27^th August 2022 - Gala Wilton see off Quedgeley Wanderers to set early pace

Mark Simpson

Early pacesetters Gala Wilton kept up their form with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Quedgeley Wanderers. It took only six minutes for the home side to get their noses in front. Good work down the right by Ben Sluman freed up Brad Loveridge who with an inch perfect cross found Martin Smith to smash his header past Charnock in the Quedgeley goal. Quedgeley grew into the game and equalised just before half time when a scramble in the box saw Lawson nip first to the ball and poke it past Newman.

The second half saw Gala take control and they regained the lead on 52 minutes when Dan Gayner beat his defender and delivered a telepathic cross for his twin brother Alex to head home. Gala extended their lead on 60 minutes when neat play in midfield found Jordan Molyneux free in the box and he curled his effort past Charnock high into the Quedgeley net. A fourth came when a great through ball from Connor Harmer found Ben Sluman wide right who beat two Quedgeley defenders and rifled an unstoppable shot off the underside of the bar. A well deserved fifth was added when substitute Connor Walters on for only five minutes picked up the ball at the halfway, skipped past three helpless defenders and fired low and hard into the bottom left corner.

Gala centre back Kieran Mace picked up man of the match for a solid performance.

Sharpness are on the heels of Gala Wilton but had to make five changes to last weeks starting eleven to face Stoke Gifford United. The home side got out of the blocks early and took the lead on five minutes when Jack Higgs swung a deep cross to the back post which was headed back by Will Lacey and Alex Higgs was on hand to nod the Sharks in front. Fifteen minutes saw them double their advantage when Lacey’s corner was met by Alex Higgs’ head for 2-0. Higgs missed a first half hat trick opportunity by shooting straight at Glover in the Stoke Gifford goal. The away side grew into the game with long spells of possession but never really threatened Taylor in the home goal.

The second half started as the first ended with Stoke Gifford having the lions share of possession, but again the Sharks stood firm. However good link up play for the away side by Dyke and Sheppard on the left set the full back in behind and his low hard cross was pushed to safety by Taylor in the Sharpness goal. Stoke Gifford kept pressing with Thatcher and Taylor both trying from distance without really troubling Taylor. However they got a foot hold in the game in the 80^th minute when a darting run from the pacy Parry saw him elude both Stutter and Gibbs to draw a foul By Freeman – penalty! Thatcher making no mistake for 2-1 but the Sharks held out for the last 10 minute to claim victory.

Hardwicke entertained Ruardean Hill Rangers at Green Lane with both sides failing to make an early impression. Hardwicke had the first opportunity on 16 minutes when Will Higgins free kick was well saved by Steve Bowles in the away goal. Hardwicke continued to press and should have been in front when Rob Hine lifted the ball over the defence to Pat Vernall who immediately passed to Freddie Humphries who shot over.

Goalless at half time but it was Ruardean who quickly took the lead on 46 minutes when a Tom Hobbs clearance fell to Alex Stevens who fired into the top corner from 25 yards. Hardwicke reacted and Jordan Dowdewell had two fine efforts saved by Bowles. Ruardean were relying on the counter attack and Rares Micula came close. A frantic last five minutes saw Hardwicke pressing hard for an equaliser but it was Ruardean who took the game beyond Hardwicke when Micula broke through and coolly slotted home for a 2-0 Ruardean victory.

Cribbs Reserves and Frampton United played out a goalless draw at The Lawns, a game which appeared only to wake up for the last 15 minutes. For large parts of the game it was the home side who did most of the pressing without any real quality in the final third hence allowing Frampton to easily contain any threat. Until the closing moments the nearest either side came to breaking the deadlock was when the ball fell kindly in the box for substitute Liam Clayton whose 70^th minute shot rebounded back off the inside of the post.

As the game woke from its slumber both sides squandered good chances the best of which fell to substitute Jack Guthrie who failed to connect properly with a vicious Liam Clayton cross allowing the grateful Kaye to deny a late Cribbs winner.

