A warm welcome to Arnall Drive to the

players, spectators, and management

team of this evening’s visitors Filton Athletic.

Winning eight, drawing twice and losing just once in our last eleven matches has not only lifted us away form what was a perilous position just after Christmas and has put us in touching distance from a potential top half finish (although we have a lot of matches to pay in a short time period), this is great testament to the management and players for sticking to their principles and working hard. The Reserve team continue to maintain their challenge at the top end of the Suburban Premier Division and go into their last few games with a realistic chance of a top two or three finish.

I’d like to wish Josh Young all the best after an awful situation after last Thursday’s A team match at home to Cribbs, I’m sure everyone associated with the club and the Bristol football fraternity are with me in wishing Josh a speedy recovery and hope to see him at Arnall Drive soon.

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

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	BLERAN THAQI – FULL or / CENTRE BACK After a breakthrough season, former Henbury U18s player Bleran has starred throughout preseason with a number of mature performances. Strong both defensively and in possession, Bleran has excellent potential and will be one to watch for the future
	JORDAN BUCKETT (CAPT) – CENTRE BACK A natural leader on and off the pitch, Jordan has matured well into the captaincy, leading by example through consistently putting in strong performances
	GEORGE JAMES – CENTRE BACK George alternates between centre back and centre forward, both positions he has become adept at. Despite a questionable decision to don white boots this season, George has good feet, excellent vision and passing range, making him a real asset to the side
	OLIVER WOOLLAND – CENTRE BACK Ollie currently holds the record of ‘most spells with the Club’ jointly with Jay Moore. A versatile player, former Southampton academy player, Ollie can play anywhere along the back or in midfield

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	ADAM PARKES –CENTRE BACK Adam is another strong centre back who has proven during preseason to be equally strong in the air and with the ball at his feet. Adam likes to drive with the ball and maraud forwards. He can also bring a Delap style throw as his party trick.
	CAMERON TARR – CENTRE BACK Back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, Cam is a great addition to the side, bringing a wealth of experience. A strong, physical presence at back, Cam is excellent in the air and a handful for opposition forwards.
	MARCUS WILLIAMS (VICE CAPT) – MIDFIELD Club stalwart, after starting at Under 6’s with Rockleaze Marcus is equally adept at fullback or midfield. A tenacious player, Marcus is a nightmare to play against, winning a lot of ball, and whose low centre of gravity makes him very hard to dispossess.
	DREW SAWDON – MIDFIELD Hard hitting midfielder hailing from the North, 2023-24 Player’s Player of the Season, Drew enjoyed an outstanding first season in the 1sts, ending up as joint top goal scorer (16) as well as being a dominating presence in the midfield.

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	SAMUEL BAILEY – MIDFIELD Silent assassin, bandit-Bailey is a classy midfielder who both links up play and scores goals through his late runs into the box
	BRANDON BOONTAM – MIDFIELD When you’re that good, you can afford to be a little bit lazy… Bran is an outstanding player, who from time-to-time gets his freekicks on target. Excellent close control and strength had made Brandon one of the first names on the teamsheet
	MATTHEW HARRISON – MIDFIELD Matt is a classy player (like a fine wine) who brings both calmness and an engine to the midfield. Great positional awareness means that Matt rarely needs to sprint, which is just as well
	JONATHAN WEBB – MIDFIELD Jon is your typical box to box midfielder – strong in the tackle, good feet, and likes to drive with the ball. Standing tall at 6’3”Jon is an aerial threat too. Jon has a fierce shot on him too.

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	KACPER KALKOWSKI – WINGER Kacper is incredibly talented – a tricky winger who has great feet and an eye for goal. He has excellent set piece delivery, bagging a number of assists last season.
	NICHOLAS JONES – WINGER Former Cribbs winger, Nick brings pace, experience and a winning mentality to the side. Nick loves to get forwards with his mazy runs, but is equally adept defensively, making him a real asset on the left.
	FRASER BUTT – WINGER Former Gloucester City academy player, Fraser is a mercurial talent with an eye for goal, as well as being a set piece specialist. Able to play practically any position, Fraser is incredibly versatile. Not the keenest trainer, Fraser nonetheless does it where it counts on the pitch
	TATE SHAW – WINGER He might be built like p!@#, but Tate brings extreme pace to the side, and is an excellent finisher, as demonstrated by his well taken goals in preseason games against Cribbs and Bitton

