24^th February 2024 - Avonmouth extend lead

Mark Simpson

Three more matches lost to the weather and two of the Clubs involved are going to have a very busy end to the season. Nevertheless things press on, and are Avonmouth out of sight, thirteen points clear with two games in hand? At the bottom things are becoming increasingly difficult for the bottom three who I’m sure will keep fighting.

Gala Wilton took on Avonmouth on a bright afternoon at Fairmile Gardens. And it was Avonmouth who started the brighter of the sides and should have been in the lead before they did so on 15 minutes with a neat finish off the post with a shot from the edge by Matt Groves. The visitors continued to make the majority of chances as they attacked with pace and numbers and looked particularly dangerous from set pieces, but Gala defended stoutly and were just the one behind at the break. Josh Pearce started the second half just as Avonmouth would have wanted with a neat finish on 53 minutes, but Gala replied on 61 through a good finish into the far corner from Mike Baron. After this Gala grew more and more into the game albeit without creating anything clear cut and Avonmouth started to sit deeper and appeared to be content to try to see the game out at 2-1, but an interception from the Gala defence saw an excellent finish from Pearce for 3-1. Then five minutes later on 89 a superb one-two on the edge of the box saw Pearce complete his hat-trick for a 4-1 win and probably a rather harsh result on Gala but another three points for Avonmouth.

Gallery for this game from Helen Warwick available Here, if you use the images please credit Helen Warwick Twitter @HelenWarwick5.

Tewkesbury Road played host to a battle of the basement where the three points would give Cheltenham Civil Service or Hardwicke a huge boost. Hardwicke started well and after only four minutes a through ball found Harry Furniss in on goal but he seemed to have got his feet tied up as he was about to shoot, and Hardwicke’s appeals were a little too vociferous with Josh Vallis-Ridler being sin binned. Service then stepped up and Dec Chick saw his effort from the edge of the box hit the bar. On 25 minutes Civi took the lead, Brett Blake started the move, then received the ball back from Sam Johnson to finish with a first time deflected shot past Cam Wilce. Harvey Need in the Civi goal read a Hardwicke through ball very well, claiming it on the edge of the box, before a further couple of Hardwicke attacks led to nothing worthwhile. A wicked free kick from Lewis Driscoll was met powerfully by Pete Guite but wide of the goal. Hardwicke started the second half pushing men forward, but the home side were dangerous on the break. Hardwicke’s Harley Mustoe was busy creating holes for asking questions of Service and chances came either end Hardwicke’s Ed Rimmer taking a touch at the far post before firing wide, then Blake breaking forward to square to Luke Finch with the goal at his mercy only to put the ball wide. Tom Hobbs saw his header go over for Hardwicke while Guite’s volley from a Mike Oliver flick also went over and Miko Rewczuk burst through from Dan Wills pass but the ball bobbled and the shot was wide. In the end Hardwicke threw everything forward but it wasn’t to be, and at the end their players were brought to their knees, Service holding out for 1-0 and that huge three points.

Despite the recent weather Wick’s pitch was in excellent shape for the visit of Sharpness. After an even start Sharpness took a fifteenth minute lead, a defensive lapse by Wick allowed a cross from the right to find Brad Gibbs who headed past Ashton Trott. Both teams battled throughout the half which featured some crunching tackles, and just before the break Wick were level, Jai Macleod latching onto a loose Sharks free kick, bursting past two defenders and shooting past James Russell. There was enough time for another Sharpness attack and Wick were indebted to Trott who pulled off a point blank save to keep the score even at the break. Sharpness thought they had regained the lead five minutes into the second half but up went the flag. A minute on and it was Wick who had the lead when Brad Clark’s 30 yarder lobbed Russell. Sharpness continued to press without success and Wick’s cause wasn’t helped by Levi Brown picking up a second yellow on 70 minutes. The Sharks were themselves reduced to ten on 80 minutes to a sin bin and Wick thought they had done enough to take the three points until 10 minutes was added on. Sharpness were then back to full strength and took advantage when two minutes in Tom Frankham shot past Trott from just inside the box, and then Will Tainton nodded home at the far post to seal a 3-2 win for Sharpness.

