A warm welcome to Arnall Drive to the players, spectators, and management team of this evening’s visitors Tytherington Rocks.

Last Just there days ago the 1st team were up against Bishops Cleeve Development who I thought were one of the better sides to visit Arnall Drive this season and unfortunately, we lost 1-0. Ther were several positives, however, the season old problem of scoring goals arose again which is something we must correct for next season if we are going to progress and finish higher in the table. Results elsewhere did mean we are now mathematically safe from relegation and we can enjoy the last 5 games of the season.

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.

Regards

Kick Off 3pm (2pm Nov to Feb)

TYTHERINGTON

ROCKS FC

HISTORY

Tytherington Football Club was formed in 1896 by local Headmaster, Mr Emanuel, and others including the Rev John Bingley. Rev. Bingley stipulated that, to gain his
support, the club should play in amber and black, his old college colours at Brasenose, in Oxford.

The club played in the Wotton-Under-Edge League and travelled to away matches by waggonette, a four wheeled horse drawn cart, with seats along both sides. The club played at many different grounds in the early
days, including Mill-Leaze Fields behind the village shop. They eventually found a permanent home at the Hardwicke PlayingFields.

The club used the Swan Inn as their changing rooms until a new pavilion was erected by the Parish Council, on the playing fields in 1938. In the 1920s the club was suspended by the Gloucestershire Football Association for non-payment of a fine. The fine followed a referee being jostled into an adjoining brook after what the home side felt were some dubious decisions! No pay - no play, so Tytherington disbanded until 1932 when
Tytherington Rocks FC was formed, joining the Bristol & Suburban League. War disrupted the local leagues and Rocks re-joined Division 1 in 1947. The same year a youth team called the Pebbles was formed and played in the Gloucestershire JuniorBoys' League.

The 1960s were spent between Division 3 and Division 5. Facilities were upgraded in 1979-80, with new showers and toilet block

History continued

together with electricity! The Reserves reformed in Division 7 and the first team reached Division 1 for the 1987-88 season. 1987-88 saw the formation of the third team joining Division 7 and at the same time Streamside Juniors were adopted as Tytherington Rocks Juniors. A floodlit training pitch was opened in 1988. Rocks entered Premier Division 2 and by 1993
arrived in Premier Division 1. Ground improvements continued with dugouts and perimeter fencing. As Champions of the Bristol & Suburban Premier League in 1997,
it was shock and disappointment when an application to the Gloucestershire County League was rejected. Following rejection, a new bar, separate changing facilities, referees room and a spectator stand raised
the profile of the club and, in 1998, the County League application was successful

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The team survived a diffcult first season but, during the next four years, enjoyed top half finishes and were GFA Challenge Trophy Finalists, League Cup Finalists and, in 2004, were County League Runners-up. Hellenic
League football and Hellenic League status Division 1 [West] arrived in 2004-05. Season 2011-12 was to prove to be the first of three outstanding years for Tytherington Rocks.

The 1st team finished 18 points clear to winthe Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 [West] title, followed by a 3rd place and then champions again in 2014, this time by 5points. Following this success, a transfer request to move to the Toolstation Western Premier League was rejected by the FA. This refusal had a devastating effect on the club

History Continued

with players and team management of both 1st team and Reserve teams leaving in their numbers.

History will record that several managers and committee members worked tirelessly to ensure the survival of the club during the following four seasons The 2018/2019 season ended with all three teams (U18, Reserves and 1st team) all completing their programmes, although they all finished in the penultimate positions in their respective League divisions.

Between August 2019 and now, Rocks haveexperienced major changes both on and off the field including the seasons destroyed by Covid-19. Reserve sides have folded mid-season, an U18 team had run its course and a Ladies team arrived and left. Numerous committee,
management, and playing staff departures and arrivals took place during the two seasons destroyed by the Coronavirus.

One welcome achievement did however materialise. Rocks won the Beaufort Cup, an end of season competition run by the Bristol= Premier Sunday League.
In recent years, the club joined the Toolstation Western League, achieving respectable finishes, including 13th place in the 2021/22 season. After an unconsulted
transfer to the Hellenic League, the Rocks spent several seasons in mid-table,regularly traveling for away fixtures acrossWorcestershire, Warwickshire, Shropshire,
and Oxfordshire. However, due to restrictions imposed by the landlords, the club was unable to carry out necessary stadium improvements. As a result, the
Rocks have chosen to compete in the Gloucestershire County League for the 2025/26 season

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BILLY PULLIN - GOALKEEPER
A talented young goalkeeper with bags of potential. At just 16 years old, Billy shows maturity beyond his years with sharp reflexes and confident distribution. One to watch for in the future.

JON MORGAN - CAPTAIN
Jonathan leads by example with his tough tackling and strength in the air. This season’s club captain will be a great leader on and off the pitch.

NATHAN CROOT - DEFENDER
Experienced and composed, Nathan offers leadership and versatility. Whether anchoring the defence or shielding the back line from midfield, he brings calm and confidence.

CONNOR DAVEY - DEFENDER
An experienced and dependable centre back, Connor is a vocal presence who reads the game superbly. Strong in the tackle and dominant in the air.

KIAN WATMOUGH - DEFENDER

Commanding and assured, Kian is a natural leader at the back. With strength, positioning and a winning mentality, he marshals the defence with authority.

MATHEW SUMNER - DEFENDER
A solid and reliable defender who’s equally comfortable at fullback, Mathew provides consistency and defensive discipline - always tough to beat.

BEN COOK - DEFENDER
Ben’s first season at senior level, he has proved in pre-season he can hold his own. Excellent defensively and a good communicator, he should thrive at the Rocks while
picking up experience.

JACK PULLIN - MIDFIELDER
A true utility man, Jack’s versatility is invaluable. Comfortable in midfield or defence, he brings reliability, strong positioning and a team-first mentality wherever he plays.

JACK HAYNES - MIDFIELDER
Powerful and skilful, Jake dominates the midfield with his physicality and flair. Combines box-to-box energy with technical quality, a key engine in the middle of the park.

JASON NDEREMANI - MIDFIELDER
Calm and composed under pressure, Jason brings balance and control to midfield. His measured style helps dictate the tempo and keep the team ticking over.

ALI AL FADHLI - STRIKER
A tricky, skilful frontman who can turn the defenders inside out. Ali thrives on the unpredictable, using quick feet and sharp movement to unlock defenced. Always a handful for opposition back lines.

TOM BIDDER - STRIKER
Lightning quick and dangerous in one-on-one situations, Tom is pacey wide player who loves taking on fullbacks. Whether cutting inside or whipping in crosses, he’s a constant threat in the final third.

OLLIE BRIGGS - STRIKER
An imposing figure up top, Ollie brings physical presence and no-nonsense finishing to the forward line. Strong in the air and clinical in the box - a classic striker with modern instincts.

RYAN SIMS - STRIKER
Creative and unpredictable, Ryan’s tricky playing style makes him a nightmare to defend against. Always looking to make something happen.

BLAINE SKUSE - STRIKER
A forward– thinking player with great awareness in attacking areas. Blaine combines sharp movement with intelligent link-up play, offering goals and assists

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TOBY WATERMAN - STRIKER
Toby brings an unorthodox edge to the attack. His movement and decision-making catch defenders off-guard, making him a unique and often decisive player in the final third.

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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