29^th October 2023 - Avonmouth and Rockleaze Rangers hit eight

Nigel Meaney

A day where the weather provided some heavy rain from kick off and a deluge of goals in 3 of the games. As Avonmouth bounced back from losing their 48-game unbeaten run with a big win over Gala Wilton. Stoke Gifford United remain the leagues only unbeaten side as they ran out winners over Frampton United.

We’ll start at Avonmouth where their visitors after first relinquishing their unbeaten start to their County League life at Frampton were Gala Wilton. In the first minute of the game a good chance went to Avonmouth with Josh Pearce firing at Gala keeper’s Gareth Eakers near post, but he pushed the ball behind for a corner. Pearce wasn’t to be denied and he put Avonmouth ahead on 2 minutes. After 5 minutes Gala made their first attack of the game followed by a series of corners that Avonmouth defended well and began to take control.

Just two minutes later Avonmouth’s lead was doubled when Dillan Kerr won a corner and Matty Groves whipped the ball in for Charlie Aldom to head it into the Gala net. Gala’s Antonio Pirelli’s freekick goes under the wall but keeper Tom Bradley makes a sharp save low down to push the ball out for a corner. On 20 minutes a counter attack by Avonmouth led to Pearce feeding the ball to Matt Groves and his deflected shot falls to Pearce at the back post but keeper Eakers reacted well to push the ball away. On the half hour Dillan Kerr reacted well to muscle the Gala keeper off the ball and found Alfie Taylor who found the gap through several defenders to finish well to make the score 3-0.

Avonmouth were now on top, and Pearce went down the right-hand side beating three Gala players but keeper Eakers managed to get a hand to the ball as Pearce tried to take it around him. A minute later Kyle O’Donovan headed goalwards from a corner, but the ball was cleared off the line. Five minutes before half time Avonmouth keeper Bradley let a back pass go under his boot into the net offering a lifeline to Gala. It needed a great save by the Avonmouth keeper who redeemed himself by keeping out a long shot just before the break.

Gala continued their good spell into the second half, and it needed Aldom to clear a header off the Avonmouth goal line. This sparked Avonmouth back into life and set Pearce on fire when he met a Groves corner and his near post header thundered into the Gala net. Avonmouth again took control and O’Donovan hit a freekick into the box which Kofi Martin skilfully knocked to the far post where Jack Williams smashed the ball home to make it 5-1. Avonmouth attacked down the left wing and Kain Edmondson’s shot was blocked but Pearce was on hand to hit the ball home to secure his hat-trick. Avonmouth goals were now flowing and Edmunson smashed the ball into the net from the right-hand side to finish off a great move and he also scored the eighth Avonmouth goal.

At Hillside Gardens a beautiful autumnal morning was interrupted by a deluge of rain at 3pm on the dot until the end of this match, however the rain didn’t spoil Rockleaze Rangers day as they produced possibly their best football of the season against Quedgeley Wanderers.

Rockleaze came out of the blocks in fifth gear and could have been 4-0 in 11 minutes after three good chances were spurned by Dan Webb and one by James Goulden, two of which were good saves from the Quedgeley keeper Charnock. On 22 minutes Goulden had another great chance but once again it was blocked and went out for a corner, Goulden wasn’t to be stopped however when he drove the ball in from close range from the resulting corner taken by Marcus Williams. Just two minutes later Drew Sawdon made it 2-0 after he fired in from 20 yards with Charnock this time rooted to the spot. Charnock made another great save on 32 minutes when he tipped over a dipping long-range effort from Ireland, he could however, do nothing about Fraser Butt’s drive just 6 minutes later when after a corner went long, Butt picked it up, selected his spot and struck the ball home superbly from 15 yards out to make it 3-0. Rockleaze seemed happy with 3-0 at half time however a very late corner by Williams was headed home by Sawdon to take a more than comfortable 4-0 lead into the break.

