News and Match Reports

18th April 2025 - Electronic Programmes

Almondsbury v Wick

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20th April 2025 - Only Frampton United win as top teams stumble in home straight

Mark Simpson

results

At the top the games in hand over leaders Almondsbury are running out and if they win their final match against Wick on Thursday they secure the title. Almondsbury did not help themselves yesterday losing to in-form Henbury and Rockleaze, but then again only Frampton in the chasing pack won. At the bottom Cheltenham Civil Service delayed relegation by drawing with Filton Athletic. Some important games coming up.

Totterdown United welcomed Frampton United to Bristol Barbarians RFC for their final home fixture of the season. An experienced Totterdown team started well and missed an early chance from the in-form Saunders. After this lax marking by the Totts defence and allowed Frampton’s Craig Mills to receive the ball, nutmeg Totts Toby Carter before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Totterdown huffed and puffed with a few shots but Frampton coped well and won a corner five minutes from the break, and they converted a flick on at the near post with Joel White scoring, knocking the wind out of Totterdown. Totterdown re-grouped for the second half and put up a fight back, but a point-blank header from Mike Rimmer was brilliantly saved by Tom Kaye to deny Totts a way back in. The rest of the game had two even sides playing in good spirit, having a few wayward shots with Frampton holding on for a 2-0 win.

Wick hosted Bromley Heath United at The Nest in what seemed a must win game for the home side. Bromley started the strongest and were unfortunate not to be in the lead inside 15 minutes when only the post denied them. Ten minutes before half-time some neat play from Wick saw Bayley Rudge fouled in the box for a penalty kick which Cory Langdon took but he was denied by Will Ferguson pulling off a good save. Five minutes into the second half Bromley took the lead, a mistimed header from Harry Madge fell to Cameron Ford who smashed home a cracking volley. Twelve minutes from time and Rudge was again fouled in the box and this time Liam McCracken stepped up and finished into the bottom corner for 1-1. Wick then threw everything at Bromley but couldn’t find the back of the net and then with five minutes left a slip by Frank Taylor-Fox gave Bromley a two-on-one and Kai Wilson pulled off a great stop but Aiden Noble was there to fire home the rebound. In time added on Bromley were awarded a penalty for a hand ball on the line for which Madge received his marching orders and up stepped Noble to send Wilson the wrong way and making sure that al three points went back to Pomphrey Hill with a 3-1 Bromley Heath win.

At The Field Almondsbury took on one of the form sides Henbury and Rockleaze. H&R with their first attack forced a corner and from it Almondsbury had a number of attempts to clear and from a looping ball in the box Jack Burgess unfortunately turned the ball into his own net. After 5 minutes Almonds got a corner and but Burgess headed into the side-netting. On fourteen minutes Holver went down the left and pulled back for Hughes but his strike was just wide. A few minutes later Holver did well to win a free kick on the left and Hughes stepped up and whipped the ball into the top left corner for 1-1. On 24 minutes a quick H&R break, and from an unfortunate bobble the ball fell to Drew Sawdon to finish well past Sam Burgess for H&R to lead 2-1. Hughes had a vicious strike which Trett did well to push behind for a corner and just before the break Hughes delivered a good ball which Meacham could only stretch to head over. Almonds created a few chances in the second half – on 47 minutes Pali had an effort blocked and Nicholls rebound was just over the bar. Ten minutes later Hughes free kick was destined for the top corner but Trett tipped over at full stretch and on 77 minutes Mannings free kick was knocked on by Lancastle but Trett made a good reactive save. Almondsbury's cause not helped by Jack Burgess being dismissed for an off the ball incident. H&R held on for a fine 2-1 win and Almonds have to now give it all on Thursday evening.

Chalford welcomed Ruardean Hill Rangers to Highfield Way and it was the home side that started the brightest. The majority of the first half was spent with a home side camped in Ruardeans half and chances came and went as Maryon, Day, Evans and Harry all threatened the Ruardean goal but without making a breakthrough . It looked as though the sides would go in level at half time however two minutes before the break the ball was worked into Maryon who saw his shot blocked but Ryan Harry was there to follow up and toe poke to give the home side a deserved lead. The second half over was a different story. Chalford struggled to get going and didn’t play the free-flowing football of first half and despite getting into good positions lacked a bit of quality in the final 3rd to add to the score, but that said Ruardean never really threatened Sam Neale in the home goal. Chalford secured the 1-0 win and move onto Monday’s home game versus Bromley Heath

In the other League matches Broadwell Amateurs drew 1-1 with Stoke Gifford SGS United and Cheltenham Civil Service drew 3-3 with Filton Athletic.