At Waterwells Quedgeley Wanderers took on Rockleaze Rangers who started well although Jenson Beard was off target. Quedgeley countered forcing a sixth minute corner from which Jordan Dunning saved. A few minutes on Dan Webb’s shot was off target and a continued Rockleaze onslaught with numerous shots keeping keeper Nathan Charnock very busy. On 17 minutes Fraser Butt was one on one with Charnock and rounded him to find the back of the net. Rockleaze kept the pressure up but couldn’t find a finish and inevitably Quedgeley found some rhythm and equalised in the 32^nd minute Connor Webb skilfully lobbing Dunning. Rockleaze came out of the blocks for the start of the second half but without troubling Charnock, and there was limited action in shot terms, but Rio Spencer had a goal disallowed for Quedgeley and indeed Rockleaze also had one disallowed and the game went on its course to a 1-1 draw.

At the Bell Field Frampton United and Stoke Gifford United was a really cagey affair with no real chances until the 42^nd minute when Frampton’s Zak Tyers’ volley went high, and with the last kick of the half Gifford’s Sam Garrod’s long range effort crept just over the bar. The second half started much brighter and Jordan Yeo’s effort for Gifford was well saved by Tom Kaye. In the 55^th minute a good cross into the Gifford box was met by Craig Mills and Oliver Gargett made a great save. Gifford opened the scoring when Ben Sheppard headed home from a corner and increased their lead five minutes later from a Spike Weaver free kick from the edge of the box. Frampton pulled one back ten minutes from time when from a free kick Dom Brown headed the ball back across goal and Henry Driver-Dickerson fired home and 2-1 to Gifford it ended.

21^st February 2024 - Electronic Programmes

Gala Wilton v Avonmouth

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Little Stoke v Almondsbury

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17^th February 2024 - Avonmouth edge clash of top two

Mark Simpson

With the top two playing each other and Avonmouth taking the points attention was also drawn to the other end where two clashes in the Forest saw the bottom two attempt to climb up a bit, it didn’t quite work out for Hardwicke where Ruardean Hill took the points in a 4-3 victory, but Gala Wilton did a little better by taking a useful point at Broadwell. Three matches were lost to the weather.

Starting at KGV for the top two clash Avonmouth v Frampton United a good crowd of 130 saw a close match, and within 20 seconds of the start Avonmouth’s Josh Pearce was put through with only Tom Kaye to beat but put his shot wide. Two minutes later he was through again but his shot was well saved by Kaye. Frampton came more into it and a mistake by centre back Mark Willims let Henry Driver-Dickerson in but his shot was wide. A lull in the game for 15 minutes was followed by Avonmouth’s Kyle O’Donovan shooting from distance forcing a save by Kaye and Pearce hitting the rebound across the goal line. Not long after a great last gasp tackle prevented Pearce shooting in from just 5 yards. After 30 minutes a brilliant first touch from Frampton’s Max Harper=Emerson opened up space in the box but Avonmouth threw bodies in the way to prevent the ball reaching keeper Tom Bradley. Just after Pearce sped through the Frampton defence and shot past Kaye for 1-0. Straight after the start of the second half Pearce was put through again but Kaye’s legs saved Frampton. The visitors started to get a grip of things a were moving the ball about well and following a great run by Emerson, Bradley made a super save to prevent the equaliser. The final 20 minutes was scrappy with Avonmouth defending Bradley’s goal well, but it was the home side who nearly scored again with Matt Groves playing Alfie Taylor who found Pearce’s head and the ball was pushed away by Kaye for the final action in a hard fought game edged 1-0 by Avonmouth.