Rockleaze were in no mood to sit back in the 2^nd half and once again came out flying, on 50 minutes Goulden got his second of the match after he tapped home from 2 yards after Nick Jones drove at the defence and whipped in a super cross. on 53 minutes Webb had another good chance saved and Williams crashed the rebound against the cross bar from fully 25 yards out. On 67 minutes fullback Williams found the ball at his feet again and smashed the ball into the top corner from 30 yards out with Charnock looking on in disbelief. On 80 minutes Quedgeley captain Lawson saw red after a second bookable offence leaving Quedgeley down to 10 men for the last few minutes. Rockleaze made good use of this with substitute Beard scoring twice in this time firstly on 83 minutes when he nipped in between keeper and defender to roll the ball into an unguarded net from 18 yards out and then on 86 minutes with a bullet header from another Williams corner to make the score 8-0 and another good day at Hillside Gardens for the home side.

Just down the road Stoke Gifford United played host to Frampton United in a top 5 game that was played in differing conditions: sun, rain, wind it had it all. Despite it all Gifford dominated and deservedly took the points. Gifford began on the front foot with the lively Mikey Barry causing havoc for the Frampton back line. The first big chance was made when Shepherd and Barry linked for Weaver to fire just wide. The lead was taken on 20 minutes when Luke Hall-Cousins fired home from a whipped Marcus Thatcher delivery. Frampton struggled to get going at all and bar a few long shots Eyles goal wasn’t threatened. Gifford doubled their lead after excellent play from Barry and Weaver found the lively Henry Ikeije who fired home. The game drifted with Frampton pushing but getting nowhere and it always looked like Gifford going further clear. Firstly Hall-Cousins headed wide but then the lively Karakus should’ve rubber stamped the win but was denied by the impressive Kaye in the Frampton goal.

Broadwell Amateurs welcomed Bromley Heath United to The Hawthorns for a crucial game for both teams, Broadwell started off lively with a shot on 5 mins from Fishwicke going wide of the post. On 9 mins a free kick by Bromley’s Bessell from 5 yards outside the box sailed wide of the right-hand post, on 28 mins a scramble saw Ackermans shot nestle in the Broadwell goal. In what continued to be a scrappy game with neither side producing any real chances took us to Half Time Broadwell 0 – 1 Bromley Heath United.

The second half began under a downpour and a strengthening wind contributed to another passage of scrappy play in the Broadwell area saw Ollie Hanham put away his only chance of the game on 61 mins 0 – 2 Bromley Heath. With the continuing rain the pitch was greasy, and footings became tricky, but on the 71-minute Withey popped up to put his head on a cross from the right into the goal. 0 – 3 Bromley Heath. Scrappy play due to the weather ensued with no further chances going to either side, Bromley Heath finishing the game 0 – 3 winners.

So to Hardwicke who welcomed Cheltenham Civil Service to Green Lane in what turned out to be a close encounter. It was an open start to the game; however, the first half of the game went without any clear-cut chances for either team. The second half was more eventful which saw a half chance for Hardwicke’s Ed Rimmer in the 60^th minute. Much of the second half was contest in the middle of the park without any action in the box for either team but it was the substitute Matt Byde who put the visitors 0-1 up in the 82^nd minute. Green’s shot was saved well by Prosser in Hardwicke’s goal but the save fell to the feet of Byde for an easy finish. Hardwicke searched for an equalizer with a half chance falling to Harry Furniss but after a heavy first touch the ball fell into the keepers’ hands. In the 90^th minute Civil Service defended well to keep the ball out of the net, one chance was cleared off the line with suspicions it may have gone over the line, but the referee didn’t agree. In the dying minutes onelast chance fell to George Ganley on his favoured left foot and he blazed this over the bar.

A goal fest at the Field as hosts Almondsbury go down 4-6 to neighbours Little Stoke despite a late rally with Oakley Dawes claiming a hat trick. It started badly for Almondsbury when keeper Hoptroff miskicked straight to a Little Stoke player who fired then into the lead. On 15 minutes Tyler Dunnell-Luff taps in to make it 1-1. On 23 minutes a ball for Little Stoke from the right eludes the keeper and is headed home. On 43 minutes a shot from the edge of the box goes under Hoptroff to make it 1-3 and it becomes 1-4 in added time as a corner is headed home unchallenged. In the second half Oakley Dawes pulled a goal back in a 52nd minute scramble. Little Stoke extended their lead after Almondsbury failed to clear a corner and made it 2-6 on 87 minutes when a move down their left was crossed into the edge box and finished. Almondsbury scored two consolation goals in added time from Oakley Dawes the first a penalty following a handball, the second a curled shot off the crossbar. Little Stoke scorers Luke Meacham (2), Sam Archer. Jack Burgess, Phil Vice, Reuben Nuevo-Draper.

