Page 17 - Patchway Town v Little Stoke 210123

League Review

Ruardean Hill Rangers share spoils with

Bromley Heath United
Mark Simpson
Only two league matches survived this weather and county cup disrupted weekend.
Broadwell Amateurs got through in the County Cup, Gala Wilton, Rockleaze
Rangers and Frampton United crashed out and Hardwicke and Cribbs Reserves
playing next week, so more league disruption, and with snow forecast who knows.
It’s going to be a busy April!

Anyway, enough of that and we start at Ruardean Hill Rangers where league
challengers Bromley Heath United came away with a point. After a fairly even
first quarter of an hour the last Bromley defender lost his footing allowing Luke
Johnson through on goal, but a poor touch allowed Will Ferguson to save at his
feet. After 35 minutes Hill’s Fin Jones had a 35 yarder from out wide but a back -
pedalling Ferguson tipped it over. The second period was much of the same thing
with sporadic chances and on 55 minutes a long free kick from Luke Bessill almost
caught Aaron Underwood out in the home goal, but he managed to tip wide. After
seventy minutes Alex Stephens volleyed over a deep Ruardean corner. Five minutes
later Troy Morgan’s long shot flew just wide of Ferguson’s post. The final fifteen
minutes played out with both sides seeking a breakthrough, but with no real
chances the game petered out for a goalless draw.
To Cheltenham now where Cheltenham Civil Service entertained Stoke Gifford
United, and after a lengthy break from football for the hosts started with them on
the front foot with chances for wingers Lewis Driscoll and Brett Blake coming thick
and fast. It was, however, the visitors who came closest with 15 minutes played
when Kareem Karakus fired in a free kick off the crossbar allowing Service to clear.
Service replied with more attacking threat through Blake but his shot from the edge
of the box lacked power allowing Owen Onslow to easily save. Jamie Lewis then
looped a free kick in from the right with Onslow’s fingertips saving the day. Service
still pressed with Lewis finding Driscoll advancing down the middle and his shot
towards the right corner found the head of Blake, but he was adjudged offside. Half
time, and Gifford really needing to change things to stem the tide and they
managed to keep Service quiet for 10 minutes before opening the scoring when
Mike Barry swung in a cross which bounced awkwardly for centre half Mike Oliver
and the ball fell for Tom Hodge who rifled into the top corner. After seventy the
hosts responded. Oliver’s long ball set Driscoll free and this time he slipped past
Onslow and slotted home for 1-1. Service sensed a winner with substitute Gareth
Jones going close on two occasions. However it was Gifford who showed quality on
83 minutes through Barry, receiving the ball on the left shifted it to his right before
beating Sam Cheal’s dive into the bottom corner for a 2-1 victory which in hindsight
was probably harsh on the hosts.