Page 11 - Almondsbury FC v Gala Wilton 111123

League Review

their lead but could never find the right pass. Stoke Gifford making
it to the semi-finals by 3-1.
To the League and two teams, Wick and Ruardean Hill
Rangers both rather struggling so far, met at Oldbury Lane on a
fantastic surface, thanks to hard work by the ground staff after
atrocious weather. A bright start by Hill brought Ashton Trott into
action after only a couple of minutes saving well at his near post.
Wick’s slow start continued and after eight minutes the midfield let
Ollie Mason break through to bury his shot past Trott into the corner
for 1-0 to Hill. This spurred Wick into life and two minutes later
Aaron Underwood saved well but from the resulting corner Jay
Macloed smashed his shot into the top corner to level things up. Wick
continued pressing and thought they should have had a penalty, but
Referee Jack Clark thought differently. On 15 minutes Louis Short’s
screamer for Wick brought a tremendous save from the always
impressive Underwood. The equally impressive Trott saved from
point blank in the 28 minute after a defensive error. On the brink of
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half time Underwood made another great save to push Liam Towler’s
goal bound free kick wide of the target. Wick started the second
period on the front foot and with only a minute gone Underwood
saved with his feet from Short. Wick carried on pressing forcing Hill
to clear off the line and on the hour another goal line clearance was
made from Todd Carter’s powerful header. Although Wick enjoyed
second half dominance Ruardean were always a threat on the break.
Wick’s day was summed up in the 89 minute when Underwood
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again saved brilliantly spreading himself to thwart Short when
through on goal ensuring the game finished with honours even.
Finally, Little Stoke welcomed Rockleaze Rangers to The Park
and it was the home side who came out of the blocks quickly, with
the pressure eventually proving too much for Rockleaze when Luke
Meacham found himself through on goal, lobbing the ball over
Jordan Dunning for a 1-0 lead. Rockleaze found a footing in the
game and Gorazd Gigov made two excellent saves to keep Little
Stoke ahead, but on 35 minutes it was Stoke’s Jack Burgess who was
fouled by Dunning in the box and Lewis Hughes smashed the penalty
home for 2-0. The second half started slowly and there was little
action until the 69 minute when a diagonal free kick towards Hillard
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was touched on for Liam Jenkins to smash home with his first touch
after coming on as a substitute. Rockleaze ended the game with ten
men after a harsh red card, but the damage was already done at 3-0
to Little Stoke.