News and Match Reports

27th January 2020 - Patchway bosses to do "Everything it takes"

Simon Parkinson

PATCHWAY Town assistant manager Tim Minihane insists he and boss Phil Vice will do "everything it takes" to retain their Marcliff Gloucestershire County League status.

The Scott Park outfit remain precariously placed bottom of the pile and in urgent need of more uplifting afternoons like the one they enjoyed last weekend, when new signing Jamie Packer’s goal on the stroke of half-time proved sufficient to see off hosts Hanham Athletic 1-0 for only a third victory of a tough programme so far.

Former Tytherington Rocks supremo Minihane enthused: "It was our second win since I’ve been involved with Patchway and we were delighted, not least with the clean sheet.

"We played brilliantly in the first half when the Hanham keeper made some great saves and had to, while the second half was more of a battle.

"We’re trying to improve competition for places: a lot of players were getting picked as they had no one else available.

"We do have a good bunch of lads here; no one purposely plays badly. And we haven’t always had the rub of the green."

Minihane reflected: "Against Gala Wilton recently it was nil-nil and we looked good for a point until injuries and a red card for Matty Webb, who has missed our last two games through suspension as a consequence, cost us dear and we ended up losing 3-0.

"We played very well too against Thornbury in the GFA Trophy before losing 4-2 there although we did go on and perform poorly against Boco in the League Cup to lose 3-0 at home when it seemed as though we’d slipped into a few previous bad habits.

"On Saturday we viewed the Hanham game as a must-win one as a victory for them would have taken them 11 points clear of us.

"Instead we reduced the gap to five points and we still have to play them at home. It also kept us within touching distance of Ruardean Hill and Broadwell immediately above us."

Minihane and Co now gear up for another important test tomorrow at home against a tenth-placed Henbury team (2pm) they trail by only seven points.

"We should have five players back for that one and hopefully some new faces in the squad too," the Patchway No.2 revealed.

"It’s important we get squad numbers up as our reserves have been struggling too in the District Senior Division. Fresh faces keep people on their toes and commitment levels up. Passengers are no longer welcome.

"Things have been looking up: we’ve won two, drawn one and lost one of our last four league games. I’m working well with the manager Phil as we have similar ideas when it comes to formations and personnel.

"It bodes well for the rest of the season but we can’t rest on our laurels. We’re confident we can pull away from danger but alert too as there’s much work still to be done."

Minihane acknowledges Patchway as a club have been hit hard by tragedy this season, with the death last summer of ex player and dedicated clubman Jason Franklin followed more recently by the passing of another of the club’s long-serving former players and manager Darren Butt in an M32 car collision on his 40th birthday.

Minihane explained: "Memorial matches were held in honour of Darren at Bradley Stoke Community Centre last Sunday involving friends and former team-mates, including those from Stokeside, Little Stoke and Hallen.

"Hundreds turned up to support it and attend a fund-raising event at Patchway Sports & Social Club afterwards where there was a live band and raffle draws.

"Of course the club continues to extend heartfelt condolences to Darren’s family."

25th January 2020 - Henbury win derby at Patchway Town

Ron Holpin

A local derby at Scott Park where Patchway Town played host to Henbury . Both teams were desperate for the win with Town holding up the table and Henbury just a few places above them. The home side had most of the possession in the first 45 minutes but only managed one effort on goal. Henbury’s Kane Manning’s had a great chance to open the scoring on 3 minutes when clear on goal but keeper Sam Burgess smothered his shot. Then came the shot from Luke Garbacz for the home side that the Henbury keeper pushed away. Adam Rosser’s 25-yard drive had Burgess diving full length to push it round the post on 12 minutes. Just 2 minutes later a long free kick into the Patchway box was not dealt with and Kane Manning’s put Henbury ahead but only just as Burgess got a hand to the shot but could not prevent it going in. The only other effort during the first half fell to Patchway’s Lewis Toop but his effort went wide.

Right from the restart Henbury could have increased their lead twice, both efforts coming from Kane Manning’s who shot wide with the first effort and his second was really well saved by Burgess. An in-swinging corner from the left by Patchway had Henbury keeper Lewis Jefferies punching clear and at the other end George Loud was just wide of the target. Although the home side saw plenty of the ball but failed to create chances when they reached the last third. On 66 minutes the home side went 2-0 down when Kan Manning’s scored his second. Both Josh Morris and Luke Garbacz had chances in the second half for Patchway but their shots went way over the bar. On 84 minutes Kane Manning’s missed an open goal that would have made it 3-0 and a hattrick. A minute later Burgess was in action again when he pushed away an Adam Rosser shot on target and then in the 91st minute Jensen Manning’s netted a third for Henbury to make it a very miserable day for the home side.

