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

Last Saturday saw the 1^st team get a 1-1 home draw against local rivals Cribbs Reserves, it was a game we should have won but once again suffered from some indifferent finishing.

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 already, which is inevitably ensuring we remain busy.

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.

Regards

Kick Off 3pm (2pm Nov to Feb)

Bishop's Cleeve

Much of the club’s history was spent battling for survival with a nomadic existence seeing us play across multiple counties and multiple places in the village. Bishops Cleeve FC were founded in 1905 and started life locally in the Cheltenham League, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, first winning CAFL silverware when we lifted the Division Two title in 1924/25 and again in 1930/31. We won Division One at the first time of asking and repeated this feat in 1934/35. After World War Two we lifted the Division Two title during the 1958/59 season and would be crowned Division One champions four times between 1962 and 1967, earning a place in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League.

The Gloucestershire Northern Senior League would provide little opposition to the club as it continued its upward charge with the Division Two title won at the first time of asking and Division One being won in 1968/69, winning promotion to the Southern League for the very first time as Premier Division runners up in 2005/06. We would first play in the Southern League One Midlands before moving into Division One South & West in 2008, which later became Division One South, and where we would stay until relegation in 2018. COVID interrupted any title Division charges and promotion plans during our spell back in the Premier Division of the Hellenic League but Paul Collicutt’s return to the club led to our runaway title win in 2021/22 with ‘Colly’ leading us to the Southern League for the second time.

We now enter our 120th anniversary season with the celebrations beginning with the game between Bishops Cleeve Legends and United Legends here at the Everyone’s Energy Kayte Lane Stadium. As we’ve mentioned countless times already and will mention countless times We’d fall to defeat against Chesham United after a replay in the following round but the history wouldn’t stop there the 2024/25 season continued to be a successful one for the club. We smashed our highest ever finish record after a 1-0 win over Evesham United sealed third place. more, we’re incredibly proud of every person that has helped make this club into what it has become and today is just part of us showing our gratitude and showing how grateful we are to every single player, coach, supporter, casual, mascot, volunteer, member of staff and everyone else out there who have helped us get here.

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It now seems highly unlikely that Sharpness will not take the title, and at the bottom it seems that the battle to avoid the second relegation place will be between Cribbs and Totterdown with Hanham unlikely to escape. In midweek Sharpness play their title rivals Filton whilst Cribbs play Frampton and Hanham play H&R. Interesting.

At the Rec. Ruardean Hill Rangers took on a vastly improved Tytherington Rocks and it was Hill who made the early running but Rocks almost took an early lead when after a good move the ball fell to Mat Sumner who slammed it against the bar, and straight up the other end a great through ball found Alex Stephens who shot across the goal bringing a great save from Baker in the Rocks goal. Tytherington had the lead in the 10th> minute when Ashley Sims got the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a brilliant strike which went in off the crossbar. Hill were looking for an equaliser and got a corner which Charley Mason whipped in and Landon’s header landed on the roof of the net and on 25 minutes a good move by Hill saw the ball worked to Steve Clark and his curling effort just missed the post. Hill continued to dominate possession but right-on half-time Rocks almost got a second when Ollie Briggs shot hit the post. In to the second half and Clark tried his luck from 25 yards his effort swerving just over. But it was a mistake in midfield that saw Sumner pick up a loose header and passed the ball under Underwood for two-nil. Hill perhaps should have got one back on 73 minutes when Clark was one-on-one with Baker but the Rocks keeper made the save. Rocks made it 3-0 on 78 minutes when a harmless cross into the box was dropped by Underwood allowing Sims to tap home. 

A late corner from Clark was met by Josh Sladen and the ball flashed across the goal and wide which summed up Hill’s afternoon in what was a comfortable 3-0 Rocks win in the end.

