News and Match Reports

30th September 2019 - Bromley Heath boss reflects on testing start

Simon Parkinson

CRAIG Britton reflected on a testing start to life in the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League for his Bromley Heath United battlers and admitted: "It's not gone quite to plan!"

The Pomphrey Hill outfit rose in a blaze of glory back in the spring as Bristol and Suburban League champions, only five years on from their move to introduce a senior section for the first time having been renowned solely for their provision of junior football since World Cup winning year 1966.

An ambitious merger with Suburban League club Winford PH in 2015 provided the backbone for an impressive period of league and cup successes, led by Britton who was there in charge from the moment the amalgamation was confirmed.

The 25-year-old had performed as a versatile defender with Winford before persistent cruciate knee ligament problems cut short his playing days.

Bromley entertain league leaders Wick tomorrow (3pm) eager to break their victory duck following five straight defeats since the start.

"It's not gone quite to plan so far," Britton smiled ruefully. "It's been a big step up for us it's not likely to get any easier anytime soon as we have Wick next and then (unbeaten) Frampton United in our next game a fortnight later!

"At least our team spirit and the social side of the club remain very much intact."

Still upbeat himself, Britton insisted: "We've shown glimpses of quality and we've created plenty of chances throughout.

"Several injuries to key players have helped nothing. Our centre-half and player of the year last season George Foyle, and striker Mitch Greenaway, both have knee injuries and our experienced keeper Tom Sheppard is out with a torn calf.

"Josh Slater, one of our top scorers last season, has been in America with work but should return after this weekend.

"We're a close-knit group; all of our players are BS15 and BS16 boys in their mid-20s having been here from the start."

The Heath supremo explained: "It made sense to merge with Winford as they had just the senior set-up based at Fry's (Keynsham) in the Suburban League and we only had the long-established junior section at Pomphrey Hill (Mangotsfield), so it was a chance to combine the two and provide a pathway for young players to adult football.

"My brother Jamie, who is president of the whole club now, was chairman of Bromley Heath Juniors so there was that connection too.

"These days we have a development centre for under-5s and 6s; junior age groups all the way through to under-16s plus an under-18 team and three senior sides, so it's all grown massively."

Britton, who managed Winford Reserves for a spell before the tie-up with Bromley Heath where his father Phil is club secretary, said: "Across our reserve and first teams here over the past four seasons we've won six promotions, three league titles and a League Cup, as well as being a League Cup finalist and league runners-up twice.

"Maybe we should have acquired more experience over the summer although I have just signed a couple of players I hope will make a difference in (winger) Dan Fowler, who recently moved to the area, and Jay Malpas, a central midfielder (once released by Bristol Rovers) who has played for Mangotsfield and Paulton in the Southern League.

"Of course, getting promoted was great as we"d worked hard on upgrading the facilities at Pomphrey Hill we share with the cricket club.

"All this has happened a lot quicker than we ever thought possible so it's a wake-up call as we've had a lot going our way over so many years."

28th September 2019 - Bromley Heath gain first win in County League

Ron Holpin

Bromley Heath United are off the mark with 1-0 victory over the league leaders Wick. It was a very hard-fought game in which the home side had to defend for long periods, but they did that exceptionally well. The home side got off to a good start forcing two corners in the first 3 minutes with an early header falling to Adam Campbell. Then a couple of minutes later Wick keeper Joe Pople cleared off the line. The nearest Wick came to scoring in the first half was a 22-yard free kick from Sam Thomas that was dealt with by keeper Ryan Hall on 22 minutes. Charlie Stevens then produced a shot from around 14 yards but it was tame and never troubled Hall. The home side made the breakthrough in the 40th minute when a powerful 25-yard shot from Dan Fowler was spilled by the Wick keeper Joe Pople and Jack Withey was on hand to knock the ball in.