At Hamfields Sharpness’ seven match winning streak came to an end as they hosted Wick Both teams started slowly, feeling each other out with no chances being created. On 15 mins the home side broke the deadlock when Kieran Bennett latched onto a defensive area and raced through one on one with Trott finishing with aplomb. Wick were soon back on level terms though when Sharpness failed to clear their lines and Ridler managed to poke the ball through for Short who smashed his effort past Russell in the home goal. Neither side managed to test the goalkeepers further in the first period, but Sharpness' Dummelow may have felt he should of done better with his near post header from a corner when well placed.

The 2^nd period started very much like the first but Wick were starting to dominate large parts of possession as the rain started to fall. Midway through the half some lovely build up play down Wick's right ended with Short flashing a wicked cross along the 6 yard box of Sharpness but no one was on hand as the ball went straight through. Both sides had good opportunities from set pieces to create something, but neither could find that finishing touch. The closest Sharpness came was when a freekick was came off the head of a Wick player and went narrowly wide of the back post. Wick had a freekick 5 mins from time, but Johnson smashed his effort into the Sharpness wall. Neither keeper was really called upon in the 2^nd half and a draw was probably a fair result.

The game between Ruardean Hill Rangers and Hanham Athletic was abandoned at Half-Time, due to an injury.

27^th October 2023 - Electronic Programmes

Avonmouth v Gala Wilton

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Ruardean Hill Rangers v Hanham Athletic

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15^th October 2023 - Frampton United win battle of the top two

Mark Simpson

Looking at the stats and despite the League shaping up there are some weird results turning up, like two teams who had four goals in thirteen games between them scored fourteen yesterday. And even second place Frampton United have been subject to one of these strange results.

And it’s to the Bell Field where the top two, Frampton United and Avonmouth played an entertaining end to end affair with second place Frampton coming out on top. The home side got off to a fast start and it only took four minutes for Manolo Espada to beat Tom Bradley from the edge of the box. On ten minutes it was level, after Tom Kaye’s good save fell to Dillan Kerr who placed the ball in the corner of the net. Avonmouth took the lead from a Matt Groves header but Frampton hit back to draw level when Will Hawes headed in from a George Driver-Dickerson cross. Chances kept coming for both teams and in the 40^th minute Frampton somehow failed to score when from a cross into the box Romaine Campbell headed the ball back and Hawes shot came off the crossbar and Freddie porter’s shot was cleared. Just before the break Kerr’s snap shot for Avonmouth was just wide. There was no let up in the attacking football in the second half with Jono Willets outpacing the defence and crossing for Espada to make no mistake with his back post volley. Avonmouth came back with a ball over the top, which was missed by the defence, and Kyle O’Donovan nipped in to beat Kaye for 3-3. Frampton’s winner came in the 67^th minute when an Espada cross beat the defence and porter tapped in at the back post. Frampton continued to attack and a Fin Blythe free kick came off the defensive wall and cannoned off the bar. Avonmouth kept on right until the final whistle and came close to squaring things up but O’Donovan’s effort came off the bar. 4-3 to Frampton and Avonmouth’s lead at the top is cut back to two points.

Now to the first of the strange results and to be fair, neither Hardwicke or Ruardean Hill Rangers are setting the world alight. And at Green Lane it was Hardwicke who immediately put the pressure on and the first goal scoring opportunity fell to Jordan Dowdeswell who fired wide after a miss-hit shot by Taro Weston. Their persistence paid off two minutes later when Weston’s corner was volleyed into the bottom left by Will Higgins. Ruardean’s response was immediate with Steve Clarke volleyed in from 15 yards after Oliver Mason’s fine delivery. The resurgent Hill took the lead five minutes later when a cross into the box was headed down by Hardwicke’s George Ganley and unfortunately Sean Clarke scooped the ball into his own net. Ruardean took control of the game and the third came when Max Telling was put through and drew keeper Matt Prosser off his line, cut inside and fired a fierce low shot into the net. Just before the break Hill scored a fourth when Tom Hobbs brought down Steve Clarke who slotted in the resultant penalty. Ten minutes into the second half Mason swiftly passed to the impressive Clarke who had no hesitation in firing past Prosser for his hat-trick. Hardwicke went into disarray and went further behind, Max Telling heading the ball to Fin Jones who fired in. Hill were now rampant and Clarke scored his fourth into the bottom corner after fine work by jones. Two further goals for Hill came in as many minutes with Telling firing in and Tom Cushermill curling in a sweet shot from 20 yards to make it 9-1 to Hill.

