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TATE SHAW GOAL V BITTON Pre Season

Tel: 01454 324994

A word from the Chairman

A warm welcome to Arnall Drive to

the players, spectators, and

management team of today’s visitors.

This evening is the first home game

for Henbury & Rockleaze FC since the

merger of Henbury FC and Rockleaze Rangers FC (Senior Section) over the summer, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all committee members, managers, helpers, and supporters for all the hard work that has already happened to make the merger so smooth to date.

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 Myland

Chairman

A warm welcome to the players, management and supporters of Almondsbury FC, as well the matchday officials for tonight's fixture down at the Drive. After a successful preseason, in which we have seen off the likes of Cribbs, Shirehampton, Longlevens and Bitton, it's exciting to finally kick off this new era for Henbury FC and Rockleaze Rangers FC.

A lot of work has happened both on and off the pitch over the last few months to bring us to this point, and it's been fantastic how seamless the two clubs have come together. The squad, comprising players from both clubs, plus a few new arrivals, have played some attractive yet effective football, resulting in some comfortable wins against higher league opposition.

The support at Arnall Drive for these games has also been great, and we hope to continue to repay them with both results and entertaining football.

Whilst the result was not what we wanted in last week's opener against Quedgeley Wanderers (D1-1), I was nonetheless satisfied with the performance, with the lads working exceptionally hard both on and off the ball in very hot conditions. ...continued

Defensively, the shape and game plan worked well, with Quedgeley limited to only a few half chances, and George James doing particularly well to keep their no.9 at bay throughout. With a number of key attacking players out, we knew that it would be hard to break down a disciplined and organised Quedgeley side, so to have crafted a series of good chances and generally dominating possession, it was disappointing to not put the game to bed after having gone 1-0 up.

Moreso, it was then a real sucker punch to concede with the last kick of the game with Quedgeley making the most of some good fortune and capitalising on a rare mistake.

Reflecting afterwards, the lads were honest with themselves about managing those situations better, especially late in the game, so we hope that its a learning point to take into future matches.

We shall need more of the same tonight against an Almonsbury side with a number of familiar faces in it. After many hotly contested games over the last few seasons against Ash's Little Stoke, we know that his team will be a fiercely competitive side with a number of talented individuals in it. Hopefully this will be a another good encounter and a good advertisement for the Gloucestershire County League.

Bradders

#henrocks

THE DANGERS OF PYROTECHNICS

AT FOOTBALL MATCHES

The potential injuries sustained as a result of

someone using a pyrotechnic include:

• Serious injuries, such as loss of limb or fingers

• Severe burns, due to temperatures of up to 2,000°C

• Breathing problems, due to smoke inhalation

• Loss of hearing or sight, because of the explosive power

Action will be taken by the GFA if any club

is reported to them by the Referee.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

CHOSEN CHARITY FOR THIS SEASON

More Details

BRISTOL SUBURBAN PREMIER DIVISION

BRISTOL SUBURBAN LEAGUE Division 1

Here we are again – new season and I think much seemed to go as reasonably expected. But not to read too much into things on the first Saturday. Stoke Gifford SGS United and Hanham Athletic lead the way and Gala Wilton showing good form.

We start at Fairmile Gardens where on a warm sunny afternoon Gala Wilton took on Bromley Heath United with both sides keen to make a good start. In a goalless first half Gala had control of the first twenty-five minutes but were unable to create anything worthwhile and Bromley had control up to half time. Gala came out stronger for the second half and it was new signing Jamie Creed who opened the scoring after 54 minutes with a well taken finish from an acute angle having beaten the defence and rounded Will Ferguson. Bromley responded and it took two good saves by keeper Adam Fenner to keep them at bay. Gala remained resolute and were nearly rewarded with a second goal but Jordan Molyneux’s effort on 88 minutes was ruled out, but it was Gala who kept the clean sheet and gave a strong overall performance for an excellent 1-0 win.

Another close match ensued at The Field where Almondsbury took on newcomers Totterdown United, and it was Almonds who controlled the opening 15 minutes and on 18 minutes Liam Nicholls let the ball run and Jensen Mannings has Almonds first attempt which saw keeper Liam Macfarlane beat away. The breakthrough came on 22 minutes when a long ball to Luke Meacham was cut back for Danny Lane to finish past the keeper. The remainder of the half remained fairly quiet with no clear- cut chances. Totterdown started the second period with more urgency and having the  ....continued

majority of possession but without creating anything meaningful. As the half went on Almonds took control of the midfield and on sixty-nine minutes Lane crossed and Matt Harmer headed straight at the keeper. A few minutes later Zach Morgan broke into the Totterdown box his shot saved by Macfarlane and the 50/50 follow up challenge was deemed a foul. Ten minutes from time a great double save from Macfarlane, first from Craig Lancastle and then Mannings kept the visitors in it but Almondsbury held out for the 1-0 win.