18th April 2025 - Electronic Programmes

Almondsbury v Henbury and Rockleaze

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Cheltenham Civil Service v Filton Athletic

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Totterdown United v Frampton United

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16th April 2025 - Frampton United v Wick

Peter Langley

13th April 2025 - Wick continue chase at the top

Mark Simpson

results

The first thing decided this season is that Gala Wilton have been relegated following their midweek defeat at Cheltenham Civil Service who themselves look likely to follow them after this weekends defeat at Wick and with Quedgeley winning at home to Totterdown. At the top no real change, although, Frampton, Sharpness, and Filton all dropped points the latter two against each other.

Wick hosted Cheltenham Civil Service at the Nest where both sides had plenty to play for. The first half was a fairly low-key affair as both sides struggled to make the ball stick. Wick had the first chance on fifteen minutes, a Liam McCracken strike well saved by Jon Dix. Service’s first attempt five minutes later was a Leighton Blacker shot which was routine for Kai Wilson. The first big chance of the game came for Service at the start of the second half when Alin Neamtu was one-on-one but Kai Wilson saved Wick. The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute when a Cory Langdon lay-off was smashed in by Freddie Mogg. Wick finally found their rhythm and on-the-hour a short corner played by Bayley Rudge found Langdon who rolled it back to Rudge who expertly finished into the far corner via a post. Wick’s persistent pressure once again paid off in the 67th minute when Freddie Taylor-Fox played a one-two with Langdon and his fantastic back-heel allowed Taylor-Fox’s to toe poke in for 3-0. On 75 minutes Langdon was brought down in the box and he stepped up and smashed the penalty kick home. Not finished yet, two minutes to go, McCracken found Langdon with a fantastic pass and Langdon finished it expertly. Right at the end Service were down to ten with Blacker seeing red. So, 5-0 to Wick keeping the pressure on up at the top.

Almondsbury are into final straight and this time at The Field against Ruardean Hill Rangers. On 13 minutes a long free kick for Almonds from Hughes found O’Loughlin who headed just wide, and Hill fed Holver on the left of the box but he smashed his shot into the side netting. Almonds made the break through on 22 minutes, and what a goal it was! Lancastle with a half-volley into the top corner from 30 yards. There were a few half-chances for both sides but neither keeper was really troubled. On the hour Almonds were two up, a long free kick into the box from Hughes and Meacham rose above the defence and placed a pin-point header past Underwood. On 65 minutes Nicholls 25-yard shot was beaten away well by Underwood. Almondsbury managed the game well through to the end and a valuable 2-0 win to stay top.

Down at the bottom end of the table Quedgeley Wanderers played Totterdown United at Waterwells, a game that the home side made the stronger start with Nathan Payne playing a one-two with Harry Reynolds whose cross was turned away for a corner. Nathan Charnock then played a long ball to Rory Hunt in acres of space, who flicked it through to Fin Jenner whose shot was well stopped by Ashley Martin. Hunt had a couple of well-worked plays resulting in shots that were well defended by Frazer Clark and Jack Millard. Totts had a couple of chances with shots by Toby Carter and Jack Hearsey both saved by Charnock. QW finally broke the deadlock when Dave Cummings won a free kick in a dangerous position with Payne taking the kick, and powerfully hitting the ball around the wall and into the net. In the last attack of the half Payne dinked the ball to Jenner whose shot across the goal had no one to finish it off. QW started the second half positively and Reynolds had a 20-yard shot off the crossbar. Totterdown’s Jamie Godfrey was put through on goal but Charnock forced him wide for a corner. Issac Sulyman was a threat all game for Totts in the air had a header off the crossbar. However, in the last ten minutes QW managed to double their score, a well taken corner by Hunt found its way to Cummings who found the net with a powerful header for 2-0 to Quedgeley, an invaluable win in light of Cheltenham Civil Service’s result at Wick.

