25th January 2026 - Cribbs Reserves with vital win in basement clash
Mark Simpson
With three games lost to the weather it was still anting day with things really becoming interesting at the bottom with Cribbs coming out of the bottom two by beating Ruardean Hill who were dragged right into the mire. Meanwhile Sharpness consolidated top-spot with Tewkesbury having a day off.
At Ruardean Rec. Cribbs Reserves went up from Bristol for their very important clash with Ruardean Hill Rangers, with Hill quick out of the blocks with a game of head tennis in the Cribbs box saw the ball cleared off the line. But it was the visitors who struck first when a clipped cross into the middle was headed home by Alex craig giving Underwood no chance. Hill should have levelled when a great free kick by Clark saw Johnson arriving at the back post but he couldn’t keep the chance down. On twenty minutes Cribbs were reduced to ten with Dan Thompson seeing red for a poor tackle, with Clark hitting the bar from the resultant free kick with keeper Jude Brown struggling. On the half-hour a great team move from Hill saw Clark with a twenty yard snap shot with Brown juggling before claiming the ball. Charley Mason was next to try his luck from 35 yards but his shot flew just wide. On 38 minutes Hill were awarded a penalty for a foul on Johnson but Brown made a great save diving to his left to keep out Clark’s spot kick. A few minutes later a ball forward from Hill saw Brown misjudge the bounce leaving Stephens with an empty goal but he somehow headed against the post. Just before the break Jude Brown again kept Cribbs in the game when he saved Sladen’s initial strike before reacting quickly to tip Johnson’s shot over. Ten minutes into the second half Hill thought they should have had another penalty but the Referee thought otherwise. On the hour, Craig should have had his and Cribbs second but lifted the ball over from six yards. With Hill battling Brown and the wind had yet another chance but Fin Jones’ effort was gathered by Brown. Five minutes from time Hill were hit on the break, with Harvey Jasper poking the ball home through a group of bodies for Cribbs’ second. Right on 90 minutes Hill pulled one back when Clark latched onto a ball through to finally beat Brown. So an invaluable, if rather fortunate, 2-1 win for Cribbs which takes the out of the bottom two and dumps Ruardean Hill in their place.
At Highfield Way Chalford endured a tough afternoon in wet and windy conditions against Frampton United. The game started with both sides struggling to settle in the blustery conditions. Frampton threatened early on but Lewis Vye shot wide after ten minutes. The deadlock was broken on 22 minutes when a defensive error allowed Stan Shilton to fire home. Chalford tried to respond but Finn’s header from a corner drifted over. The strong wind continued to influence play making any control very difficult. Frampton doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Chalford keeper Neale was unable to hold a free kick and Theo Browne reacted quickest to finish from close range. Chalford almost pulled one back right on half time when a corner led to a goalmouth scramble and Frampton clearing the ball off the line. The second half saw Chalford come out with renewed intent and Marshfield had two good chances on 54 and 55 minutes, the first well saved by Tom Kaye and he would have felt he should have done better with. Any chance of a comeback for Chalford was effectively ended when Browne took his chance well for his second goal making it 3-0. Chalford continued to show resilience with Neale pulling off two excellent saves late on – first denying Matt Halsey and then another fine stop to prevent the margin growing. Three points for Frampton in challenging conditions on a difficult day for Chalford.
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue) - Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
Bishops Cleeve Development (Green) v Broadwell Amateurs (Claret/Blue), Images courtesy Peter Langley
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Totterdown United welcomed Stoke Gifford SGS United to Norton Lane, in what was a wet and windy day! The game began with Totterdown playing into an aggressive wind that made it tough to get the ball forward. Not many chances presented themselves in the first half, Stoke Gifford had most of the ball and had a good effort saved onto the post by Martin. Totterdown defended well and kept Stoke Gifford at bay. Totterdown were also limited to pot shots that didn’t really trouble the opposition. First half finished 0-0. The teams came out for the second half, Totterdown with the wind behind them now. A bright start by Totterdown saw a cross headed past the keeper come back off the post inside 5 minutes. A wayward clearance by Stoke Gifford was gathered by Totterdowns left back, as he turned on the ball he slipped! The opposition pounced on the error and flashed the ball across the box. Despite a block, the ball fell to Patryk Kosciolek who slotted the ball under scrambling Totterdown defenders. Totterdown carried on where they left off and had a dangerous corner cleared off the line. A free kick was awarded in Totterdowns half near the touchline for Stoke Gifford which looked rather soft. A lovely whipped cross came in from this that teased Martin off his line. Isaac Comerford got his head to to the ball and it looped into a vacant net. 2-0 now to Stoke Gifford against the run of play! Totterdown dug in and carried on pushing, Millard ventured forward from right back and was tripped in the box, No penalty awarded. Chaz Hemmings then had a header cleared off the line, Jack Godfrey linked up well with Lovell but failed to shoot or pass despite being through on goal. The sticky conditions looked to have played a part here! Finally Totterdown got one back through a Hemmings penalty. Charlie Ames was brought down as he drove into the box. Totterdown kept going for the equaliser with Price forcing a good save at the keepers near post. Lovell then had one cleared off the line from another corner! Stoke Gifford held out and took home all three points. Another afternoon where Totterdown failed to capitalise from good positions which is why they are where they are! Referee had a very good game, he gave what he saw and communicated well!
In the other match Sharpness consolidated top spot beating Henbury & Rockleaze 2-1. Sharpness were looking to bounce back against in form Henbury & Rockleaze at home after suffering their 1st league defeat of the season last week. Sharpness started brightly & had the first opportunity of the match but Mears put his shot over the bar. H & R were the next to threaten the goal but Matt Harrison's free kick was saved by Dykes. The home side then took the lead on the half hour mark. A Tom Palmer corner was headed home by Ben Hemmings to give the Sharks the lead at half time 1-0. H & R didn't take long to level the scores in the 2nd half. H & R won the ball on the right hand side & hit a long ball was put over the top of the Sharks defence & Harvey Moran through 1 on 1 to score past Dykes. The game there on lacked any real goalmouth action until the last 10 minutes. H & R thought they had taken the lead in the 80th minute but the goal was disallowed for hand ball. Sharpness left it late but found a winner through. A corner was initially cleared but Dummelow put the ball back into the box, the ball was headed down towards goal where a goalmouth scramble ensued & Will Tainton smashed home the winning goal.
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