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	DANIEL WEBB – FORWARD Tour and social secretary, Webby is also a Gloucestershire County League veteran, having terrorised opposition with his skill, movement and goals for a number of years. Joint top goal scorer (16) last season, whilst chipping in with a number of assists, Webby will be looking to add to his tally this year
	JAMES GOULDEN – FORWARD Sporting a suspect tache and frosted tips, when not taking long coach trips across Portugal, James is a tall and tricky forward. Backed with a great touch and good off the ball movement, James is an exciting talent and one to watch for the future
	JENSON BEARD – FORWARD Jenson is swiftly becoming the complete striker. Bringing pace, physicality, work-rate, as well as guile, Jenson finished the 2023-24 season as joint top goal scorer (16). An exciting prospect, we hope to see Jenson continue on this trajectory
	JORDAN DENT – FORWARD Despite a string of injuries over the last few seasons, “Barry” Dent is nonetheless a quality forward with an eye for goal. Narrowly missing out on the Club golden boot last season, despite only returning to fitness for the second half of the season, Jordan will look to continue this form into the 2024-25 season. Jordan is a liability on a night out though.

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Matches played 12th April 2025

by Mark Simpson

Wick continue chase at the top

The first thing decided this season is that Gala Wilton have been relegated following their midweek defeat at Cheltenham Civil Service who themselves look likely to follow them after this weekends defeat at Wick and with Quedgeley winning at home to Totterdown. At the top no real change, although, Frampton, Sharpness, and Filton all dropped points the latter two against each other.

Wick hosted Cheltenham Civil Service at the Nest where both sides had plenty to play for. The first half was a fairly low-key affair as both sides struggled to make the ball stick. Wick had the first chance on fifteen minutes, a Liam McCracken strike well saved by Jon Dix. Service’s first attempt five minutes later was a Leighton Blacker shot which was routine for Kai Wilson. The first big chance of the game came for Service at the start of the second half when Alin Neamtu was one-on-one but Kai Wilson saved Wick. The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute when a Cory Langdon lay-off was smashed in by Freddie Mogg. Wick finally found their rhythm and on-the-hour a short corner played by Bayley Rudge found Langdon who rolled it back to Rudge who expertly finished into the far corner via a post. Wick’s persistent pressure once again paid off in the 67th minute when Freddie Taylor-Fox played a one-two with Langdon and his fantastic back-heel allowed Taylor-Fox’s to toe poke in for 3-0. On 75 minutes Langdon was brought down in the box and he stepped up and smashed the penalty kick home. Not finished yet, two minutes to go, McCracken found Langdon with a fantastic pass and Langdon finished it expertly. Right at the end Service were down to ten with Blacker seeing red. So, 5-0 to Wick keeping the pressure on up at the top.

Almondsbury are into final straight and this time at The Field against Ruardean Hill Rangers. On 13 minutes a long free kick for Almonds from Hughes found O’Loughlin who headed just wide, and Hill fed Holver on the left of the box but he smashed his shot into the side netting. Almonds made the break through on 22 minutes, and what a goal it was! Lancastle with a half-volley into the top corner from 30 yards. There were a few half-chances for both sides but neither keeper was really troubled. On the hour Almonds were two up, a long free kick into the box from Hughes and Meacham rose above the defence and placed a pin-point header past Underwood. On 65 minutes Nicholls 25-yard shot was beaten away well by Underwood. Almondsbury managed the game well through to the end and a valuable 2-0 win to stay top.

Down at the bottom end of the table Quedgeley Wanderers played Totterdown United at Waterwells, a game that the home side made the stronger start with Nathan Payne playing a one-two with Harry Reynolds whose cross was turned away for a corner. Nathan Charnock then played a long ball to Rory Hunt in acres of space, who flicked it through to Fin Jenner whose shot was well stopped by Ashley Martin. Hunt had a couple of well-worked plays resulting in shots that were well defended by Frazer Clark and Jack Millard. Totts had a couple of chances with shots by Toby Carter and Jack Hearsey both saved by Charnock. QW finally broke the deadlock when Dave Cummings won a free kick in a dangerous position with Payne taking the kick, and powerfully hitting the ball around the wall and into the net. In the last attack of the half Payne dinked the ball to Jenner whose shot across the goal had no one to finish it off. QW started the second half positively and Reynolds had a 20-yard shot off the crossbar. Totterdown’s Jamie Godfrey was put through on goal but Charnock forced him wide for a corner. Issac Sulyman was a threat all game for Totts in the air had a header off the crossbar. However, in the last ten minutes. QW managed to double their score, a well taken corner by Hunt found its way to Cummings who found the net with a powerful header for 2-0 to Quedgeley, an invaluable win in light of Cheltenham Civil Service’s result at Wick