To the second of these strange results which was at Waterwells where again to be fair neither Quedgeley Wanderers or Almondsbury are setting the world alight. Six minutes in Almonds Oscar Cox hit the bar with an early shot and a few minutes later home keeper Nathan Charnock denied Oakley Dawes. Quedgeley had a chance but Kory Taylor couldn’t get his shot off as he broke into the box. On 14 minutes Joe Rossiter shot over for the visitors and another chance went begging when Dawes blazed over from twelve yards. On 20 minutes a long range effort from Ollie Curtis was well saved by Almonds Sam Burgess. Quedgeley opened their account in the twenty fifth minute when Sean Lawson won a challenge on the edge and the ball looped over Burgess and into the goal. Two minutes later Wanderers were awarded a penalty but Burgess saved Curtis’s effort. Quedgeley continued to press and were unable to net from a goalmouth scramble and good build up play gave Sean Lawson a sight at goal but hit it straight at Burgess. Almonds had a good spell towards the break, a 20-yard free kick went straight into the wall, Dawes ran into the box but his soft effort failed to trouble Charnock and a big chance for Cox came but he poked his shot wide from the angle. Right on half time a Charnock save flying to his left from Harry Greensbury shot kept out a “certain” goal. Into the second half and Curtis’s side footed finish from the edge made it 2-0 barely a minute in. Almonds attempted to come back and Matt Davies shot straight at Charnock. On 56 minutes Lawson broke free for the hosts but Burgess saved with his legs. But, a minute later Harry Reynolds made it three with a fine finish from the edge. On the hour Curtis had a shot blocked for a corner. Almonds kept at it but Joseph Weare’s shot went into orbit. On 73 Connor Webb made it four after a great cross from Rory Hunt and it was Hunt scoring two minutes from time after a mistake by Burgess to make it 5-0 to Quedgeley.

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White) - Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

Frampton United (Blue/White) v Avonmouth (Black/White), Images courtesy Peter Langley

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Little Stoke welcomed a somewhat strengthened Stoke Gifford United to the Park in front of 120 spectators and Gifford started excellently putting the Little Stoke defence under constant pressure and eventually got the breakthrough on 22 minutes when Paul Cronin broke the Little Stoke line and slooted home. It wasn’t long before it was two, this time Spike Weaver capitalising on a defensive error. It wasn’t until the final minutes of the half that Little Stoke found their stride, Aaron West smashing home after an error from Ash Eyles in the Gifford goal. Little Stoke came out a different side in the second half, aggressive and on the front foot, when Gifford committed a foul 25 yards out and Lewis Hughes stepped up to drive a low shot under the wall and beating Eyles for 2-2. There were more chances for Little Stoke with Vice going close late on. The game ended up with a red card for Mike Hardiman perhaps summing up a good strong competitive game and Stoke Gifford still unbeaten in the League.

To Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham where Cheltenham Civil Service took on strong League contenders Bromley Heath United. The game started at quite a pace with plenty of hard work and on 10 minutes Bromley created the first chance when Olly Hanham was played in down the right wing and his ball in found Aiden Noble who side footed wide. On 23 minutes a Bromley corner found Cam Gardiner who headed wide. The game was becoming a real dogged affair but Bromley pounced on a Service error with Cam Ford going through and bringing a good save from Harvey Need. Both sides were cancelling each other out with lots of endeavour and as things wore on a goalless draw seemed on the cards. But that inevitably changed in the dying minutes with Bromley attacking at pace, they were halted on the edge but were awarded a penalty, the foul adjudged inside! Nathan Rose stepped up and his kick squeezed under Need. Perhaps a harsh result on Service who matched Bromley all over the park but 1-0 to Bromley it was.