Up to the Forest first to Ruardean Hill Rangers against Hardwicke with Hill in front in the seventh minute from Steve Clark’s shot from outside the box through a crowd of players. Hill had plenty of the ball in the first 25 minutes but failed to test Jay Brown in the Hardwicke goal. Two minutes on Hardwicke equalised against the run of play with Hill stood appealing for offside Harry Furniss knocked the ball in for 1-1. On the half hour Clark tried his luck from 25 yards the ball flying wide with Brown rooted. At 36 minutes a Hill free kick just outside found Clark to strike in off the far post. Five minutes before the break it was Furniss with the equaliser despite the best efforts of Aaron Underwood with his defence again standing appealing. But it was Clark completing his hat trick just before the half time whistle firing in from outside the area. Ollie Mason almost made it four but Brown saved with his feet. Just after half time Hardwicke equalised for the third time, a great strike from Harley Mustoe in off the bar. Hill had a few more chances with Tom Landon heading over Mason’s whipped in corner, Clark wriggling through a couple of challenges before shooting wide and Dan Latham shooting but Marley Johnson cleared off the line. Hill’s winner came a minute from time with a great cross from Charlie Taylor and Steve Clark heading in at the back post for his and Hills fourth and a 4-3 win. Notably it was Clark’s eighth goal in two games against Hardwicke this season.

Now to the other Forest match where Gala Wilton visited Broadwell Amateurs. Both teams were determined to assert dominance on the pitch. The match ignited with fervour as the home side were in front after three minutes with Jack Knight’s sensational strike from outside the box. Gala were undeterred by the early setback and launched a series of attacks to test Broadwell with keeper Jack Watkins denying Gala. As the half progressed Broadwell did gain control but just before half time Gala mounted a swift counter and Ryley Mace showed good skill manoeuvring through Broadwell’s defence and slotting home for 1-1. Broadwell were keen to reclaim the lead in the second half and Ethan Wilkins was close early on shooting just over and despite persistent attacks Gala remained resolute. However, in the 58^th minute the momentum shifted as Gala were awarded a penalty after Knight upended a Gala forward and Elliott Martin calmly converted the spot kick. Broadwell responded with some substitutions and their persistence paid off in the dying moments of time added on, a cleverly executed corner kick found Jamie Belfitt, the smallest player on the pitch, rising above the defence to head home a dramatic equaliser in a hard fought and skilful 2-2 draw.

To Hillside Gardens where Wick were visiting a normally strong home side in Rockleaze Rangers. The game started with Rockleaze doing the majority of probing. Ashton Trott saved well with his legs in the eighth minute from Sam Bailey and this became the norm for the remainder of the half as Rockleaze were thwarted by both Trott and poor finishing. Dan Webb was next to be frustrated as Trott saved another goal bound effort on 11 minutes and the same player should have done better on 18 minutes but once again Trott saved well with his legs when Webb was one on one. Drew Sawdon struck the bar on twenty minutes with the ball bouncing down on the line before being hacked clear. Webb was guilty of a bad miss on 29 minutes when he struck the ball at Trott from six yards out with the rest of the goal gaping. Rockleaze did take the lead on 43 minutes when Sawdon followed up to tap home from 5 yards after Webb had scuffed a cross from Fraser Butt. The second half started with a Louis Short 25 yarder going close For Wick. Then on 55 minutes Owen Humphries went to ground in the box, the Referee awarding a penalty which Sam Roberts duly smashed in for 1-1. Rockleaze should have retaken the lead on the hour, but Webb’s effort lacked power and ran through to Trott. Trott once again came to Wick’s rescue when he brilliantly tipped over a Beard chip ten minutes from time. A disappointing end to the game came when Rockleaze thought they’d won the game deep in to time added on with a Boontam header from a corner only for the Referee to rule the goal out for an infringement. A useful 1-1 draw for Wick in their pursuit of safety.

Derby day at the Stoke Gifford Stadium where Little Stoke were the visitors. Gifford had the opening 15 minutes but saw chances go begging, Spike Weaver with a close range effort put over the bar, Jordan Iwhiwhu had a shot well saved and Dan Dunt headed over from a corner. Little Stoke started to grow into the game and took the lead on 18 minutes with a penalty well dispatched by Lewis Hughes. Gifford ended the half with well worked openings but failed to convert. The second half started with a good save from Barry Phillips in the Little Stoke goal. Little Stoke continued to frustrate Gifford and went further ahead on 75 minutes when Alex Fox headed home from a corner which Gifford failed to deal with. Five minutes from time Gifford gave themselves a lifeline when Joe Bridge headed home from a well worked free kick but it wasn’t enough in the end as Little Stoke held out to take the spoils 2-1.