A highly competitive fast paced game saw Little Stoke and Wick share the points in a 1-1 draw at Little Stoke Park with a decent crowd of 87. The home side made a slow start and were punished 5 minutes in when Owen Ridler smashed the ball home from the edge of the box for 1-0 to Wick. Little Stoke grew into the game and on 14 minutes Mark Hardiman’s low hard shot was well saved. A one-two the then saw Aaron West’s shot narrowly wide. Against the run of play Wick’s quickly taken free kick was wasted by a tame shot. Little Stoke continued to press and five minutes before the break Luke Meacham’s header from a corner crashed against the post before a superb Jordan Yeo 25 yard free kick was excellently tipped over.

The second half started quite evenly but the game changed on the hour when a rasping drive by Kieran Williams from 25 yards flew into the top corner for 1-1. Little Stoke continued with the greater possession and created more chances. On 70 minutes a long throw in was flicked on to Jude Scott whose header was narrowly over as was Aaron West’s blast. Wick’s best opportunity came from a free kick given for a back pass to the keeper which was well blocked by the home defence. The last action came when a superb Kieran Williams free kick from 40 yards flashed across the Wick box with no one able to apply the finishing touch. A decent point for Wick.

A very hot afternoon at Arnall Drive saw Henbury and Rockleaze Rangers provide a feast of non stop action for the 63 spectators. For the first 15 minutes neither side created anything of note until a defence splitting pass from Luke Coghlan allowed Will Baldwin to break clear and give Henbury the lead with a fine shot past keeper Jordan Dunning. Unfortunately the lead didn’t last because two minutes later Rockleaze were awarded a penalty for hand ball by Cameron Tarr who was dismissed for the offence and George James swept the spot kick home for 1-1. Rockleaze took the lead in the 22^nd minute with a headed goal by James.

The second half saw Rockleaze extend their lead with another penalty when Henbury defender Adam Walding was adjudged to have brought down Brandon Boomtam. George James got his hat trick sending home keeper Damian Chlopecki the wrong way for 3-1 to Rockleaze. Regardless of the score Henbury tried to find away back and finished with nine players after using all their substitutes and losing another player to injury. 3-1 to Rockleaze.

Last but not least Broadwell Amateur’s third match on the road took them for an encounter with Patchway Town. The first real action of the game came on 15 minutes with a run and shot by Patchway’s Sam Finn which was blocked, the ball falling to Hassan Hussain whose shot was also blocked the ball finding its way into the grateful arms of Broadwell’s keeper. On thirty minutes Kian Skidmore had Broadwell’s best chance of the half with a free kick well saved by the home keeper. Half time 0-0.

The second half brought chances for both sides. On the hour Nathan Davies won a challenge with the Patchway keeper but was sent out too wide, his cross come shot was just wide of the far post and just out of Liam Thomas’s reach. A Patchway corner on 72 minutes had Barry Phillips effort cleared off the line by Ryan Davies. On 75 minutes however the deadlock was broken by Broadwell’s Liam Thomas who tapped in to an empty net following a mix up in defence. Barry Phillips was denied a Patchway equaliser from a corner by the upright. On 90 minutes Gassama Ismafoot saw red for a rash challenge. Broadwell put the game out of sight with the last kick of the match Dan Brain was put through by Ben Fishwick who took his shot early for 2-0 to the visitors and no time for a restart.

26^th August 2022 - Electronic Programmes

Gala Wilton v Quedgeley Wanderers

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20^th August 2022 - Cribbs Reserves gain first County League points

Home Clubs / Nigel Meaney

Cribbs Reserves picked up their first ever points in the Gloucestershire County League with a hard fought 3-1 victory at home to Broadwell Amateurs.

The newly promoted Bristol Premier Combination champions started the game very brightly and took a well-deserved lead in the 10^th minute when a good piece of interplay between Cribbs’ midfielders Keiran Clayton and Ollie Dunleavy created an opportunity for Aaron Coleman to slam the ball passed Ben Reed in the visitor’s goal from 8 yards.

After a strong start to the game by the home side, Broadwell fashioned an equaliser on 23 minutes. Having won the ball back in the middle of the Cribbs’ half, a flurry of passes culminated in a double save by young Cribbs keeper Harry Bridgeman. Despite Bridgeman’s heroics, the ball was never cleared and a third attempt on the Cribbs’ goal struck the arm of a Cribbs’ defender and the referee duly pointed to the spot. Liam Thomas stepped up to convert the penalty to level things up.