The free scoring Rockleaze Rangers were at it again this time at Wick, and were quick out of the blocks firing wide after just 4 minutes. A minute later an under hit back pass gave them another chance but Ashton Trott saved well with his feet. Wick then settled and had a series of corners but failed to convert. On 24 minutes a great cross field ball by Wick’s Will Osbourne found Jai Macloed who beat his marker to drive into the Rockleaze box and pull the ball back for Liam Towler to drive home. Trott saved well with his legs again rushing from his goal. As the half came to an end a great save from Dom Oakes stopped Macloed from increasing Wick’s lead. Rockleaze started the new half on the front foot forcing another good save from Trott and Wick’s Louis Short fizzed just wide, but on 52 minutes Jenson Beard burst through the middle for Rockleaze and powered his shot past Trott for 1-1. On 58 minutes Wick’s lively Short was bundled over in the box for a penalty converted by Towler to restore Wick’s lead. Wick were cursing their luck on 75 minutes when a cross from Beard from the right flank found the top corner of the Wick net to level the scores. Shotly after Wick lost a player to the sin bin which proved very costly. As time ticked away Trott saved well low to his right but can only push the ball into the path of Dan Webb who found the Wick net. In stoppage time with Wick pushing for an equaliser Rockleaze hit them on the counter and the luckless Trott saved well only for the ball to loop over him for Fraser Butt to score Rockleaze’s fourth and a 4-2 win.

On a sunny afternoon at Fairmile Gardens Gala Wilton entertained Broadwell Amateurs with both sides keen to make amends for defeats the previous weekend. Gala started really brightly and took the lead after 3 minutes when Jorell Sanniola scored with a first-time finish from Tim Hill’s cross. Gala extended their lead with less than 10 minutes on the clock Sanniola finishing Jacob Eakers superb long throw. Sanniola had a chance for his hat-trick in only 24 minutes but was denied from the spot by Jack Watkins. Broadwell came out of the traps for the second half and were immediately awarded a penalty right at the start but Adam Clark made a great save. After this Gala had a number of chances but a one on one lifted over the bar by Hill and two excellent saves by Watkins kept the score at 2-0. Broadwell were then awarded another penalty on 61 minutes this time Liam Thomas made no mistake. This inspired Broadwell and a fiercely contested final half hour ensued. However there were no further clear cut chances and Gala held on for a much needed 2-1 win.

Sharpness scored an impressive win at Vicarage Road, beating Hanham Athletic by 2-1 with Kieran Bennett and Archie Mears for the visitors and Jacob Saunders for Hanham.

12^th October 2023 - Electronic Programmes

Gala Wilton v Broadwell Amateurs

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Little Stoke v Stoke Gifford United

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8^th October 2023 - Hanham Athletic win at Rockleaze Rangers

Mark Simpson

Avonmouth maintain their five-point advantage at the top with a host of Clubs in the pack behind playing catch up, and as the leaders are yet to drop a point it’s proving quite a challenge. There is still a long way to go and yesterday Little Stoke came within a whisker of taking a point from them.

Our first visit is to a sunny and warm Hillside Gardens where the free scoring pair of Rockleaze Rangers and Hanham Athletic met. A sluggish start for Rockleaze and Hanham took advantage with a fourth minute goal and a trip by Ollie Woolland gave Hanham a penalty which was dispatched by Karim Rendall past debutant keeper Oakes. Rockleaze worked their way back into the game and James perhaps should have done better on 15 minutes but his tame effort was well saved by Sam Brown. A mix up by Ireland and Oakes in the Rangers defence allowed Saunders to roll the ball into an empty net for the visitors second. Nick Jones always looked dangerous for Rockleaze and had a couple of efforts from distance, but it was Hanham who should have had a third two minutes before the break when Rendall was through but his tame effort was easily gathered by Oakes. Rockleaze should have pulled one back, but Matt Lloyd was badly off target. The hosts got back into the game straight after the break with a bullet header from Jordan Buckett following Pete Ireland’s corner. Rockleaze were now looking more likely with Brown in the Hanham goal making several good saves. Oakes made a superb save from Rendall on 64 and Knight should have done better with the rebound. Two minutes on and Jon Webb’s rasping effort for Rockleaze struck the crossbar. On 84 minutes a scramble in the Rockleaze box ended with Rendall scuffing onto the post and the defence cleared. The last chance fell to Beard 1 on 1 with Brown who made a smart save ensuring the points went back to Vicarage Road with Hanham 2-1.