Little Stoke bounced back after a series of defeats lately wit a 5-1 victory over Quedgeley Wanderers . Wanderers actually took the lead on 12 minutes when Henry Birkett hit a 25-yard drive into the Little Stoke net. The lead only lasted 2 minutes Stoke equalising from a corner stabbed in by Luke Meacham from 3 yards. Just 3 minutes later the home side were in front when header from the Stoke defence inside their own half found Russ Church to drive a 25-yard shot into the bottom corner. Right-on half-time Russ Church was brought down in the box and Khalil Lamir made it 3-1 from the spot. A volley to the far post then allowed Russ Church to grab his second and put the home side 4-1 up. Jaden Holver completed the scoring with a 45-yard mazy run before lining his shot up from 12 yards to give Little Stoke a convincing win.

AEK Boco lost their home fixture with Sharpness by one goal to nil but had chances throughout the game to have won it. Sharpness had the first chance early on when keeper Joel Manning’s pulled of a great save from a corner. Jake Slocombe hit the crossbar for Boco and Cory Langdon’s effort went just wide. Sam Strickland scored the only goal on 32 minutes for Sharpness. In the second half Boco’s Liam Powell struck the crossbar and Jake Slocombe had his shot cleared off the line by James Higgs. The home sides failure to take their chances may cost them dearly.

Hardwicke recorded a 3-1 victory over todays visitors Broadwell Amateurs and with other results going against them Broadwell have now dropped to second bottom. This game belonged to Hardwicke’s Will Higgins who finished the afternoon with a hattrick. The home side had a good chance in the 8th minute but Richard Mansell’s cross was headed wide by Will Matthews. On 12 minutes Hardwicke took the lead when Higgins won the ball in midfield played a one two with Will Matthews and then drove the ball home. A few minutes later the same combination of Higgins and Matthews saw Higgin’s shot cleared off the line by Lee Hanson. On 20 minutes Hardwicke were awarded a penalty but Richard Mansell’s shot was well saved by Ben Reed in the Broadwell goal. Broadwell had a good chance in the 35th minute but Liam Thomas’s shot was well saved by Tom Kaye. Just a minute later the visitors were level when Steve Belfitt headed in from a free kick. Hardwicke then missed another good chance as Matthews again headed wide from a Higgins cross. Higgins scored his second on 50 minutes when Toby Webb put him clear on goal. Higgins completed his hattrick in the 75th minute Steve Bick put him clear to chip the ball over keeper Reed. Bick himself then had a great chance to make it four but with a one-on-one situation Reed made a great one handed save to keep the ball out.

Ruardean Hill Rangers travelled to Bromley Heath United knowing they needed a win to try and get themselves up the table and win they did - coming away with a 4-2 victory. The home side had the first real chance to score but Jay Malpas was just wide with his header. Rangers went ahead on 28 minutes from a Luke Brown free kick and 3 minutes later went 2-0 up when Steve Clarke turned in the box to fire home. On 38 minutes Bromley pulled a goal back when Dan Fowlers shot was handled in the box and Nathan Rose scored from the penalty spot. Rangers then made it three a minute later Steve Clarke curling his shot past the home keeper. Joe Goss beat the offside on 42 minutes to pull a second goal back for Bromley. Rangers made it hard for the home side in the 55th minute when Luke Brown scored a second free kick from the edge of the box. The home side had a couple of efforts on goal but were unable to find the back of the Rangers net again.

Gala Wilton started well in their home game against Rockleaze Rangers with Rangers keeper Lewis Brodie saving well on two occasions. Then against the run of play Rangers took the lead in the 16th minute a cross into the box saw Sam Bailey nip in to head home. Gala levelled on 22 minutes when Jay Dare sent Martin Smith clear to round Brodie and tap home. Second half Rangers made it 2-1 on 62 minutes with a very good shot from the left side of the box by Mark Ridgeway. Then 6 minutes later Jordan Dent raced clear to make it 3-1. Late in the game Gala’s Ben Sluman had a couple of shots on goal but Lewis Brodie kept them out.

