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

It’s a hectic time of the season with games coming thick and fast, we still have 4 games to go including this afternoon and are now mathematically safe from relegation. The last 2-3 games have not only stretched the squad but also the resolve of management and committee alike. Players really need to be more accountable for availability, but I’ve been banging this drum for too long now. Here’s to a successful and stress-free end to the 2025-26 season to all of our teams in their respective leagues.

Good luck on Sunday to our Sunday side who play Southmead Athletic Sunday in the Bristol Sunday League Beaufort Cup Final. With the season slowly drawing to its conclusion it is time to start planning for next season, which is something myself and the committee are busy working on.

Please come and search me out or contact me through our website 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. We are always looking for

more help with match days, pitch

works, fundraising or just being

part of an active committee.

TODAY'S  OTHER MATCHES

Broadwell Amateurs v Tytherington Rocks

Sharpness v Ruardean Hill Rangers

Tewkesbury Town v Frampton United

Totterdown United v Filton Athletic

QWFC was formed in 1994, with just one boy’s under 14's team. It was started by Dave Mulrain and Ron Capper, who took on the roles of Secretary and Treasurer, positions they went on to hold for a further ten years. Dave has since returned to the club as Chairman and is in his sixth season. They laid the foundations for the club to grow to the present day where we have over 400 members across 23 competitive teams of all ages, including girls sides, 2 adult teams, walking football and Veterans. Many hours have been dedicated to the club by a number of volunteers to get to the point we are at today. In July 2021, we installed floodlights due to gaining a grant from Crest Nicholson. They were installed by MUSCO lighting who have installed lights in many Premier league sides.

We continue this season with our Seniors Committee, with James Mulrain taking the vice chairman seat. Kelly Mulrain will continue in her role as Seniors Secretary. Dave Mulrain and James Mulrain will work alongside Andy Gutteridge in the Treasurer’s role Joining Quedgeley this season to take the reins of the first team is Beckem Foley. Beckem joins us from Cheltenham Saracens after successfully running their under 18s side and being part of coaching team for the Hellenic side. He brings knowledge and experience to help build a strong County League side. Tony Hawkins will continue to assist and coach the team. A mixture of old faces and many new faces will combine to make a thriving side in the League.

Our Reserve team are currently in Stroud League Division 3. Ash Pocock will be continuing as Manager, having taken up the role part way through last season. With some new faces, and a mixture of young and mature players, we have high hopes for Ash’s full season in charge.

This season we are proudly introducing our first ever under 18s side which will be competing in the Cheltenham Youth Floodlit League floodlit. We have a brilliant bunch of players/management both on and off the field and wish both teams the best of luck this season.

PLAYER PROFILES by Beckham Foley Manager

KIERAN DERBYSHIRE - Goalkeeper

"Delighted to bring Kieranback to the club,his first spell being as a 16 year old GK having his first taste of adult football with the club. He has been with a few more clubs since and improved as a player and person.He must now be 6ft 7m he willl be a big presence at the back for us,using his new Futsal skills ro help us build from the back when in posswssion"

OLI BARNETT - Defender

"It's a fantastic opportunity to keep Oli at the for another season! Working with him before during our time together at Cheltenham Saracens. He was one of the players I wanted to keep around and making him vice captain to help implement how we want the team and club to run. Oli is a fantastic defender strong on the ground and in the air and has good quality to help us play the football we want yo this year.

HARRY FURNISS - Midfielder

Harry is  a brilliant assetto yhe club, another who I have worked with in  the past during our time at Cheltenham Saracens. Furniss already has a good understanding of how I like to do things which makes it easier when coming into a club with new ideas. Furniss is a tall, strong and combative player who always dhows great desire to improve and do his best"

DYLAN VENN - Midfielder

"Very excited to be working with Dylan this year, this being his 3rd season with the club, he shows a great desire to bring success to the club. i see Dylan as midfielder this season  though he can play other positions well, his calmness and ability to battle in midfield will help secure our ability to play consistently, his vision and knowledge of the game will help with his leadership on the pitch"

PLAYER PROFILES continued

HARRY REYNOLDS - Midfielder

"Very happy to be able to keep Reynolds at the club this season. He is going to be vital towards our creative success in midfield. His desire to work hard to win the ball and his vision and execution to go forward are some of the many reasons other clubs have shown interest in him. He shows good  knowledge and attitude to find ways to win and his physical presence in midfield will give us great advantages"

