Page 14 - Shirehampton FC v Hanham Athletic 301021

LEAGUE REVIEW

Hardwicke were seeking their first win of the season against a high flying Shirehampton side, who are
top of the league. Rather than defending and parking the bus Hardwicke attacked from the start.
Initially the game started at a frantic pace with both teams pressing for an early goal. The first chance fell
to the home side when Sean Clarke crossed the ball to Will Mathews, but he was beaten to the ball by
Shirehampton’s keeper, Matthew Turner. Shirehampton pressed forward and defender Daniel Morne crossed
for Scott Bamford to shoot at goal but was well saved by debutant keeper Jack Straughton. Hardwicke’s
defence of Gittens, Hine and Wellon were disciplined and frustrated by the swift movement of
Shirehampton’s attack.
Both teams continued to seek the initial goal and just before the stroke of half time the home side took the
lead. Sean Clarke took the ball from his own half and passed it to Adam Bloomfield, who raced past the
Shirehampton defence to strike a fierce low drive past the stranded Turner.
The second half started as lively as the first half had finished with both teams playing attractive and attacking
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football. Bamford had another opportunity on the 53 minute but his shot was well gathered by Straughton.
The away side equalised from the penalty spot when Glen Gittens was adjudged to have handled in the
penalty box with Bamford slotting home.
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The game opened up with both teams seeking their next goal. On 75 minutes Hardwicke took the lead when
Straughton’s long kick was headed on by Will Mathews to Pat Vernall who headed home.
This second goal inspired a hungry Hardwicke side and settled the game 3-1 when Freddie Humphries raced
into the Shirehampton half and passed to Pat Vernall to lob keeper Turner from 20 yards.
Quedgeley Wanderers fired five past the English Bicknor defence without reply. In the 15th minute,
Sean Lawson found himself with a one on one with the Bicknor keeper Craig Edwards who brought of a great
save. Quedgeley Wanderers opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Jack Hornby chipped the ball over
the keeper. Early in the second half Bicknor’s George Riley had a great chance to level but hit his shot over
the bar. Rangers took a 2-0 lead on 52 minutes with Ryan Webb hitting a 25-yard free kick past Edwards.
The home side went into a 3-0 lead on 70 minutes when Walt \greenwood set up Nathan Payne to fire home.
five minutes on and it was four when Antonio Forgione scored from 20 yards the ball creeping through the
keeper’s legs. Lewis Cook rounded the scoring off to make it a comfortable 5-0 win for Rangers.
Broadwell Amateurs move into second place after their 3-1 success over Little Stoke. The home side
had a great chance to open the scoring after just two minutes play but Kristian Burnard headed wide. The
only effort on goal from Little stoke in the first 45 minutes came from Jaden Holver who turned on the edge
of the box but then shot wide of the goal. With the score-line level at 0-0 at the break Little Stoke had an
early chance in the second half, but John Pugsley’s shot went over the bar. On 51 minutes Broadwell took
the lead when a poor back pass was picked up by Ethan Wilkins who was quick off the mark and fired his
shot past the advancing Stoke keeper. The lead only lasted four minutes when Jaden Holver turned on the
edge of the box and hit a low shot past keeper Watkins in the home goal. Broadwell retook the lead on 69
minutes from a great free kick delivered into the box by Dan Brain for Ryan Davis to head back to Kristian
Burnard who headed home. The home side sealed the point on 79 minutes when Liam Thomas set up Harry
Williams to strike a great shot into the top corner.
After last week heavy defeat at Sharpness, Bromley Heath United hit back this week to gain a valuable
point at home to Gala Wilton. In a poor game that never really got going the home side went into the break
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with a 1-0 lead with a tap in at the far post by Nathan Rose on 40 minutes. Gala started well in the second
half and levelled the score two minutes into the second half with a goal from Dan Gayner. With neither side
able to add to their tally the game ended in a 1-1 score-line.
Frampton United are still in with a shout for the title with a slender 1-0 win at home to
Henbury. Johnathan Lewis had his long range shot on 12 minutes well saved by the Henbury
keeper. Then on 28 minutes Henbury’s Kane Manning was through on goal but a last-ditch tackle
prevented the forward from scoring. Another cross into the box on 31 minutes found Lewis but
he was unable to finish it off. Henbury were unlucky on 60 minutes when a shot on goal was
superbly tipped over the bar by the home keeper. A few minutes later Ryan Vincent had his shot
well saved and then when Vincent did get the ball in the back of the Henbury net it was ruled
out for offside. Frampton’s Stuart Maule grabbed all three points for the home side in the 82 nd
minute when he raced clear and drove the ball low into the corner of the Henbury net.
Rockleaze Rangers must be wondering what they have to do to start winning again, after going 2-0 up
at half time they conceded three in the second half to lose 3-2 to Ruardean Hill Rangers. The visitors
started well with both Steve Clark and Harry Clark wasting chances. Then Steve Coombs saw his looping