Avonmouth welcomed Little Stoke to KGV and the visitors started at pace creating early chances which keeper Tom Hague was alert to. It was some twenty minutes before Avonmouth stated to show any impetus in attacking areas, Kyle O’Donovan up for a header outside the box, the ball falling for Josh Pearce who narrowly missed. The first half saw the hosts struggling to get into the game and it was only good work by their defence and keeper Hague that kept the score level. Avonmouth were much better in the second period attacking down the wings, but neither side was able to create anything meaningful, until the seventy second minute when Stoke had a great chance for the lead from a corner but Alfie Taylor cleared off the line to rescue Avonmouth. With the clock running down it was a bit of magic by Charlie Aldom who scored a great goal from distance five minutes into time added on to give Avonmouth a “smash and grab” victory.

Unbeaten in third place Stoke Gifford United were up against struggling Quedgeley Wanderers and should have been in the lead as early as the sixth minute when Michael Barry got to the bye line but the chance was blocked. However, it was 1-0 in the tenth minute with great work from Spike Weaver who put it on a plate for Henry Ikeije to tap in. A few minutes late it should have been two when Ikeije got to the bye line but the half volley was just wide. The rest of the half was pretty mundane and 1-0 it remained. Quedgeley came out the better for the second period and things brightened up for them when last man Joe Bridge saw red, bringing down a Quedgeley striker. Gifford had to stay strong and disciplined but a good spell for the visitors saw them strike the post. With quarter of an hour to go Devanti McInerney was introduced to the game and took a minute to seal it when he smashed the ball into the bottom corner following a great run. The last 15 was a bit boring with Gifford protecting the lead and maintaining their 100% home record with a 2-0 win.

To the M5 now and Almondsbury hosting Wick and somewhat struggling to get to grips with the League. Almonds had the first chance when Cam Adams was played through on the angle and Ashton Trott made a good save down to his left but on to Callum Dawes who put it behind for a goal kick. On 18 minutes Wick took the lead, after a lucky bounce on the halfway Jai Macleod drove into the box, got a one-two and slid the ball past Sam Burgess. It was Burgess who kept Almonds in it with a great save on 37 minutes after a powerful strike from the edge. The equaliser came on 65 minutes when Jordan Mignott tried to head back to Trott and Stuart Alexander gambled and poked the ball home. Two minutes later Almonds had the lead, a flick on from Ashley Knight and the ball fell to Alexander whose shot was well saved by Trott, but Oakley Dawes was there with the follow up for 2-1. Wick almost levelled with four minutes to go but the shot cannoned off the woodwork and Almonds held on for a valuable three points and 2-1.

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

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Staying on the M5 we go up to Cheltenham and to Tewkesbury Road where Cheltenham Civil Service took on Ruardean Hill Rangers

Bromley Heath United at Pomphrey Hill making another League challenge against early strugglers Gala Wilton. A scrappy first ten minutes saw nothing eventful, and even then Nathan Rose only managed an awful free kick. Gala had some pressure and on 16 a dangerous free kick came to nothing and a corner shortly after brought a great save from Will Ferguson. After twenty one minutes a run and shot from Bromley’s Ollie Hanham was high and wide and on the half hour Gala’s Jorell Sanniola didn’t fare much better. Ten minutes into the second period the hosts took the lead with Ollie Hanham’s cross was finished by Ben Ackerman. On 63 minutes a great strike from Cam Ford was well saved by Gala keeper Adam Clark. Gala had a good chance for the equaliser but Antonio Pirelli was just wide from a tight angle. Four minutes from time Bromley wrapped it up, a great cross from Joel Mitchelmore was turned in by Jack Withey for 2-0.

Second placed Frampton United were up at the Hawthorns against Broadwell Amateurs and a game that started with such promise. Broadwell’s Jack Watkins had to be very alert early on making two point blank saves then after 16 minutes saving a low shot from Manolo Espada. Some good Broadwell passing down the right saw a cross to the far post and young Jamie Belfitt hit it first time over the top. This time, it was poor Broadwell passing that allowed Frampton the lead Will Hawes opening their account on 28 minutes. The game was back and forth until five minutes before the break when Hawes found himself in a scoring position and promptly dispatched it for 2-0. Frampton started to dominate the game more and on sixty-five minutes Hawes converted a pass across goal for his hat-trick. Romaine Campbell added Frampton’s fourth with a well taken goal and a game to forget for Broadwell. 4-0 to Frampton.

