News and Match Reports

20th March 2025 - Electronic Programmes

Cheltenham Civil Service v Almondsbury

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Gala Wilton v Wick

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16th March 2025 - Henbury & Rockleaze and Frampton United to meet in League Cup Final

Mark Simpson

results

Almondsbury, despite losing to in form Bromley Heath, still have points in the bag, with the chasing pack having games in hand, in some cases sufficient to overhaul Almonds if they win them all, and as I’ve said before watch out for Filton Athletic hanging around on the outskirts. At the bottom things are looking bleak for Gala Wilton. In the Les James league Cup semi-finals two one sided games will see Frampton United and Henbury & Rockleaze in the final.

First to the Bristol Barbarians RFC where Totterdown United took on Henbury & Rockleaze in a semi final match of the League Cup. Totterdown started slowly but grew into the game and had a couple of half-chances in the first half-hour. H&R scored their first goal from a corner against the run of play, Matt Harrison scoring which took the wind out of Totts sails. Just before half-time H&R got their second Marcus Williams again from a corner. Totterdown started the second half the better of the two teams, but it was H&R who put the game to bed with Drew Sawdon scoring from yet another corner. Totts were the reduced to ten with Toby Carter getting a second yellow and H&R took advantage and controlled the remainder of the game scoring another two goals one from Jordan Buckett and the other an own-goal the like of which you see in a football bloopers montage, anyhow it’s Henbury and Rockleaze through to the final.

In the other semi, Frampton United took on Quedgeley Wanderers at the Bell Field and Frampton got off to a good start on seven minutes when a Manolo Espada corner found Dom Brown, whose header was saved by Nathan Charnock only for Henry Driver-Dickerson to tap home the rebound. A few efforts from both sides saw out the first half, but it was Frampton who added to their tally on 57 minutes, good build up saw the ball played to Lewis Vye on the edge of the box and he drilled the ball in. The hosts third goal came after Tom Mangan was played through beating Charnock to the ball and squaring for Henry D-D to score his second. QW had a few decent efforts on goal but couldn’t find a way past Tom Kaye and it was left to Zak Tyers to round off the scoring with a good finish from the edge of the box to give Frampton a 4-0 win and reaching their second cup final in a week.

results

Back to the League and at The Field Almondsbury took on Bromley Heath United and a cagey first half with both teams trying to hit areas with direct balls. On 15 minutes Lewis Hughes hit a free kick just wide and seven minutes on Liam Nicholls flicked a through ball to Zach Morgan who got his shot away but Will Ferguson turned the ball round for a corner. On 57 minutes Morgan beat the Bromley back line but pulled his shot wide. Ten minutes later Paolo Pali delivered a corner onto Holver’s head but could only direct his header straight to Ferguson. On 71 minutes Bromley took the lead with a set piece directed to the far post for Trai Elliston-Sackett with a nice finish. It was nearly two a few minutes later a shot heading for goal and somehow Sam Burgess pulls off an amazing save for a corner. Almonds pushed for the last 15 minutes with a number of free kicks into dangerous areas but they failed to find the net and 1-0 it ended for Bromley Heath.

Filton Athletic continued their impressive run with a composed win against Broadwell Amateurs at a dry and chilly Hawthorns. With Broadwell eager for points to move away from the lower end of the table, both teams approached the match cautiously testing each other without creating an awful lot. However, in the 21st minute Filton capitalised on a Broadwell error – a promising Broadwell move broke down allowing Kieran Cooper to sprint through on goal unchallenged and he cooly slotted the ball past Jack Watkins for 1-0. Filton doubled their advantage on 33, with a moment of brilliance from left back Tom Fry who unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the box giving Watkins no chance. With momentum on their side Filton continued to press Broadwell back. As the first half drew to a close Broadwell found some rhythm, playing with some urgency and Dan Brain forced a low save by Ryan Nixon. The second half was more even both teams nullifying each other, but Trey Merrett thought that he had extended Filton’s lead but was adjudged offside. The game ebbed and flowed but neither side could add to the scoreline, but in time added on Nixon made an error of judgement to give Broadwell an indirect free kick in the box which unfortunately came to nothing and Filton stay on the fringes with a 2-0 win.