7 minutes into the second period Dan Fowler got behind the Wick defence but his final shot on goal was poor. Wick started to see a lot of the ball and a great shot from Charlie Stevens was pushed out for a corner by Hall. A good chance for Wick to level came on the 56th minute when Sam Thomas headed over from a corner. Just a minute later Hall pulled off another good save to deny Joe Thomas. Hall then kept out a great shot from Alfie Clarke on 63 minutes. Wick were piling on the pressure and Hall brilliantly kept out another good header from Clarke in the 75th minute. At the other end Joe Goss was just too high with his header from a free kick. There was 6 minutes of added time but the home side held on for a remarkable win.

Gala Wilton are this week’s league leaders after a resounding 6-2 win over Broadwell Amateurs, seven of the goals coming in the second 45 minutes and another hattrick from Ryan Dobbins. The home side had taken a 1-0 lead into the break when Ryan Dobbins scored from a Ben Sluman cross on 27 minutes, but 52 seconds into the second half Broadwell levelled the score through Tom Hall. Brad Loveridge then set up Dobbins for his second on 55 minutes and he completed his hattrick in the 62nd minute when Martin Smith sent him away to round the keeper and slip the ball in. On 77 minutes it was James Bowers made it 4-1 and then Martin Smith scored with a diving header from a Ben Sluman cross. Sluman having been involved lining up his team mates to score then fired through a crowd of players to make it 6-1. A very late goal from Broadwell’s Liam Thomas made the final score 6-2.

Patchway Town dropped to the bottom of the table after going down 3-0 at home to Frampton United. All three goals came in the first 45 minutes the opener on 10 minutes from a shot that keeper Sam Burgess could only parry and Ryan Vincent swept the rebound home. On 26 minutes Dan Cockram had a very good chance to level the score for Patchway but shot wide of the target. Following that Burgess brought of three outstanding saves to keep his side in the game, but in the 32nd minute he could do nothing about a screamer from Steve Jackson on the edge of the box. Frampton got a third 2 minutes before the break after a goalmouth scramble the ball broke to Matt Cook to fire home. In the second half Patchway might have scored in the 58th minute when Luke Garbacz sent his free kick to the far post but David Ishi missed the target.

Ruardean Hill Rangers and Henbury shared a point each in a 2-2 draw in the Forest of Dean. It was the visitors quick out of the blocks and took the lead on 2 minutes with Ross Jones deflecting a shot from Dawid Regula. Rangers Luke Brown and Dan Mason both had good chances to score but for some really good goalkeeping from Cameron Tarr. The home side levelled just before the break when Luke Johnsons shot came back to Luke Brown right on the line and slipped the ball in. In the second half Luke Brown went on one of his mazy runs and rounded the keeper to give the home side a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, Henbury keeper Tarr was injured reaching for the ball and had to leave the field with Ed Wright taking on the task between the sticks. But Henbury salvaged a point near the end when Max Wilding drifted past two defenders before striking the ball into the Rangers net from the edge of the box.

Quedgeley Wanderers continued where they left off last week and travelled to AEK Boco and came away with the 3 points with a 2-1 win. Not a lot of goalmouth action until just before the break when Nathan Payne gave the visitor’s a 1-0 lead. The home side pushed hard to get back in the game but a 79th minute breakaway goal by Quedgeley, Nathan Payne sending a great cross into the box for Kyle James-Bryan to slip the ball in for a 2-0 lead. Boco’s Jack Winter pulled a goal back on 86 minutes but the home side failed to find the back of the Wanderers net again.

Hardwicke lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with 0-0 draw at home to Sharpness. Alex Gayner almost gave the visitors the lead on 12 minutes when he cut in from the flank but his shot was well saved by keeper Jacob Hobbs. Hardwicke’s Dowdswell broke down the right and sent over a great cross to Will Matthews but he failed to get the ball past keeper Ryan Neale. On 24 minutes Matthews was unlucky when his header looked to be going in but Neale just got there in time. In the second half Hobbs pulled off another great save to deny Alex Gayner, then in the 86th minute Hardwicke had a glorious chance to get their first win of the season when they were awarded a penalty but keeper Ryan Neale brought of a great save from Will Higgins’s spot kick.

