Chairman’s Chat

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

It seems a long time since we last played at home, after all the recent poor weather and a few away fixtures post-Christmas. The 1^st team did manage a very welcome 3-1 away win 2-weeks ago at Gala Wilton so we could have done with last weeks match at Hanham Athletic being on, however the weather once again played a part. As a club we know how difficult it is to get on the pitch to undertake repair works due to the amount of water that the pitches are currently holding so we have to patient. The 1^st team have started to get more of a settled side in recent games, and I’m sure there is no coincidence with results picking up.

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

GFA cup ties not included

COUNTY LEAGUE FIXTURES

BRISTOL SUBURBAN LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES

Saturday 1st March

Broadwell Amateurs v Frampton United

Chalford v Stoke Gifford SGS Utd

Gala Wilton v Almondsbury

Quedgeley Wanderers v Hanham Athletic

Ruardean Hill Rangers v Filton Athletic

Sharpness v Wick

Totterdown United v Cheltenham Civil Serv

MATCH v SHARPNESS AWAY

MATCH V SHARPNESS AWAY

The football club are delighted to announce that current Reserve team supremo Zaki Elgahmi has recently passed his UEFA C Licence with flying colours.

Zaki was appointed Reserve team Manager at Henbury & Rockleaze F.C. upon the merger of Henbury FC and Rockleaze Rangers Seniors FC in June 2024 having previously held the role at Rockleaze Rangers FC. Zaki was appointed by Rockleaze in November 2023 with the Reserve team languishing bottom of the Bristol & Suburban Premier Division, Zaki reinvigorated the team to ensure safety with 3 matches of the season to play.

Zaki originally joined Rockleaze Rangers in the 2021-22 season going on to make almost 50 1st team appearances and many more for the Reserve and ‘A’ teams. Zaki was an industrious and technical midfield player who could also play in the back four and a player that was appreciated by managers and players alike.

Well done, Zaki, all the hard work has paid off.

WARNING 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.

By Mark Simpson

An interesting week at the top and bottom of the League. At the top Almondsbury and Frampton slip up, Sharpness drew and with wins, both Wick and Stoke Gifford are stirring things up, and Filton Athletic in an interesting position. At the bottom Quedgeley’s win takes them out of the bottom two, although Cheltenham Civil Service have games in hand.

At Waterwells a crucial match for both Quedgeley Wanderers and Gala Wilton with QW the stronger early on with Gala’s first venture in to QW’s half not coming until the tenth minute. On 17 minutes Rory Hunt made his way through the middle for QW but stumbled into Gala keeper Oscar Bignall and Ben Sluman cleared up. A few minutes later James Stanbury went through for QW lobbed Bignall but was well wide. A Gala free kick with a good delivery is well headed away by Harry Reynolds. Stanbury tried from distance but was just wide. QW finished the half on top but three good opportunities were wasted. The opening goal for Quedgeley came soon after half time with Sean Lawson beating the offside trap and finishing from outside the box. QW keep creating chances and on 55 a deep free kick by Callum McClean and Jordan Rouse rose well but Bignall pulled off a top save. A few minutes on Lawson played Woody Vinton through who laid it to Harry Reynolds who calmly slotted home for 2-0. With quarter of an hour left Hunt made his way down the left and broke into the box but Josh Coakley made the saving tackle. Stalemate developed for the remaining minutes, until into time added on a QW throw in was flicked on by Stuart Ballinger to Dylan Venn to find the corner for 3-0 and a welcome and deserved win for QW.

To Tewkesbury Road where Cheltenham Civil Service welcomed Ruardean Hill Rangers, and it was Ruardean with the first goal, a poor throw-in by Service was intercepted by Ruardean and Jon Dix fouled and the resultant penalty well converted by Steve Clark. Ruardean’s second came when Clark run through unopposed for a good finish. Service brought their way back into things in the second half when a well-crafted move was finished by Caleb Gieb, and moments later Dix rescued Service with a penalty save following more poor defending. A corner from Ruardean found Ollie Mason at the back post unmarked for 3-1 and soon after the fourth came from Jones. Service pulled one back but then had Greenwood sent off. So, another defeat dragging Service into the bottom two and a fight is now on.