Having got on level terms, Broadwell were largely in the ascendency for the remainder of the first half. However, on the stroke of half time, a mazy run by Cribbs forward Niza Chilufya ended with Aaron Coleman scoring his second of the game from close range, to give Cribbs a 2-1 lead at the break.

Despite strong Broadwell pressure for large parts of the second half, the Cribbs defence held firm, with very few chances created at either end of the pitch. Cribbs did have a let off midway through the second half when a shot from distance cannoned back off their crossbar.

The game was finally settled in the 80^th minute when, in a rare breakaway, Cribbs were awarded a free kick some 30-35 yards from goal. Recently introduced substitute Dan Monk let fly and the ball flew into the top corner of the net, giving Reed in the Broadwell goal absolutely no chance. This stunning strike was worthy of sealing any game and ended any hope of the visitor’s getting anything from the game.

The game at Norman Scott Park where Patchway Town hosted Gala Wilton was tight for the first half an hour was with not much goal action. On 34 minutes the first chance of the game fell to Joe Dalby of Patchway. He was put through by Matt Davies and lifted the ball over the last defender, but the resulting shot was tame and straight into the keepers’ arms. On 36 minutes though the deadlock was broken with Gala going 1 up. Dan Gayner was left with a 1 0n 1 with the keeper and his shot went under the keeper. Dave Prichard tried to clear the ball only to put it into his own net. On 40 minutes it was 2-0 with a goal from Alex Gayner with a free header from a corner by Dan Gayner.

Jordan Molyneux nearly added a third with a rasping shot only for the Patchway keeper to make a great save. It became 3-0 when Dan Gayner got the ball in the middle of the pitch and unleashed a 30-yard shot with the keeper standing no chance. Patchway’s best chances of the second half came from substitute Hassan Hussain with 2 headers, 1 of which skimmed the top of the cross bar. Joe Weare also had a chance near the end slotting it past the keeper only for Kieron Mace to clear the shot.

Newly promoted to the County League, Cheltenham Civil Service travelled the short distance to Hardwicke AFC at Green Lane. The game started at a high tempo and with all of the quick and fluid passing from both sides few opportunities arose for both sides. The first opportunity fell to Cheltenham Civil Service after 33 minutes, when forward Chisom Obi brought a high ball down and struck the ball fiercely at the Hardwicke goal with debutant keeper Adrian Jones pulling off an excellent save. Hardwicke were close to equalising 5 minutes later when Cheltenham’s Joe Mahon cleared the ball to Hardwicke’s Harry Furniss who swiftly ran towards the Away goal and his shot flew just over the bar. Hardwicke were left stunned when on 45 minutes Cheltenham took the lead when Jamie Lewis placed the ball into the back of the net after fine work by Chisom Obi.

Hardwicke started the second half brightly and 5 minutes into the half an accurate cross by Jordan Dowdeswell was met by Nathanial Barnett whose powerful header flew the wrong side of the post. The game continued to be a tight affair with both teams seeking a goal. Cheltenham almost increased their lead after 75 minutes when Lewis’s long shot from just within the box was again well saved by Jones.5 minutes later a Cheltenham freekick resulted in Brett Blake lifting the ball over keeper Jones but his effort flew off the top of the cross bar. Although Hardwicke had a lot of possession, they will rue the opportunities missed and the away keeper Jacob Iley had a relatively quiet afternoon as the game finished 1-0 to the visitors.

On a warm day at Rockleaze Rangers Hillside Gardens home after an even start visitors Little Stoke took the lead on 13 minutes when Jordan Yeo hooked a ball back from the bye line for Arron West to have the simplest of tasks to tap the ball into an empty net from 6 yards out. The Rockleaze heads didn’t drop, and they were soon level on 17 minutes when an exquisite Brandon Boontam whipped and pacy freekick found the head of George James who’s bullet header hit the back of the net before Hawkins could move. On 30 minutes Rockleaze should have taken the lead when Henry Jones had an open goal to shoot at, but some great defending by Will Osbourne headed the ball off the line, however, Jones recycled the ball from the rebound and hooked the ball back into the area where debutant Boontam was waiting to scissor kick the ball into the corner of the net from 14 yards out. The score remained 2-1 to Rockleaze at half time.

