23rd February 2025 - Quedgeley Wanderers edge out of drop zone
Mark Simpson
An interesting week at the top and bottom of the League. At the top Almondsbury and Frampton slip up, Sharpness drew
and with wins, both Wick and Stoke Gifford are stirring things up, and Filton Athletic in an interesting position. At
the bottom Quedgeley’s win takes them out of the bottom two, although Cheltenham Civil Service have games in hand.
At Waterwells a crucial match for both Quedgeley Wanderers and Gala Wilton with QW the stronger early on with Gala’s
first venture in to QW’s half not coming until the tenth minute. On 17 minutes Rory Hunt made his way through the
middle for QW but stumbled into Gala keeper Oscar Bignall and Ben Sluman cleared up. A few minutes later James
Stanbury went through for QW lobbed Bignall but was well wide. A Gala free kick with a good delivery is well headed
away by Harry Reynolds. Stanbury tried from distance but was just wide. QW finished the half on top but three good
opportunities were wasted. The opening goal for Quedgeley came soon after half time with Sean Lawson beating the
offside trap and finishing from outside the box. QW keep creating chances and on 55 a deep free kick by Callum McClean
and Jordan Rouse rose well but Bignall pulled off a top save. A few minutes on Lawson played Woody Vinton through who
laid it to Harry Reynolds who calmly slotted home for 2-0. With quarter of an hour left Hunt made his way down the
left and broke into the box but Josh Coakley made the saving tackle. Stalemate developed for the remaining minutes,
until into time added on a QW throw in was flicked on by Stuart Ballinger to Dylan Venn to find the corner for 3-0 and
a welcome and deserved win for QW.
To Tewkesbury Road where Cheltenham Civil Service welcomed Ruardean Hill Rangers, and it was Ruardean with the first
goal, a poor throw-in by Service was intercepted by Ruardean and Jon Dix fouled and the resultant penalty well
converted by Steve Clark. Ruardean’s second came when Clark run through unopposed for a good finish. Service brought
their way back into things in the second half when a well-crafted move was finished by Caleb Gieb, and moments later
Dix rescued Service with a penalty save following more poor defending. A corner from Ruardean found Ollie Mason at the
back post unmarked for 3-1 and soon after the fourth came from Jones. Service pulled one back but then had Greenwood
sent off. So, another defeat dragging Service into the bottom two and a fight is now on.
At Pen Park, Filton Athletic extended their unbeaten League run to 10 with a hard-fought victory over Frampton
United. Frampton had first sight of goal when Henry Driver-Dickerson shot straight at Ryan Nixon in the Filton goal.
Filton had the next chance when Fraser Venables swung in a cross from the right, Trey Merrett headed goalwards but
saved by Tom Kaye with Tom Fry firing the rebound wide. Frampton had a few half chances through Henry D-D first
shooting wide from George D-D’s cross, then he cut in from the left and fired wide of Nixon’s goal. The deadlock was
broken on 34 minutes, Venables cross was headed clear but the ball fell to Jack Willmor who fired a first-time volley
into the top corner. It was nearly two when great wing play from Willmor beating his man and found Dan Matthews in the
middle who shot over from 12 yards. Into the second half and early on Henry D-D shot but well saved by Nixon, then
Jacob Geddes headed wide from a free kick. Frampton pressed for and equaliser and Manolo Espada shot narrowly wide. In
the last few minutes Henry D-D’s shot was well blocked by Chris Hillyer and Filton held on to a 1-0 scoreline and
moved into contention.
