News and Match Reports

26th October 2024 - Ruardean win on road at Filton

Nigel Meaney

results

After a week off for the County Cup we return to league action, Almondsbury remain on top after a 7-1 Friday night win against Gala Wilton. Stoke Gifford had the edge over Chalford to regain second spot with a 2-0 victory. Broadwell Amateurs secured a 1-1 draw at Frampton United to end the hosts winning streak of 7 games in all competitions. Whilst at the bottom of the table Totterdown United won 2-1 at Cheltenham Civil Service, who remain winless as do Quedgeley Wanderers who went down 3-1 at Hanham Athletic. Elsewhere Bromley Heath bounced back to inflict a 5-0 defeat on Henbury & Rockleaze, Ruardean Hill Rangers won 4-1 at Filton Athletic.

Filton Athletic hosted Ruardean Hill Rangers at Pen Park. Filton had the better of the early exchanges with a shot just wide by Kieran Cooper, Trey Merrett hitting the bar and Fraser Venables hitting a shot straight at Aaron Underwood in the Ruardean Goal. Ruardean’s early chances limited to a breakaway from a blocked corner. On 20 minutes Ruardean won a penalty from a foul by Chris Hillyer which was converted by Steve Clark to make it 1-0. The remainder of the half was end to end with one notable chance each, as a Kyle Thomas hit the wall with a free kick and Filton’s Barry Phillips saved well to deny Taylor Blaby.

Filton made changes for the second half and won a corner on 55 mins which came to nothing and Ruardean broke forward with a defensive error allowing Luke Brown to find Steve Clark unmarked in the box to make it 2-0. Filton pushed forward to get one back with Venables firing a free kick over, the bar denying Cooper who had another chance blocked by the onrushing Underwood. Then on 73 minutes Ruardean break and another defensive error allows Taylor Blaby to score Ruardeans’ third. Filton then down to 10 men when substitute Danny Matthews is given a straight red card. Filton do get a goal back through Jack Cole Ruardean try to clear their lines but the defender can only hit straight at Cole and it rebounds into the net. In the final minute Steve Clark completes his hat trick after he’s left clear. The 4-1 victory moves Ruardean up to 6th.

On a bright Autumn afternoon Chalford were the visitors to Stoke Gifford SGS United. The home side flew out of the traps and should’ve been in front in the first minute with Max Cooper only managing to poke straight at Sam Neale at the near post from close range. On 12 minutes Chalford had their first effort when good link up play from Andrew Maryon teed up Travis Cooke but his 20 yard effort crashed against the post. This seemed to refocus Gifford who immediately got back onto the front foot. On 22 minutes they took the lead when the impressive Evan Maidment scored from 22 yards, his left footed effort flying into the top corner. The game ebbed and flowed without any clear chances until Gifford doubled their lead on 37 minutes. Arron Sweete’s whipped corner was met firmly by the head of Harrison Murdoch-McCormack from 8 yards out. Gifford should’ve been 3-0 up just before half time but Jake Abraham couldn’t apply the right contact from a few yards out.

Onto the second half where chances for both teams were limited, Sweete fired wide on 52 minutes while Evan Healan saved well from George Parker. On 65 minutes Rudy Hill tested Neale from the edge of the box but he dealt with it comfortably. Chalford had a few half chances from free kicks around the edge of the Gifford area but couldn’t test Healan. There was a twist late in the game when Tauren Williams was dismissed after misjudging an innocuous ball forward and handled. He was judged to be preventing a goal scoring opportunity and therefore given his marching orders. Chalford couldn’t really take advantage though with Gifford seeing the game out fairly comfortably.

At Vicarage Road Hanham Athletic played host to a Quedgeley Wanderers side looking for their first League win of the season. Hanham took the lead on 10 mins with a fine solo run and finish by Shah Bhakerd. Karim Rendall almost made it 2-0 but his run and shot was well saved down to his left by Nathan Charnock in Quedgeley’s goal. Quedgeley deservedly equalised on 38 mins when a cross to the back post was superbly volleyed in by Dylan Venn. Just after half time only a fine save by Ashton Trott from a Shaun Lawson shot prevented Quedgeley from taking the lead. Hanham started to get a grip on the game and took the lead again on 58 mins the ball found Josh Gibbs on the edge of the box and he cut inside and finished brilliantly in to the near corner. Hanham made it 3-1 on 68 mins with a fine move Karim Rendall broke free on the right and found Jordan Rickman who’s shot was saved by Charnock but the ball fell to Mikey Golding who stroked the ball into the empty net.