The game between Frampton United and Hanham Athletic was abandoned in the second half when a player from each side was badly hurt and had to go to hospital.

GFA Challenge Trophy Round 3

Wick were drawn at home to Newent Town from the Hellenic League Division 1 West and did themselves proud by winning through to the next round 2-1. Sam Thomas was put clear on goal but his shot was deflected by the keeper. At the other end Mark Morgan-Davis had his header well saved by keeper Joe Pople. Mike Hardiman had a very good chance to put Wick ahead but shot straight into the keeper’s arms. There were several good chances missed by both sides and Sam Thomas missed an open goal heading wide for Wick. Just before the break a great cross in from Jordan Cooper saw Fin Brown finish well to give Newent a 1-0 half time lead. Several more chances were missed in the second half before Sam Thomas levelled the score from 20 yards in the n76th minute and this spurred the home side on to go on and win the game in the 82nd minute when Mike Hardiman netted following a corner.

20th January 2020 - Bromley Heath boss heartened after slow start

Simon Parkinson

CRAIG Britton says he is heartened at the way his Bromley Heath United battlers have adjusted to non-League Step 7 life after a slow start.

The newly-promoted Pomphrey Hill outfit kicked off 2019-20 with six straight defeats, five of them in Marcliff Gloucestershire County League combat to raise a few undoubted concerns.

Far from flustered Bromley have come bouncing back to pin four victories to their board, two of them in their last three outings thanks to 3-0 and 2-1 home successes respectively over Rockleaze Rangers and, last weekend, Henbury.

Now Britton believes his charges can approach tomorrow’s next stiff test in the shape of visiting Little Stoke with confidence levels intact.

"We’ve picked up a bit of form,” the 25-year-old Heath leader observed. "Our performances over the last seven or eight games have been much better aside from the recent Hanham game when we lost 3-2, although we probably did enough to have got something from that one too.

"There’s a bit more to do but I don’t feel we’re far off fully attuning ourselves to County League football.”

Of Saturday’s late win over Henbury, Britton recalled: "We went 1-0 up midway through the half when Joel Mitchelmore set up Joe Goss with his direct running and cross to score with a good first-time finish inside the box.

"Henbury equalised via a somewhat scrappy goal soon after half-time (through Will Anderson) with their first meaningful chance which was disappointing as we’d been in good control.

"But we pushed them hard after that and Todd Carter scored our winner a minute or two from time with a powerful header from Nathan Rose’s corner.

"I felt we were good value for it in tough conditions and everyone enjoyed the moment.”

Former Winford PH defender Britton continued: "We’ve started to control games better. Hopefully we can consolidate and push for mid-table status which would be a good effort first time around.

"It’s helping that Todd has started to score more goals, his one against Henbury making it three from his last three games.

"Todd’s not always been firing at 100 per cent but he’s a big, strong lad with a good touch and he’s become a fine player at only 20 years old still.

"We also signed Ross Beazer recently, who had been with Oldland Abbotonians in Toolstation League One at the start of the season.

"He’s played at higher levels with Larkhall and Bitton and is an experienced central midfielder with a good pass in him.

"He was sent off in the Hanham game for what was deemed denying a goalscoring opportunity but he’s back from his one-game ban this weekend.

18th January 2020 - Sharpness progress in League Cup

Ron Holpin

Les James League Cup Quarter Finals sponsored by Boca Teamwear

Sharpness progress to the Semi-final with a 2-1 victory over Ruardean Hill Rangers . The home side started well and went close on three occasions early on. On 16 minutes Tom Freeman headed wide following a free kick and then Will Lacey skied a great chance over the bar a couple of minutes later. Brad Hewer was next up and should have scored but shot straight at keeper Tim Yemm. Rangers first chance came in the 34th minute when Steve Coombs broke through the home defence and then saw keeper Dan Hobbs pull off a great save. Sharpness went ahead in the 36th minute with a cross come shot from Sam Strickland that flew over Yemm and into the net at the far post. The Sharks should have made it 2-0 on 39 minutes when Alex Gayner hit a good shot on goal it came back out to him and only a brilliant clearance off the line by Stuart Corwell-Boote prevented it going in. Sharpness did however make it 2-0 just before half time when Alex Gayner’s shot came back off the post straight to brother Dan who slotted the ball past keeper Yemm.

