Page 11 - Almondsbury FC v Rockleaze Rangers 301223

League Review

tried an outrageous over the shoulder shot from 30 yards that had keeper Jordan
Dunning back peddling to tip the ball onto the bar. Frampton took the lead on 42
minutes when Maule guided the ball in from Finlay’s cross and just on the stroke of half
time it was two, Maule turning in Fin Blythe’s cross. Driver-Dickerson was unlucky to
see his shot come back off the inside of the post. The last fifteen saw Rockleaze pile on
the pressure but Frampton stood firm. Rangers Drew Sawdon had the last chance when
he rose highest from a corner, but his header was just wide and 2-0 to Frampton it
remained.
A goal fest in the Forest where Ruardean Hill Rangers entertained Bromley Heath
United. And only two minutes in Bromley took the lead, a long shot rattled back off
the bar and Cam Ford reacted quickest to hit the rebound home with Aaron Underwood
on the deck. Hills Ollie Mason went on a mazy run and struck from 25 yards bringing a
good save from Will Ferguson. Hill equalised after 21 minutes after Charley Taylor’s free
kick was sliced into his own goal by Luke Bessell. The first half petered out with neither
side able to find the target. After 51 minutes Bromley got a soft penalty and Nathan
Rose sent Underwood the wrong way. Five minutes later Max Telling gambled on a
defensive mix up but unfortunately snatched at his shot. Another Hill chance came as
Alex Stephens spun his defender before smashing his shot into Ferguson’s midriff.
Bromley got their third on 69 with a deep cross into Hill’s box headed back across goal
for Ford to tap in his second. On 75 the fourth came for Bromley when indecisive
defending allowed Aidan Noble to stroke home. Five minutes later Hill pulled one back,
Telling expertly controlling a long throw before swivelling and volleying home. On 82
minutes Hill almost got a third when Ollie Mason’s great cross was met by Steve Clark’s
head, only to rattle the post. Hill did get their third two minutes from the end when a
deep free kick broke to Tom Landon to lash home, but it wasn’t quite enough Bromley
holding out at 4-3.
In the final league match of the day Little Stoke visited Wick and continued good
form with goals from Danny Lane, Phil Vice, and Luke Meacham sealing a
straightforward 3-0 win leaving Wick looking over their shoulders.
Breaking from the League to the League Cup and potentially a good game at Vicarage
Road where Hanham Athletic took on current League leaders Avonmouth who took
the opportunity to field some fringe players but did start the stronger of the two with
an early penalty shout, but play was waved on. Hanham went close on ten minutes
Leon Clayton making room for himself in the box but narrowly shot over. Hanham
almost took the lead on 62 minutes when Paul Coles shot from the edge the ball
cannoning off the bar. Hanham were beginning to dominate, and Coles was close again
just past the post. Avonmouth went close on 82 minutes when Josh Pearce’s run and
shot was brilliantly saved by Sam Brown. Hanham’s winner came in the last minute
when Joel Halls shot came off the bar and hit keeper Tom Bradley on the back for an
unfortunate own goal, and a 1-0 win to take Hanham Athletic into the semis.
To Sharpness for their delayed cup match against Broadwell Amateurs and a
repeat of last season’s final. Sharpness took control in the first half but were unable to
put any of their chances away. Broadwell opened the second half well and almost took
the lead when Thomas lobbed keeper James Russell, but his effort came off the
crossbar. This was a warning that Sharpness needed to raise their game and some
great forward play from Kieran Bennett earned the Sharks a penalty when he was
upended in the box, Will Tainton’s spot kick was well saved by Watkins, but Brad Hewer
was on hand to bury the rebound. Sharpness continued to create from wide areas but
couldn’t find the elusive second. The final 10 minutes saw Broadwell increase their
efforts but resolute Sharpness defending kept them out and 1-0 it remained for a semi-
final spot.