Page 9 - Almondsbury FC v Bromley Heath 040524

League Review

Hardwicke lose fight for County League
survival

Mark Simpson

Unfortunately, Hardwicke take one of the bottom two places after their
home defeat to Frampton United, and its going to be a nervy finish for
the four teams above them. In midweek Bromley Heath United had a
home win over Broadwell Amateurs 3-1, Avonmouth defeated
Rockleaze Rangers 6-2 at KGV and were presented with the
Championship Cup, Almondsbury won 1-0 at Wick, Hanham Athletic
lost in the County Cup Final, and also lost at Bromley Heath United 1-0,
and Sharpness against Quedgeley Wanderers was not played due to
the Referee being delayed on the M5.

Hardwicke took on local rivals Frampton United at Green Lane needing
to secure all three points to avoid relegation. Both teams were fairly even
in the opening ten minutes, testing each other’s resolve. Frampton started
to up their game and fifteen minutes in Henry Driver-Dickerson crashed the
ball against the bar from 30 yards. Two minutes later the lively Henry was
brought down by Josh Stevens and he slotted home the resultant penalty.
Their only other chance in the first half fell to George Blythe whose fierce
shot from 30 yards was well saved by Jack Sargeant. Hardwicke battled in
midfield, but it wasn’t until just before the break for their first chance with
Pat Vernall’s header just wide. Frampton started the second period on the
front foot with Driver-Dickerson testing Sargeant from thirty yards and ten
minutes later he was causing problems, his cross cleared by Vernall. The
resulting corner by George Driver-Dickerson was firmly met by Nathan
Dennis’s head and was just over. The two Driver-Dickersons combined well
and Henry fed George whose shot was saved by Sargeant’s feet. With ten
minutes to go Hardwicke’s Jacob Waddington fouled Jacob Geddes and
Henry scored his second penalty of the game. Unfortunately for Hardwicke
they take one of the two bottom places losing 2-0.

After a disappointing week for Hanham Athletic they took a trip up
to Ruardean Hill Rangers (second time this season the first one
abandoned) and the first chance was for Hill after quick passing sees Steve
Clark find some space outside the box and tried to lob Sam Brown who just