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Manager's Match Preview A warm welcome to the players, management and spectators of Wick to Arnall Drive, the home of Henbury & Rockleaze FC.
Last week's draw against high flying Sharpness marked a noticeable sea-change in approach and performance. With the pressure taken-off and the lads encouraged to go out and enjoy themselves, it was pleasing to see a balance of both free-flowing football and grit and determination when required. But for an outstanding point blank save from the Sharpness 'keeper off Drew Sawdon's bullet header, we might have enjoyed the 3pts that the performance fully deserved. As it is, we shall have to settle for a point and clean sheet, but in the grander scheme of things, this type of performance should give the lads some sorely missed confidence. All of this has been built off of a positive mentality and work-rate, typified by new signing Harvey Moran, who notched on debut against Chalford, and was a handful all day against Sharpness. Credit should also be given to stalwarts George James and Marcus Williams, who, owing to injuries and availability were once again asked to 'do a job' in less familiar positions. Their attitude and response to this was exemplary, and after a tough few weeks, gives me confidence that we have what we need to pull ourselves clear.
Turning attention back to today's game, we find ourselves up against in-form and free scoring Wick, in what will doubtless be a fascinating encounter. More of last week's spirit will undoubtedly be required to get a result, but as always, the players have my backing to do just that.
I hope you all enjoy today's game.
Bradders
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GFA cup ties not included |
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Friday 31 January Almondsbury 1 Chalford 0 Saturda 1 February Broadwell Amateurs v Cheltenham Civil Serv Filton AAth v Bromley Heath Utd Frampton Utd v Hanham Ath Quedgeley Wanderers v Sharpness Ruardean Hill Rangers v Gala Wilton Totterdown Utd v Stoke Gifford Utd
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Deke Langdon: Defender 'Probably our most underrated player. Can play anywhere on the pitch and always gives 110%. Lovely feet for a defender and not afraid to get stuck in either for a little lad. Managers player of the season for us last season. Previous Clubs: Hanham Athletic |
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Tom Norley: Defender Brilliant centre half who always puts his body on the line. Great understanding of the game always looking to play forward and leads by example. One of the p*** takers of the group mainly at Bays expense.
Joe Reeves: Defender Taking a step back this year but a very experienced centre half who loves a challenge. Probably the loudest bloke you’ll ever meet ( on and off the pitch ). Great lad to have around the dressing room with still a relatively young squad.
Harry Madge: Defender Explosive full back but can also play centre half and as a winger which is a rare find these days, once he’s on a run you’re not stopping him. Played Western League football last season so delighted to have him with us for the season ahead.
Dan Trotter: Defender Been out with a long term injury but should be back for the start of the season. Bags of pace, will run into the ground for the team, one of those players you put him anywhere and he’ll do a job for you.
Liam Robson: Defender “Norm” A brilliant defender who loves to have the ball at his feet and play out from the back. He has great experience in the leagues above so another lad were delighted to have here with us.
Tommy Longhurst: Defender An exciting young player that can play in defence or midlfield, left or right side. Another player retained from last seasons squad. Has played at a higher level and is always looking to get forward.
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Todd Carter: Defender Retained from the Wick side of last season. Delighted to have him with us, played up front last season but will predominately be a defender for us. Great work rate and loves a tackle. Big and physical player which is something we needed to add to our squad. Previous Clubs: Mangotsfield, Oldland & Bromley Heath
Freddie Mogg: Midfielder Previous Club: Longwell Green
Liam Troake: Midfielder The utility man of the squad, stick him anywhere and he’ll do a job. Predominantly a right back or holding midfielder though, bags of energy, good on the ball and puts himself about for a little lad. Another retained from the Wick side of last season.
Frank Taylor-Fox: Midfielder Our skipper this season. Plays the 6 role as good as anyone, intercepts the play and plays the easy pass or can drive through the midfield with his engine and quality feet. Another key player for us this season.
Ben Sayers: Midfielder Steady Eddie, makes the game look so easy, always plays the right pass and understands his position as good as anyone. Played with many of the lads years ago, great to have him back in the changing room.
Adam Campbell: Midfielder Another player with brilliant feet and skill. Great eye for a pass and scores all sorts of goals. Hates paying his fines. Probably one of the angriest footballers you’ll see.
Fred Taylor-Fox: Midfielder Younger brother to Frank. Technically gifted footballer, an absolute nightmare to get the ball off will turn you inside and out with his slick dribbling and skill. |
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Fin Cunningham: Midfielder “Windot” Fin has a tremendous attitude and is always at training. Lovely set piece delivery and has a great long pass in his locker. Even better at Darts so don’t try take him on in the clubhouse after the game.
