Page 18 - Patchway Town FC v Hardwicke 070423

The previous week was a damaging week for Gala Wilton – two heavy defeats against fellow
promotion hopefuls – I won’t say that their chances have been blown out of the water but
they’ve not helped themselves.
The first of these games was on Tuesday down at Cribbs Reserves where Gala Wilton were
well in the game even taking the lead on 55 minutes. The home side had the early
exchanges and were in front on 19 minutes Jack Guthrie following up a blocked Dan Monks
shot driving home from 15 yards. Gala began to get the upper hand and duly equalised on
the half hour, a partially cleared corner was driven high into the net by Alex Gayner. Having
scored Gala were dominating and had a great chance on the stroke of half time from the
spot, Tom Burns fouling, but Connor Walters kick hit the top of the bar. The visitors started
the second period strongly and on 55 Walters atoned for the penalty miss by heading Gala
in front. The game turned around the hour when two quick goals put Cribbs in front, first
great work by Liam Clayton up against some desperate defending the ball falling to Guthrie
to level up from 10 yards. Shortly after it was 3-2 Monk’s in swinging corner was met by
Harry Hambly. The game continued end to end before Cribbs got their fourth when Kieran
Clayton created space for Aaron Coleman to clinically finish and putting the game beyond
Gala. Guthrie completed his hat trick late on following pinball in the Gala box and 5-2 to
Cribbs Reserves.
A Gallery by Alex Barnham is available Here
Saturday saw Gala making the trip to Hillside Gardens where Rockleaze Rangers completed
their home programme. After a scrappy first few minutes few could have expected what was
to come with the visitors having the better of the game for the first quarter of the match. On
eleven minutes Connor Walters fired narrowly over and Martin Smith and Alex Gayner were
really testing Rockleaze’s back line. But it was Rockleaze who found the lead when Jensen
Beard volleyed home brilliantly after Brandon Boontam’s free kick. Just before the break
Gayner hit the post for the visitors. Fine margins. The second half was strangely one way
traffic. Two minutes in Sam Bailey was just wide with a snap shot and the same player
looped a header over keeper Holder who despite parrying the ball it was suspected as
crossing the line but nothing given! However from the resulting throw in the ball was worked
to Bailey who volleyed in superbly for 2-0. A minute later in the 51st Jensen Beard cut the
ball back from the bye-line allowing Bailey to smash in from eight yards. On the hour Smith
should have done better for Gala but fired wide and they got their goal on 68 when Owen
Waters slotted home following good work by Walters. The hosts went straight up the other
end and made it 4-1 Bailey completing his hat trick. On 78 minutes Tate Shaw just entering
the affray strode past three defenders and confidently struck past Holder. Rockleaze were
creating chance after chance and Marcus William’s corner on 81 allowed Fraser Butt to head
home and two minutes later a mirror set piece allowed Joe Lewis to complete what was a
rout, 7-1 to Rockleaze.
It's worth a look at Henbury, at the bottom, and trip up to the Forest and gaining a creditable
victory at one of the most difficult venues to play at - Ruardean Hill Rangers. First chance to
Henbury where Ross Jones shot was smothered by Aaron Underwood. Hill then had a couple
of chances first on 18 Charley Taylor’s through ball found Ollie Mason whose cross found
Tommy Coleman’s head but just wide. Two minutes on an attempted clearance by Henbury
keeper Ledbury was charged down by Mason hitting the side netting. Just after a Henbury
free kick found Baldwin but his shot was expertly saved by Underwood. Hill took the lead on
35, a deep free kick was flicked on for Tommy Coleman to fire in. Right on half time another
deep ball but Coleman’s shot was easily dealt with by Ledbury. Into the second period and
an immediate chance for Coleman saved by Ledbury. On fifty one a route one ball by
Underwood went straight through to to Walding who tried to lift the ball over Ledbury who
made a great save. A few minutes later a collision between two Henbury players left Mason
to run through but again Ledbury made a great save. Another chance for Mason on 63 but
his shot rattled Henbury’s post. A minute later Rhys Iles tried his luck for the visitors from
distance but was denied by Underwood’s great save. Another Underwood save denied