Stoke Gifford SGS United hosted Bromley Heath United at the Stoke Gifford Stadium, wanting to avenge a 3-0 reversal at Pomphrey Hill and continue to keep pressure on the other title candidates. And, after just 7 minutes SGS should have been in front, Jake Abraham firing wide when one-on-one. After 15 minutes he went close again, denied well by Will Ferguson after a slick Gifford attack. In terms of chances it was one way traffic, and Gifford found their opener from a set-piece, Ollie Stevenson rising highest to head home Aaron Sweete’s corner. Bromley’s first chance came 33 minutes in with Ben O’Brien heading over when free 8 yards out. Gifford found their second on 36 minutes when Patryk Kosciolek cut in from 25 yards and unleashed an absolute peach of a strike that bent into the top corner. It was almost three just before half time, when the energetic Josh Rees was denied by the feet of Ferguson. Gifford flew out of the traps at the beginning of the second period and extended their lead 90 seconds in, Kosciolek jinked inside and found the bottom corner of Ferguson’s net from 20 yards. On 50 minutes it was 4-0, Sweete found space from 22 yards out to curl into the bottom corner for end of the contest. Bromley did, however, continue to fight and Cam Ford drove over on the hour mark, and Olly Hanham fired across goal a few minutes later with no one to apply the finishing touch. Even with changes Gifford still looked potent in attack and substitute Logan Heyns was somehow denied, when he burst clear, by an excellent double save by Ferguson. The cherry on the cake came on 78 minutes when a rash challenge gave SGS a 30-yard free kick and Froilan Stella Lopez (Diego) curled in a majestic shot into the top corner giving Ferguson no chance. Bromley managed a consolation on 87 minutes with Aidan Noble heading in Ben Ackermann’s cross after an excellent break. A comprehensive 5-1 Stoke Gifford win, with some cracking goals keeping the pressure on up at the top.

At Hamfields neither side could find a scoring touch in a top of the table encounter between Sharpness and Filton Athletic. Both sides had their chances but both the keepers and the woodwork were on hand to deny them. Filton had a chance midway through the first half but Abdulrahman saw his effort off the post. Sharpness then had a chance to take the lead when Frankham turned and hit an effort goal bound but Bradley pulled off a good diving save. Into the second half and Filton had a chance to break the deadlock when Thomas was sent through one-on-one with Holder, but the Sharks keeper pulled off a great save to deny him. Sharks captain Dummelow thought he had secured a late winner when he struck a curling effort towards the top corner but, somehow, Bradley got across and pulled off a wonder save to deny him and ensure Filton left with a point in a goalless draw which hasn’t really enhanced either sides title chances.

On a warm sunny day Chalford welcomed Frampton United to Highfield Road and it was Frampton who started off strongly with Chalford keeper Sam Neale making two very good saves inside fifteen minutes. Chalford settled into the game and both sides pretty much cancelled each other out for the first half. Chalford started the second half the stronger coming straight out after the hairdryer treatment from Buckland and Powell and on 65 minutes broke through, Locke passed a through ball to Maryon and with Locke sprinting forward, he got the return, and smashed it into the far corner. For the next 20 minutes the sides cancelled each other out again, but in the last five Frampton stepped up the pace and a free kick delivery set up Geddes who hit the ball home for 1-1 and a fair result from a good game.

Broadwell Amateurs suffered a frustrating afternoon at the Hawthorns as visiting Henbury & Rockleaze capitalised on early dominance and defensive lapses to take all three points. The game couldn’t have started in a worse fashion for the hosts as H&R scored in the opening minute with a swift move down the flank and a pinpoint cross finding Drew Sawdon unmarked in the box to head home giving Jack Watkins no chance. Shaken by the early setback, Broadwell almost responded in spectacular fashion when Jamie Creed unleashed a powerful strike which struck the crossbar. An enforced Broadwell substitution along with a couple of unforced errors allowed H&R to control much of the first half. The visitors doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Moran, who displayed impressive pace and composure outpaced the Broadwell defence down the right and cut in to fire a rocket into the top corner for 2-0. The second half offered little change in tempo or fortune for Broadwell and despite periods of promising play, clear-cut chances were elusive. On 52 minutes Dan Brain’s curling effort from range did beat Harry Trett but struck the post and bounced away. Just five minutes later, Brain was involved again setting up Jamie Belfitt with a cross which was headed wide. H&R scored a third on 74 minutes, Broadwell’s misjudged attempt to play out from the back and a miscue followed by a slip from Watkins led Toms to slot into an empty net. Neither side managed another shot on target after that and 3-0 it ended for Henbury and Rockleaze who continue their good form.