Another fairly close one at Waterwells where Quedgeley Wanderers took on Henbury & Rockleaze who started the proceedings well with plenty of the ball, creating a few half chances giving keeper Nathan Charnock something to think about. Dylan Venn had the best chance for the hosts on the six- yard box smashing a dropping ball stopped well by Jordan Buckett heading the bullet away. However, on the half hour Dan Webb was put through and poked the ball past Charnock for 1-0 to the Rocks, and then Jensen Beard pressed and forced Charnock into a 1 on 1 save. H & R then sent a long ball over everyone to George James and Charnock had another save to make. The second half started with Rocks having much of the ball but Quedgeley kept a tight shape. Rocks keeper had a few simple saves to make and Quedgeley were largely kept at bay. In the 83rd minute Webb was played through but Charnock again kept him out. With minutes left Charnock went up field for a last-ditch free kick and he kept the ball alive poking it to Jenner who played in Sean Lawson on the edge of the box, and he hammered the ball in for 1-1 and there were ecstatic celebrations for a big Quedgeley point.

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A few more goals were to be found at Hamfields where Sharpness hosted local rivals Frampton United. Sharpness had the better of the opening exchanges an should have been in front on 5 minutes when Tom Palmer corner found Anglin in the box but his effort was over. The Sharks went close midway through the half when a Jack Higgs back heel sent Lacey through one on one but his shot came back off the far post. However, it was Frampton who took the lead, a move down the right led to a cross and Porter was on hand to score from 6 yards. Frampton had a chance to double their head when Henry Driver-Dickerson latched on to a long ball over the top but James Holder made the save. Sharpness were on level terms early in the second half when Jack Higgs spotted Tom Kaye off his line and chipped him from 25 yards. Frampton re-took the lead on the hour when a well worked training ground free kick that took the Sharks by surprise and resulted in Driver-Dickerson tapping home at the back post. Sharpness were level on 70, a one-two between Payne and Lacey allowed Payne in behind and his cross was met by Mears who made no mistake at the far post and 2-2 it finished.

Oldland Lane was all set for the seasons opener between a new look Wick and league newcomers Filton Athletic. With the pitch in fantastic condition both sides came out testing each other, and an early Wick chance was blocked by the Filton defence. Filton’s first opportunity came from a free kick on the edge but the shot was wide. Filton played with ten after 18 minutes with a Kyle Buffery yellow but Wick couldn’t capitalise and failed to test keeper Barry Phillips. Both defences held firm for the remainder of the half. Wick started the second half brightly and on 52 minutes had a 20-yard free kick which crashed off the crossbar. Wick continued to press for the next ten minutes and created three chances but 

failed to convert. Filton had a good chance on 62 when an excellent through ball saw the attack thwarted by excellent defence for a corner. Wick, however, failed to clear their lines  allowing Frazier Venables to shape his shot from 20 yards and curl it beyond Kai Wilson in the Wick goal for 1-0. Wick increased their efforts to equalise and on 74 fired over the Filton crossbar, but on 80 minutes a great ball released Cory Langdon down the right and he slotted past the advancing Phillips to restore parity. Wick had another great chance five minutes later but the ball cleared the bar from 6 yards out. After 89 minutes Wick were down to ten for a second yellow to make it a nervy end as Filton tried to press home their numerical advantage, but, on 95 Wick thought they had the lead but on consultation with the linesman the Referee awarded a foul on the keeper and 1-1 it was.

To the Hallett Construction Pavilion, Vicarage Road where Hanham Athletic, under new management took on Broadwell Amateurs, and it was Broadwell who were in front on sixteen minutes when Ethan Dunscombe beat the offside trap and scored at the second attempt. The lead was short-lived as a minute later Karim Rendall rose higher the keeper Jack Watkins to head the ball into an empty net. Broadwell almost regained the lead on 27 minutes but Sam Brown made a brilliant save from Harvey Williams close range effort. Hanham then made it 2-1 on thirty-two minutes when a Jay Vile header came off the bar and Rendall was on hand for his second. Hanham were again close on 52 minutes Rendall setting up Vile but his first-time effort went narrowly wide. Vile was unfortunate again shortly after but his shot was well saved by Watkins. Hanham made it 3-1 on the hour 

with Louis Short heading in from a corner and Liam Jenkins made it 4-1 five minutes later, shooting through Watkins legs after breaking in from the left.