21st September 2019 - Quedgeley Wanderers win first league derby with Hardwicke

Ron Holpin

On a lovely Saturday afternoon and in front of 172 spectators Quedgeley Wanderers ran out 3-1 winners over local derby rivals Hardwicke. An early chance for the home side when Kyle James-Bryan saw his effort on goal deflected wide for a corner. Then on 12 minutes the same striker had another shot deflected away for a corner. On 22 minutes Hardwicke had Pat Vernall sent to the sin-bin and in that time, he was off the pitch James-Bryan got the ball into the Hardwicke net but it was ruled out for offside. On 34 minutes Wanderers went ahead from a ball lobbed into the box and James-Bryan was quick to act and lifted the ball over Hardwicke keeper Jacob Hobbs.

6 minutes into the second half the home side went 2-0 up, a long ball from the back pumped up field by Louis Peyton was picked up by Kyle James-Bryan to fire the ball past Hobbs. Hardwicke got back in the game on 59 minutes from a ball pumped across goal to far side of the six-yard box hooked back across goal and Jordan Dowdeswell hooked the ball into the net. Following the goal and off the ball incident by Hardwicke’s Steve Bick saw the referee send him straight off so the visitors were down to ten men. Wanderers netted a third on 78 minutes from the penalty spot after Alex Barrett had broken down the left flank cut into the box and was hacked to the ground the referee pointing straight to the spot. Skipper Louis Peyton stepped up to take the kick which hit the back of the net giving Hobbs no chance.

Wick made their second visit to Little Stoke within two weeks only this time it was a league match. Stoke started the brighter and created four good chances to opened the scoring earl on but all were missed. On 13 minutes Wick went ahead from a snap shot from Shaun Morris and on 41 minutes Max Barker tapped in at the far post after everyone had failed to get a touch on a low cross. In the second period Stoke started well again but failed to find the back of the Wick net but they did hit the upright.

For the second week running Patchway Town conceded five goals and could only reply with two. This time it was away to Rockleaze Rangers. Surprisingly considering the final result it was Patchway who took the lead on 8 minutes a good pass from Jake Cox found Joe Dolby to slip the ball into the Rangers net. Rangers hit back on 19 minutes when Luke Perham headed in from a corner. Just 2 minutes later the visitors were back in front when the ball was handled in the box giving Town a penalty which was duly dispatched by Jess Hudson. 37 minutes and Rangers were level again this time from a great run by Dan Webb to fire the ball into the Town net. Rangers practically sewed the game up in the 58th and 61st minute with two great strikes from Rory Langdon. By this time Rangers were well on top and Sam Burgess in the Patchway goal kept the score down. Rangers netted the fifth and final goal on 84 minutes a header from Joe Weare that hit the post on its way in.

A second visit in two weeks to Hanham Athletic for Ruardean Hill Rangers this time it was a league match. It was the home side who went close after 12 minutes when Connor Hartley broke into the box but then saw his shot go agonisingly wide. Rangers opened the scoring on 21 minutes with a brilliant shot from striker Luke Johnson the first of his three goals of the afternoon. Within a minute the home side were level when Luke Corbiere found space in the box to knock the ball past Underwood. Rangers retook the lead on 35 minutes when Johnson turned in a great cross from Luke Brown. Hanham were unlucky on 55 minutes when Jack Fry’s header came back of the bar. Rangers grabbed all three points on 75 minutes when Luke Johnson completed his hattrick when he turned in a free kick from Luke Brown.

Broadwell Amateurs went down 2-1 at home to Sharpness but this game was filled with incidents. There were two penalties five bookings and a sending off. James Killkenny gave away an early penalty to Sharpness but keeper Ben Reed saved the resulting spot kick. Then Liam Thomas was only just wide for the home side and whilst a drinks break was being taken the Sharpness keeper Dan Hobbs was shown a red card. On 44 minutes Dan Gayner gave Sharpness the lead with a headed goal from a free kick. Sharpness made it 2-0 on 60 minutes from the penalty spot after Lewis’s late tackle. Dan Gayner coolly dispatched the ball into the Broadwell net. Broadwell did eventually get on the score sheet in the 75th minute when Ollie Hunt scored.