Finally to Hamfields for what was apparently for Sharpness a fairly routine win over Hardwicke who had in fairness been showing some reasonable form of late. However, it was the Sharks who had the brighter start asking questions of Hardwicke with a couple of dangerous crosses in the opening five minutes. Hardwicke were defending well and it took a scrappy goal for Sharpness to take a deserved lead in the twentieth minute, Max Harper-Emerson picking the ball up just outside the box and with a deflected strike wrong footing keeper Matthew Prosser. Hardwicke began to grow into the game with a couple of good passages of play resulted in a couple of free kicks which were defended well. Sharpness eventually got going again and just before half time were two up with a tap in at the back post by George Thomas from a corner. The third and fourth goals for the Sharks came midway through the second half with Harper-Emerson completing his hat-trick by picking the ball up on the left, and cutting in to finish very well from outside the box. Hardwicke kept plugging away and could have got a consolation but for some desperate Sharpness defending in the six-yard box. The fifth and final goal for Sharpness came after a good passage of play from back to front saw the ball worked out wide before finding Tom Frankham in the box who worked the ball well to finish into the bottom corner for a comprehensive 5-0.

6^th October 2023 - Electronic Programmes

Almondsbury v Wick

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Avonmouth v Little Stoke

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1^st October 2023 - Gala Wilton and Cheltenham Civil Service share the spoils

Mark Simpson

Avonmouth’s sprint at the top continues, now five points clear after six games and in the chasing pack Stoke Gifford United remain unbeaten and Frampton United have rather crept up into second place.

Cheltenham Civil Service’s shortest trip of the season took them to Gala Wilton’s Fairmile Gardens and in a keenly contested game both sides were looking to win and start to climb the table. Service were on the offensive early on and drew a good save from Adam Clark. As the half went on there were few clear chances until the 41st minute when a free kick from Gala’s Jacob Eakers was parried by Harvey Need and Jorell Sanniola hammered the rebound in for 1-0. The second half remained a tight affair with the majority of play between the boxes and defences on top when called upon. As the game wore on Service began to have greater possession, with Gala relying on the break, and with five minutes remaining Service had a shot off the crossbar, and Ollie Whelan headed the rebound in for a deserved equaliser, 1-1.

To Green Lane, Hardwicke where Rockleaze Rangers were the visitors, and it was an open end to end start to the game but with few chances. The first real chance came on 26 when home keeper Prosser somehow gave the ball to Dan Webb whose shot struck the crossbar. On 39 minutes Hardwicke opened their account when Harvey Mustoe picked the ball up on halfway, dribbled forward and hit a 25 yard screamer into the top corner. The lead only lasted three minutes Drew Sawdon equalising with a lovely header. The second half wasn’t very eventful, Hardwicke’s Vernall having a big penalty appeal turned down, and when Rockleaze were turning the screw Prosser pulled off a fantastic save to keep it level. With fifteen minutes to go Sawdon saw red but both teams seemed happy with a point each at 1-1.

To the chasing pack, and to the Bell Field where Frampton United took on unbeaten Bromley Heath United and it was a great start for Heath, one-nil up after two minutes Jack Withey heading home from a corner and a couple of minutes later it could have been two, Withey this time heading just wide. Frampton gradually got into the game and came close to equalising when a free kick was played into Hawes who turned his defender and skimmed the bar. He was at it again in the 25^th minute when he was brought down in the box and Manola Espada converted for 1-1. Frampton took the lead when a cross fizzed across the box and Espada calmly finished at the back post. Both teams continued to go at each other in a fast paced affair and Bromley were close when Aiden Noble could only poke his effort wide. With five minutes left Will Hawes put the game out of Bromley’s reach heading in from a corner, and although Frampton keeper Tom Kaye pulled off a great finger tip save in the last minute to deny Cameron Ford Frampton ran out 3-1 winners.

