Chairman’s Chat

For the final time during the 2024-25

season, a warm welcome to Arnall Drive to the players, spectators, and management team of this afternoon’s visitors Totterdown United.

The lads have now been beaten just once in the last 15 games, which is an amazing turn around after the situation we found ourselves in towards the end of January. With two league games remaining we hope to finish well and are really looking forward to next Saturday when we take on Frampton United in the Les James League Cup Final at Almondsbury FC. All support is welcome, so please come out in your numbers to cheer the boys on.

Zakis Elghami’s side drew one all last Saturday which meant they will finish 5th which is an amazing finish for a reserve team in Bristol and Suburban Premier Division 1, well dome to all the lads who have contributed this year and in particular well done to Zaki and his management team.

The Sunday team have a cup final tomorrow, coincidentally at Arnall Drove where they will play Heritage United who are a very decent Sunday side with 2-3 former Rockleaze Rangers players so the game could be quite tasty. All the best to the lads as they’ve had an extremely good season

Continued.....

Continued

I’d personally like to thank all of the committee for their continued hard work and especially Ray Bright who behind the scenes produces the best programme in the league, maintains a wonderful website, keeps records and is now our twitter guru.

Finally, please remember ‘we win together, we lose together but most importantly we stick together’.

Andrew

The last few games have had an end of season feel to them, with fatigue understandably creeping in after a month of playing twice a week, with this resulting in drawing a few games that we probably ought to have won. Notwithstanding, the attitude of the lads has been outstanding, showing real resilience and adaptability, with the whole squad being utilised across this busy period. Friday night's game against a strong Quedgeley side could have gone either way, with the visitors shading the first half and H&R coming on stronger in the second. Callum Winter's delightful chipped effort after good work from Moran and Trett was the highlight of the game, with the draw being the fair result, though H&R could have nicked it at the death when Joe Hodson's solo effort curled agonisingly wide of the post.

After a week off to rest and recharge, attention now turns to our final home game of the season against Totterdown Utd, with the lads wanting to finish on a high. Last time out against Totterdown was a tightly contested affair, with H&R emerging 2-1 winners - James Goulden's early effort was cancelled out after Chaz Hemming's superb long range strike was well saved by Harry Trett, only for the ball to ricochet off the post, into Trett and back into the net, before Matt Harrison sealed the win with a volley from close range.

Hope you all enjoy the game as we look to keep this great run and momentum going!

Bradders

                 GLOUCESTER COUNTY LEAGUE

The club was formed in 1964 by a group of school friends and originally played at the old Whitchurch Aerodrome in the Church of England league.

Amongst the group was Jeff Bryant known to all as “Fred”. He dedicated his life to the club, serving as Club Secretary and playing a pivotal role in its survival, especially during the challenging early years. His influence extended beyond the club as he also sat on the league management committee for many years. In 1974, we embarked on a new chapter by moving to Victoria Park Bedminster and joining the Bristol and District league. This expansion led to the establishment of a reserve team in the Bristol and Avon league. Over time, the Reserves transitioned to the Bristol and District League, where they now compete in the Senior Division.

We relocated once more, this time to the Netham playing fields in Barton Hill and then onto the Bristol Imperial Ground now known as the South Bristol Sports Centre where we played for many years.

Another change of grounds saw us play our home games at Brislington Cricket Club for a couple of seasons before we moved to our current home at Bristol Barbarians Rugby Club.

Chairman of the club is Steve Thomas (Tom) who played Centre Forward for the Club from the age of 17 until reluctantly retiring at the age of 42 due to long term knee problems.

Current Manager Jack Thorley joined the club in 2021 and has overseen the most successful period in the clubs history winning the GFA Senior Amateur Cup in his first season and the Bristol Premier Combination League in the season just past.

Ashley Martin -

Maddog is a vocal and agile shot stopper with excellent reflexes, he commands his area and makes big saves when it matters most

Jack Millard -

Rightback with a habit of scoring goals, last year's Managers Player of the Season.

Frazer Clarke -

A perpetual motion machine on the pitch, this fullback possesses an inexhaustible supply of energy.

Jon Roche -

A composed and reliable center-back, calm and collected under pressure.His reading of the game is exceptional, and he rarely gets caught out of position

Sean Torrington -

Club Captain and no nonsense defender, he marshals the defense with his leadership and strong aerial presence

Jack Moon -

Attacking Midfielder with an eye for goal, their ability to arrive late in the box and finish clinically makes them a constant threat to opposition defenses

Jamie Godfrey -

Diminutive box-to-box midfielder with a strong work ethic, first full season with the club.

Chaz Hemmings -

The undisputed main man, combining goalscoring prowess with exceptional link-up play.

George Saunders -

Winger/Striker, A lightning-quick winger with a deadly finish. his pace and direct running style make him a nightmare for defenders.