On 50 minutes converted centre forward James turned well on the edge of the area and shot just past the post although Hawkins looked to have it covered, not to be deterred on 52 minutes James did get his second goal when some tricky work by Boontam who beat three players before getting to the bye line and crossing for James to tap in from 3 yards out to make it 3-1. On 61 minutes Little Stoke were back in it when a poor decision to throw the ball out quickly by Dunning in the Rockleaze goal saw the ball end at the feet of Danny Lane who sublimely chipped Dunning from 25 yards out. On 67 minutes Rockleaze restored their 2-goal lead when another fantastic cross this time from another debutant Alfie Luing found James who completed his first hattrick with another bullet header from 6 yards out. On 76 minutes Little Stoke should have pulled one back, but Phil Kourouma’s header went well wide of the goal from 5 yards out, however on 81 minutes when Dunning dropped a cross and there was Luke Meacham to smash the ball into the empty net. Little Stoke piled on the pressure in the last 10 minutes, however, the Rockleaze defence stood firm to win the first game of the season 4-3.
MOTM: Brandon Boontam

Sharpness opened up the 2022-23 Season with a 4-2 home victory against a young spirited Quedgeley Wanderers.

Quedgeley started very brightly and took the lead in the first minute. Dan Turner got caught in possession on the halfway line, the ball fell to Harry Reynolds who played in Ollie Curtis one on one, and the pacey striker smashed the ball past the advancing Taylor. Quedgeley were having the better of the opening exchanges, but Sharpness managed to respond quickly.

A kick out the hands of Truan Taylor wasn't dealt with by the visitors and Alex Higgs managed to toe the ball goal wards where Jake Evans was waiting to tap home for 1-1.

Sharpness took the lead 15 mins in when a free kick from out wide by Dan Turner was met by a thunderous header from Will Lacey.

Quedgeley remained lively and dangerous throughout and were rewarded 10 minutes before half time. Sharpness switched off when a free kick was awarded to the visitors on the halfway line. Connor Webb took a quick free kick releasing Ollie Curtis through on goal once again and the Striker was on hand once again to fire past Taylor to pull the score line level at 2-2.

Sharpness had to step up their performance in the 2^nd half to match the hard-working Quedgeley side.

The Sharks took the lead on the hour mark when a Dan Turner corner was met by the head of Alex Higgs who put the ball in the top corner.

The Sharpness defence looked a lot more secure in the 2nd half limiting Quedgeley to very few chances and Taylor was a lot less busy.

Sharpness scored a 4^th with 10 mins to go. A bit of individual brilliance from Turner who's first touch turn and shot caught Nathan Charnock in goal out of position as he half volleyed the ball in from 35 yards.

Ollie Curtis did have another good striker from distance from late on but Taylor was more than a match for this effort.

Wick started the game at home to Frampton United brightly with most of the first half action played in the Frampton half. Wick could have taken the lead after 10 minutes, but Frampton's keeper Tom Kaye saved a fierce shot from Wick's number 9 Zak Tucker. Wick again could have opened their account but again Tom Kaye saved well to keep out Todd Carter's goal bound flick. Todd Carter was again unlucky on 23 minutes when his shot was deflected wide of the Frampton post for a corner. Frampton survived again from the resulting corner when Dave Paterson's header looped over the bar. Wick continued to create chances and on 33 minutes Zak Tucker was put through on goal but put his shot wide, however 2 minutes later Wick did take the lead when a long ball from Jack Britton set Karim Rendall free who raced clear to power his shot past Tom Kaye. Minutes later Wick could have extended their lead but again Tom Kaye saved well at his near post. Wick continued to pepper the Frampton goal but failed to trouble the score sheet. But it was Frampton who drew level with a couple of minutes of the half remaining, when Wick's young keeper Ashton Trott misjudged a cross from Finn Blythe which cleared his reach to find the Wick net. After a half when Wick should have been out of sight the first half finished one apiece.

Frampton had a great opportunity 5 minutes into the second half but failed to head cleanly when they had a clear sight of goal. The second half was a more even affair with chances being created at each end. However, it wasn't until the 80th minute when Wick were awarded a penalty that the deadlock was broken. Karim Rendall stepped up and made no mistake to restore Wick's lead. Wick should have wrapped the game up on 85 minutes, but the ball ran dangerously across the Frampton goal without a Wick forward getting the needed touch. With just minutes remaining Frampton regained parity, when Dan Brown's towering header smashed into the Wick net. With just seconds remaining Frampton's Tom Kaye made two great saves to deny Wick and ensure the 2-2 draw.