Stoke Gifford SGS United hosted Bromley Heath United at the Stoke Gifford Stadium, wanting to avenge a 3-0 reversal at Pomphrey Hill and continue to keep pressure on the other title candidates. And, after just 7 minutes SGS should have been in front, Jake Abraham firing wide when one-on-one. After 15 minutes he went close again, denied well by Will Ferguson after a slick Gifford attack. In terms of chances it was one way traffic, and Gifford found their opener from a set-piece, Ollie Stevenson rising highest to head home Aaron Sweete’s corner. Bromley’s first chance came 33 minutes in with Ben O’Brien heading over when free 8 yards out. Gifford found their second on 36 minutes when Patryk Kosciolek cut in from 25 yards and unleashed an absolute peach of a strike that bent into the top corner. It was almost three just before half time, when the energetic Josh Rees was denied by the feet of Ferguson. Gifford flew out of the traps at the beginning of the second period and extended their lead 90 seconds in, Kosciolek jinked inside and found the bottom corner of Ferguson’s net from 20 yards. On 50 minutes it was 4-0, Sweete found space from 22 yards out to curl into the bottom corner for end of the contest. Bromley did, however, continue to fight and Cam Ford drove over on the hour mark, and Olly Hanham fired across goal a few minutes later with no one to apply the finishing touch. Even with changes Gifford still looked potent in attack and substitute Logan Heyns was somehow denied, when he burst clear, by an excellent double save by Ferguson. The cherry on the cake came on 78 minutes when a rash challenge gave SGS a 30-yard free kick and Froilan Stella Lopez (Diego) curled in a majestic shot into the top corner giving Ferguson no chance. Bromley managed a consolation on 87 minutes with Aidan Noble heading in Ben Ackermann’s cross after an excellent break. A comprehensive 5-1 Stoke Gifford win, with some cracking goals keeping the pressure on up at the top.

At Hamfields neither side could find a scoring touch in a top of the table encounter between Sharpness and Filton Athletic. Both sides had their chances but both the keepers and the woodwork were on hand to deny them.Filton had a chance midway through the first half but Abdulrahman saw his effort off the post. Sharpness then had a chance to take the lead when 

Frankham turned and hit an effort goal bound but Bradley pulled off a good diving save. Into the second half and Filton had a chance to break the deadlock when Thomas was sent through one-on-one with Holder, but the Sharks keeper pulled off a great save to deny him. Sharks captain Dummelow thought he had secured a late winner when he struck a curling effort towards the top corner but, somehow, Bradley got across and pulled off a wonder save to deny him and ensure Filton left with a point in a goalless draw which hasn’t really enhanced either sides title chances.

On a warm sunny day Chalford welcomed Frampton United to Highfield Road and it was Frampton who started off strongly with Chalford keeper Sam Neale making two very good saves inside fifteen minutes. Chalford settled into the game and both sides pretty much cancelled each other out for the first half. Chalford started the second half the stronger coming straight out after the hairdryer treatment from Buckland and Powell and on 65 minutes broke through, Locke passed a through ball to Maryon and with Locke sprinting forward, he got the return, and smashed it into the far corner. For the next 20 minutes the sides cancelled each other out again, but in the last five Frampton stepped up the pace and a free kick delivery set up Geddes who hit the ball home for 1-1 and a fair result from a good game.