Rangers came out with renewed vigour in the second half and should have pulled a goal back when Shaun Tingle had a clear shot on goal but hit it straight into the arms of Hobbs. Just 5 minutes later they did get a goal back and it came after a terrific run by Luke Brown who laid the ball off to Steve Clarke to drive past Hobbs. The rest of the second half became a shoddy affair with numerous bookings on both sides and lots of fouls that stopped the game flowing. Sharks had several half chances to increase the score-line and Rangers had a couple of free kicks around the edge of the box that came to nothing.

In the other Quarter-final that was switched to Gala Wilton due to Broadwell Amateurs pitch being unfit saw Gala go through to the semi-final 2-1. The hosts got off to a great start in the 1st minute with Martin Smith beating keeper Reed after Craig Howell had put him clear on goal. On 21 minutes Ryan Dobbins turned on the edge of the box and hit a great shot at goal but Reed was equal to it and brought off a good save. Broadwell should have equalised on 35 minutes when Gala keeper Brabham misjudged a cross, but Liam Thomas's header went wide when it was easier to score. Broadwell levelled the score on 73 minutes when Kristian Burnard lobbed the keeper after a great through ball from Greg Lewis. With 5 minutes left Gala grabbed the winner when Martin Smith bundled his way through the Broadwell defence to slot the ball past Reed.

League Games

Frampton United have this knack of scoring late goals and did it again today away to Rockleaze Rangers making it three weeks in a row that they have taken all three points with a late onslaught. Rangers took a five-minute lead when Toby Walwin’s shot was saved by Aaron Taylor but Toby Webb followed up to score. On 30 minutes Taylor brought off a superb save from Toby Webb’s shot that was heading for the top corner the keeper just managed to flick it over the bar. Frampton’s luck was in 3 minutes before the break when Ryan Vincent’s shot struck the post rebound back and struck keeper Lewis Brodie on the back and finished up in the back of the net. Rangers retook the lead on 75 minutes when Toby Webb got behind the United defence and crossed for Jordan Dent to slip it into the net. Jordan Dent was very unlucky when he saw his chip over Taylor drift just past the post. Then came the late finish from Frampton, firstly Steve Jackson levelled the score on 91 minutes after Brodie had parried the first shot on goal and then Fraser Wilson grabbed the winner in the 94th minute after Fin Blythe set the chance up.

Bromley Heath United continue to steadily climb the table after a 3-2 win over Little Stoke. Little Stoke had a great chance in the 3rd minute to take the lead but keeper Sheppard saved well from Alex Hill’s free kick. United’s Joe Goss was only just wide with his shot a few minutes later. It was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Luke Meacham burst between two defenders to slot the ball past Sheppard. United equalised in the 26th minute Tom Shopland scoring from long range after receiving the ball from Todd Carter. Carter then gave the home side a 2-1 lead on 30 minutes with a great shot from the edge of the box. Stoke hit back to level in the 57th minute with a goal from Khalil Lamir. Then just 3 minutes later Jack Withey netted a third for the home side following up after the Stoke keeper had spilled the ball. Both sides had chances to increase the scoring but it remained 3-2 to the home side.

Patchway Town’s visit to Hanham Athletic saw them close the gap at the bottom of the table to just two points with a 1-0 victory. It was the home side who created the early chances and George Cryer had his shot well saved by the visitor’s keeper after 4 minutes. A few minutes later Jamie Fry was unlucky when his header hit the crossbar. Patchway should have taken the lead on 11 minutes but Josh Morris hit the post with the goal gapping. Right on half time Patchway opened the scoring with new signing Jamie Packer getting on the score sheet. Josh Morris had another really good chance in the 77th minute to put Patchway two up but after making a fantastic run into the box he ran out of steam. The best chance for the home side to get something from the game fell to Mike Alvis in the 87th minute but his shot struck the keepers legs and rebounded away.

Last but not least was the game at Quedgeley Wanderers who were hosting AEK Boco. The game finished goalless but there were chances created through out the game but not taken. The first chance fell to Dorian Colling on 2 minutes but he headed over from Henry Birkett’s cross. Then Colling had another good chance for Wanderers 10 minutes later from a Kyle James-Bryan cross but again it went over the bar. Boco’s first effort on goal came on 22 minutes a shot from Louis Ross that was well saved by keeper Nathan Charnock. Then Kyle James-Bryan shot over for the home side. Just before the break Liam Powell was just wide for Boco. The second half continued in the same vein with both sides having shots on goal but failing to get the ball in the back of the net.