Jaye Rudge: Midielder/Forward Loves a moan but still one of the most gifted players in the squad. Quality feet, makes things tick and a great finisher as well. Brilliant option to have in either midfield or up front.
Bayley Rudge: Forward One of the most two footed players you’ll ever see I still don’t know what foots his strongest now. Runs at defenders all day long and loves an assist. Hopefully chip in with more goals this season though.
Olly West: Forward Olly has had a few years out of the game competitively but is back enjoying his football again. A great winger with a lovely first touch and is always looking to take on defenders.
Cory Langdon: Forward Can play out wide or through the middle. Scores all sorts of goals and has got bags of pace always looking to run in behind the defence. Not a bad keeper either, compares himself to Onana when he’s inbetween the sticks.
Fraser Ross: Forward The Scotsman in our team. Recently moved to Bristol, played at a decent University level in Scotland. Frase is a top trainer and has a fantastic work rate. Can play right back or wing.
Tommy Lacey: Forward “Tucker” Pace and power he’s got it in abundance, an absolute nightmare for defenders. Hopefully stays for a beer after the game more often this season. |
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By Mark Simpson
Almondsbury drop two points, Sharpness drop two points, Wick and Frampton win, the merry-go-round at the top continues whilst at the bottom Quedgeley and Henbury & Rockleaze both pick up useful points. At The Field Almondsbury dropped two points against a Broadwell Amateurs side who last week took an absolute battering on their travels. This time the first chance of the match fell to Almonds half way into the first half when Paolo Pali beat his man, shot at Jack Watkins who beat it away Omar Alwari followed up and Watkins pulled off a great save to tip it behind. A few minutes later Tim O’Loughlin’s pass was intercepted by Davies who finished well over Sam Burgess for a Broadwell lead. The rest of the half was rather scruffy but just into the second half it was almost two for the visitors a free kick coming off the crossbar, and that, as they say was that, as far as Broadwell were concerned. On 54 minutes Alwari was put through but Watkins tipped round the post, on 77 minutes Liam Nicholls beat his man and sets up Craig Lancastle who slotted the ball off the post, on 87 Nicholls creates again and puts in Morgan who slipped at the crucial moment, but a minute later the pressure was rewarded when Morgan broke the line and convincingly slotted home from twelve yards. On 89 Almonds had a corner cleared off the line and in time added on had a penalty shout waived away and there it finished at 1-1, a brave point for Broadwell.
Gala Wilton took on Frampton United in a match full of goals at Fairmile Gardens. It was Gala who started brightly with a fifth minute goal when Jacob Eakers put Jamie Creed through to finish well past Tom Kaye. The first 30 minutes were competitive and in that time it was Gala who came closest to a second but were denied by Kaye. Frampton, however, equalised on 35 minutes through Freddie Porter. The key moment of the game came on the stroke of half time when Myron Turner finished well to give Frampton the lead. And they started the second half strongly, scoring early on through Henry Driver-Dickinson
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from a corner. After this Frampton largely dominated and Henry added their fourth and fifth goals to complete his hat-trick. Gala grabbed a late consolation through Henry Hunt but Frampton ran out well deserved 5-2 winners to maintain their title charge.
To Hamfields where Sharpness and Henbury & Rockleaze were unable to find a goal in a tight encounter. H&R nearly took the lead fifteen minutes in when Fraser Butt saw his free kick effort strike the bar. Alfie Jones nearly broke the deadlock for the hosts when sent through one-on-one but couldn’t beat keeper Harry Trett. Five minutes before the break Tom Palmer had a chance to open the scoring but blasted the ball over from Gayner’s cross. Chances were generally few and far between but when they did come both keepers were in excellent form. Sharks Will Tainton brought a good save out of Trett with a well struck shot from distance and Holder was next to keep his side in it when he made a great save from George James’ header which looked destined to break the deadlock. Sharpness were reduced to ten late-on, Priday picking up a second yellow but this had no bearing on the 0-0 result.