In bright but blustery conditions Stoke Gifford SGS United hosted second placed Almondsbury in a local derby. The
game took a long while to get going with both teams sussing each other out. There was an early moment of panic when an
innocuous free kick delivered by Joe Taylor was fumbled by Almonds keeper Tom McCarragher but the ball fortunately
went wide. The game was disrupted for 5 minutes as Dan Worton was treated for a suspected shoulder dislocation and
Gifford had to shuffle the pack but they started to play some decent stuff, but unfortunately with little threat, and
at the other end the lively Omar Alwari had a half chance but failed to trouble keeper Evan Healan. On the half hour
Gifford found their opener, a corner wasn’t dealt with and the ball made its way to Marcus Thatcher whose initial
effort was blocked but the follow up was unstoppable from 16 yards. SGS started the second half on the front foot and
doubled their lead on 49 minutes, McCarragher did well to anticipate a ball in behind but could only clear to Dan
Twomey who slotted in from 22 yards. Almondsbury rang the changes and reduced the deficit on the hour, a good ball in
was met by Jack Burgess to emphatically head home. But, it was SGS who responded better, Twomey hit a shot destined
for the top corner but was denied well by McCarragher. On 75 minutes Arron Sweete looked to be through on goal but was
foiled by Alex Hill, Rudy Hill was next to go close but his flicked header from Taylor’s corner came back off the
post. Almonds continued to push using set pieces as a route back in but the SGS back line held firm. The game was
sealed in the 84th minute, Evan Maidment nutmegged his man out on the right, crossed into debutant Patryk Kosciolek
who was initially denied by a great Vinny Coote tackle but the ball came back to him, and he sat his man down before
slotting in for 3-1. A win which keeps Gifford in touch at the top.
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue) - Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Cheltenham Civil Service
(Red/White)
v Ruardean Hill Rangers
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Click on Image for larger version
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Next
Wick playing fields was bathed in early spring sunshine for Wick against Chalford as the season enters the home
straight. Now it appears to be the time to put down a marker to show who has the ability to go all the way. The first
ten minutes in this match however, was scrappy and the first decent chance saw Chalford in front on fifteen minutes. A
well-placed ball over the top found Wick’s Liam Robson not having as much time as he thought and he was robbed by Ben
Minnican to put the visitors in front. The response was concise and immediate with Bayley Rudge finishing an intricate
passing move for the equaliser. Within three minutes of drawing level Wick were in front when a lovely cross by Rudge
was headed in by Freddy Taylor-Fox. Jaye Rudge had a good shot cleared as Wick looked to pull further ahead before
Taylor-Fox cleared a good Chalford chance off the line. The second half started with a great chance for Ben Sayers who
ballooned over from 5 yards. Both teams continued this theme of blasting over for a while and a delay followed for
player treatment and Callum Ball was declared fit to carry on. The game entered the last twenty minutes and Rudge
crossed for Freddy Mogg only for Portlock to make a great save, then Chalford had a great chance which came off the
bar. Mogg then played the pass of the match to Cory Langdon and he delicately finished with the outside of the boot
for 3-1. Chalford came back into the game when Andrew Maryon finished well. And there it was, Wick held on for three
valuable points and a special mention to Referee Mark Loughlin, who let the game flow, talked to the players,
explained all his decisions and played really well.
Broadwell Amateurs were the visitors Hamfields, home of Sharpness on a rare sunny day. Sharpness had more possession
and territory in the first half but failed to create any real chances, they looked dangerous from set pieces but the
closet they came to scoring was a goalmouth scramble but the visiting defence and keeper Jack Watkins kept the ball
out. Sharpness continued pressing forward in the second half and nearly took the lead on 55 minutes but Watkins was on
hand to tip Palmer’s free kick effort over the bar. That was as close as the Sharks went and it was only Broadwell who
looked like scoring in the final 25 minutes. Davies had a good chance when sent in by Belfitt but pulled his shot
wide, then Locke struck a powerful shot from a 35-yard free kick but Holder saved to his left. Ten minutes from time
Locke was close again when a corner was headed out only to be met by him on the volley, Holder again saving. In the
final 5 minutes a long throw was played to Davies who set Dunscombe up but his effort struck the post and in added
time Malcom nearly secured a Broadwell win when he latched onto a headed clearance and hit a powerful shot which hit
the righthand upright and went wide. Perhaps the pressure is starting to get to Sharpness, who knows. However, an
impressive 0-0 result for Broadwell.
Bromley Heath United continued their climb up the table with a 3-0 victory over Totterdown United at Pomphrey Hill.
Bromley started the game in determined fashion and within the first ten minutes had forced Ashley Martin in
Totterdown's goal to make a very good save and had gone close from a number of dangerous looking corner balls. They
were rewarded on the quarter hour mark when Olliie Hanham used his pace to beat the fullback and hit an unstoppable
shot from the edge of the box into the top corner of the net. Bromley continued to create chances and have the bulk of
the possession and it wasn't until the 38th minute that Totterdown had their first real chance on goal but Ollie
Lovell shot wide of the mark. But Bromley finished the half the stronger team creating a number of good chances just
before the break. They deservedly went further ahead when a good effort from Mason Lewis was blocked only to fall to
Trai Elliston-Sackett who made no mistake with the follow up.