LOUIS PEYTON - Defender (C)

"One of my first messages after getting the job with the club was to Louis, it was important for me to bring Louis back to the club on a more permanent basis. Working with him at Cheltenham Saracens he shown me his professional standards that I kive and die by, fantastic leadership qualities and an unbelievable work ethic. He was a no brainer to have at the club and to have as our captain for the season"

BEN LANGWORTHY - Defender

"I have been fortunate enough to know Ben for several years now, coaching with him and playing against him at different clubs. When he mentioned he may be interested in coming down I snapped his hand off, his work rate, attitude towards the game and experiences in the game are vital for oour changing room to be used as an example and to develop and support others around him"

CHARLIE WILKES - Midfielder

"Since I met Charlie, I always wanted to coach him, his ability on thw ball, attitude off it and the character he has I always felt he would thrive in one of my teams during his U18s football. Unfortunately it didn't happen and he gained valuable experience with Longlevens and Stonehouse, this year I'm looking forward to being able to put those experiences to good use as well as continuing his development"

PLAYER PROFILES Continued

JOSH MORONEY - Midfielder

"Josh is a fantastic example of why there needs to be a pathway in a football club. Playing his youth football with the club without our pathway to the first team we could easily lose him. Josh at only 16 has already played a handful of County League games for the club, his ability yo play multiple positions well and fearlessness on and off the ball makes him a perfect to keep his opportunities with the first team"

REECE WELLS - Forward

"Looking forward to working with Reece this year, providing opportunities to young local talent is very important to the way I want this club to thrive. Reece is a strong, energetic winger that with more structure, coaching and professional standards can become a player to watch in the coming years. We look forward to seeing Reece make a big impact with the first team and U18s this year"

HENRY MILES - Midfielder

"I have been privileged to know and coach Henry since he was 10 years old, working together at Cheltenham Town and later playing for me at Cheltenham Saracens and being my caprain. His quality and character will be second to none at this standard and 2 steps above. I sm grateful to him that before he goes off to university, he has agreed to play for me again and I hope to use his abilities as best we can"

RILEY STOKES - Forward

"Happy to be working with Riley again this year! Coached him since U16s since he has spent some time playing in the States and played for Newent Town on his return. Riley's attitude to work hard for the cause put his body on the line and drive standards within the group with his quality will be a great asset for us this season as well as being able to play multiple positions to a very good standard.

SEBASTIAN KEITH - Forward

"The importance of providing pathways to young players that have a clear desire to play for their local club. Seb has played his youth football for Quedgeley and has shown throughout last season and pre season that he has what it takes to step into County League football. Seb shows quality, knowledge and work ehic beyond his years. I'm very happy to provide him his opportunity in football and support his development further"

ALFIE PLEDGER - Defender

"Delighted with the return of Pledge from his travels around the world! Pledge's ability on the ball, deesire to defend and overall character (not mentioning new teeth) will be a major addition to our defensive line this season. Pledge has returned with a new attitude towards his football with a return to a more professional approach to thinking acting and working helping him thrive through preseason.

LUCCA HORROCKS - Defender

"Looking forward ro working with Lucas again this season following on from our work together at Cheltenham Saracens. Luca is a brilliant young full back that shows great quality on the ball and desire to put his body on the line to win the ball, he was a vital part of my team at Saracens to bring us league cup success. I'm glad to be able to provide Luca with the opportunity to step into men's football this year"

SAM JACKSON - Defender

"Very happy to be bringing Jacko to the club this year, having county league experience with Cheltenham Civil Service and working together at Cheltenham Saracens before that Jacko understands the standard before him and what is required to play under me. Jacko is an engine in the team his ability to run with be an example for the entire group, his attitude to compete will be vital for us this season"

BILLY OSABUCHEIN - Forward

"Anotherr great asset for the club this season in Billy! Blessed with so much potantial with his pace and power to shrug off and leave defenders in his dust. Billy has shown his talents when playing for Cheltenham Saracens and Newent Town so it's great for us to be able to utilise him within our forward line this year. We are hoping Billy can use his good preseason to start the season off strong"

Interesting, Sharpness with two consecutive home defeats have had their cushion at the top now under challenge again. At the bottom Hanham Athletic’s relegation has been confirmed whilst the other place is still under contention with Totterdown’s surprise win at Sharpness and Cribbs picking up a point at Chalford.