Eager to put last week’s horror show behind them Wick took on Totterdown United at Oldbury Lane and Wick were quick out of the blocks fashioning a number of opportunities, and on five minutes a snap shot from Cory Langdon was taken cleanly by Ashley Martin. Wick continued to create without testing Martin until the 18th minute when his full-length dive to his right pushed a goal bound effort for a corner, which caused a scramble in the goalmouth, the visitors hanging on. Totts were trying their passing game but were continually being pressed and on 20 minutes Langdon was upended in the box for a penalty from which he made no mistake. Two minutes later he was through again but this time found the side netting. Totts first effort on goal 25 minutes in sailed safely over the bar, and ten minutes later they had a great break but were denied an equaliser by Kai Wilson’s feet. On 40 minutes a great ball whipped in found Langdon in the six -yard box to chest home his and Wick’s second |
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Wick now had their tails up and a sweeping move found Freddie Mogg surging into the box to fire home Wick’s third and on the stroke of half time Liam McCracken’s great ball in found Freddie Taylor-Fox for the fourth.
Stoke Gifford SGS United really needed a win up at Ruardean Hill Rangers to keep their title hopes alive but, as so many sides have found out this is one of the last places you’d choose to come to when points are needed, but SGS bucked the trend and took early charge dominating possession. However, after 15 minutes it was Hill who won a free kick and Steve Clark forced a good save from Healan. After a drop ball re-start Gifford’s Arthur Furness, in space, crossed and after a goalmouth scramble Ben Shepard put SGS in front. Ruardean upped their performance at the start of the second half with chances falling for Clark, and he equalised from Ollie Mason’s through ball. Another chance then fell to Luke Brown but without success. Hill were now on top although injury affected their last twenty minutes with SGS gaining more possession and following a scramble from another corner the ball fell to birthday boy Aaron
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Sweete to give SGS the lead. Hill pressed for the equaliser but could not force it and SGS took an impressive three points away by 2-1.
On a sunny day up at Highfield Way, evidently the home of football! Chalford entertained a QuedgeleyWanderers side fighting at the wrong end of the table. Chalford started down the hill but it was QW on top. And a few chances came to nothing but on ten minutes a corner to QW created a goalmouth scramble and Chalford had to clear off the line. Chalford started to make inroads and on 14 Ben Minnican took a free kick which was wasted and Chalford playing some great football with the ball dropping to Andrew Roberts with a quality strike over the bar. On 26 Parker’s turned on the edge of the box, shot, but Nathan Charnock pulled off a great save. Chalford were cranking up the pressure and on 37 minutes Parker back-heeled into Maryon’s path and he made no mistake for 1-0. QW had a good chance just before the break from a free kick but Duane Portlock pulled off a great save. QW started the second half better and five minutes in one-on one Jordan Rouse equalised. Chalford started to get back on top and on 75 minutes a great strike by Locke forced an even better save from Charnock. Maryon headed over from the resulting corner. Parker found himself through on goal but was let down by a heavy touch, a quality corner from debutant Harvey Mullane was headed over by Moore. Five minutes from time another save by Charnock and Chalford couldn’t follow it in. 1-1 it ended but Chalford had plenty of chances.
A long trip for Cheltenham Civil Service to Pomphrey Hill to take on in form Bromley Heath United. And it was the hosts with a dream start when their high press paid off and were in front in the fifth minute from their in-form striker Aiden Noble. They continued to rack up chances in the first quarter of the game but Service were defending well, and with their first real chance of the game they managed to equalise when Mani Singh crossed for Leighton Blacker to slot home. Heath continued to create chances with Cripps, Noble, and O’Brien all close and with Jon Dix in the Service goal making some good stops Bromley continued in the second half to make chance after chance with Service just |
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content with breaking up play Noble thought he was in but was thwarted by Dix who got down low to make the ball bounce up and over the bar. Then, Jake Millward thought he had done it but was pulled back for offside. Persistence finally paid off when, deep into time added on Noble finished off a good Bromley move for 2-1 and whilst it could have been more perhaps Service could consider themselves unfortunate not to pick up a point – such fine margins.
To the Hallett Construction Pavilion, where the remarkably inconsistent Hanham Athletic took on in form Filton Athletic, and could they be outside title challengers? Filton were in front on 10 minutes when Haman Tiguri spilled a shot and Yousef Abdulaham scored. Filton extended their lead five minutes later when Tom Fry rose above the Hanham defence. Hanham got one back on 21 when Liam Jenkins corner was headed home by Mark Knapman, but two minutes later Filton re-stored their two-goal lead when a cross from the left was superbly headed in by Kieran Cooper. It was four on 65 minutes when Trey Merrett’s shot went under the keeper. Cooper got his second heading into an empty net following a Tiguri mistake and Merrett made it six running onto a pass to slot home. A fairly comprehensive 6-1 win for Filton and who knows.
