala Wilton travelled to the Forest of Dean to take on Ruardean Hill Rangers who are going well at the moment. Luke Johnson opened the scoring for the home side as he was put through by Charlie Mason and slid the ball past Skyers. The next chance for the home side came in the 31st minute a Charlie Mason free kick that was pushed around the post by the Gala keeper. On 35 minutes Shaun Tingle rounded the Gala keeper but from a very acute angle he failed to hit the target. The first effort from Gala came a minute later a Danny Knight shot that went just wide. A couple of minutes later Rangers keeper Underwood kept the ball out. In the second half Luke Brown sent Johnson clear on goal but he chipped the ball over the bar. Sub Dan Creed had a great chance for Gala on 58 minutes but shot wide and a couple of minutes later Cameron Rees hit the post a let off for the home side. The last effort fell to Rangers Stuart Cornwall-Boote but he shot wide.

The other Forest of Dean Club Broadwell Amateurs were also home today to much improved Hanham Athletic side. The first 30 minutes was not very inspiring with home keeper Jamie Merry seeing more of the action than the visitor’s keeper. The only goal of the game came in the 35th minute when Liam Thomas burst through on goal but had his shot saved by keeper Hawkins only for the ball to run straight to Kristian Burnard who squared it across goal for Ben Fishwick to finish off. Hanham’s Joe Treasure was just wide after the break and Hawkins saved well from Burnard at the other end. In the very last-minute home keeper Jamie Merry pulled of an outstanding save pushing the ball over the bar to deny Hanham an equalising goal.

5th November 2018 - Heartened Henbury seek physio as they look to progress

By Simon Parkinson

HEARTENED Henbury co-boss Trevor Richards believes his team have it in them to mount a top-three challenge.

The Arnall Drive outfit eye three more points at struggling Gala Wilton tomorrow (Sat, Nov 2pm) and whilst the Bristol-based visitors remain perched in the lower reaches of the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League table, Richards is adamant they have what it takes to produce a sustained run to rungs much further up the ladder.

"Top three was the aim going into the season and I see no reason why we can’t stick with that," he insisted.

"Certainly a top-five finish has to be a target at the very least but the longer-term goal remains to try and get all our youth and junior age groups back to the club to ensure there is that proper route for progression for the young-’uns to the senior set-up.

"That section had greatly diminished in recent years but we’re up to about five junior and youth teams now, including our new under-18s.

"We’d also love for our first team to go up to the Toolstation Western League in time and we’re always making enquiries about funding and prospects of putting up floodlights in the future."

Intriguingly all bar one of Henbury’s 12 league and cup games so far have been decided by one goal or drawn and Richards, who manages the team alongside Jason Tarr, just as he did at league rivals Southmead CS Athletic and Bristol Manor Farm Under-18s, heaped praise on the "old stagers" for their part.

"The senior heads have been really up for it and enjoying it too," he said. "There’s a whole raft of them who have served the club so well over many years, the likes of Sean Heal; Adam and Arran Rosser; Ross Johnson; Luke Cox; Jack Bebbington and Ed Wright amongst them.

"Lads like Ross Johnson are invaluable to us. He gives great vocal encouragement and as a centre-half he’s aggressive and no-nonsense, the real old-school type and he’s great with the youngsters too."

Richards observed: "Last Saturday at home against Wick was a perfect example of our battling qualities in the face of adversity.

"Our central midfielder Adam Rosser was sent off five minutes into the second half, somewhat harshly we felt, for pushing an opponent after a tangle and we were winning 1-0 at the time.

"Although they equalised we managed to go 2-1 up before Wick were awarded a penalty for handball, one again we could not understand as Arran Rosser had had his arms by his side although the ref deemed he’d still had a chance to move out of the way of the ball.

"They scored from the spot to make it 2-2, despite our keeper Cameron Tarr almost saving it, and that’s how it stayed.

"I went into our dressing room afterwards, clapped my hands and told them how marvellous they’d been, the way they’d dug in, some out on their feet; having given everything against a top team with ten men.

"It’s a shame Adam will now be suspended for three games but we have a good-sized squad and it’s a chance for others to stake a claim."

Henbury, meanwhile, are searching for a new physio to assist them. "It could be that it’s someone who is at the training stage of physiotherapy and would like an opportunity in local football, or maybe someone more experienced," Richards said.

"Whichever way we’d love for someone to get in touch with the club about the role and we’d also welcome anyone keen to join our management set-up, to help Jason and I move the club forward."

3rd November 2018 - Frampton United edge out Rockleaze Rangers

By Ron Holpin

A very entertaining game played at Arnell Drive between Rockleaze Rangers and Frampton United with the visitors going away with a 3-2 victory. A harmless looking cross from Rangers right full back Andy Thomas on 8 minutes was headed into his own net by United’s Liam O’Neill with keeper Steve Sparrow left stranded. Frampton might have levelled on 11 minutes when Ryan Vincent had a clear shot on goal but hit straight at keeper Lewis Brodie. At the other end Sparrow was called into action again this time to save from Rory Langdon’s shot. Then a minute later Rangers Dan Webb was inches wide with a shot. A long ball up field from the United defence was challenged by Vincent who got the better of the Rangers defender but with a clear shot on goal hit it straight at the keeper. Frampton should have scored a few minutes later from a corner hit low across the six-yard box from the left it came to Stuart Maule but his flicked effort flew over the bar. Rangers gained a free kick right on the edge of the box and Langdon hit a powerful shot on goal but straight into the arms of Sparrow. United drew level on 38 minutes from a cross into the box from the right by Ryan Vincent that was turned into his own net by Rangers Mike Perham for the second own goal of the game. On 41 minutes Brodie brought off a great save to deny Frampton taking the lead when he managed to push a nasty bouncing ball around the post. A minute before the break United went 2-1 up with a good build up down the left the ball was sent across goal and Adam Cox finished it off.