13th January 2020 - Henbury looking for upturn

Simon Parkinson

SEAN Heal says he and his tight-knit Henbury team are keeping everything crossed that their spirit-raising 2-0 weekend home win over Little Stoke can spark an upturn.

The full-back and committee member admits their Marcliff Gloucestershire County League campaign so far has not gone to plan, just as the past few years have been testing fighting it out in the lower reaches of the table despite plenty of potential for better.

The Arnall Drive outfit hope to capitalise on the Little Stoke success when they travel to take on Bromley Heath United tomorrow targeting a fifth win of 2019-20.

A candid Heal reasoned: "This season has typified our past few years since we finished runners-up (in 2015-16).

"We seem to start so well in the summer when it looks as though we are going to mount a top-six challenge, only for results to dip and fortunes change as we get into it.

"We appeared to have solved our goalscoring issues when signing Dawid Regula, who began the season brilliantly and enabled us to play on the front foot rather than sit back and try and counter attack.

"We also brought in Otis Francis from our neighbours Southmead; Harvey Sealey, who played for us as a junior and whose dad is former manager, came in from BOCO and we promoted Sam Fitzpatrick and Max Wilding from the under-18s, who look like they’ll be class players for years to come.

"Unfortunately the higher level came calling for Dawid who decided to go to Bristol Telephones in the Western League, leaving us again without an out-and-out goalscorer which is so hard to find at this level.

"We had to change the way we played and a few disciplinary issues and unavailability saw a dip in form just like previous years.

"We also lost our keeper and captain Cameron Tarr to a broken ankle, while last season’s top scorer Harvey Moran, and ever-presents Ross Jones and Joe Fifield, went off travelling for a few months leaving us thin on quality."

Heal confessed: "This all showed up in our GFA Cup drubbing (7-0) at Newent and another heavy defeat (5-0) by Boco. It led to some glum times with us looking at the wrong end of the table again.

"But Trevor Richards and Jason Tarr are great managers and great for the club. They are fighters and have managed to bring some quality in which meant we could change things to fine effect against Little Stoke.

"We performed brilliantly to keep a clean sheet and come away 2-0 winners and we really showed then what Henbury FC is all about.

"I really feel and hope Saturday’s performance has seen us turn a corner and brought us back to our best.

"When we compete against top sides we are always in the game; it’s teams around us we seem to struggle to put away. That’s maybe a mentality thing but it’s definitely something we need to improve on.

"We have some important games coming up against teams around us and if we can emulate our early season form I don’t see any issue.

"It’s frustrating as we know we can do it; it’s just collectively deciding as a group that we need to stick together, one to 11, to get points."

11th January 2020 - Wick battle past Little Stoke

Ron Holpin

Wick moved themselves into second place in the table and back in contention for the title with a 2-0 victory over Little Stoke. It was a tight game with the home side creating more goalscoring opportunities than the visitors. The home side had a chance to take the lead on 10 minutes when Joe Thomas crossed from the right it found the head of Mike Hardiman but he directed it straight into the arms of Stoke keeper Keiron Provis. A minute later Provis was in action again this time blocking Sam Thomas’s effort on goal. On 20 minutes a cross in from the left was neatly back headed by Hardiman but again straight into the keeper’s arms. Then came a 20-yard shot from Joe Thomas but it went wide of the target. Little Stoke were a little unlucky in the 26th minute when Luke Meacham gave the ball to Ethan Moore to shoot on goal – his shot spun off keeper Joe Pople and towards goal but the keeper recovered and turned to collect the ball. A minute later Kieran Williams’s free kick for Stoke just cleared the bar. Another Williams free kick took a deflection on its way into the goal but Pople was able to punch clear. It looked as though the half would finish goalless but there was 3 minutes added and 2 minutes in the home side piled on the pressure which eventually paid off as the ball was heading for goal along the ground the Stoke defence had time to clear but they left it for the keeper and Jacob Watson stabbed the ball home.

The second half was a little scrappy with both sides gaining possession and then giving it away again. On 60 minutes a second yellow card for a foul by Sean Morris saw the Wick midfielder sent off. A couple of minutes later a Keiron Williams free kick was deflected out for a corner but Stoke failed to capitalise. The visitor’s best chance of the game came in the 70th minute after some great approach work the ball came to Dean Patterson but he pulled his shot wide. Several substitutions were made by both sides but it was the Wick sub Sam Duggan who sealed the game for them on 76 minutes when he grabbed a second goal following a corner. Right at the end of the game Little Stoke’s Jack Burgess was sent to the Sin-Bin by the referee.