To Highfield Road where Chalford took on Hanham Athletic, in a game that started off strongly with both teams trying to gain the upper hand. Within 10 minutes a pause in play allowed a physio to attend an injury and within five minutes of the restart a cheeky through ball on the Hanham wing put in Preston Webb to score. With Chalford pushing forward for the equaliser Hanham went down the other end and bagged a second through Tom Sawyers. Chalford resumed their press and only an outstanding save from Carson Aineer-West prevented a goal. Chalford came out of the blocks a bit quicker after the hairdryer treatment from the gaffer, and a break from Ben Minnican (still fuming after being left on the bench after his shocker last week) through on the Hanham goal and as the keeper came out Minnican dinked him from 20 yards to get Chalford back in the game. Chalford continued to press and a corner from 16-year-old Harley Mulraney cause a scramble in the box and Keylock poked home for 2-2. With Chalford keeping on pressing and a ball into the box saw Aineer-West take Minnican down for a penalty which was re-taken for infringement but still ended up in the back of the net. As the game wore on both teams were looking to score but it was Minnican again hitting his shot cleanly for 4-2. With a few minutes left Brandon Barnes pulled it back to 4-3 but it was too late and a great game ended with a Chalford win.

All the goal action took place in the first half between Gala Wilton and Sharpness at Fairmile Gardens. Sharpness took an early lead on 15 minutes when a simple ball over the top was finished with a neat lob by Kieran Bennett over Oscar Bignall. Gala hit back quickly when a string of passes in midfield found Ryan Dobbins who turned a Sharpness defender and hit the top corner from 15 yards. But the game soon fell the way of the Sharks when mistakes in the Gala defence led to two quick goals by Bennett and Tom Parker. A further Sharpness goal from a James Tainton header made it 4-1 just before half time. Gala didn’t lie down however and put in a spirited performance in the second half including hitting the woodwork, but Sharpness had the game won in the first half. There were no further goals so it was three points to Sharpness in a 4-1 win.

Second place faced third place at Oldbury Lane as Wick hosted Stoke Gifford SGS United. It was Gifford who started the game the strongest having large amounts of the ball and testing Wick keeper Kai Wilson early on. In the 20th minute SGS got their goal when Patryk Kosciolek pulled the ball back for Josh Rees to rifle into the top corner. Wick responded well and started to get a grip of things and on 36 minutes a powerful run by Tommy Lacey saw him fouled in the box, and up stepped Liam McCracken to send Evan Healey the wrong way for 1-1. A few injuries to both sides in the second half saw the pace of the game slow down, but it was SGS who controlled most of the ball. Wick had a good chance of their own five minutes from time but Freddie Mogg failed to find the target. SGS had a late flurry of corners but Wick dug deep and held out for a solid 1-1 draw.

13th March 2025 - Electronic Programmes

Gala Wilton v Sharpness

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Totterdown United v Henbury & Rockleaze

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9th March 2025 - Almondsbury extend lead

Mark Simpson

results

Interesting weekend, in the Senior Amateur County Cup well done to Frampton United and Bromley Heath United for reaching the final. In the League a good week for Almondsbury, defeating Cheltenham Civil Service 7-0 last Tuesday and followed by a 4-1 win against Hanham Athletic yesterday putting them 9 points clear at the top. Stoke Gifford SGS United beat title rivals Sharpness to stay in touch and Filton United kept their long unbeaten run going. But, Almondsbury have the points, the others are playing catch up.

