Page 21 - Patchway Town v Stoke Gifford Utd 180223

League Review

The merry go round continues at the top this week with Cribbs Reserves taking top spot after
Bromley Heath United slip up for the first time this season at home to fellow challengers
Rockleaze Rangers. Gala Wilton maintain a strong challenge.
We start with Gala Wiltons visit to bottom side Henbury where they came away with a
seemingly straightforward 3-0 win. But it was Henbury who started brightly with two early
chances, the first struck the bar and another was well saved by Todd Holder in the Gala goal.
Further pressure by the hosts saw a twelfth-minute shot from Rhys Iles tipped over by
Holder who was in action again to keep out a half volley by Chigo Ude. However the visitors
settled and took the lead on 22 minutes when a free kick into the six yard box was headed
home by Martin Smith. On 65 minutes the lead was doubled when Craig Howell slotted home
and a few minutes later the points were wrapped up, but only following yet another good
save from Holder from which Gala immediately broke down the left and substitute Ben
Sluman converted to secure the three points.
To the lower end of the League at Tewkesbury Road where Cheltenham Civil Service took
on Quedgeley Wanderers with both sides coming into this off the back of important wins
adding a little extra spice. Service got off to a flying start when on two minutes Lewis
Driscoll’s through ball found Brett Blake in the left channel who finished superbly with a
well-placed lob over the on-rushing Charnock. The lead was doubled on 10 minutes, a long
throw from Driscoll was half cleared to Jamie Lewis who drove in to the bottom corner. With
the game at a quick pace Service had the upper hand although Sean Lawson was prominent
for Wanderers. The visitors suffered further when Charnock had to be replaced in goal by
Taylor. Further pressure by the hosts saw Carl Griffiths blaze wide when well placed. A third
seemed inevitable and came just before the break when Griffiths broke down the right,
squared to Blake who slotted in. Quedgeley were much improved at the re-start moving the
ball quicker and seeing Howgate pull his shot from the edge wide. It was Service however
who got their fourth when Lewis played through for Blake to complete his hat trick. The
game became stretched with both keepers having to be alert. Quedgeley got a deserved
goal when Ryan Hunt broke down the right his initial pass half cut out but fell to Lawson to
finish well. Both sides were seeking more goals, Dorian Colling blazing over for Wanderers,
Finch and Lewis stinging the hands of Taylor. Quedgeley had the final say in the last minute
when another half clearance saw the ball played back in and Ollie Curtis diverted past Cheal
for a final score of 4-2 to Service.
Hovering on the outside of the challengers a win was important for Sharpness in their local
derby at Frampton United's Bell Field. Sharpness started brightly but it was Frampton with
the first chance when Craig Mills laid the ball to Jonno Willets whose effort was easily saved
by Truan Taylor. In the 12 minute a Sharpness free kick was headed back across the goal
th
but Jordan Rouse headed into the hands of Tom Kaye. The Sharks gained a deserved lead
after a low cross into the box eluded everyone to leave Rory Cawkwell to tap in at the back
post. Kaye did well to tip a header from a Sharks corner over the bar. With Frampton
pressing a Driver-Dickerson cross found Craig Mills who headed just over. Mills had another
chance when he broke free but his shot skimmed the bar. Frampton equalised after a third
consecutive corner when Dom Brown rose highest and sent a bullet header into the roof of
the net. Truan Taylor preserved The Sharks point saving well at the feet of Harvey Cowley
and right at the death thwarted Stuart Maule and 1-1 it ended.
To the Forest and to Ruardean Hill Rangers, one of these sides who usually spoil
someone’s Saturday and this time it was struggling Patchway Town. The game was only
three minutes old when Jones got Hill ahead after a ball across by Ollie Mason by not dealt
with by the defence. Patchway’s Ollie Bacon almost caught Aaron Underwood out hitting the
top of the crossbar. On six minutes Jones blocked an attempted Patchway clearance and
after juggling with his head volleyed narrowly wide. After twelve minutes a one-two between
Ollie Mason and Kane Samson saw Mason through on goal but he steered his shot wide. A
few minutes later it was two, a glorious, floated ball from Charlton evaded the defence and
Alex Stephens steered past Sam Burgess. With Hill dominating another save by Burgess from
Stephens who made his own room in the box. Three minutes before the break it should have
been three, but Jones struck wide after turning the defence. Early in the second half