At Pen Park, Filton Athletic extended their unbeaten League run to 10 with a hard-fought victory over Frampton United. Frampton had first sight of goal when Henry Driver-Dickerson shot straight at Ryan Nixon in the Filton goal. Filton had the next chance when Fraser Venables swung in a cross from the right, Trey Merrett headed goalwards but saved by Tom Kaye with Tom Fry firing the rebound wide. Frampton had a few half chances through Henry D-D first shooting wide from George D-D’s cross, then he cut in from the left and fired wide of Nixon’s goal. The deadlock was broken on 34 minutes, Venables cross was headed clear but the ball fell to Jack Willmor who fired a first-time volley into the top corner. It was nearly two when great wing play from Willmor beating his man and found Dan Matthews in the middle who shot over from 12 yards. Into the second half and early on Henry D-D shot but well saved by Nixon, then Jacob Geddes headed wide from a free kick. Frampton pressed for and equaliser and Manolo Espada shot narrowly wide. In the last few minutes Henry D-D’s shot was well blocked by Chris Hillyer and Filton held on to a 1-0 scoreline

In bright but blustery conditions Stoke Gifford SGS United hosted second placed Almondsbury in a local derby. The game took a long while to get going with both teams sussing each other out. There was an early moment of panic when an innocuous free kick delivered by Joe Taylor was fumbled by Almonds keeper Tom McCarragher but the ball fortunately went wide. The game was disrupted for 5 minutes as Dan Worton was treated for a suspected shoulder dislocation and Gifford had to shuffle the pack but they started to play some decent stuff, but unfortunately with little threat, and at the other end the lively Omar Alwari had a half chance but failed to trouble keeper Evan Healan. On the half hour Gifford found their opener, a corner wasn’t dealt with and the ball made its way to Marcus Thatcher whose initial effort was blocked but the follow up was unstoppable from 16 yards. SGS started the second half on the front foot and doubled their lead on 49 minutes, McCarragher did well to anticipate a ball in behind but could only clear to Dan Twomey who slotted in from 22 yards. Almondsbury rang the changes and reduced the deficit on the hour, a good ball in was met by Jack Burgess to emphatically head home. But, it was SGS who responded better, Twomey hit a shot destined for the top corner but was denied well by McCarragher. On 75 minutes Arron Sweete looked to be through on goal but was foiled by Alex Hill, Rudy Hill was next to go close but his flicked header from Taylor’s corner came back off the post. Almonds continued to push using set pieces as a route back in but the SGS back line held firm. The game was sealed in the 84th minute, Evan Maidment nutmegged his man out on the right, crossed into debutant Patryk Kosciolek who was initially denied by a great Vinny Coote tackle but the ball came back to him, and he sat his man down before slotting in for 3-1. A win which keeps Gifford in touch at the top.

Wick playing fields was bathed in early spring sunshine for Wick against Chalford as the season enters the home straight. Now it appears to be the time to put down a marker to show who has the ability to go all the way. The first ten minutes in this match however, was scrappy and the first decent chance saw Chalford in front on fifteen minutes. A well-placed ball over the top found Wick’s Liam Robson not having as much time as he thought and he was robbed by Ben Minnican to put the visitors in front. The response was concise and immediate with Bayley Rudge finishing an intricate passing move for the equaliser. Within three minutes of drawing level Wick were in front when a lovely cross by Rudge was headed in by Freddy Taylor-Fox. Jaye Rudge had a good shot cleared as Wick looked to pull further ahead before Taylor-Fox cleared a good Chalford chance off the line. The second half started with a great chance for Ben Sayers who ballooned over from 5 yards. Both teams continued this theme of blasting over for a while and a delay followed for player treatment and Callum Ball was declared fit to carry on. The game entered the last twenty minutes and Rudge crossed for Freddy Mogg only for Portlock to make a great save, then Chalford had a great chance which came off the bar. Mogg then played the pass of the match to Cory Langdon and he delicately finished with the outside of the boot for 3-1. Chalford came back into the game when Andrew Maryon finished well. And there it was, Wick held on for three valuable points and a special mention to Referee Mark Loughlin, who let the game flow, talked to the players, explained all his decisions and played really well.