Bromley Heath United entertained Henbury & Rockleaze, both teams arrived at Pomphrey Hill with just 6 points on the board due to below par starts to the campaign, so this game could be a turning point for the rest of the season. On a perfect day for football and with the pitch in great condition both teams started the game at a ferocious pace, playing some good quick passing football. Bromley were rewarded on 10 minutes when Jack Withey, Bromley' captain, scored with a trademark bullet header from a corner. Two minutes later the opportunity to go further ahead was squandered when a cross was hit over the bar from close range. Both teams continued to play good pacey football and although the game was even Bromley were just edging the number of chances created. On 35 minutes Bromley's Trai Elliston-Sackett gained just reward for his outstanding work rate in midfield by creating a second Bromley goal through sheer determination to win the ball. His final pass was hit hard and low into the back of the net by Cam Ford. It was Bromley's two wide men who combined to put Bromley further ahead just before half time when Ollie Hanham cleverly intercepted a pass to run 30yds and crossed the ball to Fletcher Cripps to hit home after a well timed run from the opposite wing.

The second half understandably was a little more sedate, but Henbury & Rockleaze didn't throw in the towel and continued to play good passing football but without a cutting edge. Bromley grabbed another couple of late goals to seal a deserved win. A free kick on the edge of the box from Nathen Rose which went in via a deflection off the defender. And an own goal after a shot was cleared off the line only to ricochet into the net off another defender.

At the Bell Field Frampton United welcomed Broadwell Amateurs. Frampton's Henry Driver-Dickerson found himself through on a 1 on 1 situation with Broadwell goalkeeper Jack Watkins when the ref waved play on when linesman raised his flag, but his shot cannoned back off the post. On 23 minutes Frampton’s Tom Mangan headed on a Manolo Espada free kick which hit the bar. From Espada's next free kick Dom Brown connected well & headed past Watkins to make it 1-0. 5 minutes into the 2nd half a good turn by Henry Driver-Dickerson but his shot crept just wide. Broadwell equalised in the 68th minute when Dave Jenkins headed in a corner at the back post. Final chance of the game came from a long range shot by Broadwell's Jordan Locke that went just wide.

At Tewkesbury Road winless Cheltenham Civil Service started the game against visitors Totterdown United brightly with lots of possession but were unable to turn this into clear chances. Totterdown United made the breakthrough when a long ball forward should have been caught by the Civil Service keeper but he slipped and ended by heading it straight to Ollie Lovell who made it 1-0. A Harvey White shot from long range levelled it before half time. The second half was an even affair settled in favour of the visitors when Civil Service didn't mark properly on a corner allowing Frank Tobin to take the points back to Totterdown

The Friday night game saw another large crowd of 205 as Almondsbury retained top spot with a 7-1 home victory over Gala Wilton, marred somewhat by a nasty injury to Gala’s Jordan Molyneux. Almondsbury wish Jordan a speedy recovery.

Almondsbury started well but after just 7 minutes a ball into the Almonds box wasn't controlled and fell to Gala striker Ben Sluman who beat Sam Burgess to put Gala ahead. It took 10 minutes for Almonds to level Zach Morgan beat his man for pace down the line and squared for Jensen Mannings who finished well on the half volley past the keeper. Then on 19 minutes a 50/50 challenge led to a collision which saw a nasty head injury to Gala's Jordan Molyneux and he was unable to carry on after treatment from both physios. On 28 minutes Almonds went ahead. Tim O'Loughlin played a diagonal ball into the box, it's flicked on and Zach Morgan volleys into the corner for 2-1.