Bromley started the second half determined to add to their lead, again creating chances in the first ten minutes. Cam
Ford and Trai Elliston Sackett both saw their shots saved by Totterdown's keeper. But as the game went on and with the
pitch deteriorating the quality of the football suffered a little bit. Totterdown's best chance to claw one back came
on 80 minutes when Chas Hemmings headed on from a long throw but the ball was headed wide. Bromley weren't finished
and on 90 minutes an incisive move through the centre of the Totterdown defence saw Ollie Hanham grab his second goal
of the game to make the final score 3-0. A fair result on the day.
21st February 2025 - Electronic Programmes
Cheltenham Civil Sevice v Ruardean Hill Rangers
Click on the image to view (External)
Filton Athletic v Frampton United
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Hanham Athletic v Henbury & Rockleaze
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16th February 2025 - Henbury & Rockleaze with vital win
Mark Simpson
Postponements due to the rain wiped out more than half of the League programme but, there was an important fixture
played involving Gala Wilton and Henbury & Rockleaze down at the bottom. With Sharpness, Almondsbury and Wick not
playing Frampton United took advantage to put pressure on at the top with an emphatic victory over Cheltenham Civil
Service.
Gala Wilton took on Henbury & Rockleaze at Fairmile Gardens with both sides desperate for points. After a competitive
first fifteen minutes Gala took the lead when Ryan Dobbins played a through ball for Rob Reid to latch onto, round
Jordan Dunning and slot home. The remainder of the half was pretty even until just before the break when the game was
turned on its head, unfortunately most of the turnaround was of Gala’s own making, firstly a mistake in defence gifted
the ball to Drew Sawdon to equalise, then two minutes later an H&R corner came off the head of Harry O’Connor and into
his own net. Gala came close to levelling things at the start of the second half, but Dobbins hit the crossbar. But,
it was H&R who sealed the points with a late goal for Matt Harrison for a 3-1 win which gives them some breathing
space at the bottom, and once again a Gala performance which wasn’t far off the mark, and making next weeks game
against Quedgeley of huge importance.
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue) - Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Gala Wilton
(Yellow/Black)
v Henbury & Rockleaze
(Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Click on Image for larger version
Previous
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On a very wet day at the Bell Field the pitch held up well for Frampton United against Cheltenham Civil Service. The
game was pretty even for the first 25 minutes with both sides creating a couple of half chances, then the game changed
when Henry Driver-Dickerson was brought down in the box and scored the resulting penalty. Ten minutes later a Frampton
free kick was sent deep into the box and Dom Brown helped the ball in for 2-0. On 40 minutes a good run down the wing
was made by James Henderson who played a great ball in for Craig Mills to run onto, beat a defender and tap in the
third. On the stroke of half time it was 4-0 when good play by Lewis Vye was finished with a great strike by Henry DD.
Things weren’t helped for Service when they were reduced to ten and Jacob Geddes made it 5-0 heading in George DD’s
cross. Tom Mangan got his first goal in the 62nd minute, Henry DD was denied by Service keeper Jon Dix but Mangan was
on hand to slot in. He got his second from a long-range strike which rebounded off the bar and which Dix did his best
to keep the ball out but luck wasn’t on his side. Frampton’s Fin Thomson was through but Dix pulled off a decent save
to deny him and from another great save the ball fell to Mangan for his hat-trick and the game finished 8-0 to
Frampton to put real pressure on the top two.
Totterdown United welcomed Hanham Athletic to the Bristol Barbarians RFC and started the better of the two sides with
an early chance for George Saunders and put just wide. He then opened the scoring when Hanham keeper Ash Bryan dropped
the ball under pressure from a cross and was there to calmly finish into an empty net. For the last 15 minutes of the
half Hanham piled on the pressure but some good defending and some good saves by Ashley Martin kept them out. Hanham
started the second half the better of the teams with Totterdown sitting deep and despite rattling the Totts bar they
never made their pressure count. Totterdown grew into the half and scored three counter-attack goals, Chaz Hemmings,
Ollie Lovell, and Jack Moon scoring with keeper Martin getting an assist. Hanham’s Jordan Rickman scored from the spot
for a consolation and Totterdown with this 4-1 win move up to tenth and pretty well out of the relegation zone.
