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A warm welcome to Arnall Drive to the players, spectators, and management team of this afternoon’s visitors.

Last Saturday was another sobering day for the County League side with the lads well beaten by a dominant Sharpness side, the team have spent the week having a bit of a reset and we look forward to returning to the form of last season. This afternoon also sees our remaining 4 Saturday teams begin their respective seasons so it’s good luck to all of them and we hope some of them will emerge with some silverware at the end of the season.

If you can help with sponsoring a match, player, or pitch side advertising board, or would just like to help and get involved with the running of the club please speak to myself or to another committee member who will be pleased to speak to you about any potential involvement.

Finally, please remember ‘we win together, we lose together but most importantly we stick together’.

.

Andrew

Chairman

  AUGUST - DECEMBER 2024

  JANUARY TO APRIL 2025

TODAY'S LEAGUE CUP MATCHES

ROUND ONE

Broadwell Amateurs v Totterdown United

Bromley Heath United v Wick

Frampton United v Stoke Gifford SGS United

Gala Wilton v Filton Athletic

Hanham Athletic v  Cgheltenham Civil Service

Henbury & Rockleaze v Chalford

Quedgeley Wanderers v Almondsbury

Sharpness v Ruardean Hill Rangers

Almondsbury maintained their perfect start to the season with a late win at Broadwell Amateurs. Sharpness and Chalford also continued their unbeaten starts to the season with good wins on the road at Henbury & Rockleaze and Quedgeley Wanderers respectively. At the other end of the table Wick picked up their first win with a fine second half display as Cory Landon netted four in a 5-2 win at Totterdown United who are taking time to adjust to the higher level.

On a pleasant Saturday afternoon at The Hawthorns, Broadwell Amateurs faced off against an Almondsbury side with a 100% record. The game began with both sides exchanging possession and chances in a frantic opening half. Broadwell had the first real opportunity in the 9^th minute after a promising move down the right, but the shot blazed over the bar, much to the frustration of the home supporters. Almondsbury suffered a setback just 21 minutes in when Danny Lane was forced off due to an injury, disrupting their rhythm. The home side continued to press, and in the 28^th minute, another chance fell their way. Connor Smith delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, finding Ethan Wilkins in space, but he could only direct his effort wide of the post. Remarkably, neither goalkeeper was seriously tested for much of the half. The most notable moment came in the 42^nd minute when a through ball set Jamie Belfitt free, with only the goalkeeper to beat. As he bore down on goal, Belfitt was hauled down by the last defender on the edge of the box. The referee awarded a free kick but chose not to issue a card, a decision that left the Broadwell bench and fans incensed. The resulting free kick came to nothing, and the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. The game was largely confined to midfield battles, with neither side 

making significant inroads into the opposition's half. It wasn't until the 71^st minute that Broadwell registered their first shot on goal. A cross from the right found Ethan Wilkins, who attempted a volley, but once again, the shot flew harmlessly over the bar, much to the dismay of the home crowd. Just as the match seemed destined to end in a goalless draw, Almondsbury struck in the 86th minute. Matt Harmer latched onto a cross that somehow eluded everyone and struck a fierce shot that nestled into the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. It was a cruel blow for Broadwell, who had battled hard throughout the match. The final minutes saw Broadwell desperately searching for an equalizer, but despite their efforts, they couldn't find a way past the resolute Almondsbury defense. The visitors held on to secure a hard-fought victory. Broadwell will be disappointed to have come away with nothing after a match in which they created enough chances to get something from the game. Almondsbury, on the other hand, will be pleased with their resilience and ability to capitalize on their one clear opportunity which keeps them at the top of the League.

Chalford made a rapid start at Quedgeley Wanderers, where a chance created straight from the kick off was not cleared effectively and so was slotted home by Andrew Maryon on 20 seconds. On 12 minutes a ball down the left, beat the Quedgeley Right Back and was squared for a tap in by Andy Roberts. There were further chances for both sides with Harry Furniss looking lively for the home side, and Jack Bright making a diving header to clear a dangerous cross from Chalford. On 41 minutes a Lawson cross fell to Diwash Kerung but was headed straight at Sam Neale in the Chalford goal. Then on 42 a mistake in the Quedgeley defence allowed the ball to be played to Ryan Harry to tap in Chalfords third.

Chalford dominated the opening exchanges in the second half with Quedgeley keeper Nathan Charnock denying George Parker early and Dean Turner firing just over. Alfie Pledger forced Chalford’s Sam Neale into a save when a superbly struck ball from just inside the Chalford half was heading for the top corner. Chalford continued to have the better of the game and on 80 minutes completed their 4-0 victory when a ball over the top, was met by Luke Brunsdon who beats Pledger and nutmegs Charnock into the bottom corner. I the dying minutes Chalford struck the post, and a Pledger free kick was touched onto the bar by Neale to deny Quedgeley a consolation

Henbury & Rockleazes continue their poor start to the season with a disjointed performance at home to a dominant Sharpness side. Henbury & Rockleaze should have scored early on when they broke down the right-hand side, but Kacper Kalkowski passed rather than taking a shot and Nick Jones effort was saved by a back tracking defender, Sharpness broke away down their right Mears cross struck the crossbar with the defence scrambling leaving man of the match Liam Harper to fire home form 3 yards out. On 14 minutes Dan Webb cut in from the left and his fine effort was inches wide from curling in. on 26 minutes Kieran Bennett pulled the ball back from the right bye line leaving Harper with another tap in to make it 2-0. On 28 minutes Cam Tarr made a wonderful save down to his right saving from a Harper downward header and just before the break on 45 minutes Bennett struck the post from 15 yards out with Tarr beaten.