Almondsbury took control of the game in the second half. On 55 Almonds get there third when a Corner drilled in by Alex Hill is flicked by Jack Burgess to Morgan who smashes his header past the keeper for his second of the game. On 62 it’s four as another Hill corner and Morgan rises like a salmon and a bullet header complete his hat trick. On 65 Almonds make 5 subs and the coach with the subs board had his moment of the match. On 73 Gala are reduced to 10 men for violent conduct. On 83 substitute Liam Nicholls makes it five with a tap in at the far post after Jensen Mannings squares a great ball across after breaking down the right. A minute later Nicholls makes it six fending off him man to convert a pass from Omar Alrawi. Well into added time another of the substitutes Alrawi beats his man wide and from a very tight angle smashes it home to make it 7-1.

24th October 2024 - Electronic Programmes

Almondsbury v Gala Wilton

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Cheltenham Civil Service v Totterdown United

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Filton Athletic v Ruardean Hill Rangers

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Hanham Athletic v Quedgeley Wanderers

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12th October 2024 - Gala win Gloucester Derby

Mark Simpson

results

Almondsbury are back on top after a scoring spree (they scored two) against leaders Stoke Gifford. Sharpness are in second after scoring five at Broadwell and Cheltenham Civil Service were narrowly beaten by Ruardean Hill and remain bottom. It was also Les James Cup day with the first two quarter final ties.

It was derby day at Fairmile Gardens as Gala Wilton took on Quedgeley Wanderers and it was the hosts who dominated the early exchanges with slick interchange between the midfield and centre forward Jamie Creed. Gala were in front on 20 minutes when Ethan Vaughan beat two players and curled a left foot shot from the edge beating an outstretched Nathan Charnock. Gala continued to dominate and turned possession into another goal with Creed beating the offside with a cool and collected finish. Gala started the second half in the same dominant vein and Jordan Molyneux had a 1 on 1 with Charnock who pulled an inspiring save. The game petered out but Gala managed a third when Creed was in the right place scoring from a rebound and 3-0 it ended Gala taking the three points.

To the Forest and Ruardean Hill Rangers, faced Cheltenham Civil Service, with a goalless first half where neither team were able to gain any control. Service’s best first half chance fell to Mani Singh who shot over from the edge, and Hill’s best chances, both to Alex Stephens, were both saved by Jon Dix. The game came to life in the last 20 minutes, Hill taking the lead after Stephens beat two defenders and rifled the ball in from the edge of the box. Service equalised when a run from Leo Milan drew a foul from a defender and Dylan Tucker beat Aaron Underwood from the spot. The game appeared to be heading for a draw when a free kick from halfway by Hills’ Kane Fellows was fumbled over the line to give Hill a 2-1 victory.

A tightly contested match took place between Chalford and Wick at Highfield Way. Wick started the better side and had a lot of the ball but it was Chalford who struck first when a long ball from Portlock wasn’t dealt with and Andy Maryon showed great vision lobbing Kai Wilson from 35 yards. Wick continued to dominate possession and deservedly levelled when a well worked move down the right was finished by Liam McCracken at the back post. Wick finished the first half on top but failed to test Portlock. Chalford started the second half on the front foot but it was Wick who went closest when Corey Langdon was denied by Portlock when one-on-one. Chalford went close to grabbing the three points when Maryon flashed an effort wide. But with Wick dominating the first half and Chalford the second it could be said 1-1 was a fair result.

A bright day at the Hawthorns where Broadwell Amateurs took on Sharpness for what would be a challenging match for the hosts. Sharpness hit the ground running playing quick incisive football and were in front on five minutes when Alex Garner broke free and calmly shot past Jack Watkins. They nearly doubled that lead when Tomlin unleashed a powerful shot narrowly missing the upright. Broadwell regrouped and 14 minutes in mounted their first serious attack when Harry Williams provided a well timed pass to Ethan Dunscombe who found the net for 1-1. However, Broadwell’s defence was struggling to cope with the Sharks pressure and four minutes on Brad Gibbs was left unmarked to beat Watkins for 2-1. Continuing to dominate Sharpness extended their advantage after Watkins did well to parry an initial shot but Palmer bundled the rebound in for 3-1. Broadwell started the second half with some bright attacks but the Sharks soon took control and a slick right-wing move ended with Alfie Jones making it four for the visitors. Soon after, on 55 minutes, Will Tainton broke into the box and slotted past Watkins for the Sharpness fifth. Sharpness remained comfortable and saw out a 5-1 victory on a day where the hosts never recovered from a shaky start.