Henbury came back from an early shock to win 4-2 at home to Bromley Heath United. Tom Shopland gave the visitors the lead on 25 minutes with a simple tap in and it remained that score until the 72nd minute when a cross from the right by Adam Rosser for Ross Jones to head home levelling the score. On 78 minutes the home side went 2-1 up when Dawid Ragula broke through the Bromley Heath defence. On 82 minutes a corner for Henbury was poorly cleared by the visitors and Joe Cox lashed the ball into the net. Just 2 minutes later Ragula got clear again after a great ball from Ross Jones and this time lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper to make it 4-1. Bromley Heath did manage a second goal on 87 minutes a low shot from the edge of the box by Ben Hargett.

The top game of the day was Gala Wilton v Frampton United which ended in a 1-1 draw. On 16 minutes Frampton’s Ryan Vincent went close with a shot and at the other end the Frampton keeper kept Gala out. On 29 minutes Skyers saved well from a Vincent effort grabbing the ball whilst sat on the ground. 44th minute Liam O’Neill from Frampton shown the red card after he pulled down Jay Dare. Martin Smith gave Gala the lead but Steve Jackson levelled for the visitors late on.

14th September 2019 - Little Stoke snatch late victory over Henbury

Ron Holpin

After trailing twice during the game Little Stoke hit back to win 3-2 against today’s visitors Henbury. Henbury were reduced to 10 men in the 33rd minutes when George Loud was dismissed for a second yellow card. However, it was the home side who had the first chance to go ahead after 5 minutes when Ethan Tucker was put clear on goal but the Henbury keeper Lewis Jefferies was quick off his line and foiled the attempt just inside the 18-yard box. Henbury defended well for the first 14 minutes and then broke down the left and a long ball to the far post which was headed back across goal and Ross Jones slipped it home. On 18 minutes Adam Rosser’s long-range shot was pushed over the bar by home keeper Brad Price. On 25 minutes Stoke levelled the score when Tim O’Loughlin headed in an Alex Hill Free Kick. Then came the sending off of George Loud for Henbury on 33 minutes, but it was Hill who cleared off the line for the home side to prevent Henbury retaking the lead a few minutes later. Right on half time Kieron Williams could have given the home side a 2-1 lead when he broke through the Henbury defence but then shot straight at the keeper.

Henbury were straight on the attack at the start of the second half and Harvey Moran shot over the bar in the first minute. From the resulting goal kick Little Stoke lost the ball in midfield to Moran who then struck a superb shot from 35 yards that flew into the Stoke net. Up until the 69th minute there was a lot of midfield play by the home side but no penetration until that is the ball was passed to Sturt Nelson who lined up his shot and sent the ball high into the Henbury net from the edge of the box to make it 2-2. Right on 90 minutes Henbury had Sean Heal sent to the Sin-Bin and within a minute of that incident Blaine Skuse scored at the near post to give the home side the three points.

Frampton United continued their good form with a 2-0 win over Broadwell Amateurs. Manolo Espada had two early chances for the home side with the first being saved by the keeper and the second cleared off the line. Broadwell thought they had taken the lead midway through the half but it was disallowed for offside. The home side went ahead on 41 minutes when Jack Bartman crossed into the box to Manolo Espada who slipped past the defender to slot the ball home. Frampton went 2-0 up on 60 minutes when James Kilkenny brought down Espada who hauled himself up to slot the penalty home. Broadwell were unlucky right at the end when somehow, they managed to lift the ball over the bar from 2 yards.