Finally to the Stoke Gifford Stadium where Stoke Gifford SGS United took on Cheltenham Civil Service. On a bright and breezy afternoonit was Gifford who dominated possession and territory but were mostly frustrated in the final third by poor finishing. On just 8 minutes Arron Sweete was close but his lobbed effort was tipped over by Jon Dix and the keeper continued his busy start moments later denying Max Cooper from 10 yards. Despite the home sides dominance Service could’ve taken the lead when Adonis Georgiou found himself unmarked from a corner but nodded over. On 28 minutes SGS finally got the lead when an attack seemed to have been dealt with, but tenacity from Cooper found Jake Abraham who managed to loop his header over the helpless Dix. The remainder of the half saw Gifford push for a second with Cosmo Browne going close and Abraham smashing against the woodwork after smart play. The second period began with much the same pattern, but it was Service with the first big chance when Brandon Russell fired wide from the edge of the box. Gifford then punished that miss when Rudy Hill attacked Evan Maidment’s delivery to nod home for 2-0. The lead remained comfortable and SGS made a host of changes in the last 30 minutes to try to put the game to bed. Stu Alexander showed great footwork but his effort was thwarted once more by the impressive Dix. On 86 minutes things were wrapped up when Arian Askari finished with a superb chip and so 3-0 to SGS it ended.

League Round Up article by Mark Simpson

Two of the goals that secured a 3-1 victory at Bitton

in pre season friendly

By Jon Couch

Jonathan ‘JJ’ Lacey enjoyed a day to remember at Wembley Stadium back in May. The Biggleswade Town midfielder and his family were handed the VIP treatment at the Home of Football as a special guest of The FA at the FA Cup Final. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was JJ’s reward for ranking as the highest scorer in the competition, from the Extra Preliminary Round to the Final, after his 10 goals helped the Southern League Premier Central Waders won through six rounds before being knocked out by Solihull Moors in the fourth qualifying round. Only Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland could have possibly toppled Lacey’s goal haul ahead of his team's 2-1 loss to Manchester United - but would have needed to have scored six goals. Lacey’s day included carrying out the match ball prior to kick-off and being presented with the Golden Ball Award by former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin.

"It's once-in-a-lifetime stuff, to be able to walk the match ball out before kick-off, and to be presented this award, it's amazing for me and my family," he said. “It’s surreal to be the top scorer in the Emirates FA Cup, and invite my family to enjoy the Final at Wembley Stadium and see me receive the trophy. “We wondered if it all might be too good to be true, so when it became official after the final whistle we were relieved, and now I’m really proud to take home the Golden Ball Award.”

Lacey, 25, was pushed all the way by Ramsgate striker Joe Taylor, who notched nine goals for the Rams in a remarkable season tally of 53 for the Isthmian South East side.

And he said he was only unaware of the award in September, when he scored a hat-trick in an away tie with then Step 2 side Bishop's Stortford The FA’s Director of Pro Game Relations, 

Andy Ambler, added: “JJ Lacey is an excellent example of this competition giving players and clubs across the English pyramid the chance to test themselves against the very elite. “His goal-scoring exploits from attacking midfield were outstanding, and we are delighted that his family could attend today’s Final and see him collect the Golden Ball Award.” This year, a record high 221 fixtures took place in the FA Cup extra preliminary round – and the competition kicked off in celebratory fashion after a new record was set for the earliest date and time that a goal has been scored in FA Cup history. It came on Friday August 2nd, at 7.54pm, when Jack Hobson-McVeigh netted for hosts Royal Wootton Bassett Town in their 2-1 extra preliminary round tie against Mangotsfield United. At precisely the same time, Louie Duffield scored for Great Yarmouth Town who knocked out visitors Kirkley & Pakefield 2-0. Both players now jointly hold that prestigious accolade. The red-carpet treatment enjoyed by Lacey, the former Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead Town player, will undoubtedly inspire goal-getters to shine in these early rounds. The 2024-25 season may only be a fortnight old but this afternoon the FA Cup reaches its preliminary rounds with the winners already setting their sights on launching a glory run. One man who has already made a mark is Tilbury’s Sam Bantick, who completed a memorable hat-trick in the Dockers’ 4-1 extra preliminary round win over Buckhurst Hill with a wondergoal from inside in own half! The Isthmian North returnees face Stanway Rovers in their preliminary round clash this afternoon and Bantick, among others, will be keen to make their mark once again. Traditionally, the term ‘magic of the FA Cup’ is usually saved for the first round proper onwards as Non-League sides lock horns with the elite. But try telling that to the thousands of hopefuls wearing their hearts on the sleeves this afternoon, dreaming for their moment in the spotlight.