Totterdown United hosted fellow newcomers Filton Athletic. Filton initially started the game the sharper of the two. Totterdown started to play some nice football and Chaz Hemmings scored a fantastic long range free kick, putting Totterdown United 1-0 up. Less than 5 minutes later Filton got the equaliser via a free kick from Kyle Thomas which went in through an error from Ashley Martin which saw the ball dribble through his legs. Not long after another mistake, a mix up between keeper and centre back left Trey Merrett with a tap in to an open goal to put Filton in control. The second half Totterdown started a lot brighter having a lot more possession and trying to create chances. Filton captain Kyle Thomas was sin binned which gave Totterdown an opportunity to capitalise on the extra player advantage but never did. Filton then put the game to bed with a beautiful strike from substitute Yusuf Abdulrahman. Filton deservedly got the win as they were the better team on the day.

In todays other league match, Almondsbury went back to the top with a 2-0 win over Stoke Gifford SGS United at The Field in front of a crowd of just over 200 with Zach Morgan and Matteo Pali the goal scorers. Filton Athletic gained a 3-1 win away to Totterdown United with Josh Hemmings on target for Totterdown and Kyle Thomas, Trey Merrett and Yusuf Abdulrahman the Filton scorers.

Les James League Cup - Sponsored by Boca Teamwear - Frampton United and Henbury & Rockleaze progress

results

To the League Cup and to Arnall Drive on an Autumnal day for Henbury & Rockleaze against Hanham Athletic who should arguably been in front on three minutes when Karim Rendall was one-on-one with Jordan Dunning but struck the outside of the post. It was a cagey affair and it wasn’t until the 23rd minute when Dan Webb went clear for H&R, but his fierce shot didn’t trouble Ashton Trott. H&R broke the deadlock on 41 when Sam Bailey sprinted away playing in James Goulden who crossed for Callum Winter to turn the ball in from close range. H&R thought they’d go in to the break 1-0 up but Hanham had other ideas when Rendall was played in over the top and finished expertly past Dunning for 1-1. The second half started with a few good minutes of Hanham pressure, Dunning saving from Sam Archer and again on 58 minutes when he saved superbly from Rendall in a one-on-one. On 65 minutes Bailey found himself one-on-one with Trott, but the keeper did well to turn the ball round the post. It was at this point that H&R started to dominate and on 68 Bailey latched onto a through ball from George James and struck the ball past Trott. Three minutes later Kacper Kalkowski and Jordan Dent combined for Dent to place the ball past Trott for a third. Five minutes later Dent did it again with a fine strike from the edge after Trott couldn’t deal with an awkward back pass. On 82 Jordan Rickman rose well from a free kick and his well-placed header past Dunning gave Hanham their second. However, H&R weren’t going to let Hanham back in and went straight up the other end with Joe Hodson turning in Kalkowski’s cross for a fifth. So there it is! Last years finalists are out with H&R convincingly making the semis by 5-2.

Todays other quarter-final was at the Bell Field where Frampton United took on Bromley Heath United and it was Frampton who started off the better of the two and Fin Blythe was unlucky when his shot came back off the post, but it didn’t take long for him to get on to the scoresheet when his shot from the edge of the box beat Will Ferguson. Bromley’s Aiden Noble had a deflected shot well saved by Tom Kaye and just on the stroke of half-time Frampton were two-up when Archie Myatt’s cross was headed in for an unfortunate own-goal. Five minutes after the re-start Kaye did well to push Ben Ackerman’s shot away and in the 64th minute Max Harper-Emerson turned his defender but saw his shot rebound off the post. Kaye once again denied Bromley, getting down well to save from Noble. The final effort of the game saw Blythe’s free kick strike the post, but it finished 2-0 to Frampton and on to the semis.

