Page 10 - Almondsbury FC v Broadwell Amateurs 130124

League Review

Frampton United pass Little Stoke Test

Mark Simpson

Plenty going on to start the new year with five games surviving the weather and
Frampton United proving once again to be one of the most consistent teams in
the League, always there or thereabouts and certainly a good test for anybody is
a visit to Little Stoke, a test they passed with flying colours. Towards the bottom
a vital win pulled Gala Wilton out of the bottom two.

To Little Stoke Park where Frampton United passed their stiff test. The game
started slowly with neither team creating anything of note. But it was Frampton
who opened the scoring on 25 minutes, Dom Brown nodding in a corner. Soon
after Frampton got a second, always deadly on the counter, Henry Driver-
Dickerson with the goal. Into the second half and Frampton were content to sit
on their lead although Little Stoke created many a chance with Luke Meacham,
Ethan Moore and Neil Bailey all missing from close range leaving matters 2-0 in
Frampton’s favour.

Tewkesbury Road saw high flying Rockleaze Rangers faced a Cheltenham
Civil Service side buoyed by their win last time out. Rockleaze put nine past
Service in the early season meeting so were no doubt confident of continuing their
good form. On a heavy pitch the visitors started brightly in possession and looked
to get their strike force in behind, but Service snuffed out any early attacks and
grew into the game. It was a bit of a sucker punch when Service were adamant
the ball had gone out of play but anyway led to a corner which was met by Drew
Sawdon’s head for 1-0. The game went back and forth with both teams working
hard without any clear chances being created. That changed just before half time
when good link-up play down the visitors left led James Goulden to finish from
close range. The second period had Rockleaze tidy in possession with Service
having to work hard to keep them at bay. A good tackle from Sam Johnson
thwarted Sawdon when nearly through, and likewise a good tackle from Jordan
Buckett prevented an Ollie Wilkes strike for the hosts. This left things at 2-0 for
Rockleaze showing their ruthless touch in front of goal.

Almondsbury who last week slipped into the bottom two had a tough game at
Hamfields against Sharpness who started positively and were asking questions
of the Almonds from the off with some good balls into the box. The Sharks were
on top of the opening exchanges but could not put their chances away. Almonds
had to settle for playing on the counter and did cause problems particularly in the
wide areas, but they did have their own spell of dominance just before the break
and maybe should have taken the lead with two back post shots excellently saved
by keeper James Russell. The second half saw Sharpness miss a hatful of chances
with Alex Gayner heading over and Tom Frankham shooting wide from distance.