Page 13 - Cheltenham Saracens v Long Crendon 170224

League Review

Premier Division leaders Worcester City powered into the quarter finals of the
Isuzu FA Vase with a handsome 5-1 away win at Midland League Stourport
Swifts. Kyle Belmonte scored twice, Jamie Insall, Kirk Layton and Liam Lockett the
others as they cruised through to a last eight tie against Emley, who currently lead
the Northern Counties East Premier Division.
In an important game in the race for the play-offs, Roman Glass St. George were
sunk 2-1 at Fairford Town who remain in fourth spot as a result. Shea
Bennington-Mannings goal was not enough for Saints who went down to goals
from Jamal Lawrence and Ellis McSherry for the home side.
Cawley Cox and Carlos Moreira netted to give Hereford Pegasus a 2-0 win at
Worcester Raiders in the only other Premier Division fixture played on Saturday.

The First Division was a little more successful in terms of getting fixtures played.
Runaway leaders Hartpury University travelled to Tytherington Rocks and
went back to Cheltenham with a 2-1 win despite falling behind to Nathan Croot for
Rocks. Riley McGregor equalized for the Students right on half time, and Ben Baxter
snatched all three points for the leaders with a goal two minutes before the end,
and stretched their lead to 16 points.
FC Bristol kept their play-off hopes alive with a vital narrow 1-0 win at fellow
challengers Devizes Town with a goal from prolific goal scorer Sacha Tong.
Hoping to make up ground on the play-off race are Calne Town and FC Stratford
and both recorded victories. Calne had the better share of six goals at home to
Shortwood United. Gabe Costello 2, Sam Francis and Stuart Windsor earned
them a 4-2 win, with Finlay Byrnes and Martin Smith hitting back for United.
Stratford ran out 3-1 winners over Abingdon United with goals coming from
Daniel Atkins, Toby Nicoll and Collins Tanor. Casey Highmoor notched a consolation
goal for Abingdon.
Both clubs still have significant work to do to make an impact on the top five places.
Chipping Sodbury Town gained a point from a 1-1 draw at Stonehouse Town.
Archie Williams was the marksman for Sodbury, whilst Nicholas Humphreys levelled
for Stonehouse.
Long Crendon gave themselves hope of survival when they beat Southam
United 4-0 thanks to Liam Burt 2, Tijeanne Bartley and Harry Pettingell. They then
followed this by pipping Shortwood United 1-0 on Tuesday evening. The result
lifts them out of the bottom two places for the first time in a long while.