It was a hot and sunny day as Chalford hosted Cribbs Reserves in a match that ended goalless though not without effort from both sides. The conditions were testing and Chalford started brightly enjoying good spells of possession and probing the Cribbs defence but clear-cut opportunities were limited and Cribbs responded well growing into the game and threatening on the counter. Both goalkeepers were the stand-out performers of the day each called into action multiple times to keep their sides level. In the end a draw was probably a fair result with resilience in tough conditions.

Stoke Gifford SGS United got off to a flying start against Bromley Heath United opening the scoring in the first two minutes with Froilan Stella Lopez striking home an unstoppable shot from 20 yards. Bromley almost equalised straight away when a cross into the box was met by Ben O’Brien, but his powerful header flew over the bar. Both teams continued to create chances in an open game. Patryk Kosciolek saw two efforts narrowly past the uprights while at the other end Ollie Hanham was twice denied by good saves from Taylor Smith.The second half was more of the same, with both teams failing to take chances until the 88th minute when Gifford were left to rue their missed chances when Jack Waldron’s shot from inside the box found the net for 1-1.

Bromley pressed for a winner and finished the stronger but Gifford held on for a valuable point after six defeats on the bounce.

Quedgeley Wanderers were on the front foot early on against Tytherington Rocks causing problems and setting the tone for a competitive opening spell, but it was Rocks who opened the scoring when a corner was swung to the back post and met by Connor Davey for 1-0. Quedgeley continued to threaten when Ollie Barnett’s through ball to Sam Jackson was just beyond his reach and Fin Jenner latched onto a through ball but was denied by the flag. QW equalised in the 18th minute when Jenner laid the ball off neatly to Riley Stokes who finished confidently. QW continued to press with a number of through balls testing the Rocks back line and Stokes had a shot pushed out for a corner midway through the half with both sides battling well in midfield as the tempo increased. QW took the lead on 37 minutes with Harry Reynolds finishing well from another Jenner assist. Just before half time another strong run from Stokes created yet another chance as he delivered a cross for Sam Jackson to tap in for 3-1. The second half began in a scrappy fashion with both sides struggling to find any rhythm. Tytherington had a free kick wasted early in the half while Charlie Wilkes came close for Quedgeley with a shot that clipped the bar. Both sides made several changes as QW looked to consolidate with Rocks pressing at times. Steve Sparrow produced a good save from a Rocks corner and late in the game a QW free kick was cleared as Quedgeley saw out the final minutes comfortably for a deserved 3-1 win.

After suffering a narrow defeat to title rivals Filton Athletic on Tuesday night Sharpness were looking to bounce back against a Totterdown United side who were looking for a win themselves in their battle to avoid relegation. The Sharks started the brighter of the two teams with plenty of possession but were limited to long range efforts from James Tainton and Tom Frankham which were comfortably saved. George Thomas had a good chance from a Ben Hemmings cross but his header was off target. It was the visitors who opened the scoring midway through the half when a mistake at the back allowed Ollie Lovell a chance at goal from which he made no mistake with his left foot. Ten minutes before half time it was 2-0 when a Totterdown counter resulted in a bit of good fortune when the ball fell to Aaron Price who took his chance well calmly finishing past the advancing Dykes, and Totterdown nearly made it three just before half time when Lovell’s deflected shot came back off the post. Sharpness came out with more purpose for the second half dominating possession and earning multiple corners but neither Bryant or Bennett could find the target with their headers. With twenty minutes left Bryant had a chance but saw his shot saved by Martin, and Hemmings follow up effort was well blocked. Sharpness finally got the goal they were searching for when a Mears cross was deflected in for an own-goal. The Sharks pushed for an equaliser and had plenty of opportunities, a Brad Gibbs header was well saved and Alfie Jones volley from eight yards was over with Priday’s headed chance also over. Things got worse for Sharpness when they had to play the last 10 minutes with 10 men, Bryant forced off injured and all subs used. Credit however, must go to Totterdown who defended excellently and were clinical when their chances arrived, holding out for a 2-1 win.