14th February 2025 - Electronic Programmes
Almondsbury v Wick
Click on the image to view (External)
Chalford v Sharpness
Click on the image to view (External)
Gala Wilton v Henbury & Rockleaze
Click on the image to view
Ruardean Hill Rangers v Bromley Heath United
Click on the image to view (External)
Totterdown United v Hanham Athletic
Click on the image to view (External)
9th February 2025 - Sharpness win thriller to overtake Almondsbury
Mark Simpson
A cracking top of the table clash saw Sharpness become the new league leaders with a win over then leaders
Almondsbury. Wick after disappointment last week went on the rampage at home scoring eight goal for the second
consecutive home game. At the bottom of the league the three teams propping up the rest all lost. It was County Cup
week and well done to Bromley Heath United, Broadwell Amateurs, and Frampton United for making the semi-finals.
The top of the table clash at Hamfields pitted Sharpness against Almondsbury and an eight-goal thriller. But, it was
Almonds in front on only two minutes when Hardiman bent in a shot past Holder. The Sharks were soon on level terms
when Will Tainton found space in the box and beat Sam Burgess. Indeed on only eight minutes Sharpness took the lead,
Callum Dummelow smashed his effort in after a long ball forward. Things then settled down until half time, but just
after the break Frankham headed in Walkers cross for 3-1. Almonds pulled one back when Alwari latched onto a through
ball and his shot was deflected to Morgan who finished well. The scores were level midway through the half when Alex
Hill rifled in a shot from 25 yards. Seven minutes from time Sharpness re-took the lead when Tom Palmer curled in a
free kick into the top corner and they sealed the points with three minutes to go when Kier Bennett raced through and
put his shot past Burgess. So 5-3 to Sharpness and takes them to top spot.
Back on home turf Wick looked to put their inconsistent away form behind them as the welcomed Quedgeley Wanderers to
“the nest”. Wick started brightly looking to play their swift passing game pushing Quedgeley back into a defensive
formation. Although pretty to watch, there was little threat to Nathan Charnock in the QW goal, and against the run of
play a long punt forward put QW away and forced Wick to concede a corner. This, Wick failed to deal with and Kai
Wilson could only help Jack Bright’s effort into his net for a QW lead. Wick restarted with their patient build up and
after 22 minutes Cory Langdon tucked the ball away at the far post for 1-1. A minute later Wick rattled the QW
crossbar from distance and 10 minutes before the break great play down the right by Freddie Fox and Liam McCracken put
Langdon in who made no mistake with his and Wick’s second. Just before the break Wick conceded a needless corner which
this time they defended and released a long ball down field which Langdon latched onto and lobbed the advancing
Charnock for his hat-trick and Wick’s third.
Wick were in no mood to take things easy and within three minutes of the
restart Charnock saved well but spilled the ball and Langdon was quickest to react but a tight offside decision pulled
him back. Wick were in the ascendancy and it was only going to be time before they increased their lead and on the
hour Baeley Rudge found the net after a ping pong in the QW box. Five minutes later Frank Taylor-Fox fired home the
fifth, and on 73 minutes a great pass by McCracken put Langdon in for his fourth and Wick’s sixth. A break down the QW
left on 83 and a cross into the box found Louis Short to poke home the seventh and three minutes later Wick surged
forward and Rudge netted his second and number eight for the hosts and an emphatic 8-1 win to keep Wick in contention
and make things even more difficult for Quedgeley Wanderers.
Totterdown United welcomed Gala Wilton to Bristol Barbarians RFC ground with both teams needing the points. Gala
started well and the early pressure paid off with a twenty-yard strike from Hunt leaving Ashley Martin no chance.
Totterdown grew into the game and started creating chances and just before half time a foul on George Saunders gave
them a penalty which was calmly converted by Isaac Sulyman for 1-1. Totts started the second half the better side
playing some nice football and limiting Gala to long range shots that never really troubled Martin. Totts took the
lead through substitute Jamie Godfrey when his long-range strike smashed in off the underside of the bar. Totts third
goal came from some good football down the left flank and Saunders finish found the bottom corner. So, 3-1 to Totts
who go 11th in the table and Gala left floundering in the bottom two.