At the Hallett Construction Pavilion Almondsbury were the visitors to Hanham Athletic. It was Hanham who took the lead on 3 minutes when Brandon Barnes was put through and cooly finished. The hosts should have been two up when a lovely ball from Tom Sayers put Barnes through but, he couldn’t finish. Almonds were denied an equaliser when Carson made a brilliant save, but they were not to be denied in the 33rd minute when a Hughes free kick went in off a Hanham defender and five minutes later Liam Nicholls put Almonds 2-1 up. A terrible start to the second half for Hanham when a mistake led to Matteo Pali finishing for the third. In the 63rd minute Holver got Almonds fourth goal, after just coming on, with a cracking finish. A few minutes later Sayers was denied a goal when his cracking shot was excellently dealt with by Sam Burgess. And there it was a comprehensive 4-1 Almondsbury victory.

Staying on the fringes but with games in hand are Filton Athletic who played Totterdown United at Pen Park. The first goal-bound attempt was from the visitors but was straight at keeper Nixon. Totts keeper Ashley Martin was next in action tipping over Fraser Venables volley and then keeping Trey Merrett’s shot out shortly after. But Merrett wasn’t to be denied for long when on the half hour mark he was found by Jack Willmor and fired in from the edge of the box. It was nearly two on the stroke of half time when Kieran Cooper’s looping header came back off the post. Both teams had chances into the second half but it was Filton who got a second goal on 55 minutes when they were awarded a free kick for handball and Venables dispatched it into the top corner. With 15 minutes left Totts pulled one back when a cross in from the right left Kieran Ball a simple tap in at the back post to make an interesting last 15 minutes which Filton survived for a 2-1 win.

To the lower reaches at Tewkesbury Road, where Cheltenham Civil Service in desperate need of points took on an in form Henbury & Rockleaze who are pulling away from the bottom. Both teams were solid in defence with very little created in the first half. H&R came out into the second half the better of the two sides and took the lead with nice play down the left the ball was cut back for Sam Bailey to score. The H&R second came as a carbon copy of the first, the ball down the left, another cut back and Sam Harrison scores. With 20 minutes left H&R put a ball over the top, keeper Jon Dix hauled the forward back and the resulting penalty was dispatched by James Goulden for a 3-0 Henbury and Rockleaze win, and Services games in hand on others around them have essentially disappeared.

At Waterwells Quedgeley Wanderers took on Ruardean Hill Rangers hoping to pick up some more points to continue their climb out of the bottom two and they had the first chance but a free kick 30 yards out came to nothing. QR’s Sean Lawson and Rory Hunt also had early chances. Ruardean’s Luke Brown manged a shot but was kept out by Nathan Charnock, but they did take the lead in somewhat controversial fashion when Kane Fellows shot appeared to have been kept out but the Referee (who just happens to be the sole arbiter) adjudged it in. Hill tried to build on their lead but it was QR with a 30th minute equaliser, Woody Vinton’s lovely cross powerfully headed in by Lawson. Both teams had chances but it was Ruardean who scored just before the break when Ollie Mason tapped in for 2-1. Quedgeley came out fighting in the second half, with both Harry Reynolds and Ollie Curtis having scoring chances but it was Dylan Venn who found the equaliser with a bullet header. However, it wasn’t all square for long, leading scorer Steve Clark beat Charnock in the 68th minute for Hill’s third. QR kept fighting and had a close effort from Luke Holder saved by Aaron Underwood. Both teams brought on fresh legs to try and change things but in the last 10 minutes it was Clark who doubled his tally chipping Charnock for 4-2 to Ruardean Hill Rangers.