Broadwell Amateurs were the visitors Hamfields, home of Sharpness on a rare sunny day. Sharpness had more possession and territory in the first half but failed to create any real chances, they looked dangerous from set pieces but the closet they came to 

scoring was a goalmouth scramble but the visiting defence and keeper Jack Watkins kept the ball out. Sharpness continued pressing forward in the second half and nearly took the lead on 55 minutes but Watkins was on hand to tip Palmer’s free kick effort over the bar. That was as close as the Sharks went and it was only Broadwell who looked like scoring in the final 25 minutes. Davies had a good chance when sent in by Belfitt but pulled his shot wide, then Locke struck a powerful shot from a 35-yard free kick but Holder saved to his left. Ten minutes from time Locke was close again when a corner was headed out only to be met by him on the volley, Holder again saving. In the final 5 minutes a long throw was played to Davies who set Dunscombe up but his effort struck the post and in added time Malcom nearly secured a Broadwell win when he latched onto a headed clearance and hit a powerful shot which hit the righthand upright and went wide. Perhaps the pressure is starting to get to Sharpness, who knows. However, an impressive 0-0 result for Broadwell.

Bromley Heath United continued their climb up the table with a 3-0 victory over Totterdown United at Pomphrey Hill. Bromley started the game in determined fashion and within the first ten minutes had forced Ashley Martin in Totterdown's goal to make a very good save and had gone close from a number of dangerous looking corner balls. They were rewarded on the quarter hour mark when Olliie Hanham used his pace to beat the fullback and hit an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box into the top corner of the net. Bromley continued to create chances and have the bulk of the possession and it wasn't until the 38^th minute that Totterdown had their first real chance on goal but Ollie Lovell shot wide of the mark. But Bromley finished the half the stronger team creating a number of good chances just before the break. They deservedly went further ahead when a good effort from Mason Lewis was blocked only to fall to

Trai Elliston-Sackett who made no mistake with the follow up. Bromley started the second half determined to add to their lead, again creating chances in the first ten minutes. Cam Ford and Trai Elliston Sackett both saw their shots saved by Totterdown's keeper. But as the game went on and with the pitch deteriorating the quality of the football suffered a little bit. Totterdown's best chance to claw one back came on 80 minutes when Chas Hemmings headed on from a long throw but the ball was headed wide. Bromley weren't finished and on 90 minutes an incisive move through the centre of the Totterdown defence saw Ollie Hanham grab his second goal of the game to make the final score 3-0. A fair result on the day

Report of our match the previous week.

Gala Wilton took on Henbury & Rockleaze at Fairmile Gardens with both sides desperate for points. After a competitive first fifteen minutes Gala took the lead when Ryan Dobbins played a through ball for Rob Reid to latch onto, round Jordan Dunning and slot home. The remainder of the half was pretty even until just before the break when the game was turned on its head, unfortunately most of the turnaround was of Gala’s own making, firstly a mistake in defence gifted the ball to Drew Sawdon to equalise, then two minutes later an H&R corner came off the head of Harry O’Connor and into his own net. Gala came close to levelling things at the start of the second half, but Dobbins hit the crossbar. But, it was H&R who sealed the points with a late goal for Matt Harrison for a 3-1 win which gives them some breathing space at the bottom, and once again a Gala performance which wasn’t far off the mark, and making next weeks game against Quedgeley of huge importance.