A sluggish start to the new season from Henbury saw visitors Bromley Heath United capitalise and take home 3 points with 2-0 victory. Bromley Heath took the lead in the 1st minute of the game when an unchallenged corner was headed home at the far post by Jack Withey. On 29 minutes the visitors had the chance to double their lead but Damian Chlopecki in the Henbury goal game out on top in the duel with the Bromley Heath forward.

The visitors had another good chance to double the lead on 50 minutes. A mix up in the home defence saw the forward race clear with the keeper to beat, but the shot was dragged wide of the far post. The hosts task of getting back in the game became tougher when a player was sent to the sin bin, and the away side took full advantage with Cam Ford doubling their lead with a strike from just inside the box on the half volley. Any chance of an unlikely Henbury comeback were dashed when another home player was ordered to the sinbin by the referee after a disputed foul throw decision.

20^th August 2022 - Golden Gloves Award

Nigel Meaney

The league will be introducing a Golden Gloves award for season 2022/23 for the Goalkeeper who keeps the most league Clean Sheets during the season.

13^th August 2022 - Gala Wilton win opener against Cribbs Reserves

Mark Simpson

A rather shortened first week in the League with a probably more appropriate sport for the high temperatures cricket taking priority. Little Stokes' match with Bromley Heath United also falling victim with an unplayable pitch.

However three games went ahead with Gala Wilton against Cribbs Reserves leading the way with a scorching spectacle of County League Football. Gala dominated the early spells and almost scored inside a minute with keeper Harry Bridgeman tipping round the post. Early dominance paid off after 9 minutes when Brad Loveridge curled a free kick into the top corner. Gala’s second came on 16 minutes when Dan Gayner smashed the ball past a helpless keeper. Cribbs edged their way back into the game and pulled one back on 27 minutes when Liam Clayton beat his man and crossed for Jim Guthrie to give Gala keeper Brad Newman no chance.

The second half started with Gala taking control again and they were rewarded in the fiftieth minute when Ben Sluman found himself out wide, danced around his defender drove the ball low and hard across the goal which was met by Molyneux for 3-1. On 62 minutes it was 4-1, a deep free kick found Dan NcNally whose cushioned header was latched upon by Alex Gayner who skipped around three players before smashing home. Cribbs kept going and got a deserved second when James Crossley-John’s cross shot found its way into the net to give a final score of 4-2 to Gala.

Wick v Broadwell was a test for a completely new Wick side on a straw coloured pitch. Wick had a couple of early chances with Mikey Golding’s shot deflected over and a header failed to trouble Ben Reed in the Broadwell goal. Broadwell’s pacey attack earned a somewhat disputed penalty which was converted after Wick’s Billy Fletcher was sin binned for disputing the decision. Despite being a man short Wick pushed on and equalized on 40 minutes Liam Jenkins finishing a fine move by slotting his shot under the diving Broadwell keeper. Broadwell took the lead when the ball was bundled past Ashton Trott and the lead was extended when a long clearance from a Wick free kick was latched upon by the pacey forwards for 3-1. With minutes remaining Wick were awarded a penalty which was scored by Liam Jenkins past an unfortunate Ben Reed, but it was not enough to prevent the home side going down 2-3.

Quedgeley Wanderers v Patchway Town saw an early chance for Quedgeley’s Ollie Curtis which disappeared past the post. Patchway made their way into the game and chances for Olly Bacon and Gassama Ismafoot were both saved by Nathan Charnock in the home goal. Patchway eventually took the lead when Ryan Rodgers well struck shot nestled in the back of the net. A chance for the home sides Cameron Smith was saved by Sam Davies in the away goal. Towns Joe Weare had a shot brilliantly saved by Nathan Charnock but he was unable to stop a second goal for the away side when Jay Moore slotted home. Joe Fisher, Olly Curtis and Ryan Hunt could not take chances for the home side before it was left to Joe Dalby to show them how it was done making it a final score of Quedgeley Wanderers 0 Patchway Town 3

13^th August 2022 - Electronic Programmes

Gala Wilton v Cribbs Reserves

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8^th August 2022 - Les James League Cup First Round Draw

The First Round draw for the Les James League Cup sponsored by Boca Teamwear is as below.