Rangers Dan Webb had the first chance of the second half but again the shot was just wide. Then United’s Matt Cook gave Brodie some work to do with a shot from the edge of the box. Brodie was in action again a few minutes later turning a Manolo Espada shot around the post. Rangers pushing forward for the equalising goal were caught out in the 68th minute when a long ball out of the United defence was picked up by Ryan Vincent and he coolly slipped around the keeper to slot the ball home. Brodie then made a double save to deny Frampton from scoring again before Rangers made it 3-2 in the 84th minute when left full-back Nick Jones curled the ball past Sparrow.

Stonehouse Town managed a 2-1 win at home to Southmead CS Athletic and went ahead on 7 minutes with a superb solo effort from Liam Wright who picked the ball up just inside the visitors half broke down the right cut in past a defender and coolly drove the ball past the keeper. Will Pedrick saved well from Southmead’s Ernesto Carreia on 15 minutes but the visitors levelled the game on 17 minutes from a corner that was not cleared by the home defence and Adom Heron pounced to knock the ball over the line. Just 5 minutes later the home side got their noses back in front when Chris Earle broke down the flank pulled the ball back to the edge of the box and Luke Soule drove the ball home. Very little happened in the second 45 minutes with neither side managing to find the net again.

A surprise result at Wick where the home side were beaten 2-1 by today’s visitors Ruardean Hill Rangers. Rangers might have scored as early as the 3rd minute when Luke Johnson was through on goal but failed to get the ball past keeper Joe Pople. At the other end Rangers keeper Aaron Underwood saved well from a 25-yard stinger from Alex Whale. Wick went ahead on 10 minutes from a great run down the flank by Harry Madge who crossed into the box for Jordan Scott to force the ball home. Scott had another chance to increase the lead on 25 minutes but failed to convert. Rangers levelled on 30 minutes after Harry Madge lost the ball on the halfway line as Rangers broke clear down the right and the cross into the box was turned in by Luke Johnson. Two minutes into the second half Johnson had a great chance to make it 2-1 but fired over the bar, Wicks Shaun Morris was inches wide with his effort just after. Wick almost gave Rangers a second goal when Luke Withey’s back header went over Pople and looked like it was going in but somehow Pople scrambled back to push the ball away. Wick’s defence made a terrible mistake on 85 minutes and allowed Luke Johnson to run clear and fire the ball past Pople for a 2-1 lead. The home side almost got a second in the last minute but Rangers keeper Underwood save a point-blank effort from Harry Madge.

A crowd of 175 spectators watched the local derby Hanham Athletic v AEK Boco at Vicarage Road and the visitors picked up their second point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw. Boco should have taken the lead on 2 minutes but Hanham keeper Mason Hawkins brought of a great point blank save to deny Liam Powell. Hanham took the lead on 15 minutes when Max Barker sent Jack Camm clear to score. Just after the break Tom Welling missed a golden opportunity to give the home side a 2-0 lead but headed over the bar. Boco’s Owen McCullam then missed a great chance to score for Boco his shot going just wide. Boco got a well-deserved equalising goal in the 85th minute from a mistake in the home defence that Casey Woodman exploited to make it 1-1.

Lebeq United keep up their challenge for the title with a 2-0 victory at Little Stoke. It was the home side first to create a good chance but Lebeq keeper Amin Jones saved well from Luke Henderson’s shot. The visitors had a great chance to open the scoring on 16 minutes from the penalty spot but Elan Plummer missed. On 20 minutes Kevin Camargo gave the visitors the lead and just after Stokes Luke Meacham long range shot was well saved by Jones. In the 75th minute Camargo had a great chance to increase the lead for Lebeq but his shot cleared the bar and at the other end Jordan Yeo was just wide for Stoke. Lebeq sealed the point in the very last minute when Tristan Plummer rounded the keeper to make it 2-0.

Patchway Town left it very late to the 89th minute in fact to score the only goal of the game and take the three points against today’s visitors Hardwicke. The score-line might have been bigger but for an outstanding performance by Hardwicke’s keeper Jacob Potts who made point blank saves from Josh Morris in the first half and Dan Bendall in the second half. Hardwicke’s Will Matthews and Connor Dallimore had clear cut chances for the visitor’s but shot wide on both occasions. The goal that won Patchway the game came when Luke Garbacz was put clear on goal Potts saved his shot but it came straight back and Garbacz squared the ball for Ben Purdie to slot home.

Gala Wilton’s home game with Henbury ended all square but the home side should have won it in with just 2 minutes to go. Henbury had taken the lead after 10 minutes when home keeper Lewis Skyers rushed off his line to try and prevent Kane Manning’s scoring but collided with the player and the referee gave a penalty. Manning’s took the kick Skyers got his hand to the shot but could not prevent it going in. The home side squared the game on 32 minutes when Billy Wintle’s break down the right and cross into the box found Peter Boyle to slip the ball home. The second half played out fairly even with no further score although that chance to win the game on 88 minutes fell to Jason Littleton but he shot wide.