Stoke Gifford SGS United hosted Sharpness in bright blustery conditions at the Stoke Gifford Stadium. The game started in a cautious manner with both teams looking to work each other out. On 13 minutes SGS had the first chance Dan Twomey rose highest to nod over from a corner. Sharpness responded and worked keeper Evan Healan twice in a few minutes. First a Tom Palmer strike from the edge of the box saved with his feet and then tipping over Twomey’s header towards his own goal. A five- minute spell just before the break was pivotal, first Alex Gayner went down in the box and after due consideration a penalty was given, but James Priday’s spot kick as brilliantly dealt with by Healan. Just a few minutes later a Gifford attack was thwarted but the ball fell to Rudy Hill whose unstoppable strike from 25 yards found the top corner. Gifford were more dominant in the second period and had a few chances to increase the lead, in one, Michael Barry danced past a couple of defenders but his cross evaded the front men with the goal gaping. Will Tainton had a good chance for the Sharks from 10 yards but fired harmlessly over and a few minutes later Ollie Stevenson was sent free on goal but could only poke wide. Despite 10 minutes of added time Sharpness couldn’t muster anything clear cut and Gifford held on relatively comfortably to pick up three points.

In the remaining fixture Gala Wilton travelled to Chalford but came away pointless. Chalford took control of the first half with several half chances early on, then a breakthrough on 31 a long throw from Harley Mulraney finds Andy Maryon who rounds a defender and fires the ball into the net. Second Half Gala start brighter and force Portlock in the Chalford goal into a good save. Then on 50 a nasty injury to the Gala captain as he challenges for a long thow and is caught by the keeper, he tries to carry onbut has to be replaced. Just after the hour Chalfords Travis Cooke finds his way to the sin bin, Gala Wilton take advantage a couple of minutes later as a long throw causes chaos in the box and Keiron Maces shot bounces off a Chalford player and the post for 1-1.On 69 another Mulraney long throw finds Maryon and hid cross is headed home by Andy Roberts for 2-1 which is enough to seal the win

7th March 2025 - Electronic Programmes

Cheltenham Civil Service v Henbury & Rockleaze

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Filton Athletic v Totterdown United

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Hanham Athletic v Almondsbury

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2nd March 2025 - Almondsbury open a gap at the top

Nigel Meaney

results

A good week for Almondsbury who opened a 4 point gap at the top with a midweek 2-1 win over Frampton and a win at bottom side Gala Wilton yesterday. Wick move to second with a win at Sharpness and Stoke Gifford SGS United dropped points at Chalford. At the bottom of the table Quedgeley Wanderers won for the second successive week and have opened a 5 point breathing space over Cheltenham Civil Service in the relegation battle.

Gala Wiltontook on table topping Almondsbury at Fairmile Gardens determined to make up for last week’s disappointing performance at Quedgeley. But it was Almondsbury who took an early lead on 7 minutes when a cross found Luke Meacham to head home at the far post. The remainder of the first half saw both sides miss opportunities to score; including a good save from Oscar Bignell in the Gala goal from an Almondsbury free kick on 30. But just on the stroke of half-time it was Almondsbury who scored a scored when a corner was cleared, but only to Lewis Hughes who scored with a great strike from outside the box.

The second half saw further chances for both sides, however the scoreline remained unchanged and Almondsbury took the 3 points home with a 2-0 victory to extend their lead at the top of the table. But it was a much improved performance from Gala who must now try to take that as encouragement into their remaining games and their efforts to beat the drop.

At Hamfields Sharpness are still struggling to find their form at home and were beaten by fellow title chasers Wick. Wick nearly took the lead after 10 mins but were thwarted by a double save from Holder. First to be denied was Fred Taylor-Fox who broke through, but his shot was saved by Holder and McCraken’s follow up was also saved by the feet of Holder. Wick were awarded a penalty after 20 mins when Dummelow brought down McCraken who stepped up to put the visitors in front. Wick made it 2-0 before half time when Frank Taylor-Fox latched onto a loose ball in the box and bent it in the far corner

The second half was evenly contested, and Sharpness had a chance to halve the arrears with 5 mins to go when Tom Frankham was fouled in the box with the Sharks were awarded a penalty. Will Tainton took the penalty, but Kai Wilson guessed the correct way and saved. Wick move above their opponents into second place.

