25th October 2026 - Quedgeley and Broadwell spare spoils in clash of unbeaten sides
Nigel Meaney
On a wet and windy weekend Broadwell Amateurs and Quedgeley Wanderers shared the points to maintain their unbeaten records. University of Bristol drew level with Quedgeley at the top of the table. Tewkesbury Town continued their unbeaten start to the season. At the wrong end of the table Totterdown United and Chalford are still looking for their first league wins.
A good crowd at the Hawthorns for a top of the table clash between Broadwell Amateurs and Quedgeley Wanderers, pitch in immaculate conditions, more than can be said for the weather. Broadwell with the strong wind in the first half, control possession but unable to carve any clear opportunities. A Dan Brain with a free kick from 20 yards narrowly shot past the upright with the keeper rooted and a Jamie Creed free kick was straight at the keeper. The best chance of the half came to Aaron Powell, broke into the box with his first touch, but the ball got stuck under his feet, then the second touch took the chance away and the keeper smothered it to keep it goalless at the break.
Quedgeley made the most of the wind in the second half with crosses and shots coming in early, but Broadwell getting bodies in the way and defended the high ball well kept the game goalless. Broadwell still managed to create good chances by the offside flag denied Jamie Creed. On 70 minutes the deadlock was broken with Callum Tye feeding Jamie Creed central on the edge of the box, who moved the out of his feet and struck a low shot into the bottom right corner to give Broadwell a deserved lead on the balance of play. 10 minutes from time Quedgeley Wanderers found the equaliser with a deep free kick into the box, a headed clearance fell to the edge of the area, where Charlie Wilkes hit a first time shot that gave Phil Chovenac no chance to react 1-1. Quedgeley could have nicked it at the end, a ball through to Fin Jenner, who took his shot early just inside the box, low and hard but Phil Chovenac just getting enough on it to turn it around the post.
Despite the heavy rain, the Wick pitch was in perfect condition for the visit of Longlevens Reserves, however with a strong wind blowing end to end, this would surely pose a challenge to both teams. Wick began the game on the front foot, playing against the wind, and pressing Longlevens back with a high work rate. On 5 minutes Mitch Davies created space on the right of the box and curled a brilliant strike into the far top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance. On 10 minutes a Longlevens free kick is swung in dangerously, a headed attempt on goal brings an excellent save by Wick's debutant keeper Hayden Williams. Wick keep the Longlevens defence busy with a series of swift breaks and hit the post after a brace of corners. Just after the half hour a swift break by Longlevens requires Williams to make another good save with his legs to preserve Wicks lead. On 36 minutes Wick double their lead when Densley contests a cross by Bailey Rudge, and the ball falls to Davies who smashes his shot into the Longlevens net for 2-0 at the break.
Longlevens start the second half brightly, looking to claw their way back into the game, and much like Wick did in the first half, they pressed forward whilst playing against the wind, causing the Wick defence problems, with Theo Bevan particularly dangerous on the left. It’s Bevan who pulls one back on 55 minutes when Wick fail to clear their lines, and the ball breaks to Bevan, who buries his shot into the far corner. Longlevens force Williams to save well at his near post to preserve the lead a couple of minutes later. Following a Sin Binning Longlevens take advantage of a numerical advantage, and on 70 minutes Wick fail to effectively deal with a dangerous cross from the right, which again breaks to Bevan, who again makes no mistake, and slots his shot into the far corner. A minute later, Wick break releasing Ellis Clarke into the Longlevens box, who is bundled over for a penalty converted by Bailey Rudge to restore Wick's lead. With the clock ticking down, Longlevens win a corner with just two minutes left to play. The corner is delivered perfectly to find the head of Brad Martin, who nods the ball down to beat a Wick defender and keeper at the near post, to bring the scores level. Leaving Wick disappointed not to take all three points and squandering a two goal lead after a fine first half performance.
At a damp and breezy Coombe Dingle University of Bristol welcomed Chalford. The opening stages were even as both teams navigated the tough weather conditions. It was Chalford who had the first real chance, but the golden opportunity was squandered as the students recovered to clear the ball off the line. Chalford were made to pay a few minutes later as slick Bristol play saw Ethan Earnshaw round the keeper and finish into an empty net, giving the students the lead going into half time. The hosts started the second half in a much better fashion, creating numerous chances before Earnshaw scored another at the back post from a fantastic Sammy Morgan cross. Chalford responded instantly however, pulling a goal back from a set piece as poked it in. University had numerous chances to extend their lead but couldn't finish, as Chalford continued to search for an equaliser, before the final whistle blew - moving University of Bristol level on points at the top of the league.