10th October 2024 - Electronic Programmes

Almondsbury v Stoke Gifford SGS United

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Chalford v Wick

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Gala Wilton v Quedgeley Wanderers

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Henbury & Rockleaze v Hanham Athletic

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Ruardean Hill Rangers v Cheltenham Civil Service

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Totterdown United v Filton Athletic

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5th October 2024 - Hanham Athletic held by Totterdown United

Mark Simpson

results

New leaders – SGS take over the top on goal difference from Almondsbury who return to winning ways, albeit goal scoring appears to be a problem. Last weeks leaders Sharpness fell to Chalford. Totterdown United kept up their improvement with an away point at Hanham Athletic.

We start at the Hallett Construction Pavilion where Hanham Athletic took on Totterdown Unitedv. and it was the visitors who took an early lead when a great through ball was expertly finished by Ollie Lovell. Once again Totterdown set their defensive formation that is becoming hard to breakdown. Sam Archer had a great chance to equalise on 35 minutes but failed to get a shot away when free in front of goal. Hanham went very close just before the break but Brandon Barnes’ volley from Karim Rendall’s excellent cross was just over the bar. Hanham eventually equalised five minutes from time when Josh Gibbs found himself free in the box and finished brilliantly for a 1-1 draw.

At Pen Park, Filton Athletic looked to keep their 100% home record against Broadwell Amateurs but had to settle for an entertaining draw. Filton had a great start when after some good play down the left Said Hassan squared for Trey Merrett to finish nicely past Jack Watkins. It was not long after when confusion in the Filton defence led to a shot from Nathan Davies which was well saved by Barry Phillips before Jordan Locke then shot over. On 10 minutes a good challenge and through ball from Tom Fry nearly led to a second Filton goal but Fraser Venables dragged his shot wide. Filton were on top at this stage, and Chris Hillyer curled a free kick just wide. On 23 minutes an interesting point, the Referee had given a penalty to Filton and dismissed Broadwell’s Locke for handball, but, after consulting Broadwell’s linesman they deemed Hillyer’s shot was over the goal line, the goal given and the red card overturned. Good V.A.R! And not long after Rio Burson-Stephens fired a free kick past Phillips to bring Broadwell back in it. Filton had a few good chances before half time with a Fry header over, and Cooper shooting wide. Early in the second half a Filton corner ended with Fry shooting straight at Watkins. After a great save by Phillips from Broadwell’s Davies, Burston-Stephens followed in for his second and 2-2. Jack Cole shot wide for Filton before Phillips was on hand to save from Dunscombe and Knight on 81, before Venables shot was well saved by Watkins and Jack Cole’s follow up header was just over and there it ended 2-2.

At a bright Arnall Drive, Henbury & Rockleaze took on Gala Wilton, and with H&R still looking for a league win they took the lead as early as the third minute when Jordan Dent met a Sam Bailey cross and beat Oscar Bignell with a stooping header. A few minutes on it was almost two when Calum Winter’s fierce shot was well blocked by Kieran Mace in the six-yard box. It wasn’t all one-way traffic as on twelve minutes Harry O’Connor skimmed the H&R crossbar. On 16 minutes Dent had another chance, his well-directed effort well saved by Bignell. On 35 minutes Jordan Dunning made a brilliant one-handed save from an Ethan Vaughan 22-yard free kick. Just before the break Drew Sawdon got a header in from a corner but Bignell was up to the task again. Dunning then tipped over a cross-shot from Vaughan. The second half started at a slower pace until ten minutes in when Sawdon thought he’d scored from a back post volley until the linesman intervened. H&R were not perturbed and on 58 minutes a great cross from Nick Jones was met by Dent with a powerful header straight at Bignell, but Winter was there to smash the rebound home. On 66 minutes Dan Webb went through but was thwarted by Bignell. The game became really stretched with numerous corners and free kicks for both sides but neither keeper was called upon to make any difficult saves and 2-0 to H&R it ended.

At Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham Civil Service took on Frampton United, in front of a good size crowd, and the game started in a feisty fashion with the Referee handing out a number of yellow cards to Service. Frampton were having some joy down the right side and took the lead from a cross and excellent volley finish by Manolo Espada. A few minutes later it was two, a free kick on the right was met by Dom Brown. Things blew up on twenty minutes with Evren Turksen picking up his second yellow and lots of protest from the dugout saw Service’s coach also receiving a red. Near the end of the half Micolaj Rewczuk made a great run into the Frampton box and was up-ended for a penalty which he duly converted. The second half saw Frampton with more of the ball due to numerical advantage but chances were few and far between and 2-1 to Frampton it ended.

