Page 22 - Patchway Town v Stoke Gifford Utd 180223

League Review

Patchway had a couple of chances, Harrison heading wide from a free kick and a great save
by Underwood from his own player Kane Samson, tipped over. In between Hill’s Jones was
through on goal but brought another good save by Burgess. On the hour Stephens drove
wide when squaring back might have been more beneficial. On sixty-seven Brandon Detain
should have reduced the arrears but hit across Underwood and wide. The final twenty was
scrappy and uneventful despite both teams trying to find a way through. 2-0 to Hill and like
I said Patchway Town’s afternoon spoilt.
A mid-ish table affair at Hardwicke with Wick the visitors, the hosts perhaps needing the
points more. Things started brightly with Wicks Joe Beardswell racing down the right
whipping the ball in to Louie Millard whose header was just wide. The game became
somewhat scrappy until the 35 minute when a fierce shot from Wick’s Seb Scott was well
th
blocked by Nathan Barnett. Hardwicke’s Ben King received the ball and sped down the left
and crossed to Taro Weston who fired over. A minute later Wick’s Will Osbourne’s twenty-
yard free kick was well parried by Ollie Hall. A few minutes later another free kick this time
from Liam Troke was again well saved by Hall. Wick took the lead on 55 minutes when
Millard threaded the ball past the Hardwicke defenders and his shot was saved by Hall, but
the ball hit Millard’s knee and went in. On seventy-five it was almost two when Joe Beardwell
dribbled past two defenders but his shot was well blocked by Pat Vernall. Beardswell’s drive
and persistence paid off with 10 minutes to go when his low hard shot flew past Hall for 2-0
to Wick.
With perfect conditions the Stoke Gifford Stadium the crowd were hoping for a great game
of football with Stoke Gifford United and Cribbs Reserves doing well in the league. Both
teams started well exchanging blows (not literally) with each other and both goalkeepers
keeping their sides in it. Kieran Clayton was causing the Gifford defence problems with his
endless running and pushing the defence deeper and deeper and host keeper Lewis Jefferies
was needed at his best. After initial Cribbs pressure Gifford found their feet and both Kerem
Karakus and Michael Barry caused problems and some superb goalkeeping by Harry
Bridgeman kept things level. The second period started at a good tempo and the first big
chance fell to Karakus who fired straight at Bridgeman from twelve yards. Cribbs first goal
came on 54 minutes with a good counter-attack finished off by the ever-dangerous Keiran
Clayton. Gifford pushed for an equaliser but were held back when Cribbs second came in a
move similar to the first when a left- wing break was finished off by Liam Clayton on 62
minutes. The hosts rang the changes in an effort to find a way back in but quarter an hour
from time the visitors wrapped up the points when James Clayton slotted in after poor
defending. 3-0 sees Cribbs Reserves back to the top.
Arguably the game of the day to watch saw Bromley Heath United lose their unbeaten
league run to fellow challengers Rockleaze Rangers. The first half was a cagey affair and
chances were limited with both keepers only having to produce routine saves. The second
half was very much more open with Bromley starting the stronger. After a good period of
possession the lively Ben Ackerman was brought down on the edge of the box and Luke
Bessell’s free kick rattled the bar. Two minutes later at the other end Sam Bailey saw his
header go wide after the hosts defence switched off. Bromley’s turn to attack when the
impressive Jack Withey had a great effort saved by Jordan Dunning only to hit the rebound
wide. The action switched back to Bromley’s goal where Will Ferguson made a brilliant point
blank save when a goal seemed certain. Chances were being created at both ends but it
wasn’t until the seventy fifth minute that the deadlock was broken, substitute George James
scoring with a looping header from an uncontested cross. With the hosts pressing to
maintain their unbeaten run they were caught out at the back when James grabbed a
second with a looping shot after Bromley had failed to clear. 2-0 to Rockleaze and Bromley
fall to fourth – the top three on 32 points Bromley on thirty – all to play for.