AEK Boco had a crowd of 165 at their fixture with local rivals Wick but went down by three goals to nil. Wick opened the scoring on 28 minutes when Dan Bendall broke through the home defence to slot the ball home. Ten minutes later it was 2-0 when Bendall broke down the flank and sent in a cross for Jordan Scott to slip the ball home from close range. Just 2 minutes later it was 3-0 Jordan Scott getting his second of the afternoon. The home side pressed hard in the second 45 minutes but the nearest they got to scoring was an effort from Cory Langdon and Wick saw the game out for a very good win.

Gala Wilton are on a real roll at the moment and travelled to Patchway Town today and came away with a 5-1 win. The highlight for the visitors was a hattrick by Ryan Dobbins. The visitors started well and James Bowers missed an easy chance after 11 minutes. The home side had the ball in the net on 20 minutes when Liam Lloyd thought he had scored but it was ruled out for offside. Then Kieran Mace and Dobbins missed good chances for Gala, then in the 38th minute they took the lead from a free kick swung into the Patchway box home keeper Ross Britton got a hand to it but palmed it straight to Shay Lyons to drive home. Just 2 minutes later Dobbins got the first of his hattrick and then James Bowers made it 3-0 right on half time. Gala continued where they left off in the second half and Craig Powell had his shot cleared off the line by Ollie Bacon. Dobbins netted his second on 67 minutes and completed his hattrick on 80 minutes to put the visitors 5-0 up. Patchway did get a consolation goal right on time put away by Rafe Pfitzman.

Sharpness are going well and moved into 4th place in the table with a 4-1 win over Quedgeley Wanderers. Wanderers Rory Cawkwell missed a good chance on three minutes and after several more attacks took the lead on 17 minutes when Nathan Payne crossed into the box for Dorian Colling to finish off. Within 3 minutes the home side were level when Alex Gayner slipped the ball through to brother Dan to fire his shot under the Wanderers keeper Tom Farmer. On 31 minutes the home side went 2-1 up when Ryan Ponting headed in a Brad Hewer corner. Sharpness went further ahead on 65 minutes as Fin Small broke into the box was brought down by Daniel Lander for a penalty. Brad Hewer’s penalty kick was saved by Tom Farmer but Tom Frankham was following up and drove the ball home. The final goal also came from Tom Frankham after Sam Strickland’s cross had been headed cleared but Frankham was following up again to drive the ball home.

Ruardean Hill Rangers first home game of the season end in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Rockleaze Rangers. The home side started well and forced two early corners with Luke Johnson’s shot from the second being cleared off the line. Rockleaze went close when Rory Langdon’s header went just wide of the upright. There were further chances for both sides before the break but they left the field after 45 minutes with a 0-0 score line. The game continued in the same vein throughout the second half with the home side appealing for two penalties but the game continued. Rockleaze grabbed all three points in the 92nd minute when Dan Webb headed past Underwood.

Bromley Heath United have still to get off the mark with a win and went down by the odd goal against today’s visitors Hanham Athletic. Neither team could find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes but the deadlock was broken 5 minutes into the second half when Hanham’s Connor Hartley skipped past four defenders slipped the ball to Jamie Fry who hit a tremendous shot into the top corner. Bromley Heath had numerous attempts on goal throughout the game but failed to hit the back of the net mainly due to an outstanding display by the Hanham keeper.

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7th September 2019 - Brown Brace see's Ruardean progress

Ron Holpin

Ruardean Hill Rangers are in round two after a 3-1 win at Hanham Athletic. The visitors started very lively and forced two corners in the first 2 minutes. Rangers thought they had taken the lead on 5 minutes when Luke Brown strode forward from midfield slipped the ball to Luke Johnson who coolly planted the ball into the net but he was just offside. The home side them had a good spell forcing three corners at the other end but none resulted in a goal. Then in the 27th minute Luke Brown picked up the ball 30 yards out just burst past four defenders and coolly slid the ball past home keeper Ashley Bamford a brilliant individual goal.