An unbeaten and youthful Stoke Gifford United visited Wick and it was visiting keeper Ash Eyles who almost gifted Wick an early goal spilling the ball but luckily it evaded any attackers. But it was Gifford who took a twelfth minute lead, when McInerney found Spike Weaver who turned his marker and slotted in. It took a cracking save from Ashton Trott to deny Stoke Gifford a second saving low to his right. Wick’s afternoon got tougher on 34 minutes when debutant Adam Madhi’s rash tackle earned him a straight red. A minute later Gifford struck the post but the reprieve was short lived as they continued to attack and a cross found Rudy Hill at the far post to slot home. In first half stoppage Wick’s Liam Towler was upended in the box and he stepped up to pull one back for Wick. The ten men of Wick started the second half brightly and brought a smart 51^st minute save from Eyles and two minutes on missed a golden opportunity. They eventually drew level fifteen minutes from time when Towler buried his free kick in from outside the box. However, it was more great work from McInerney who found space for Weaver to convert his second and put Gifford back in front. But as the clock ticked down it was Wick’s Todd Carter who curled in a beauty from outside the box for 3-3.

A trip up to Ruardean Hill Rangers for Sharpness, always an awkward away trip, and it was the visitors with a first minute chance Aaron Underwood saving well from Brad Hewer. However it was Hill who took the lead 14 minutes in, Truan Taylor flattening Alex Stephens and Steve Clark converting the spot kick beating Taylor’s outstretched dive. Midway through the half Stephens mazey run forces a standard save from Taylor and a minute later Tom Frankham forced Underwood into a routine save. Early into the second period the Sharks had a free kick which Brad Hewer rattled against the post. On 68 Sharpness were awarded what was considered by Hill to be a controversial penalty which James Priday converted. A minute later Will Tainton put the visitors in front with a shot after the ball broke loose to him outside the area. Five minutes from the end Frankham forced Underwood into a good save. The Sharks holding out for a good 2-1 away win, against a somewhat annoyed home side.

Ruardean’s Forest neighbours Broadwell Amateurs made the trip to Little Stoke for a largely forgettable afternoon. Little Stoke started the better of the two sides with Alex Hill and Aaron West both coming close. Broadwell came out after half time with a much more positive approach. But with the game affected by windy conditions there were very few chances and an inevitable 0-0 result.

The League leaders Avonmouth had a trip up the M5 to Quedgeley Wanderers Waterwells. It was the visitors with a 10^th minute chance from the spot but it was spurned. Wanderers had an effort just over. But it was Avonmouth who stamped their authority when Dillan Kerr chipped Nathan Charnock. Many chances later the second came on half an hour with Josh Pearce finishing well. Six minutes later Dillan Kerr scored his second with the visitors well in control. Avonmouth came out strongly in the second half but the first goal went to Quedgeley, Ollie Curtis firing past Tom Bradley. This stung the home side into action with Devon Morgan and Harry Reynolds both close. But it wasn’t to be with Matt Groves hitting a fourth for Avonmouth and despite several corners for the hosts which they failed to make the most of Jack Williams then converted a fifth for Avonmouth to solidify a 5-1 victory.

At Hanham Athletic where Almondsbury were the visitors both teams started well, with the visitors ecging the early exchanges. Hanham almost scored on 24 minute but Rich Watham’s header cannoned off the bar. Hanham took the lead a minute later when Karim Rendall lobbed the keeper after being put through by Brandon Barnes. Hanham made it 2-0 with their next attack in almost identical fashion with Rendall scoring again from another Barnes through ball. Hanham soon made it 3 on 32 minute when Jacob Saunders scored from a Jamal Simms cross. Karim Rendall got his hat trick on 33 minute with a fine one on one finish to it 4-0. Almondsbury pulled one back on 43 minute when Hanham’s defence switched off to let Lewis Jones slot the ball past Sam Brown in Hanham goal. Almondsbury pulled another back on 49 minute from the penalty spot. Matt Harmer scoring. In the 64^th minute Jamal Simms made it 5-2 finishing well from Karim Rendall’s through ball. Brandon Barnes made it 6-2 on 67^th minute with a fine finish from a tight angle. It was 6-3 on the 69^th minute, when Almondsbury striker Ashley Knight finished well. Karim Rendall got his 4^th and Hanham’s 7^th on 83 minute. Substitute Tom Morgan made it 8-3 on the 90^th minute scoring from George Latham’s pass, for the goal of the game.