• Broadwell Amateurs v Frampton United
• Cheltenham Civil Service v Bromley Heath United
• Cribbs Reserves v Henbury
• Hardwicke v Patchway Town
• Little Stoke v Rockleaze Rangers
• Sharpness v Quedgeley Wanderes
• Stoke Gifford United v Gala Wilton
• Wick v Ruardean Hill Rangers

All games to be played on Saturday 10^th September with a 3 PM kick-off

6^th August 2022 - Little Stoke win inaugural Ron Holpin Trophy

Dave Beer

Wick 1 Little Stoke 4

Scorers:
Wick - Zak Tucker
Little Stoke - Jude Scott, Kier Williams, Luke Meacham, Jordan Yeo
Attendance 74

On a baking hot day with the Wick pitch looking fantastic, the County League season got underway with the inaugural Ron Holpin Cup tie, featuring last season's league winners and Cup winners. A vintage aircraft flew low overhead as the game got underway as if in honour of Ron's memory, but it was Little Stoke who were quick out the blocks not allowing the totally new look Wick side to settle.

Little Stoke opened their account on 6 minutes when the dangerous Jordan Yeo sent a wicked cross in from the right to be met by Jude Scott to bundle the ball past Jamie Ferris in the Wick goal.

Little Stoke doubled their lead after 15 minutes when a cross from the left this time was met by the head of Kier Williams hitting the back of the Wick net.

Little Stoke increased their lead minutes later following a corner when Luke Meacham reacted quickest to smash the ball into the roof of Wick's net from an acute angle.

Things got worse for Wick on the 33 minute mark when Ethan Moore crossed from the dead ball line on the left to find Jordan Yeo steaming into the box to half volley a cracking shot into Wick's net.

Throughout this early period Wick were unable to put pressure on the Little Stoke goal often surrendering possession too easily.

Wick could have pulled one back on 43 minutes but Karim Rendell pulled his shot wide, and a minute later another Wick effort was hit over the bar. Wick wasted another great chance in the closing minutes of the half but again failed to test the Little Stoke keeper James Russell shooting wide of the post.

Half time finished 0 - 4

Again Little Stoke came out the blocks quicker and rattled the Wick cross bar in the opening minutes of the second half, but it was Wick who opened the second half scoring when Zac Tucker hit a cracking 20 yard drive into the Little Stoke net. The second half was a more evenly contested game with Wick pressing to reduce the deficit, however their poor first half start sealed the win for Little Stoke who ran out worthy winners.

14^th June 2022 - End of season Awards and Constitution 2022/23

Nigel Meaney

The constitution for season 2022-23 was confirmed at the AGM.

The league welcomes Cribbs Reserves who are promoted from the Bristol Premier Combination, Stoke Gifford United who are promoted from the Bristol and Suburban League and Cheltenham Civil Service who join from the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League to fill a vacancy.

Congratulations to Shirehampton who have been promoted to the Toolstation Western League

The league loses Hanham Athletic who have been relegated to the Bristol Premier Combination and English Bicknor who are relegated to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League

The League matches will start on 13^th August and run til 13^th May (End date to be confirmed by the FA).

Some of the end of season awards that were presented prior to the AGM

Dave Beer of Wick with the Dennis Barrett Trophy for the League Champions, Image Courtesy Peter Langley

Nathan Winstanley of Little Stoke with the Les James League Cup, Image Courtesy Peter Langley

Joint Leading Goalscorers Steve Clark (Ruardean Hill Rangers) and Scott Bamford (Shirehampton), Image Courtesy Peter Langley

Kevin Jackson of Frampton United with the Dave Herbert Sportsmanship cup for the most sporting team, Image Courtesy Peter Langley

Kelly Mulrain of Quedgeley Wanderers with the Ron Jay Shield for the best administrative club, Image Courtesy Peter Langley

Best Programme award winners. Dave Beer (Wick - 2^nd), Jason Tarr (Henbury - 1^st), Mark Simpson (Fixtures Secretary), Bob Sperring (Hanham Athletic - =3^rd), Kelly Mulrain (Quedgeley Wanderers - =3^rd) , Image Courtesy Peter Langley