Gala Wilton took on Hanham Athletic in their final County League game at Fairmile Gardens. The first half saw both sides play some good football on a hard surface, and it was Hanham who broke the deadlock on twenty minutes when a break down the left was squared to the far post for Liam Jenkins to score at the far post. Whilst Gala would have been keen to end their home league season on a positive note with a second half comeback, Karim Rendall was the scourge of Gala once again to ensure it didn’t happen. He made it 2-0 on the hour with a 20-yard lob over Curtis Watkins in the Gala goal. This was followed with a strike from inside the box on 70 minutes and completed with a late penalty just before full time for a comprehensive three points for Hanham Athletic.

10th April 2025 - Electronic Programmes

Almondsbury v Ruardean Hill Rangers

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Gala Wilton v Hanham Athletic

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8th April 2025 - Electronic Programmes

Totterdown United v Bromley Heath United

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6th April 2025 - Quedgeley Wanderers gain valuable point

Mark Simpson

results

At the top Almondsbury still have the points and consolidated top spot by beating one of their rivals Frampton United. At the bottom despite picking up a point, things are still very bleak for Gala Wilton and not much better for Cheltenham Civil Service, whilst Quedgeley Wanderers picked up a valuable away point at Ruardean Hill despite conceding in the last minute for the second week running.

It was a windy start up on Ruardean Hill and Quedgeley Wanderers had an early chance but a loose touch allowed Walding to challenge. An active start and Ollie Mason breaks up the line and crosses to the near post and Steve Clark chipped over, and a minute later QW had a 4th minute lead, The Hill defence lost the high ball in the wind and Fin Jenner cooly finished past Aaron Underwood. For the next 15 minutes both teams tried to get a foothold but the windy conditions caused them both problems. Jenner had a good chance for QW but Underwood made a great save. Just after the half hour Mason got the ball 30 yards out and being urged to shoot duly obliged firing just over Steve Sparrow’s crossbar. On 39 minutes a great move by Hill saw Clark go through but Sparrow smothered the ball. Hill started to see more of the ball in the second half but it was always the final ball that let them down as they searched for an equaliser. Hill were reduced to ten as Tyler Adams was adjudged to be the last man with a quarter of an hour to go! But, they still applied pressure and a Clark corner was hooked just wide by Tom Landon, and two minutes from time Hill equalised, a great through ball found Alex Stephens whose shot brought a great save by Sparrow but Stephens struck the rebound home for 1-1.

Gala Wilton took on Broadwell Amateurs on a bright sunny afternoon at Fairmile Gardens, determined to finally bring their run of defeats to an end. The first half was a competitive affair with chances for both sides but defences came out on top to ensure a goalless first half. The second half followed a similar pattern, although Gala were on top for the final half hour hunting for a winning goal but it wasn’t to be, and disappointed not to get three points they can take the positives into their midweek six pointer clash at Cheltenham Civil Service.

At Tewkesbury Road Cheltenham Civil Service took on Sharpness with both teams needing the points for different reasons. The game started with Sharpness playing a long ball through which the Service defence failed to deal with, the ball was intercepted by Kier Bennett to open the Sharks account. The second goal for Sharpness resulted from a poor ball played down the Service right which was missed by the full back and found its way to James Tainton to finish for 2-0. The third Sharks goal came from a ball played into the Service box and once again the home defence failed to clear and left James Tainton to score his second goal. With the game effectively over Sharpness just stayed strong at the back for the second half as the business of the day had been completed in the first half and a safe 3-0 win for Sharpness.

Enough from the bottom, now to the top and at a windy Bell Field, Frampton United hosted league leaders Almondsbury. The first chance fell to Frampton when a free kick into the box was headed on to Henry Driver-Dickerson but he shot wide. Almondsbury keeper Sam burgess saved a Tom Mangan strike. On the half-hour a long Almonds ball over the top was pulled back by Pali to Craig Lancastle whose shot was saved by Tom Kaye. Frampton’s Mangan was played through but was pulled back and Henry D-D put the free kick into the side netting. The opening goal came shortly after, a long kick from Burgess was headed on by Holver for Lancastle to poke past Kaye. A couple of minutes into the second half Lancastle scored his second when he headed in Holver’s cross. Things got worse for Frampton when substitute Tyers saw red, but in time added on Manolo Espada finished past Burgess to pull a goal back, but it was too little too late and Almondsbury secured a well-deserved three points with the 2-1 win.

