Address

Marcliff

Unit A1-A2

The Badminton Centre

Station Road

Yate, Bristol

BS37 5HT

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday

8.30am - 5.00pm

Saturday

8.30am - 12.30pm

Sunday - Closed

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

This Les James League Cup 1^st round tie is only Ruardean’s second match of the season so they will be keen to impress after not playing for 4-weeks. This is also an opportunity for us to go ‘deep’ into the competition and hopefully go one better than we did 2-years ago when we were beaten finalists.

Last Saturday we played Chalford at Arnall Drive and had a superb 3-0 win. Without anything too ‘flashy’ we probably played the best we have this season with some lovely combinations developing across the pitch and you could visibly see that the hard work on the training pitch is beginning to pay off. With 4 of the 5 new signings playing minutes during the game it was really pleasing to witness how quickly they have integrated into the group, with all of the players enjoying each other’s company on and off the field.

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 in whatever area interests you. We are always looking for more help with match days, pitch works, fundraising or just being part of an active committee.

Finally remember ‘We win together, lose

together but more importantly we stick

together’. #UTHR

Regards

Andrew

Good afternoon, everyone,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the players, management, and supporters of Ruardean Hill Rangers to Arnall Drive for today's Les James League Cup fixture.

Last Saturday saw what was arguably our most complete performance of the season so far. We combined the attacking quality that our play deserved with a disciplined defensive display when it mattered most. Particularly pleasing was the way the team responded after being reduced to ten men for the final 15 minutes, showing great character, organisation, and commitment to preserve a well-earned clean sheet.

Today's cup tie provides a welcome break from league action and presents an excellent opportunity to utilise the depth of our squad and give players the chance to contribute as we continue our campaign.

In terms of team news, Joe Hodson is unavailable due to a hip injury, while Kingsley Miller serves a suspension. However, we are pleased to welcome Tommy Collins and Kane Mannings back into the squad.

Thank you, as always, for your

continued support. We greatly

appreciate your backing and

hope you enjoy today's match.

2027

Ruardean Hill Rangers play their football on the highest point in the Forest of Dean, 920 feet above sea level.

Formed in 1919, Ruardean Hill played in the old Forest of Dean league until its termination in the late 1950’s where they moved into the North Gloucestershire League and have remained there in some capacity ever since.

Ruardean Hill gained their first promotion to the Northern Senior League in 1994/95 and competed here for several seasons before being relegated in 2001. Immediately gaining promotion the following year only to be relegated again in 2004. In the 2011/12 season they gained a last day promotion back to the senior league and also reached the final of the ‘Amateur Cup’. The 2012/13 season brought the club its first promotion to the Northern Senior League Division 1 for back to back titles. The ‘Hill’ finished in the top eight for each of the next three seasons before finally winning the Division 1 title last season scoring an incredible 125 goals and conceding just 34 in 35 games. Ruardean Hill’s current first team has a good mixture of youth and experience

The club’s promotions owe a lot to the depth of its other senior teams and the junior ranks. Ruardean Hill now field 3 senior teams and a Under 14’s team who became Champions of their league and gained promotion to Division 1 of the Cheltenham Youth League last season with a un defeated season.

The club are this season competing in their 9th season in the Marcliff County League and are hoping for a strong showing again this year having established themselves.

Aaron Underwood (Goalkeeper)

1 of the longest serving players in the squad. Great shot stopper who can also start defence to attack very quickly with his direct kicking. Big presence in the dressing room.

Steve Bowles (Goalkeeper)

Great competition with Aaron for the number 1 spot. Steve has had spells with Cinderford Town in the past. Steve is a keeper who is quick off his line and comfortable with the ball at his feet

Bobby Walding (Defender) 

Bobby who has had a spell as a striker in the past, has certainly found his position at centre back. Great organiser of the defence. Likes a good battle with opposing strikers.

Jack Meek (Defender)

Quiet man of the team. Always in the right place at the right time. Reads the game very well and plays the game very chilled out.

Ricky Tingle (Defender)

Rick covers the ground well and looks to play football from the back. Loves an opportunity to get forward and score. Great in both boxes.

Blaine Smith (Defender) 

Blaine will bring great county league experience to the club having previously played for Broadwell. Going to add physical presence to the squad. Will cause plenty of problems to opposing teams at set pieces

Dan Bowles (Defender)

1st full season with the club who also plays for Cinderford Town U18’s. Dan is a proper defender who likes to battle with the opposing strikers. Doesn’t lose much in the air.

Great Drummer.

Isaac Hatcher (Midfielder)

Another young player who is in his 1st full season with the club. Played the second half of last season with 2nd team winning Players Player of the Year. Great energy and pace to burn. Can play anywhere in midfield and up front.

Dan Matthews (Midfielder)

Dan is a player again with great energy and never stops running. Can play anywhere along the midfield and like to get a good tackle in. Reliable !!

Ryan Smith (Midfielder)

New signing for the Club. Going to be a great addition with the ability to play ion numerous positions. Will hopefully add good competition to the squad this season.

Mitch Griffin (Midfielder)

Mitch likes to get the ball down and take people on. Can play on either wing. Great work rate and always puts a shift in for the team.

Stuart Cornwell-Boote (Midfielder)

Stu loves taking defenders on. He loves nothing better than a good nutmeg. Great team player. He is 1 of the older players in the squad. Loves a trip to the park.

Dan Mason (Midfielder)

Dan will be like a new signing this season. Spent most of last season injured or suspended. Great character around the dressing room. He can play anywhere in midfield and loves to put a tackle in.