17^th February 2024 - Promotion and Relegation

Nigel Meaney

The following clubs have applied for promotion to Step 6 of the National League System for Seaaon 2023/4

• Avonmouth
• Rockleaze Rangers
• Sharpness

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 (North/South). 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
• Totterdown United

Bristol and Suburban League

• Filton Athletic
• Wessex Wanderers

Gloucestershire Northern Senior League

• Brockworth Albion
• Chalford
• Dursley Town
• Longlevens Reserves
• Tredworth Tigers

17^th February 2024 - Electronic Programmes

Avonmouth v Frampton United

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Ruardean Hill Rangers v Hardwicke

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10^th February 2024 - Little Stoke hold Avonmouth

Mark Simpson

If any team are going to come unstuck during the season then Little Stoke Park is one of those venues and so it proved for Avonmouth, although they didn’t lose, their gallop at the top was pegged back. The weather took its toll with three games lost, and there wasn’t much interest from our sides in the County Cup with only Hanham Athletic making it through to the semi-finals.

To Little Stoke Park where Avonmouth were the visitors, and the hosts started well and got the break through when Danny Lanes pinpoint cross was met by Luke Meacham to head home. Avonmouth grew into the game calling Barry Phillips into action in the Little Stoke goal to keep the score at 1-0. Little Stoke did have the next chance with Nathan Brown, one on one with Avonmouth keeper Tom Bradley, but could only roll the ball wide. Avonmouth levelled on 35 minutes with a Josh Pearce header from inside the six yard box. Minutes into the second half a well worked free kick and cross found its way into the Avonmouth goal, an unfortunate own goal giving Little Stoke the lead. But, Avonmouth found an equaliser late on with a superb solo goal from Pearce earning them a point with a 2-2 draw.

Cheltenham Civil Service went up to the Forest to take on Ruardean Hill Rangers in a fixture on the fringes of the relegation zone. Early on Service using the long ball well creating a chance forcing Aaron Underwood to tip round the post. Hill came more into the game when Steve Clark turned his defender but ended up firing over. Hill took a 33^rd minute lead when Clark curled a free kick, from just outside the area, over the wall and out of Harvey Need’s reach. Hill almost made it two just before the break from another free kick Service failing to clear and Max Telling acrobatically volleyed over from 10 yards. Service used the long ball tactic in the second half but Hill dealt with it well. Service went down to ten when Kerry Hale as the last man pulled Clark down. From the resulting free kick Clark curled the ball against the outside of the post. Two minutes later on 68 Hill got their second when a free kick into the Service box was recycled with Tom Landon smashing the ball across the face of goal and Fin Jones provided the finishing touch. On 71 a good run by Alex Stephens into the box was forcibly stopped, but the resultant penalty was smashed over the bar by Clark. On 78 minutes Hill worked the ball through to Taylor Blaby who shot from 25 yards but Need tipped the ball round the post. A minute later it was three when Stephens blasted in from 10 yards. Ten from time Jones had a chance but mistimed his jump, but two minutes from time the fourth came when Ollie Mason curled in a freekick at Need’s near post to complete a 4-0 Hill win.

And to the Bell Field where Frampton United took on Broadwell Amateurs for an evenly matched affair with Frampton creating the majority of chances and seeing out the game for a 1-0 win. The first chance ten minutes in came when a Henry Driver-Dickerson cross hit the bar and Manolo Marquez-Espada headed over the rebound. Both teams had good spells of possession for the next 20 minutes but with no clear cut chances until Marquez-Espada dragged a free kick wide. Frampton had another half chance when Jacob Geddes headed towards goal but didn’t trouble keeper Jack Watkins. The next 10 minutes saw Frampton sustain their pressure and some good link up play led to Marquez-Espada slipping Henry Driver-Dickerson in to round Watkins but was a little too wide to score, George Driver-Dickerson had the follow up shot blocked on the line. The deadlock was broken on 41 minutes with Geddes heading home at the back post from a corner. Frampton were quickly out of the blocks for the start of the second half, and created another few chances but couldn’t convert from good positions. All this time Broadwell threatened on the break with the Frampton defence limiting any clear cut chances. The remainder of the game lived up to the usual Frampton v Broadwell rivalry with a few strong tackles, some heated arguments but all in good spirits and 1-0 to Frampton it remained.