In the second half Rangers hit the home side with two quick goals Luke Brown broke down the right flank rounded the full back and pulled the ball back for Mitchell Griffiths to fire into the Hanham net. Just two minutes later it was three when Luke Brown hammered the ball past Bamford from ten yards. The home side were stunned but pulled themselves together and started to pass the ball around very well and almost got a goal back in the 57th minute but Jamie Fry headed just wide from a really good cross from Ben Francis. Their persistence paid off and on 67 minutes a great 20-yard shot from Sam Brown hit the back of the Rangers net. On 74 minutes the home side had a great chance to make it 3-2 when Connor Hartley was pushed down in the box for a penalty. Sam Brown then had the chance from the spot but his shot was brilliantly saved by Rangers keeper Aaron Underwood. The home side continued to attack but could not find a way through.

Last season’s winners Little Stoke went out at the first hurdle to Wick after the result ended 1-1 on 90 minutes. A very lack lustre first 45 minutes, and it failed to create very little until the 87th minute when Stuart Nelson’s through ball sent Blaine Skuse free to put the home side one up. Within 2 minutes Wick levelled the score from a Dan Sheldon 25-yard shot after the first effort had come back of the crossbar. It went to penalties and Wick go through 5-4.

Last season’s runners up AEK Boco travelled to Quedgeley Wanderers and after the final score finished 2-2, they progressed to the next round 5-4 on penalties. Boco went into the break with a 1-0 lead after Jake Slocombe had turned in a Kane Manning cross. In the 71st minute Wanderers levelled the score when Kyle James-Bryan slotted home from a good cross into the box. Slocombe then gave Boco the lead before Dorian Colling levelled for Wanderers once more. Wanderers had another great chance but Collings header went just wide and Josh Wilson hit the side netting.

Bromley Heath United’s first home game of the season was against Frampton United a team that they had met earlier in the season at Frampton and in that encounter, they were beaten 4-0. Things were just a little different today and they went ahead after 10 minutes from a free kick on the edge of the box fired low into the Frampton net by Luke Bessell. A Craig Mills half volley on 20 minutes levelled the score and then Bromley Heath missed to really good chances before Manolo Espada put Frampton 2-1 up with a rasping shot from the edge of the box. Just before the break home keeper Ryan Hall pulled of a great save to deny Frampton’s Adam Day. On 54 minutes the home side were on level terms as a long free kick from Luke Bessell was headed across goal by Jack Wooley and Sam Edwards scored with a half volley. Frampton pushed hard and Bromley had to clear off their line to stop them taking the lead again. Frampton pulled of a very good win in time added when the ball was whipped in to the near post and Craig Mills headed home.

Sharpness go through after a 3-1 win at home to Hardwicke. The home side had the ball cleared off the line in the first couple of minutes and then took the lead on 10 minutes when Finlay Small turned in a Dan Gayner cross. 15 minutes into the second half Hardwicke levelled the score when Steve Bick’s shot took a wicked deflection wrong footing the keeper. The home side retook the lead on 65 minutes when Dan Gayner followed up after Alex Gayner’s shot had come back off the crossbar. On 82 minutes the home side wrapped the game up from a Tom Freeman cross that the keeper spilled and Finlay Small was on hand to knock the ball home.

Broadwell Amateurs were paired against Rockleaze Rangers and progressed to the next round with a 2-0 win. They should have taken the lead on 40 minutes from the penalty spot, but Liam Thomas’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by Lewis Brodie. Thomas gave his side the lead on 61 minutes when he latched onto a loose ball in the box and gave Brodie no chance. His second on 80 minutes was a spectacular overhead scissors kick to send his team into the next round.

Gala Wilton are on a high at the moment and knocked Henbury out of the cup with a 3-1 home success. They started badly and a mix up in defence after just 2 minutes which gave Dawid Regula the chance to round the keeper and slide the ball into an empty net. They hit back on 14 minutes with a low drive from the edge of the box from Martin Smith. On 27 minutes they were in front Martin Smith and Ryan Dobbins combined to set up Kieran Brice-Ingles to make it 2-1. Gala scored a third on 66 minutes when Ryan Bobbins headed James Bowers cross in off the crossbar.