Bristol Premier Combination December 21st 2024 edition
By Simon Parkinson
WINTERBOURNE United will head into the New Year “flying” on all fronts and believing all things to be possible once more.
Saturday’s hard-fought 1-0 away victory over previously unbeaten Hallen Reserves courtesy of Ben Weaver’s second half strike lifted the Parkside Avenue outfit into pole position in Bristol Premier Combination’s top flight.
They leapfrogged an Iron Acton team, without a game on the day, into top spot on goal difference only as both title hopefuls approach their 2025 missions on 18 points after seven games with nigh-on identical records.
Delighted Bourne chairman Robyn Maggs enthused: “Both of our teams top their tables going into the New Year after our reserves beat Iron Acton Reserves 5-1 on Saturday in the Senior District League and our firsts ran out worthy 1-0 winners at Hallen.
“The club is flying and we’re looking forward to seeing a double promotion bid come May.”
Bourne’s first team boss Tim Minihane reflected of his side’s Hallen success: “It was a tight game throughout. We created more chances overall but rode our luck at times.
“After going one-up in the second half Hallen responded well and we had to defend deep and counter attack, although we did miss a penalty with the last kick.”
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, George Williams hit a hat-trick and Phil Williams added Olveston United’s other goal in a 4-1 home victory over Bradley Stoke Town, who had Steve Johnston notching with their consolation effort.
In their own final outing of 2024, Nicholas Wanderers, enjoying a promising campaign now up in third place and with Charlie Iles netting, had to nonetheless content themselves with a point from a 1-1 Dundridge Park stalemate with AEK-Boco Reserves guests replying through Harry Welch’s strike.
Benni McCarthy was an encouraged manager knowing his Greyfriars Athletic will enter 2025 a healthy second in the Combination First Division table thanks to a 5-2 away defeat of bottom-placed Patchway Town Reserves.
Jamie Elliott led the way with a brace while Emman Aimasiko, Will Dixon and Riley Morris weighed in with the rest of the goals. Jean-Claude Berlouis and Abazuom Francis scored for the Scott Park strugglers.
McCarthy acknowledged: “It was great to finish the year on a high and hopefully take it into 2025.
“We did start very slowly and Patchway capitalised to lead 2-1 at half-time.
“But we scored four unanswered goals in the second half to make up for a poor first half performance to take the points.”
What a way it was for hot-shot Ethan Roberts and Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves to wrap up their year with a resounding 4-0 away victory over Hambrook & Brimsham United, now in sixth and fifth spots respectively in the second tier standings.
Roberts registered three times, two of them in quick succession just before half-time, as he first finished expertly past the advancing keeper with his right foot having been played in behind the Hambrook defence before adding a second with his left foot following a great team move.
The in-form marksman completed his perfect hat-trick with a header from a well-worked corner routine, before the game was put to bed when Archie Williams danced around a couple of Hambrook defenders before drilling home with a left-foot finish to complete the scoring.
Still the team to catch are Bendix, who held firm to pole position thanks to Jack Waldron’s own treble in a 3-1 home defeat of Lion, who had Mike Dorney on target.
It’s been a marvellous first season so far at the level for the Lees Hill outfit who have won eight, drawn one and lost only one of their ten games to date, with a tasty first appearance of 2025 at second-placed Greyfriars on Saturday, January 4 to look forward to next.
Bristol Barcelona haven’t adapted to loftier life in the Combination too badly either.
Their 3-1 win over now third-placed Bedminster Down via Marcin Taras, Mo Salihu and Faruq Sanni strikes meant they completed 2024 fourth in the table and the only undefeated side left in the two divisions.
Connor Bodnarazek scored the only goal for a Bedminster Down team otherwise enjoying a splendid first season themselves at the higher level and suffering only a first defeat since their springtime promotion as District League champions..