At the Hallett Construction Pavilion Hanham Athletic took on Ruardean Hill Rangers which on paper looked as if it
could be a close match. Hanham had other ideas and were in front on fifteen minutes when Aaron Underwood
uncharacteristically made a mess of a Liam Jenkins corner under presure from Karim Rendall. Hanham extended their lead
on 33 minutes, a great run by Liam Planter found Jenkins on the right and his cross was tapped in by Mikey Golding.
Ruardean almost got a goal back on the stroke of half time but unfortunately for them Steve Clark’s shot cannoned off
the bar and away to safety. Hanham made it three on 52 minutes with a great team goal Sam Archer beating two on the
right and his cross was laid into Rendall’s path by Golding who turned it into the net. With Hanham on top it was
almost four when Archer’s shot was well saved by Underwood but on 75 minutes Golding brilliantly flicked the ball on
to Rendall who finished left footed and a comprehensive 4-0 Hanham win.
Not a great day for Cheltenham Civil Service at Tewkesbury Road against a challenging Stoke Gifford SGS United
Service coming off the back of a useful draw last week started slowly and conceded three goals in the first half by
playing too slowly around the edge of their own box and being duly punished. The second half was not much better for
Service with SGS carrying on their good work. High intensity, high pressure meant Service struggled to get out of
their own half. SGS punished Service mistakes and quite frankly wanted the game more and a further four goals were
conceded in the second period giving SGS a comprehensive 7-0 victory with four goals by Arron Sweete and two for Frolian
Stella-Lopez and one for Ollie Stevenson.
7th February 2025 - Electronic Programmes
Cheltenham Civil Service v Stoke Gifford SGS United
Click on the image to view (External)
Hanham Athletic v Ruardean Hill Rangers
Click on the image to view (External)
Totterdown United v Gala Wilton
Click on the image to view (External)
5th February 2025 - Promotion and Relegation
Nigel Meaney
The following clubs have applied for promotion to Step 6 of the National League System for Season 2025/6
- Almondsbury
- Sharpness
- Stoke Gifford SGS United
- Wick
The bottom two clubs will be relegated and replaced by the two successful applicants as determined by the Gloucestershire FA (GFA) rules
for promotion in the local football pyramid as described in the GFA Handbook Here, on pages 58-59, Regulations of the Association
Section 7 - Local Structure (South/North). The background to this process is described in an article on the GFA website Here
Clubs applying to join the league for next season are as follows
Bristol Premier Combination
- DRG Frenchay
- Hallen Reserves
- Iron Acton
- Winterbourne United
Bristol and Suburban League
- Southmead CS Athletic
- Wessex Wanderers
Gloucestershire Northern Senior League
- Dursley Town
- Longlevens Reserves
- Tewkesbury Town
- Whaddon United
Hellenic League
- Bishops Cleeve Development
- University of Bristol
2nd February 2025 - Sharpness keep the pressure on at the top
Mark Simpson
Almondsbury set the pace at the top on Friday night, but on Saturday only Sharpness took the challenge and kept the
Almonds in sight. At the bottom only Henbury & Rockleaze with a win and Cheltenham Civil Service with a draw picked up
points.
A Friday night match at The Field between Almondsbury and Chalford under the lights pulled in a great crowd and a
high expectation game. The first 20 minutes was cagey with both teams trying to take control but it was Almonds who
gained the control and on 22 Coote fed Nicholls who beat the offside trap but his lob came back off the upright. And
ten minutes before the break Hughes played a quick free kick into Lancastle but Portlock saved it behind for a corner
and from the corner Coote made a brilliant header back across the box and Morgan rose highest to head home for 1-0.
Into the second half and Hughes took out a Chalford winger earning himself a second yellow. This was followed by
multiple substitutions and Chalford had a large percentage of possession pushing Almondsbury back into the final third
trying to take advantage of the extra man but without creating anything clear cut. With 8 minutes to go the pressure
on Almonds was relieved with a Chalford sin-binning and deep into time added on Alwari played a detailed pass into
Pali who was one-on-one but Portlock made a great save and 1-0 to Almonds it finished.