A glorious afternoon and a bumper crowd for the Wick versus Hanham Athletic local derby and Hanham facing a must win game in their fight against relegation. For the first 15 minutes both sides looked to work the ball and Wick fashioned the first chance which was half blocked and easily taken by Ashton Trott, but two minutes later Sam Archer’s shot flicked off a Hanham defender and looped over the diving Trott who had no chance, and 1-0 to Wick it was. On 21 minutes a bit of wizardry from Frank Taylor-Fox made space for him to shoot but he cleared the crossbar, and a few minutes later a long punt downfield by Trott allowed Hanham a chance which Mason Hawkins saved well with his feet. On 34 minutes a great shot by Jaye Rudge crashed against the Hanham crossbar and a minute later a goal bound shot by Bailey Rudge was brilliantly saved by Trott. In time added on Bailey Rudge’s shot was saved but not gathered by Trott and Wick pounced to find the net but the flag was up. Hanham, in need of a goal, began to push Wick back and restricted Wick to quick breaks, one of which saw Archer in a foot race with Trott, with Trott winning. Despite Hanham’s increasing pressure Wick’s backline held firm and on 78 minutes a Wick free kick found Freddie Mogg unmarked but he headed straight at Trott. A few minutes later a Wick free kick from Fin Sparks, 30 yards out, crashed off the bar. A few more Wick chances came, Tommy Lacey shooting just over and Louis Short’s shot just cleared the bar but keeping Hanham at bay, but with them unable to unlock the Wick defence, it finished 1-0 to Wick and Hanham’s fate was sealed. 

At The Hawthorns in the sunshine the Forest derby between Broadwell Amateurs and Ruardean Hill Rangers was a well contested match with Broadwell on top early on, but however, they were undone when a long Aaron Underwood goal kick was left by Aidan Creighton for Jack Watkins but Alex Stephens gambled in behind and with Watkins in no man’s land, he knocked it over him for 1-0. The remainder of the half was passive with Hill looking for the ball over the top coupled with a few set piece chances whilst Broadwell created only chances from distance, with the exception of Jamie Belfitt when he spun in behind, drove toward goal but was stopped by a good recovery tackle. There seemed more intent from both sides for the second half and Ruardean’s best chance came from Steve Clarke with Watkins producing an outstanding save. Broadwell made some changes to inject some energy and it worked when Jordi Locke’s angled ball over the top left Dan Brain to deftly lob the ball over Underwood for 1-1. This certainly pushed Broadwell on and they continued to create, with the deciding goal from the Brain connection Liam floating the ball into the box and Dan with a sweeping first time volley making it 2-1 and Broadwell taking a Forest double.

On a wonderful sunny day at Arnall Drive, Bishops Cleeve Development took three points off Henbury & Rockleaze in what was a great advert for the Gloucestershire County League. The only goal of the game came after 5 minutes when Harry Trett rushed out of the H&R goal only to see his clearance ricochet off his own defender leaving Soloman Osinuga with an easy tap in. Cleeve were the better side up until the water break mid-way through the half with several half chances and playing some good football. 

Following the stoppage H&R came into the game a bit more and on 27 minutes Fabian Perreira’s effort was well saved by Fin Smith in the Cleeve goal and on 36 minutes H&R’s Harvey Sealey smashed against the crossbar, with many believing the ball had in fact crossed the line, but with the Referee unsighted he could not give a goal. On 43 minutes Trett saved well from Harry Davis ensuring H&R went in only one behind. The home side started the second half strongly with the returning Jack Mills pulling the strings in midfield and Smith saved well with his legs from Danny Burd’s fierce strike. On 52 minutes it was Trett’s turn to save well, this time from Jacob Rogers, and again on 65 minutes from Shiyak Sutherland. Ten minutes from time Trett kept H&R in it again, with a brilliant double save from first from Monty New and then from Will Pugh. H&R went up the other end and a brilliant Sealey cross fell to Matt Harrison who really should have scored but his header squirmed the wrong side of the post. Much puffing and panting from both sides ensued, but no further chances created, and Bishop Cleeve deservedly took the points on the balance of chances created in an entertaining game.

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