Broadwell Amateurs welcomed Frampton United to the Hawthorns on a sunny but crisp Saturday afternoon. Both sides started brightly, making probing runs down each wing, but an early mistake by Broadwell led to the opening goal for Frampton. Myron Turner’s shot on goal was deflected off Kristian Burnard for an own goal in the 12th minute, putting the visitors ahead. Just four minutes later, Frampton doubled their lead. Lewis Vye found his way into the box and slotted his shot into the back of the net. The game quickly slipped away from Broadwell as Frampton continued to push their advantage with confident and fluid football. On 30 minutes, a speculative cross-come-shot from Manolo Espada deceived Jack Watkins and sailed into the top corner for 0-3. This finally seemed to spark Broadwell into life, and they began to play some better football, putting Frampton’s defence under pressure as the first half ended.

The second half started much like the first, with Frampton firmly on the front foot. Just three minutes after the restart, a well-worked move saw Tom Mangan score from inside the box, extending the lead. The visitors added a fifth goal in the 54th minute when Henry Driver-Dickerson struck a free kick just outside the Broadwell area, curling the ball around the wall and into the bottom left corner of the net. A defensive lapse from Broadwell in the 78th minute allowed substitute Stuart Maule to sneak in and, despite miskicking his effort, the ball trickled off the post and into the bottom right corner of the goal. By this stage, Broadwell were clearly beaten, and only a sharp, point-blank save from Jack Watkins in the 81st minute prevented further damage. The final whistle was a welcome relief for Broadwell, bringing an end to a tough afternoon and a 6-0 win for Frampton.

Chalford welcomed Stoke Gifford SGS United to Highfield way for the 1st time and a lovely day for the occasion with the sun finally showing its face. Both team started off slowly with Gifford gaining the upper hand in the first 20 mins with a great strike from Patryck Kosciolek which beat the Chalford keeper with some pace the rest of the half was 50/50 with both sides going close.

The second half saw Gifford out of the blocks a bit quicker than Chalford and a few good saves from the Chalford keeper kept the score at 1-0 Chalford then started to up the pace but couldn't get past the visitors defence who were holding strong. After a couple of subs from the Chalford manager the game opened up a bit with Andrew Roberts getting the equaliser in the final minutes of the game.

Quedgeley Wanderers welcomed Hanham Athletic to Waterwells looking to build on last weeks win. In a fast start Quedgeley created 3 chances down the right in the first 10 minutes, a Sean Lawson cross turned past the post by Mark Knapman, a Fin Jenner ball just eluding Harry Reynold and a Jenner shot blocked by Liam Planter. Hanham’s only clear chance comes on 5 minutes when a Freekick is headed out for Jordan Rickman to fire over. On 15 minutes Quedgeley’s Fin Jenner is brought down in the box, but Jordan Rouse puts it wide to the left. The remainder of the half sees Quedgeley well on top but solid defending from Hanham prevents any clear chances. All square at the break.

The second half starts with defensive mix ups at either end with Hanham keeper Ash Bryan making a good save from Rory Hunt. Quedgeley continue to apply pressure without the end product as Hanham are restricted to long range free kicks from Bhakerd and Rickman that come to nothing. Then on 70 minutes Quedgeley keeper Nathan Charnock clears the defence with a long kick, it's put across to Sean Lawson and the Hanham keeper, Ash Bryan makes a great save but the ball lands at Fin Jenner’s feet and he taps it home for 1-0. Half chances for both sides until on 88 Fin Jenner is through and Ash Bryan pulls off another great save. Then on 90 a long throw from Woody Vinton goes over the defence and Fin Jenner gets to it and squares it to Chris Riley who puts it past the Hanham keeper for 2-0 and a well deserved 3 points.