Steve Coombs (Midfielder)

Vital cog to the team in the engine room. Long serving member of the club. 1 of the best passers of the ball in the squad, rarely giving the ball away. Has started to add goals to his game.

Charley Mason (Midfielder)

Great engine who has a great eye for a pass. Doesn’t mind a tackle either. Set piece delivery excellent. Charley likes to get the ball down on the floor and play.

Luke Brown (Midfielder/Forward)

Club Captain. Always looking to play the game the right way. Has the ability to play anywhere. Work rate is 2nd to none. Likes to score goals from midfield.

Ben Ball (Midfielder)

1st full season in men’s football. Likes to get on the ball and has a great eye for a pass. Will learn loads this season.

Kane Fellows (Midfielder/Forward)

Very committed. Kane can play anywhere in midfield or up top. Not afraid to put the foot in if needed. His movement can cause teams a lot of problems.

Luke Johnson (Forward)

Luke loves to put the ball in the back of the net. His tireless running for the team is a massive addition to the team. Defenders nightmare with his running.

Shaun Tingle (Forward)

Shaun’s work rate and hold up play is immense. Does not lose much in the air. Gets his fair share of goals too.

Although it is early in the season there is already a pattern beginning to develop with only Henbury & Rockleaze and Broadwell Amateurs with 100% winning records and a top and bottom half beginning to form. 

After heavy rain all morning, the sun came out to brighten up the day at Arnall Drive for Henbury & Rockleaze against Chalford, and the home team duly delivered. There was a lot of pressure on the Chalford backline from the first whistle resulting in one or two shouts for penalties for the home faithful, and at the third appeal the Referee pointed to the spot after Joe Hodson was upended by Sam Neale. Hodson picked himself up and smashed the ball into the bottom left corner for a 16th minute lead. On 35 minutes Harvey Moran went on a mesmerising run and after cutting inside his curling shot came back off the crossbar and just two minutes later he had a rasping effort comfortably saved by Neale. In the 44th minute Chalford’s Warren Thomas stole into the 6-yard box but his flicked effort was superbly saved by Harry Trett. H&R started the second half strongly and two minutes in Neale did well to deny Drew Sawdon’s flicked header, and then Abdul Bangoura had an audacious volley that flew just wide with Neale rooted to his spot, and on fifty minutes Moran got away down the right and his pinpoint cross was smashed home by Kingsley Miller for two-nil. It was all H&R now although Chalford were defending well. On the hour Sawdon got away from his man in the middle of the park and drove towards the box playing in Nick Jones whose cross was bundled in by James Capon and at 3-0 the game began to peter out and, even with Miller picking up a second yellow, it was nonetheless an impressive performance by the home team with a comfortable win.

The heavens opened an hour before the Wick against the University of Bristol game and left the pitch under water but after an inspection the downpour had been absorbed leaving perfect playing conditions and the match started with both teams playing to feet with Wick having the better of the opening exchanges. Bayley Rudge shot wide after four minutes and had a free kick just over on 13 minutes. Uni had their first shot on 18 minutes, with an attempt to lob Goradz Gigov, which went wide. Most of the play was in the middle of the park with chances were few and far between. A delightful through ball by Matt Huxley almost allowed Wick to open the scoring but for a brave stop by keeper Max Diment. The first half finished with Wick having the better of the play without creating an awful lot and it was the Uni who almost scored straight after the break with the shot striking the post. The University side now started to dominate and on 57 minutes slick football on the right released Khoa Dao on a surging run into the Wick box and he powered his shot past Gigov for 1-0. Three minutes later more great play down the right led to another chance this time forcing Gigov into a great save. Wick reshuffled in an attempt to get back into the game but to no effect and into added time Sebastien Tolosa broke through for the University and fired past Gigov for a fairly straight forward 2-0 win.

At Norton Lane it was Totterdown United against Broadwell Amateurs, a game that started tightly contested but it was Broadwell who took the lead when a loose ball was played into Jamie Creed who took his shot early and rattled it into the top corner for 1-0.

Not much really happened for the rest of the half other than both sets of players bickering over petty fouls. Totterdown came out well in the second half, Josh Hemmings together with some good play from Dray Walker found Jacob Godfrey who slotted home for 1-1, but not long after some more decent play from Creed led to what seemed a dubious penalty decision which he dispatched for 2-1. More good work from Creed followed after a throw in near the bottom corner saw him dispatch the ball for his hat-trick and 3-1. Totterdown tried to bite back but Lovell took a heavy touch when played through, and it became 4-1 with Creed scoring again, this time from outside the box, his shot struck low and into the corner. A frustrating day for the home side, who managed to get a team together despite missing ten players, but a great day for Jamie Creed and for Broadwell to take three points back to the Forest.

Nigel Meaney

First Round draws for the Les James League Cup sponsored by Boca Teamwear was made at the League Meeting earlier week and the full draw is as below.

With Bromley Heath United withdrawing from the league there is a Bye in the first round and holders Frampton United remained the last team in the bag to claim the Bye.

Last season's runners up Quedgeley Wanderers host Tewkesbury Town.

New team University of Bristol will host Filton Athletic in a reverse on their league opener.

Our other new team Longlevens Reserves will host Chalford.

First Round

• AFC Mangotsfield Rocks v Broadwell Amateurs
• University of Bristol v Filton Athletic
• Henbury & Rockleaze v Ruardeam Hill Rangers
• Stoke Gifford SGS United v Totterdown United
• Bishops Cleeve Development v Wick
• Longlevens Reserves v Chalford
• Quedgeley Wanderers v Tewkesbury Town
• Frampton United - Bye

All games to be played on Saturday 5^th September

. Venue subject to confirmation as Ties can be reversed if the ground is not available.