A seven-goal thriller at Hardwicke where todays visitors were local rivals Quedgeley Wanderers. The homes side found themselves trailing 3-1 but hit back to win the game 4-3. Hardwicke’s Kieran Tracey went close after 7 minutes his shot skimming just past the post. Just 2 minutes later Wanderers took the lead a poor back pass from Rob Hine was picked up by Dorian Colling who hit a powerful shot on goal keeper Tom Kaye brought off a great save but the ball fell to Karl James-Bryan to smash into the net. On 23 minutes Wanderers keeper Nathan Charnock saved well from Tobie Webb and a couple of minutes later saved another effort from Webb with his legs. Hardwicke got on level terms in the 38th minute when Webb turned in a cross from Tracey. Jordan Rouse then had a great chance to increase the visitors lead but headed over missing an open goal. However, just 2 minutes later a great pass from full-back Tom Hawker found Dorian Colling to round Kaye and slot the ball home. A defensive error by the home side on 56 minutes allowed Josh Wilson a clear shot on goal hammering the ball into the net from 25 yards. 3 minutes later another great save from Kaye denying a fourth goal for Wanderers Colling kept his side in the game and in the 75th minute Hardwicke made it 3-2 when Will Matthews headed in Tracy’s cross. Hardwicke were awarded a penalty on 80 minutes which was taken by Matthews but Charnock saved but could not prevent Matthews knocking in the rebound. The winner came right on 90 minutes when Matthews was brought down in the box for a second penalty and this time Richard Mansell drove the spot kick past Charnock for that 4-3 win.

Ruardean Hill Rangers recorded the biggest win of the day with a 5-1 victory over Hanham Athletic. The home side went ahead on 18 minutes after a good build up between Johnson Coombs and Brown with Johnson’s shot being saved by keeper Ash Bamford only to see the rebound hammered past him by Steve Clarke. Hanham then had two chances on goal a shot from Luke Corbier saved by Underwood and a few minutes later Underwood was in action again this time saving from Sam Brown. Just before the break a Sam Brown effort just cleared the bar and then Underwood had to punch clear from a Jack Baber shot on goal but the home side went into the break with that 1-0 lead. Luke brown made it 2-0 early in the second half before George Cryer pulled a goal back for Hanham Athletic. Nathan Hawkins should have levelled a few minutes later but he headed wide from 6 yards. The home side then saw Luke Johnson at his best as he completed a hattrick for that resounding win.

Frampton United left it late again bu6t eventually ran out 4-1 winners over Gala Wilton. The home side had a great chance to take the lead on 18 minutes when Ethan Dunbar pulled a great ball back for Fin Blythe but he skewed his shot wide. The visitors took the lead on 22 minutes when a great ball in saw him turn the ball past home keeper Aaron Taylor. A few minutes later Taylor saved well from a Gala Free kick. United got on level terms in the 66th minute when Ryan Ford volleyed home from a Manolo Espada cross. That became 2-1 on 70 minutes when a Steve Jackson shot was only parried by the Gala keeper Brabham and Ethan Dunbar slipped the rebound past him. On 75-minute Fin Blythe score straight from a free kick and on 86 minutes Steve Jackson turned a couple of defenders in the box to make it 4-1.

Bromley Heath United gained a valuable 2-1 win against today’s visitors Henbury. The home side took the lead on 22 minutes when Joe Goss hit a first time shot into the net following a Joel Mitchelmore cross. Henbury’s only chance of the first half was well saved by the home keeper. Henbury’s Will Anderson pulled a goal back to make it 1-1 in the 55th minute and then United’s Mitch Green missed a good chance to regain the lead. Bromley Heath won the game in the 89th minute Todd Carter heading home.