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By Jon Crouch
WALKING out onto the hallowed turf at Wembley is every young football fan’s childhood dream. Dave Jones remembers it better than most. When Atherton Laburnum Rovers chairman Shaun Lynch appointed a new manager 18 months ago, there were raised eyebrows among some observers given his chosen one was only 23 at the time. “Sometimes you have to give a lad a chance,” he said. And it’s fair to say he has no regrets. This afternoon, Jones will lead out his side at home to Bourne Town in the FA Vase last 16 in a game billed as LR’s biggest knockout game since they reached the competition’s semi-finals stage in 1994 – before Jones wasn’t even born. His side, the only Step 6 club still standing, hailing from North West Counties League’s First Division North, have eliminated four teams from a higher level to get this far – including a thrilling 3-2 success against Hallam in the previous round secured by Ryan Talbot’s last-gasp penalty. “That moment is a perfect example of what this young group is about,” he told The NLP this week. “They’re fearless, and they back each other. When they needed to show character, they did.” The same could be said for a club that has rallied from the brink of financial ruin five years ago when they were reprieved from relegation to a regional feeder league. Jones, still just 25, has had a galvanising impact since taking charge and steered LR to second spot in the table last season. They missed out on promotion through the play-offs, and occupied the same position entering this weekend – four points behind Nelson with four games in hand. “When I came in, I wanted to reconnect the team with the town and give it an identity,” said Jones, who prepares the pitch for National League high-fliers Altrincham as the Robins’ head groundsman in his day job. |
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“You can feel the positive energy around the club as a result of this cup run, and those supporters who have been here through those tough times are really savouring the moment.” He plans to relay a similar message to his players before kick-off against a Bourne Town side currently leading the way in the United Counties League Premier Division North and involved at this stage for the first time ever in their 45th Vase campaign. The LR boss added: “We didn’t expect to do this well in the FA Vase, which is why it’s important to enjoy the experience. “Most lads in our dressing room won’t probably won’t get this far again, and I want us all to look back in 10 years’ time and be able to say; ‘they were good times, weren’t they?’” But Atherton LR and Bourne are not the only clubs looking to make history in this year’s FA Vase. Half of the 16 clubs still standing are appearing in the fifth round for the first ever time – and there’s also still a former winner looking to return to Wembley ten years after their last visit. Northern League side North Shields host Whitchurch Alport for whom victory would match their best run to the quarter-finals from three years ago. All 50 previous FA Vase finals have included a first time finalist – and this year looks to be no different. Another former quarter-finalist is Crook Town, looking to repeat the feat from 19 years ago with a victory at Heanor Town – one of the eight clubs appearing in the fifth round for the first time. VCD Athletic are in the fifth round for the first time in 18 years and they host Hellenic League leaders Hartpury University, while Whitstable Town have had a 28-year wait for the chance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. They entertain a Fleet Town side who had never been beyond the second round before this season. Egham Town travel to AFC Whyteleafe with the winner being a quarter-finalist for the very first time, while Erith & Belvedere are looking to match their best run to the quarter-finals from 10 years ago with victory over Daventry Town. |
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. The Deres have won through six rounds already, via four penalty shoot-outs, having scored just four goals in normal time. Conversely, Andover New Street, reinstated last week at the expense of Roman Glass St George, and their fellow Wessex League visitors, AFC Stoneham, have scored 28 goals between them in this season’s Vase so far. In the Trophy, all eyes are on Step 4 flag-flyers Sittingbourne, appearing at this stage of the competition for the first time in the club’s 50th Trophy campaign – a competition record for the most campaigns before reaching the last 16. The Step 4 Brickies travel to National League side Southend United in one of two ties that will see the winner setting their best Trophy run. Worthing are into the last 16 for the first time in 39 years, and take on National League Rochdale, while Oxford City, of National League North, last went beyond the Last 16 four years ago. They take on twice beaten finalists National League side Forest Green Rovers. A former multiple winner is Woking, who travel to the only Step 3 club still involved this season, Gainsborough Trinity, semi-finalists in 2013, while Spennymoor Town host Boston United 32 years after the Lincolnshire club knocked Spennymoor United out of the Trophy. National League North side Kidderminster Harriers lifted the Trophy 38 years ago and they host Sutton United of the National League, while two-time winners Altrincham, face league rivals Eastleigh, who last reached the quarter-finals 11 years ago. The final tie of the round sees two former semi-finalists face each other as National League Aldershot Town host Boreham Wood, from National League South, although it’s 17 years or more since either side reached the last four. |
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