After back-to-back draws Filton Athletic looked to secure a win against Chalford at Pen Park. It was the visitors who started quickest when Ben Minnican found himself on the edge of the box but dragged his shot wide. On eight minutes a long clearance by Dorman set Trey Merrett free, but his lob over the on-rushing Sam Neale was wide of the target. Chalford were in front on 19 mins, when a right-wing corner was flicked in by Andrew Maryon. It was nearly two when Minnican headed over from a corner. On twenty-five, good play down the Filton left from skipper Kyle Thomas found Cooper whose shot was blocked and fell to Yusuf Abdulrahman who tapped home for 1-1. Filton seemed to wake up after that and started to take control and created a few chances, with Kieran Cooper shooting over from a Tom Fry cross, then, in time added on, Trey Merrett failed to find the target from Fraser Venables free kick. Filton started the second half at a fast pace and two minutes in took the lead after good play down the left by Merrett who crossed for an unmarked Cooper to bundle the ball home. The game got a bit scrappy after this and Filton made some changes to try and liven things up, and it was nearly 3-1 when Said Hassan does well down the left but his cross was just in front of Merrett who couldn’t squeeze it in. With five minutes to go Chalford’s Luke Bennyworth found himself in space on the edge but dragged his shot wide and Luke Brunsdon was then sin-binned, but, in time added on they got a free kick in a dangerous area and Jamie Lock fired into the wall then his second attempt went over; and there you have it, a Filton 2-1 win and they have not been beaten in the league since October 26th 2024.

At Bristol Barbarians RFC Totterdown United hoped to play better against Henbury and Rockleaze than they did two weeks ago in the League Cup. H&R started the brighter of the two teams and made the most of their start when Goulden beat Totts keeper Martin to the ball and looped it into the net. Totterdown grew into the game and started playing some nice football, and on the half hour Chaz Hemmings shot was tipped onto the post by Trett, the ball bounced back, struck him and ended up into the net for an unfortunate own-goal and 1-1. H&R started the second half the stronger and controlled most of the proceedings with Totts mainly defending. H&R took the lead on 65 minutes when Harrison’s shot went through a number of bodies and into the net. For the remaining 20 minutes Totterdown tried to find an equaliser but never did enough to score and in the last minute they were convinced there was a handball but the Referee waved the protests away and H&R got a well earnt three points with a 2-1 win.

At the Hallett Construction Pavilion, Hanham Athletic’s inconsistencies showed up again, this time against promotion chasing Stoke Gifford SGS United. Gifford started the stronger and were in front on 10 minutes from a corner which was punched onto Jake Abraham’s head by keeper David Taylor and unfortunately for him it went into the net. Gifford were close again just before the break but Borden’s shot was well tipped over by Taylor. Gifford made it two on 68 minutes when Ollie Stephenson finished superbly when put through on goal. It was 3-0 soon after when Rudy Hill headed home from a corner, after which Hanhan began to fall apart! Taylor could do nothing about the fourth goal when Aaron Sweete hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner and on 90 minutes it was five when Isaac hit a beautiful 25 yard shot over Taylor. Hanham did get a late consolation when a great turn and cross by Brandon Barnes found Tom Sayers who finished it off. So, Giffords promotion chase continues with an excellent 5-1 win.

Wick arrived at Pomphrey Hill determined to continue their six-match unbeaten league run against Bromley Heath United, and they were ahead on five minutes, a hopeful shot on the turn by Liam McCracken took a huge deflection off a Bromley defender to end up in the back of the net. Wick continued to have the better of the first half although the hard pitch and gusty wind didn’t make for pretty football with both sides finding it hard to play their normal passing game. On 20 minutes Wick’s top scorer Cory Langdon got himself on the end of a cross but the defender did enough to make him put the ball inches over the bar. Again, on 35 minutes a good combination with Langdon ended in a shot that was scrambled away. Bromley battled well throughout the half but were restricted to long range efforts or free kicks into the box but couldn’t convert into clear chances. Bromley started the second half well and soon forced Wick keeper Kai Wilson into an excellent save from an equally excellent effort from Jake Millward. This was Bromley’s best period of the game, and they had their chances but were thwarted by a strong Wick defence. As the half progressed, Wick started to regain more control and scored a second on 75 minutes with a quality finish from the lively McCracken. Overall, a deserved 2-0 win for a Wick side who, given the form they are in, are going to make a real challenge for top spot.

4th April 2025 - Electronic Programmes

Cheltenham Civil Service v Sharpness

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Filton Athletic v Chalford

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Gala Wilton v Broadwell Amateurs

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Hanham Athletic v Stoke Gifford SGS United

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Ruardean Hill Rangers v Quedgeley Wanderers

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Totterdown United v Henbury and Rockleaze

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