Sharpness gained a 3-1 victory over Broadwell Amateurs. In the 2nd minute Tom Frankham blazes over from Will Lacey's cross then on 15 minutes Brad Gibbs sends in a good cross from the right which was met by Alex Gayner but his header was saved by Ben Reed in the Broadwell goal. In the 25th minute Sharpness clear a Broadwell corner but only as far as left back Lee Hanson who gathered the ball and unleashes a thunderbolt from 25 yards which whistle pasts Dan Hobbs in goal. In the 36th minute the ball was played out wide to Alex Gayner who broke into the box and hit a low cross towards the near post but keeper Reed deflected it into his own net. On 65 minutes Sharpness felt they should have had a penalty when Brad Hewer was tackled in the box but it was waived away by the referee. Broadwell broke away at this point and Kris Burnard mate a good driving run into the Sharpness half before squaring it to Liam Thomas who was 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy. However, his control let him down which allowed Brad Gibbs to get back and clear the danger. On 76 minutes a great passing build up from Sharpness on the right saw Dan Gayner play a one two with Brad Gibbs which resulted in Gayner getting in behind Hanson and his pull back cross was met by the advancing sub Finn Small who drove it into the bottom corner. In the 88th minute Broadwell looked to play out from defence but Alex Gayner blocked a pass and deflected the ball through to his brother Dan who slotted the ball passed the advancing Ben Reed to secure all 3 points for Sharpness.

Les James League Cup - Sponsored by Boca Teamwear

AEK Boco go through to the Semi-final after beating Patchway Town 3-0 at Scott Park. All three goals came from leading goalscorer Jake Slocombe the first on 14 minutes when he chipped the Patchway keeper Burgess. He then scored two late goals the first on 75 minutes when he was put clear on goal and the third and final goal came in the 83rd minute with the same situation as the second a one on one with the keeper.

4th January 2020 - Frampton United stun Broadwell Amateurs with late show

Ron Holpin

Broadwell Amateurs looked good and defended really well until the 70th minute but conceded five times in the last 20 minutes. In the first half play was shared with the first chance falling to Frampton United on 10 minutes when Broadwell gave the ball away midway in their own half and Ryan Vincent hit a tremendous shot from 25 yards out that cannoned back off the upright. A couple of minutes later Craig Mills hit his shot well over. A great low cross by Fyn Blythe was well cut out by home keeper Ben Reed. On 21 minutes Broadwell created a good chance down the left but the low cross in was missed by their forwards. A minute later Frampton keeper Aaron Taylor pushed a Craig Tait effort out for a corner. On 31 minutes Broadwell were unlucky not to have scored but Taylor just managed to push Liam Thomas’s effort onto the bar. On 41 minutes Frampton had the ball in the net after Dunbar latched onto a Fin Blythe cross but it was ruled out for offside. Then just before the break Matt Cook thunderous 30-yard drive cannoned back of the crossbar.

6 minutes into the second half Broadwell right full back Sam Keetch hit a powerful shot on target but it went straight into the arms of Taylor. Taylor had to make two attempts to save a Dan Brain shot in the 55th minute, then on 70 minutes a long ball from Nathan Dennis found Ryan Vincent who made space and drove his shot at goal, keeper Reed got a hand to it but it finished up in the back of the net. Nathan Dunbar made it 2-0 on 76 minutes. Broadwell’s Steve Belfitt had half a chance to pull a goal back but he was quickly surrounded by Frampton defenders and the ball ran loose to Taylor. Steve Jackson was brought on for the visitors and in the 82nd minute he made it 3-0 when he turned in a cross from Ryan Vincent. A minute later Jackson scored again this time Fin Blythe was the provider. In the very last minute of the game Frampton was awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box and Fin Blythe hit his shot into the roof of the Broadwell net. A very disappointing result for the home side after being well into the game until that 70th minute, but Frampton’s finishing showed why they are the leaders.

Quedgeley Wanderers visitors today were Sharpness and were looking to make amends for their earlier defeat in the season by the same opponents. The home side attacked right from the off and an early cross in from Jordan Rouse to Kyle James-Bryan saw the strike hit the side netting with his shot. Sean Lawson then had a good chance to put his side ahead in the 24th minute but shot wide. It was the visitors who struck first with Will Lacey’s shot taking a double deflection on its way into the net. The home side levelled the score in the 40th minute when Kyle James-Bryn headed in a cross from Ben Didcote. Just 2 minutes later and the home side were two in front when James-Bryan struck a tremendous shot from the edge of the box giving the keeper no chance. Lawson had a great chance to increase the home sides lead on 50 minutes but was wide of the target again. It was a hard-fought game with both sides giving their all.