TWO rounds from gracing thew hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium, it’s perfectly naturally to assume that players from the 16 clubs competing in this weekend’s Isuzu FA Trophy and Vase quarter-finals are getting pretty twitchy right now.

So, as a football manager, the question is how do you channel those nerves, excitement, and perhaps a tinge of anxiety, into a winning mentality? Is it possible to keep emotions in check and feet on the ground?

Well, as Hartpury University manager Dr Martin Longworth told me this week, the answer is with great difficulty.

Dr Longworth’s entire Hartpury squad are made up of current students aged between 16 and 25 with dreams of a lasting football careers, and they’re making a pretty good fist of it so far, sitting pretty on top of the Hellenic League Premier Division table on the back of a 27-game unbeaten run stretching back to September.

“It’s really hard to keep a 16-18-year-old’s feet on the ground when you’re two rounds from Wembley and we haven’t shied away from that,” Dr Longwell said.

“We’ve made it very clear that that could happen, there’s no point hiding from it – it’s good motivation for us. “Yes, you’ve got to take each game as it comes but, ultimately, we are potentially two rounds from Wembley.”

Hartpury’s two-game mission starts this afternoon when Southern Counties East League side Erith & Belvedere are the visitors to the Hartpury University Stadium they share with the Rugby Championship club of the same name.

Many people’s favourites for the Vase, Dr Longwell’s men have won all four of their matches 1-0 to get to this stage, could history repeat itself all the way to the semi-finals this afternoon.

In the other quarter-final ties, Southern Counties East League play-off chasers Whitstable Town take on Whitchurch Alport, of the Midland Football League, while bookies’ favourites AFC Whyteleafe, of the Combined Counties Premier South, take on United Counties League Premier North opponents Bourne Town.

Re-instated Andover New Street, reprieved by Roman Glass St George fielding an ineligible player, complete the line-up with the Wessex League side hosting United Counties League side Heanor Town, making the last eight for the first time in their history.

The Isuzu FA Trophy is just as intriguing.

Story of the season, undoubtedly, are Step 4 Isthmian League Division One South East club Sittingbourne FC.

Not only are the Brickies the last non-National League club standing, but they have also won through eight ties, scoring 18 goals along the way.

During that run, Ryan Maxwell’s side have beaten SIX teams on higher standing, including away at National League Southend United in the last round.

According to our friends at @FATrophyFactfile, their run to the last eight in the club’s 50th FA Trophy campaign, is a competition record.

This lunchtime, Sittingbourne host National League Aldershot Town for whom a victory would equal their best Trophy performances to the semi-finals, last achieved 17 years ago.

Since the original Aldershot FC were formed 99 years ago, the club has never reached a Wembley final.

Elsewhere, the Shots’ local rivals, and three times former Trophy winners, Woking, travel to National League North opponents Oxford City who are equalling their best Trophy run from four years ago.

The Hoops will be looking to make it third time lucky against Woking in the FA Trophy having twice exited the competition at the hands of The Cards in the past.

The only other National League North club still involved are looking to prevent their opponents from avenging a past Trophy defeat. Spennymoor Town travel to National League side and 1980-81 Trophy finalists, Sutton United, hoping to replicate their 3-0 victory over the Us from six years ago.

And in the only all-National League affair, Rochdale, in just their second Trophy campaign, host an Altrincham side aiming to try to lift the Trophy for the third time in the club’s history.

One thing’s for sure, they’ll be 16 squads of players going hell for leather this afternoon in a bid to get one step closer to Finals Day on Sunday May 11.

As the great Ossie Ardiles sung during Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup song back in 1981, ‘Ossie’s Going To Wembley, His Knees Have Gone All Trembly’.

If the Vase and Trophy hopefuls aren’t nervous and excited enough this weekend, they’ll be plenty of trembly knees on the terraces, that’s for sure