To Waterwells where Quedgeley Wanderers took on second placed Sharpness in a must win match for both teams. And a
dream start for the Sharks with a first minute penalty, Will Tainton putting it into the bottom corner. A few minutes
later a QW corner was headed wide by Abdar. A curled effort by Alex Gayner was well saved by Nathan Charnock and on 15
Sharpness moved the ball across the box and Kier Bennett spun on the ball and tucked it away for 2-0. It was pretty
well all Sharpness and Tom Frankham shot from range, again well saved by Charnock. On the half hour Alfie Pledger hit
one from range for QW but it was straight at James Holder. Right on half time Will Tainton put one into the bottom
corner for Sharks third but there was, however, still time for Fin Jenner to go one-on-one for QW but he put the ball
just wide. Into the second period and a Sharpness free kick 40 yards out hit the first man and a QW free kick crossed
in by Pledger with Ollie Barnett just wide with the header. Sharpness continued pushing, having a good spell, which
led to a ball into the back post which was met by Bennett and had Charnock scrambling to make a save. On 58 minutes
Sharpness countered and played the ball across the box for Will Tainton to complete his hat-trick from six yards. Ten
minutes from time QW found the net with an assist from Harry Furniss leaving Fin Jenner to lob Holder for a lovely
finish. Right at the end QW’s Pledger saw red to add to their woes and 4-1 to Sharpness it was and a valuable three
points.
Perfect football conditions at Arnall Drive saw Henbury & Rockleaze and Wick play a great game of football with a
grandstand finale. H&R made a good start and should have been in the lead on 4 minutes when George James got beyond
the Wick backline and one-on-one with Kai Wilson blasted wide. This was just a respite for Wick, as on 9 minutes
Marcus Williams in swinging corner eluded everyone and ended in the back of the net. Five minutes later James tapped
in for 2-0 after wonderful build up play from Sam Bailey and Tasman Rook. Wick played some neat football themselves,
Bayley Rudge shooting narrowly over from distance, but, it should have been three for H&R but James got his feet in a
tangle four yards out. Wick started the second half with real intent and on 55 minutes Harry Trett gathered well from
Liam McCracken’s free kick. H&R were close again on 63 when James headed past Wilson only to see an acrobatic
clearance from Liam Robson. Wick then went straight up the other end and Freddie Mogg scored a marvellous goal from
outside the box with Trett unmoved. Wick were now on top and only a goal-line clearance prevented a 70th minute
equaliser. With time running out Wick were awarded a penalty on 90 minutes when Callum Winter upended a Wick forward
and McCracken smashed in for 2-2. H&R kept pushing and after a cheap free kick on 94 minutes Williams cross struck the
crossbar and Tate Shaw smashed home from the resulting melee for a H&R 3-2 win and severe damage to Wick’s title
hopes.
At the Bell Field Frampton United welcomed Hanham Athletic and it was the visitors into a fourth minute lead when
Sam Archer’s shot from the edge found the top corner. Two minutes later it was all square Henry Driver-Dickerson
sliding in to convert Fin Blythe’s cross. Hanham keeper Luke Bond pulled off a double save first from Henry then
Espada. In the 20th minute Tom Mangan ran through and the retreating defender brought him down on the edge of the box,
and from the free kick Manolo Espada made it 2-1 for Frampton. The lead didn’t last long, Archer scoring his second
when his shot beat Tom Kaye. In the 42nd minute after some good interplay Tom Mangan’s cross fell for Henry to make it
3-2. After a hectic first half things slowed down in the second and it wasn’t until the 72nd minute when a long
looping cross was headed in by Lewis Wade for 3-3 and despite a few more chances each the game finished in a
well-deserved draw.