At the SGS Stadium local rivals Stoke Gifford SGS United and Filton Athletic met on a bright sunny April afternoon and the game started at a fast tempo with both teams playing good attacking football. A Trey Merrett effort was well saved by Taylor Smith between the Gifford sticks and Ethan Tucker came close to giving Gifford an early lead. It was Filton who edged in front after 15 minutes when Fraser Venables cut in from the wing and unleashed a shot from distance that sailed over Smith and two minutes later it was 2-0, Venables free kick could only be parried by Smith and in the resulting scramble a Gifford defender’s clearance found the back of the net. Gifford pressed forward and were rewarded with a penalty, with the Filton keeper seeing red and Patryk Kosciolek dispatching the kick past the stand-in keeper. Gifford, however, were unable to take advantage of the extra man and in first half stoppage time were also reduced to ten men. Gifford could have equalised straight after the break but, Dan Twomey’s header was straight into the arms of the keeper. But on 55 minutes Merrett’s shot from the edge of the box squirmed under Smith to extend the Filton lead. Both teams created chances to score but, none were taken and with 15 minutes remaining Filton were reduced to nine men, but were able to see the game out for a 3-1 win to keep their faint hopes of the league title alive.

Quedgeley Wanderers met Wick at Waterwells looking to put in a strong performance and it was clear that both sides were up for the contest. QW looked lively from the start moving the ball well in the early stages with Billy Osabuohien playing a neat ball through to Seb Keith whose effort was blocked for a corner. Wick responded quickly on the counter and from a set-piece the ball was fired over. Quedgeley continued forward with Ben Langworthy delivering a dangerous ball in which was safely claimed by keeper Josh Brown. Moments later Stokes slipped Osabuohien in only to be flagged offside. Wick began to grow into the game and their best chance in the fifteenth minute brought a point-blank save from Steve Sparrow. As the half wore on QW continued to create chances and Osabuohien went close when through on goal but a recovering defender cleared with Brown beaten. Despite Quedgeley’s positive spells it was Wick who broke the deadlock on 44 minutes with a well-timed ball played in behind the defence allowing Sam Archer to finish clinically. Wick tested Sparrow early in the second half but QW continued to battle with Stokes creating another chance for Osabuohien but he shot narrowly wide. The game became somewhat scrappy with a series of free kicks and throw ins disrupting the rhythm and with Wick looking dangerous from set-pieces and wide deliveries, Quedgeley had to work hard to find any openings and although Langworthy continued to provide some quality balls into the box and Reynolds tried his luck from distance Wick remained organised and QW never found a breakthrough and in the end Wick’s first half goal proved enough for three points.

A bright and sunny day at Arnall Drive for H&R’s reunion day saw a healthy crowd witness a decent game of football between Henbury & Rockleaze and Cribbs Reserves. H&R got off to their customary slow start with Cribbs applying early pressure with Abdel Bangoura’s effort turned round the post by Harry Trett. On 22 minutes H&R awoke and Tommy Collins saw his effort saved by the legs of Cribbs custodian Jude Brown. On 28 minutes Rhys Murphy’s shot was tipped over by Brown but 5 minutes later disaster struck for H&R when Trett was lobbed from 30 yards by James Capon. On 36 minutes another Collins effort was well saved by Brown and a few minutes before the break Danny Burd had a chance that was again, dealt with by Brown. On 51 minutes Trett atoned for his earlier error saving well at the feet of Alex Craig, and five minutes later a rasping volley from Jordan Buckett was brilliantly turned round the post by Brown. However, on the hour Sawdon headed in the equaliser following a scramble in the box. On 81 minutes from another corner H&R should have won it but George James never got enough on his header. H&R created enough chances but Cribbs dug in for a share of the points in their quest to stay up. 

At Vicarage Road Athletic entertained Chalford. Hanham started the better but it was Chalford who took the lead on 20 mins with there first attack a great through ball was taken down by marshall who’s run and cross was turned in at the far post by Tyrel Roberts. Hanham had a chance to equalize early in the second half but Paul Cole’s great cross was headed over by Lewis Williams. Hanham had a better chance on 53 but after getting into a great position Coles shot over when he really should of hit the target.  

More chances came firstly a volley by Williams was brilliantly turned over then somehow Coles hit the bar twice after a scramble in the box. Hanhams dominance finally paid off when on 75 mins when a ball over the top was converted by Preston Webb who held off a couple of challenges.