Hanham Athletic v Bromley Heath United saw five goals in the game with the odd one going in favour of the home side. Bromley’s Mitch Greenwood had a good chance to open the scoring on 25 minutes but shot over the bar. Just 4 minutes later the home side took the lead when Sam Brown sent Bromley’s keeper Shepherd the wrong way from the penalty spot. Hanham increase their lead in the 36th minute when new signing Mike Alvis turned in the box to hammer the ball home. Bromley pulled one back on 50 minutes when Todd Carter rounded Bamford in the home goal. The home side regained their two-goal advantage in the 83rd minute from a Sam Brown stunning free kick. In the last minute of the game Bromley netted a second when Josh Slater headed in. On a sour note Bromley had Ross Beazer sent off late on.

A Tight game at Wick where today’s visitors were AEK Boco from just down the road. The first chance fell to Mike Hardiman but his header just cleared the bar on 15 minutes. 5 minutes later a tremendous 30-yard shot from Dan Stevens headed in the same direction. Manning in the visitor’s goal then brought off a great save to deny another Hardiman effort. Boco were unlucky on 30 minutes when Jake Slocombe saw his effort cleared off the line by Dan Stevens. Just 3 minutes into the second half Wick scored the only goal of the game Alfie Clarke netting from the penalty spot. Wick had several more chances to increase their lead but some poor finishing let them down.

Henbury gained a 2-0 win over Little Stoke with both goals coming in the first 45 minutes. The home side had a great chance to go ahead early on but Harvey Sealey turned a good cross in from Joe Cox over the bar. Henbury went ahead in the 14th minute when Joe Cox robbed the ball in the centre of the park pushed forward until around 20 yards from goal and unleashed his shot that flew into the Little Stoke net. The home side went 2-0 up on 35 minutes from an Adam Rosser corner that was flicked onto the far post and the unmarked Jack Bebbington headed it into the net. The second half saw no further goals as both sides seem to cancel each other out.

Patchway Town travelled to Gala Wilton and managed to defend resolutely until the 78th minute when Gala eventually broke through. In the first half Town keeper Sam Burgess brought of a good save to deny Ryan Dobbins in the 23 minute and Gala’s Keiron Mace missed from 8 yards just before the break. Dobbins was just wide again in the 63rd minute and then Patchway ventured forward but never really troubled the home defence. The opening goal in the 78th minute came from a corner sent over by John Clay and was headed in by Dobbins. A few minutes later Dobbins then became provider for Jay Dare to make it 2-0. Patchway then had Matt Webb dismissed in the 84th minute and in the 89th minute a deflected shot from Martin Smith made the final score 3-0.

Rockleaze Rangers ran out 4-2 winners over struggling Ruardean Hill Rangers. The home side were in front after 5 minutes after Ruardean keeper Underwood’s poor clearance was knocked back in for Dan Webb to make it 1-0. Ruardean pushed forward and Brodie in the home goal was called upon in quick succession to prevent them levelling. Dan Webb grabbed his second on 18 minutes when the visitor’s failed to clear the ball up field. On 35 minutes Brodie saved well from a one-on-one situation in which Clarke of Ruardean should have scored. The home side made it 3-0 on 42 minutes when Marcus Williams cut in from the wing and his shot clipped the post on its way in. Right-on half-time Webb could have made it four to the home side after breaking away from a Ruardean corner running 50 yards and then just failed to squeeze the ball under the keeper. The home side were rampant and should have gone further ahead with the chances they were creating. But it was Ruardean who scored next in the 69th minute a tremendous 25-yard drive from Luke Brown that gave Brodie no chance. Rockleaze scored an even better goal in the 75th minute and it came from Sam Bailey a 30-yard strike that clipped the inside of the post on its way into the net. Ruardean did score a second on 89 minutes Luke Brown powering his header home from a Luke Johnson corner.

GFA Challenge Trophy

Hardwicke’s twice postponed cup match ended in them going out to local rivals Tuffley Rovers 1-0. The first chance of the game fell to Tuffley Rovers on 25 minutes when Jake Rhodes shot wide from a Louis Banbridge cross. Bainbridge then brought to best out of Hardwicke’s keeper Ton Kaye who pushed his 30-yard shot over the bar. Kaye then brought off another great save to deny Bainbridge. Tuffley took the lead 3 minutes before the break when a cross from Miles Ferguson was turned in by Laurence Spizak. Hardwicke had plenty of the possession in the second period but failed to break down a very stubborn Tuffley defence.