At Pomphrey Hill in a mid-table clash Bromley Heath United took on Ruardean Hill Rangers with the visitors on top in the early stages and they took the lead ten minutes in when hesitation in the home box was gratefully accepted by Alex Stephens who ran on to slot the ball past Ollie Amos. A few moments later Stephens out-paced the defence and was one-on-one with Amos who foiled him this time. Halfway through the half, from a good through ball Stephens easily beat the last defender and slotted past Amos for 2-0. Mistakes by both defences saw further chances but none taken before the break. Hill started the second half in the same vein and were unlucky not to add to the score straight away, but hit the bar and the ball was scrambled away. However, the third was not long coming Fellows heading home from a corner. Heath had a few chances towards the end but failed to make them count and Hill took a deserved three points back to the Forest with a 3-0 victory.

At Hamwells, Sharpness’ unbeaten start to the season came to and end in a close fought encounter with Chalford. Will Tainton had an opportunity to open the scoring for the Sharks midway through the half when Bennet found him, in space, in the box but his effort was well saved by Portlock. On the half hour a dangerous ball into the Sharks box by Minnican was well defended by Gough who steered the ball to prevent Maryon from scoring. Just before the break Alex Gaynor was played in by James Tainton but fired the ball at Portlock. Both teams continued to cancel each other out in the second half and on 65 the two Tainton brothers linked up well, with James setting up Will but once again, Portlock denied Will’s shot. The deadlock was broken fifteen minutes from time by Chalford, when Roberts cross found George Parker in space and he made no mistake slotting his shot past Holder. A tight game with both teams being well matched but Chalford found that moment of quality to take the three points with a 1-0 win.

A sunny but windy afternoon saw Stoke Gifford SGS United take on struggling Quedgeley Wanderers, but saw Quedgeley create the first chance on ten minutes with a Diwash Kerung effort going wide of the post. SGS started to impose their authority with Rudy Hill, Arron Sweete, and Jake Abraham all with good efforts saved by Nathan Charnock. And, on forty minutes Hill rose to head home a corner for 1-0. Minutes later Hill turned provider for Arian Askari to head home, and on the stroke of half time, Askari unleashed an unstoppable 20 yard shot for 3-0. Quedgeley pressed at the start of the second half with Abiodun Odewale going close. But, on 65 minutes SGS put the game to bed when Hill delivered a pin point cross for Joe Taylor to fire home from close range. SGS controlled the remainder of the half for a comfortable 4-0 win.

At Wick Playing Fields, hosts Wick took on Almondsbury in a battle of two of the form teams. A large crowd voiced their approval as battle commenced! Both teams were testing each other out early on, and it was Frank Taylor-Fox who ghosted into the box to get on the end of a cross to half volley against the post, the rebound was netted but the linesman’s flag subdued celebrations. Within minutes Jay Rudge unleashed a piledriver which Sam Burgess dealt with comfortably. Almondsbury created the next chance but was wastefully headed over. Both teams had decent possession without creating anything until Bayley Rudge blasted over the bar and the trees behind – so-long ball it was nice knowing you! Wick were playing some nice football but it was Almonds who scored first with Omari Alwari on the edge of the box rifling past a stranded Kai Wilson. Within minutes Taylor-Fox had a great chance after dribbling past two opponents he fired just over. With half time approaching Almonds had the ball in the net again but were denied by a linesman’s flag. Both teams started the second half playing good football with early chances. Wick made a number of changes for a more attacking formation and Almonds the same for tiring legs. Chances kept coming – most for Wick the best of these Louis Robson’s low drive saved by Burgess. Five minutes of added time were played out and a well drilled Almondsbury held out for a narrow 1-0 win.

4th October 2024 - Electronic Programmes

Cheltenham Civil Service v Frampton United

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Filton Athletic v Broadwell Amateurs

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Hanham Athletic v Totterdown United

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Henbury & Rockleaze v Gala Wilton

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