At a blustery Kayte Lane Bishops Cleeve Development hosted Henbury & Rockleaze It was the home side that started the strongest, despite going into the wind, with forwards New and Green missing chances. Neither side however was able to break the deadlock until the second half. The second half was an entertaining affair with Cleeve pouring on the pressure in search of goals, but Henbury looking threatening on the counter. It was the away side that missed two glorious chances, with Parry making some vital stops. Bishops Cleeve took the lead with a clinical move following a wind affected goal kick. It was Cuzner who benefitted from a slip by teammate New in the box, inadvertently teeing up the attacking midfielder. Cleeve wasted chance after chance and the visitors took full advantage of that when James Capon scored direct from a corner. With five minutes remaining Henbury & Rockleaze launched a swift counter following a Cleeve attack, with Kane Mannings tucking home to give H&R all three points.
In terrible conditions at Ruardean Hill Rangers it was visitors Tewkesbury Town with the strong wind behind them make all the running early on. An early Benji Cronin cross into the box for Tewkesbury evades everyone. Just after the half hour mark Cronin again finds room outside the area and hits a shot destined for the top corner, but Underwood acrobatically tips the ball over the bar. A few minutes later a smart shot from Jamie Goodwin brings another great save from Underwood as Ruardean battle and see out the first half goalless. With the wind behind them Ruardean start the half on top with an effort from Steve Clark just wide. Just after the hour Jamie Goodwin hits a great strike, but Underwood tips the shot wide. On 67 minutes Tewkesbury take the lead as the ball is swept into the box and Alex Roder reacts quickest to slot into the empty net despite the Hill players protests that a hand was involved in controlling the ball for the cross. On 72 there’s nearly an equaliser as Clark turns his marker and unleashes from 40 yards with the keeper stranded it rattles the cross bar. Right at the end Tewkesbury get their second as a clearance is charged down and falls kindly for Alex Roder to slot home.
AFC Mangotsfield Rocks endured a frustrating afternoon at Cossham Street as Frampton United claimed a 3–1 victory in wet, windy and scrappy conditions. With the weather making free-flowing football difficult, both sides struggled to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges. The ball held up on the wet surface, while the wind made judging passes and clearances a challenge. Much of the early play was contested in midfield, with neither team able to establish sustained control. Frampton gradually began to find their feet and looked the more threatening side going forward. Their pressure eventually paid off when Archie Howarth found the net to give the visitors the advantage. Mangotsfield Rocks tried to respond, battling hard to get forward, but the conditions made it difficult to build attacks and create clear-cut opportunities. However, with both sides battling for every ball, Frampton proved more clinical in front of goal. Ubaid Salehbhai struck twice to extend the visitors' lead and leave AFC Mangotsfield Rocks with a mountain to climb. As the game entered its closing stages, Mangotsfield finally got their reward for their battling efforts. Lewis Wyatt found the net right at the end of the match, grabbing a consolation goal to give the home side a late moment of encouragement. Ultimately, it was a tough afternoon for AFC Mangotsfield Rocks, who battled through miserable conditions but were punished by a more clinical Frampton United side. Wyatt's late goal provided a small positive on a difficult day, as the visitors left Cossham Street with a deserved 3–1 win.
At Norton Lane the conditions were horrendous with the rain hammering down and the wind blowing a gale! As Totterdown United hosted Stoke Gifford SGS United and a terrible result for the hosts who went down 6-2. It took 5 minutes for the visitors to take the lead when Jacob Gough hit a tame shot from 30 yards which the Totterdown keeper made a mess of. Totterdown came on strong for the next 20 minutes which saw the Stoke Gifford keeper fumble a through ball but Lovell couldn’t find a way past the defender on the line. Shortly after Waldron went through one on one for Totts but the keeper made a good tackle. This saw Waldrons day come to an end as he injured his ankle in the collision. This was a big blow to Totts as he’d been getting a lot of joy against the Stoke Gifford defence up to this point. Shortly after Zac Cheetham found himself free on the edge of the box, his shot seemed to go through the Totts keeper again which made it 2-0. Then from a Totterdown corner, Stoke Gifford cleared and found themselves 3 v 2 on the counter. They made Totts pay when Tom Manley slotted home for 3-0. Totterdown didn’t learn their lesson and got caught trying to play out of defence in the tough conditions. A loose pass was intercepted and Oscar Cox made it 4-0 right on HT. A poor half in the conditions gave Totts a huge uphill battle to overcome.
The second half began and not much happened until Totterdown made a few changes. Totts pulled one back when Jack Millard cleverly flicked on a free kick 4-1. Shortly after, another free kick was one which saw Millard unmarked to the right of the wall, he received a pass and flashed the ball across the box. It broke to Ollie Lovell who hammered home for 4-2. Then Lovell did well to beat his man and hammer a shot off the post. Close to making it 4-3 with 10 minutes still to play. Totterdown gave possession away just inside the Stoke Gifford half after a free kick was cleared. broke and put any chance of a comeback to bed for 5-2 and shortly after with Totts overcommitting, Stoke Gifford made it 6-2, Dan Manley and Tyler Dunnell-Luff with the late goals for Stoke Gifford. All in all, it was a bad day at the office for Totts who played the conditions poorly. The recent form seemed to go out the window in what was an opportunity missed at home.
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