Broadwell Amateurs suffered a frustrating afternoon at the Hawthorns as visiting Henbury & Rockleaze capitalised on early dominance and defensive lapses to take all three points. The game couldn’t have started in a worse fashion for the hosts as H&R scored in the opening minute with a swift move down the flank and a pinpoint cross finding Drew Sawdon unmarked in the box to head home giving Jack Watkins no chance. Shaken by the early setback, Broadwell almost responded in spectacular fashion when Jamie Creed unleashed a powerful strike which struck the crossbar. An enforced Broadwell substitution along with a couple of unforced errors allowed H&R to control much of the first half. The visitors doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Moran, who displayed impressive pace and composure outpaced the Broadwell defence down the right and cut in to 

fire a rocket into the top corner for 2-0.The second half offered little change in tempo or fortune for Broadwell and despite periods of promising play, clear-cut chances were elusive. On 52 minutes Dan Brain’s curling effort from range did beat Harry Trett but struck the post and bounced away. Just five minutes later, Brain was involved again setting up Jamie Belfitt with a cross which was headed wide. H&R scored a third on 74 minutes, Broadwell’s misjudged attempt to play out from the back and a miscue followed by a slip from Watkins led Toms to slot into an empty net. Neither side managed another shot on target after that and 3-0 it ended for Henbury and Rockleaze who continue their good form.

Gala Wilton took on Hanham Athletic in their final County League game at Fairmile Gardens. The first half saw both sides play some good football on a hard surface, and it was Hanham who broke the deadlock on twenty minutes when a break down the left was squared to the far post for Liam Jenkins to score at the far post. Whilst Gala would have been keen to end their home league season on a positive note with a second half comeback, Karim Rendall was the scourge of Gala once again to ensure it didn’t happen. He made it 2-0 on the hour with a 20-yard lob over Curtis Watkins in the Gala goal. This was followed with a strike from inside the box on 70 minutes and completed with a late penalty just before full time for a comprehensive three points for Hanham Athletic.

V

It’s that time of year again where we dust down the famous National Game Awards glass decanters and prepare to celebrate the big winners of the 2024-25 season – and we need your votes and nominations!

With plenty still to play for, of course, this year’s NGAs are very much up for grabs but our inbox is starting to fill up with some great suggestions and piks.

The NGAs will be held at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane Stadium on Wednesday May 14. Once again, we are delighted to confirm that Isuzu UK have agreed to become title sponsors again, adding The NGAs to their current sponsorship of Non-League’s two premier cup competitions, the FA Trophy and FA Vase.

Isuzu UK continue to be a driving force behind grassroots football in the community with a large number of dealerships from all over the country becoming actively involved in their local clubs.

We remain proud and hugely grateful for their support and look forward to working closely with the Isuzu UK team when it comes to selecting the winner of our much-loved Unsung Hero Award.

The NGAs have become a Non-League institution over the years – and that’s thanks largely to the strong backing it receives – without this, we simply couldn’t honour the great and good of the Non-League game with our now iconic decanter, provided once again by our friends at Supreme Engraving

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This year, we introduce to you a brand new award. With social media having an ever increasing presence in bringing football clubs closer to their communities, we have created a Digital Media Award to honour those who have provided the best content over various media platforms.

We are also delighted to welcome The Sports Circle to this year’s event. They will be honouring the Player of the Year for their outstanding contribution this year

UK teamwear and clothing company Moving Forward Sports are back for a second season; Community Club of the Year award is their category.

Huck Nets have once again put their name to the Goal of the Season accolade, while Reusch are also back — they couldn’t wait to once again get their hands on the sponsorship for this season’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Sports Ground Development are back to present the Manager of the Year award, while the Team of the Year Award will be as hotly contested as ever.

Our friends at Sportsbeat sign up once again – they didn’t need asking twice to support the Young Player of the Year, while SK Kits will honour Non-League’s top goal getter with the Golden Boot award.

The NLP Lifetime Achievement award is one of our personal favourites, while The Football Supporters’ Association Away Day Experience of the year recognises the efforts clubs make to cater for travelling fans

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The FA are also back on board to acknowledge the winner of the Cup Run of the Year, judged on the FA Cup, Trophy and Vase. Tamworth and Sittingbourne, in particular, will fancy their chances there.

The Step 3&4 Player of the Year will be hotly contested as well with so many in so many staking their claim across those divisions.

The full list follows, let us know your choices at ngavotes@greenwayspublishing.com

Team of the Year

Isuzu Unsung Hero

Moving Forward Sports Community Club of the Year

Sports Ground Development Manager of the Year

The FA Cup Run of the Year

Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year

Step 3&4 Player of the Year

Huck Nets Goal of the Season

SK Kits Golden Boot

The Sports Circle Player of the Year

The FSA Away Day Experience

Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year

Digital Media Award

The NLP Lifetime Achievement