Oli Lovell -

Dynamic young talent who burst onto the scene with seven goals in his debut campaign. A high energy player, fearless in possession with an exciting and direct style of play.

Isaac Sulyman -

Versatile midfielder who controls the tempo of the game. Possesing an exceptional range of passing and tactical intelligence.

Aaron Thorne -

A dead-ball specialist with a wand of a left foot. Has the ability to unlock defenses with a killer pass.

Callum Pritchard -

A technically gifted playmaker with a flair for the spectacular. His exceptional dribbling skills and vision allow them to unlock defenses with a moment of magic.

Toby Carter -

Possessing exceptional versatility, can seamlessly transition between various positions.

Dan Harrison -

A tenacious and experienced midfielder who relishes the physical side of the game.

Josh Hemmings -

Player Coach, a mercurial attacker possessing a mesmerizing arsenal of feints, tricks, and shimmies.

Stephen Milton -

Experienced player whose ability to read the game and make intelligent decisions allows them to thrive in various roles, making them an invaluable asset to the team

Jack Thorley -

Player manager, capable of playing in multiple positions, Jack of all trade

Thursday 24th April

Almondsbury Crowned Champions

Almondsbury hosted Wick at the Field on Thursday Evening with a crowd of 426 in attendance. With so much on the line a cagey game ensued between two very good sides. Almonds took the lead on 16 minutes when Craig Lancastle fed the ball to skipper Alex Hill down the left, his cross shot beat everyone and went in the top right corner. Second half and on 58 minutes Wick deservedly drew level following a period of pressure a slick passing move left Wick captain Frank Taylor-Fox with a tap in to level. Then on 81 minutes the decisive moment as Almondsbury's Paolo Pali play's a lofted pass through the defence to find Liam Nicholls, whose first touch takes him past the goalkeeper and the second rolls the ball into the empty net for 2-1 to seal the championship for Almondsbury.

A mention for Tim O'Loughlin who has now won the County League three times, this third time coming 21 years after the first with Almondsbury (2003/04) followed up a win with Cribbs Friends Life (2011/12)

Friday 25th April

On a warm Friday evening Henbury & Rockleaze's penultimate home game ended in a 1-1 draw with Quedgeley Wanderers which extended the home team’s unbeaten record and ensured Quedgeley maintained their Gloucestershire County League status. In a game of few chances the first fell to Dan Webb on 17 minutes after the Quedgeley goalkeeper Nathan Charnock miss kicked a clearance to him, however Charnock recovered to gather the long-distance effort. Quedgeley deservedly took the lead on 35 minutes when skipper Sean Lawson had a snap effort from the edge of the area where a slight

deflection wrong footed Harry Trett in the H&R goal to the delight of the away support. H&R huffed and puffed but didn’t create much of interest until the 44th minute when a ball around the corner from Harvey Moran allowed Callum Winter to dink the ball over Charnock to take the teams in level at the break. On 75 minutes Dylan Venn should have done better from a Fin Jenner cross but could only guide his header against the post which then rebounded safely back into the hands of Trett. On 81 minutes Trett made superb save tipping a goal bound effort around the corner from Nathan Payne, however, H&R should have won it on 89 minutes when substitute Joe Hodson did well to beat 2 defenders cut inside but his effort was 2-feet wide of the post when there were men free in the box. Whilst this was a cagey game it was another decent advert for County League football..

Saturday 26th April

Well, everything was cleared up in midweek. As I’ve said for a long time Almondsbury have the points in the bag, and in the end nobody was able to catch them. On Thursday evening they played one of their challengers Wick at The Field, a must win for Almonds and shortly after Wick drew level in the second half there appeared that there was only going to be one winner and it wasn’t the home side. However, Almonds somehow did score for a 2-1 victory to give themselves the title in front of 426 spectators. Almonds have led the way all season and it is appropriate they should win the League having seen off all challengers. To the other end of the table on Friday evening Quedgeley Wanderers gained the necessary point at Henbury and Rockleaze to keep their place in the League for next season and relegating Cheltenham Civil Service.

After the disappointment of Thursday evening Wick faced Ruardean Hill Rangers at The Nest and it was the hosts who started strongest playing some decent football and testing Aaron Underwood early on. The game still had a proper end of season feel with both sides rather slow in and out of possession but on 33 minutes a neat flick from Wick’s Zac Cheetham found Freddie Mogg who expertly finished in the bottom corner for 1-0. Six minutes later Cory Langdon was fouled in the box, got himself up and sent Underwood the wrong way from the spot for 2-0. Into time added on, Tommy Lacey tried his luck from 30 yards and his great strike found the bottom corner for 3-0. With 25 minutes to go a clumsy tackle Frank Taylor-Fox gave Ruardean a penalty from which Charlie Mason sent Kai Wilson the wrong way to pull one back. Three minutes later Ruardean’s Luke Brown picked the ball up on the halfway line and beat three players before firing into the bottom corner for 3-2. All of a sudden, things got a little nervy for the home side but five minutes from time Louis Short worked an angle well and finished smartly into the corner to give Wick a 4-2 win in a competitive game.