The second half started in much the same vein and on 54 minutes Archie Mears raced clear of the defence and in a one-on-one situation with Tarr struck the ball well to make it 3-0.Substitute Jordan Dent reduced the arrears on 65 minutes with a left foot drive form 25 yards out which nested in the corner of the net, however, within a minute Harper had his deserved 

hattrick with a rasping freekick from 20 yards out. The remainder of the game petered out with Sharpness in control but without needing to do much more to take the points

Frampton United welcomed Gala Wilton to the Bell Field for their first home game of the season. After a pretty even 30 minutes Frampton opened the scoring in the 34^th minute when Ellis Danes-Rutherford headed in a from a Josh Browning cross, 5 minutes later it was 2-0 when Archie Myatt beat a defender on the edge of the box and fired the ball into the bottom corner. On the stroke of half time a good through ball by Charlie Nash found Myatt who scored his 2nd goal of the game. Frampton finished the scoring in the 76^th minute with a 2nd by Danes-Rutherford, Gala almost got a consolation goal in the 88^th minute from a long range strike from Ryley Mace but Tom Kaye did well to push the ball around the post.

Totterdown United hosted Wick at Bristol Barbarians RFC with both teams looking for their first win of the season. Totterdown started the game the brighter of the two and took advantage of the good start to score a good team goal finished off by Aaron Thorne on the 10 minute mark. Wick grew into the game and put Totterdown under some pressure for the remainder of the half but some good defending, excellent goalkeeping and poor finishing kept the score at 1-0 going into half time.

Wick started the second half with real conviction and put Totterdown under a lot of pressure. Totterdown held on until the 60^th minute when Cory Langdon was played over the Top and calmly slotted home a 1 on 1 into the Totterdown net. The floodgates open and Wick scored a quick fire 4 goals from another 3 from Cory Langdon and one from Liam McCracken put the game to bed. Totterdown finished the game with a consolation goal from Dan Harrison. Final score 5-2 to Wick who were deserved winners on the day.

Stoke Gifford SGS United hosted Ruardean Hill Rangers and the game started very quickly as Gifford broke away from the Kick Off an went straight through the Ruardean defence to create a one on one with the Ruardean keeper Aaron Underwood who was able to tip the ball over for a corner. The corner was quickly taken and cleared to Ruardeans’ Alex Stephens who bulldozed his way through the home defence to whip the ball across the box to Steve Clark who took a touch and drilled the ball past Oli Gargett to leave the visitors 1 up inside a minute. The hosts gradually worked their way back into the game against a very well drilled Ruardean side who always had a threat to their play. Before half time Sam Garrod was able to get on the end of a cross and head Gifford level at the break. Stoke Gifford started the second half with a bit more purpose with Mike Barry and Cosmo Browne always looking to create an opportunity. But they were unable to break down a resolute Ruardean defence until later in the half when a cross field ball found captain Rudy Hill free on the right side of the box and he slammed the ball home. Ruardean thought they had equalised but from a defence splitting ball their strikers had strayed offside. Late on substitute Arian Askari won and converted a penalty to leave the result 3-1 to Stoke Gifford SGS United.

DORKING WANDERERS owner Marc White took to the club’s official twitter account on Monday afternoon following the FA Cup second round qualifying draw.

“Good luck to Horsham in the third qualifying round,” joked the colourful Wands boss, who has taken the club from park football to the top of the Non-League Pyramid. 

Since first entering the competition in 2013, Dorking are yet to reach the first round proper.

For the last two seasons – because of their then Step 1 status – White’s side had a bye until the fourth round qualifying stage.

Last year, with just one win required to reach the first round, they were drawn away to…you guessed it, Horsham. The Step 3 Hornets beat them 2-0 and went on to earn a famous 3-3 draw against Barnsley and a televised replay.

They were then reinstated after their League One opponents were found to have played an ineligible player and had a second bite of the cherry against Sutton United.

So White, with his trademark humour, is expecting the worst for his side when they meet next weekend with the National League North and South clubs now entering the competition.

At the time of writing there are still some replays to be sorted but the latest draw has thrown up some intriguing games.

Continued>

The first round is still three ties away but, over the coming weeks, eyes will widen as it gets nearer. For many clubs, even getting to this stage feels like making it.

How about Newcastle Town drawing former EFL side Scunthorpe United?

The National League North leaders only dropped two points in their first six games, but they haven’t won an FA Cup tie since 2018.

Newcastle, 15th in NPL West, beat Long Eaton United last Saturday. They’ve not reached the third qualifying round since 2010.

Nails & Tickenham hosting Chippenham Town is another tie that stands out.

It’s only Nailsea’s second season in the competition, and they’ve landed a plum draw against a side three divisions above them. Having beaten Cinderford Town, Reading City and Hartpury University, they won’t roll over against the Bluebirds.

West Didsbury & Chorlton welcoming Darlington catches the eye too, as does Shifnal Town hosting Redditch United, while Wessex League AFC Stoneham take on Step 2 Salisbury.

Talking of good cup runs, Maidstone United’s run to the last 16 was the FA Cup story of last season. That adventure began at Steyning Town Community. This time it starts against fellow National League South Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Who will make it through to the third round qualifying? Other than Horsham, of course!

LES JAMES LEAGUE CUP

Saturday 7th September 2024 Kick Off 3.00pm