To the Forest and the recreation ground where Ruardean Hill Rangers hosted struggling Gala Wilton, and it was only
three minutes in when Hill took the lead, a through ball from Telling fell over the defender’s shoulders leaving Ollie
Mason through on goal, Oscar Bignell came out to save but the rebound was chipped in by Kane Samson. Hill were just a
little bit sharper and the second came on seven minutes, Luke Brown nipped in front of the defender and was brought
down, Steve Clark duly slotted home. Gala’s first chance on 16 minutes came from a ball whipped in but Jay Dare headed
well wide. On twenty minutes Hill almost got their third when a whipped in corner from Clark was headed off the line
by Bradley Loveridge, and from the resulting corner a Brown header was cleared off the line. Right-on-half-time Gala
got a penalty for a trip and Jamie Creed slotted home. Into the second half and a great cross into the box is headed
wide by Ben Sluman searching for the equaliser before Clark rode a challenge bringing a great save from Bignell, and a
great ball in by Cornwall-Boote saw Griffin drag his shot wide of the far post. On 58 Gala perhaps should have
equalised with Dare free in the box he dragged his shot wide. Hill believed they should have had two penalties but the
Referee saw and thought otherwise. Hill continued to dominate creating a few half-chances and two minutes from time
Jamie Creed should have done better for Gala with a free header and Hill maybe should have had a third when Mason
worked the ball to Clark but he curled it over. Right on time a big chance for Gala, Creed through one-on-one but
Underwood made a great save tipping wide. A 2-1 Hill win but Gala had their chances.
Honours even at Pen Park between Filton Athletic and Bromley Heath United, both teams in good form and Filton now
unbeaten in 9 in the League. An early Fraser Venables shot was blocked by Cameron Gardiner and moments later another
Venables chance after a Jack Cole cross was saved by Sackett-Springer at the near post. Bromley had their own chance
with Gardiner heading over from a corner. On twenty minutes a great ball from Kyle Thomas to Venables but his shot was
well saved by Sackett-Springer. Tom Bradley was called into action and made a smart save from Aiden Noble who was on a
clear run at the Filton goal. Thing stayed pretty even until the hour when great skill down the right from Venables
his low cross finding Yusuf Abdulrahman at the back post to fire into the roof of the net. Within minutes great
composure from Trey Merrett after a great first touch allowed him to fire past Sackett-Springer for 2-0. Filton had a
great chance for a third after Abdulrahman was fouled in the box, but Kyle Thomas’s spot kick was saved by
Sackett-Springer. Filton were made to pay for the penalty miss as Bromley were awarded their own penalty kick which
was converted by Jack Withey, and with pretty much the last kick of the game a long throw from Luke Bessell was
flicked on and headed home by Ben O’Brien for a final result of 2-2.
Broadwell Amateurs welcomed Cheltenham Civil Service to the Hawthorns on a cold afternoon with both teams starting
energetically. The first chance came on seven minutes when Locke’s snapshot was well saved by Jon Dix. Service
responded with a promising attack down the right but the final pass failed to reach its target. Broadwell took the
lead on 14 when a free kick delivery found Harry Knight at the far post and he was quick to react stabbing the ball
into the net. Broadwell continued to create chances but failed to capitalise. Service had fresh energy with a couple
of substitutions at the start of the second period but it was Broadwell who nearly doubled their lead when Burnard’s
header from a corner rattled the crossbar. Another close call came when a cross from the right found the head of
Jenkins but again the crossbar came to Service’s rescue. Service had a good chance in the 64th minute with Roberts
played through on goal but Jack Watkins made a fine save. Just as Broadwell seemed to be heading for victory late
drama unfolded in the 89th minute when Jackson latched onto a through ball and calmly slotted past Watkins for 1-1. In
time added on Broadwell were awarded a penalty kick but Locke’s effort was brilliantly saved by Dix. A frantic finale
saw both teams pushing for a decisive goal but the Referees whistle brought an end to a thrilling contest and a 1-1
draw.
Totterdown United welcomed promotion chasers Stoke Gifford SGS United to Bristol Barbarians RFC hoping to show a
better performance than last weeks 0-8 reversal. Totts started strongly playing some nice football but never really
threatened the SGS goal. The young SGS side grew into the game and started creating chances and broke the deadlock
with a heavily deflected shot from Twomey looping over Ashley Martin in the Totts goal. He was called into action
another couple of times during the half pulling off some great saves to keep Totterdown in the game. The second half
was a lot more scrappy but SGS controlled a lot of the possession with Totts limited to mainly counter attacks. Martin
was called into action a few more time to keep the hosts in it but the second SGS goal came from a poor defensive pass
putting Stella-Lopez through and he slotted neatly home for a 2-0 SGS win.