Chalford welcomed Broadwell Amateurs and the visitors made a quick start which saw Jamie Creed fire over inside the opening minute, before forcing Sam Neale into palming onto the post on 10 minutes. Jacob Rodgers flashed an effort across the face of goal for Chalford, who weren’t quite up to speed in the first half. Dan Brain volleyed over from a long throw in, before Creed crashed a free kick against the bar, Creed was denied from the edge of the box by Neale again, before the striker latched onto a flick on down the right and sent a dipping volley over Neale from wide on the right hand side.

The second half saw Jamie Lock float a free kick to the back post, but Ryan Harry’s header was straight at Jack Watkins. Just after the hour mark, Neale produce a good save to keep out Jamie Belfitt – with the keeper sticking a right glove up to palm over the bar. Creed then missed his final guilt edge chance of proceedings, dragging wide after getting into space on the right side of the box. And with just under twenty minutes to go, Ryan Outram and Lewis Bainbridge combined well down the left hand side for Chalford, before the driven cross was swept home by Harry. Chalford nearly took the lead moments later, but Adam Foster’s pinpoint cross was once again headed straight at Watkins. Broadwell substitute, Liam Brain, had a great chance in the final five minutes, but after chesting down on the edge of the box – his volley was deflected just wide and with that the points were shared.

Other results this weekend:

Bromley Heath United 0 Frampton United 1

Filton Athletic 2 Hanham Athletic 1

Sharpness 2 Cheltenham Civil Service 0

By Tony Incenzo

CROWN dependencies offshore football clubs have become part and parcel of the Non-League Pyramid in recent years with Guernsey, Jersey Bulls and FC Isle of Man all valued members of our National League System.

But I wondered what the arrangements entail for opposition teams flying across to play on these islands, so I joined the official Southall party heading to Guernsey for their Isthmian South Central; fixture last Sunday to find out more.

The build-up saw Guernsey sending travel details to their opponents. In effect, the host club covers the cost of return flights for a group of up to 25 people from Southall plus coach transport to and from Guernsey Airport. This forms part of Guernsey’s agreement to compete in mainland competitions.

Here is my diary of how the mammoth matchday experience unfolded…

7.00am – Meet up deadline at Gatwick Airport South Terminal. The Southall players arrive on time smartly dressed in club tracksuit tops.

7.15am – Southall’s enthusiastic chairman Sanjeev Sharma does a final headcount to make sure everyone is present. He grins: “I’m feel like I am the players’ dad looking after them all!”

8.00am – We are through security and on to the plane. I am sitting next to Southall manager Max Howell. He admirably video calls his young children prior to take-off.

8.35am – The Aurigny Airline flight to Guernsey departs on schedule. It’s a one-hour journey spanning 160 miles. Also on board are the three match officials for this afternoon’s game. Not surprisingly, they respectfully keep their distance.

1.10pm – I approach Southall director Stephen Harrison for an in-depth chat. His family possess a long association with the club and Stephen outlines how he decided to become a co-owner. In addition, I spot a couple of loyal Southall supporters visiting Guernsey for the weekend.

2.00pm – Kick-off in our Isthmian League South Central Division encounter. Guernsey have the wind behind them and dominate pulsating first half exchanges without scoring. Into the second period, Southall muster a great 20 minutes peppering the home goalmouth. All of a sudden, Guernsey break away and Sam Murray decisively shoots into the net. Two minutes later, Southall are reduced to ten men (Ryan Hope red card) thereby affecting their chances of gaining a positive result.

3.50pm – Final score…Guernsey 1 Southall 0, attendance 891. A vital three points for the ‘Green Lions’ in battling against relegation.

4.20pm – Guernsey serve a delicious sit-down meal of Thai green curry to the Southall party in a reserved section of the plush clubhouse. Yet the West London players are visibly disappoi

nted by the match outcome and eat in near silence.

5pm – The coach returns to take us to the airport ahead of our 6.10pm flight.

7.10pm – After the Southall contingent waited patiently in Departures throughout an unexpected one-hour delay, we embark on our plane back to London. I’m seated again beside manager Max who is considerably deflated by this defeat. He gives me a fascinating blow by blow analysis of the match I’ve just watched. I tell him that he can take plenty of positives from his team’s performance.

8.15pm: We land at Gatwick Airport to conclude our lengthy day out. There are handshakes all around as the exhausted Southall party go their separate ways freshly anticipating local derbies versus Rayners Lane and Uxbridge over Easter.

Needless to say, I was pretty cream crackered when I eventually arrived home, but the trip will go down a

ACTUAL LINE UPS AVAILABLE

15 MINS PRE KICK OFF