On a wonderful Spring Day at Arnall Drive in a game expertly officiated by Referee Pope, Henbury & Rockleaze won the game against visitors Bromley Heath United with a last gasp penalty winner. In almost perfect footballing conditions despite a soft pitch both sides started strongly but it was H&RFC that had the first chance on 13 minutes when Harvey Moran found himself one on one with Will Ferguson in the Bromley Heath goal, but the keeper did brilliantly to gather in the attempted chip and ensure the score remained level. On 21 minutes another good save this time with his legs by Ferguson thwarted Sam Bailey who found himself free at a tight angle after a poor back pass. On 37 minutes Bromley Heath took the lead when Mason Lewis fired past Harry Trett from the corner of the 6-yard box after some loose play in the H&RFC defence. H&RFC should have equalised on 45 minutes, but George James mistimed his header on the 6-yard box allowing Ferguson to gather comfortably and maintain Bromley Heath’s lead going into half time.

On 48 minutes Fraser Butt got behind the Bromley Heath back four and smashed the ball across the 6-yard box for George James, but an unfortunate bobble meant the chance was gone. On 66 minutes Moran ran at the Bromley Heath defence from the left-hand side and cut inside but his drilled effort sailed over the crossbar. Bromley Heath should have extended their lead on 72 minutes when Cameron Ford skied his effort from 8 yards out with the goal gaping. H&RFC immediately went up the other end with substitute Tate Shaw running at the defence, his shot from outside the area hit the post and centre forward James was there to tap in the rebound for a richly deserved equaliser. It was now end to end with both keepers doing well but no major chances were created for either side until the 95th minutes when Tate Shaw again ran at the Bromley Heath defence and was upended in the box, there were no protests from the Bromley Heath defenders and Shaw stepped up to roll the penalty into the net and claim all 3-points in this evenly contested match.

Totterdown United welcomed Cheltenham Civil Service to Bristol Barbarians. With both sides at the wrong end of the table a big 3 points was up for grabs. The half was a very scrappy affair with both sides struggling with the conditions of the soft bobbly pitch. Cheltenham were the better of the two sides having a couple of chances that never worried Ashley Martin in the Totterdown goal.

Totterdown started the second half the better of the 2 teams. Then Cheltenham grew back into the game. The only goal of the game came from an Aaron Thorne cross which was chested down by Chaz Hemmings and the goal mouth scramble was turned in by George Saunders around the 80 minute mark. In the last 10 minutes a golden opportunity to double the lead was created by Jamie Godfrey who was through on goal being caught by the centre back and neatly back heeled the ball to Chaz Hemmings who was one on one with the Jon Dix in the Cheltenham goal but decided to try and round the keeper which Dix read well and pounced on the ball. The game finished 1-0 to Totterdown United who are now 16 points clear of the drop zone. Credit to Cheltenham Civil Service who battled for 90 minutes and probably deserved something from the game.

In the remaining game Ruardean Hill Rangers entertained Filton Athletic. Filton started the game at a quick pace and took an early lead through Kieran Cooper who pounced on a defensive error and cooly finished pass Hill keeper Underwood for a 1 nil lead. Filton further increased their lead after the Hill defence again were caught sleeping from a throw in with a goal from Kyle Thomas. The Hill then attacked with Steve Clark failing to reach a Mitch Griffin cross and Ollie Mason follow up being blocked on the line by a Filton defender. Filton we’re still dangerous on the break and a long ball from deep in the Hill half gave Cooper the chance to make it 3 but Underwood stayed tall and made a great 1 on 1 save to keep the score at 2-0 to the visitors at half time.

The Hill were forced into a change at half time with an injury to Finn Jones meaning Alex Stephens took his place. Filton continued with their first half form at the start of the second half with the Hill having to defend and block several shots from the Filton attack. Filton hit the post through Kyle Thomas that rebounded into the hands of keeper Underwood. The game became a midfield battle with both teams trying to force chances but losing possession. Filton scored their third midway in the second half with a strike from the edge of the area from Kieran Cooper. With the match entering the final minutes Ruardean got on the scoresheet when Stuart Cornwell-Boote headed over the Filton keeper from a diagonal ball from Hill captain Charley Mason. A disappointing result for the Hill with the early goals conceded proving costly and allowing Filton to gain a deserved 3 points which sees Filton remain in sixth but win their games in hand and they are in the title mix.