Page 27 - Avonmouth FC v Bromley Heath 010524

Hardwicke lose fight for
County League survival
Mark Simpson
Unfortunately, Hardwicke take one of the bottom two places after their
home defeat to Frampton United, and its going to be a nervy finish for
the four teams above them. In midweek Bromley Heath United had a
home win over Broadwell Amateurs 3-1, Avonmouth defeated
Rockleaze Rangers 6-2 at KGV and were presented with the
Championship Cup, Almondsbury won 1-0 at Wick, Hanham Athletic
lost in the County Cup Final, and also lost at Bromley Heath United
1-0, and Sharpness against Quedgeley Wanderers was not played
due to the Referee being delayed on the M5.
Hardwicke took on local rivals Frampton United at Green Lane
needing to secure all three points to avoid relegation. Both teams were
fairly even in the opening ten minutes, testing each other’s resolve.
Frampton started to up their game and fifteen minutes in Henry Driver-
Dickerson crashed the ball against the bar from 30 yards. Two minutes
later the lively Henry was brought down by Josh Stevens and he slotted
home the resultant penalty. Their only other chance in the first half fell
to George Blythe whose fierce shot from 30 yards was well saved by Jack
Sargeant. Hardwicke battled in midfield, but it wasn’t until just before
the break for their first chance with Pat Vernall’s header just wide.
Frampton started the second period on the front foot with Driver-
Dickerson testing Sargeant from thirty yards and ten minutes later he
was causing problems, his cross cleared by Vernall. The resulting corner
by George Driver-Dickerson was firmly met by Nathan Dennis’s head and
was just over. The two Driver-Dickersons combined well and Henry fed
George whose shot was saved by Sargeant’s feet. With ten minutes to
go Hardwicke’s Jacob Waddington fouled Jacob Geddes and Henry scored
his second penalty of the game. Unfortunately for Hardwicke they take
one of the two bottom places losing 2-0.
After a disappointing week for Hanham Athletic they took a trip up
to Ruardean Hill Rangers (second time this season the first one
abandoned) and the first chance was for Hill after quick passing sees
Steve Clark find some space outside the box and tried to lob Sam Brown
who just got back in time. Another chance for Hill, this time Tommy
Coleman created some space, but his curler was down Brown’s throat.
Hanham took a 17 minute lead, somewhat against the run of play,
th
when a great cross from Brandon Barnes gave Tom Morgan a free header
into the top corner. Two minutes later, Barnes beat the offside trap, cut
inside and smashed the ball past Aaron Underwood – 2-0. After half an
hour with Hill continuing to press Brown saved Fin Jones’ fierce shot. A
minute into the second half Ollie Mason’s free kick was straight at Brown.
With Hill still searching for an opening, a great cross on the hour from
Mason was headed against the bar by Bobby Walding. Ten minutes on
Clark was through one on one but Brown made a great save. Clark finally
got his goal a minute later as he takes a chance on a long through ball