Sharpness played hosts to local rivals Frampton United on a sunny afternoon at Hamfields It was the sharks who struck first after 25 mins. A great through ball by James Tainton put Kieran Bennett through 1 on 1 and he slotted the ball home. Frampton nearly equalised when a corner went through a crowd of people but Tom Palmer was on hand to excellently clear the ball off the line. Pete Dykes was put to the test soon after but made a good save from a Frampton free kick and had to make two more saves shortley after. The Sharks had loads of chances but failed to work the keeper but finally doubled their lead 5 mins before half time . A Marley Thomas corner was met by a great header from James Priday, Sharpness scored early in the 2nd half to make it 3-0. Bennett did brilliantly to slip past & hold off two defenders before unselfishly passing to James Tainton who calmly slotted home. Frampton kept knocking on the door but Dykes was in fine form. Manolo-Espada saw his point blank header well saved & Lewis Vye also saw his effort well saved by Dykes. Sharpness wrapped up the game with a 4th goal. A great turn on the half way line by James Tainton which got him in behind the defence & he made no mistake expertly chipping the keeper to make the final score 4-0.

Totterdown United hosted Broadwell Amateurs at Norton Lane. The weather was good with the sun shining and wind relatively calm. Broadwell started the brighter of the teams but were limited to shots from distance. The First Half was quiet in terms of chances, a free kick was tipped over by Martin in Totterdowns goal around the 30th minute. This seemed to spark Totterdown into life who finished the half strongly forcing a good save from the Broadwell keeper. Totterdown stated the second half as they finished the first. They were on top and finally found a breakthrough when Prices shot was handled by a Broadwell defender as it was goal bound. Yellow card and penalty, Chaz Hemmings calmly slotted home to make it 1-0. Totterdown had another great chance to increase their lead but Saunders shot was saved at the near post. Broadwell broke down Totterdowns right hand side around the 60th minute and a cross saw 2 deflections and a wicked spin on the ball drop to Nathan Davies who tucked home from close range. The game seemed to stagnate from here with the best chance falling to Broadwell who saw a cross drop to a forward but he hit his shot straight at Martin who gathered well. Saunders was dangerous on the left wing for Totterdown and saw 2 great crosses miss the incoming Totterdown forwards who couldn’t make it count. Final score was 1-1 which was a fair reflection of the game. The match was played in good spirit and the referee had a great game.

AMIDST the highs and the lows, the thrills and the spills, of another spell-binding Non-League season, it all boils down to this.

Thirty-eight weeks of action, through the wind, rain, sleet and snow, and now just 90 minutes remain before the final whistle is blown on a captivating campaign.

Ever since Cobham FC became English football’s first champions of 2025-26 by waltzing to the Combined Counties Premier South title on March 10, champagne corks have been popping up and down the country with managers, players and supporters alike celebrating joining the Non-League Roll of Honour.

But the elite list of title winners is yet to be complete with plenty of honours still left to play for as we enter this final Saturday of the regular season.

None more so than the most coveted accolade of them all in the Non-League game.

The Rochdale versus York City title decider in the National League has been dubbed as Non-League football’s greatest ever showdown with this afternoon’s Spotland winner earning their place back in the Football League. A draw will see York City progress by two clear points.

For the loser, though, it’s the unenviable task of picking themselves up for the play-offs, despite amassing well over 100 points.

And as York proved last season after racking up 96 points before bombing out 3-0 at home to eventual winners Oldham Athletic, that’s not easy.

This year’s play-off places in the National League may already be settled but the battle is still on for a vital home draw in the Eliminators.

Last Saturday’s 3-0 win at Morecambe ensured Luke Garrard’s Boreham Wood are assured of one, while Scunthorpe United can clinch the other with victory over Eastleigh this afternoon.

Just like 12 months ago, resurgent Southend United are in the mix, with they and Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers battling for sixth place.

Perennially, National League North and South tend to go down to the wire and it’s no different this year with both the title – and promotion places – very much up for grabs in both.

In the North, South Shields’ failure to beat Bedford Town at home last Saturday could prove crucial as AFC Fylde regained top spot by two clear points and a two-goal better goal difference, courtesy of their 4-0 win over Southport.

Both face tough away games this afternoon – leaders AFC Fylde at play-off chasing Merthyr Town, the Mariners at Kidderminster Harriers, who are assured of third place and a home play-off semi-final.

Who they play, though, is anyone’s guess with as many as six teams vying for the remaining three play-off places.

Worthing’s promotion party was royally spoiled by Maidstone United last Saturday, but the Rebels still lead the way in the South by a single point from Hornchurch ahead a swashbuckling final game against Ebbsfleet United today.

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Continued in Tuesday's Programme  

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