Bristol Premier Combination January 11th 2025 edition
By Simon Parkinson
JOSH Armstrong was a delighted and encouraged club captain after watching his Lion battlers claim a notable scalp.
They cast behind them back-to-back 3-1 and 4-2 away defeats at the hands of more Combination First Division big guns in Bendix and Greyfriars Athletic by beating third-placed Bedminster Down, the club they were promoted with from the District League last spring, 3-2 on their travels.
Ryan Robinson, with a penalty, Darius Crisan and Mate Istvan scored the goals at the expense of Bedminster hosts responding with Ben Priddis and Jimmy Vowles strikes.
That prompted Armstrong, who hopes for more of the same from his mid-table team on their Hillside FC travels on Saturday (2pm), to glow: “I was really proud of the boys against the backdrop of availability issues, injuries and lack of training and games since before Christmas.
“We had a number of reserves players step up for the game, so the result demonstrates the strength across the club of what we’re trying to do here.”
Eighth-placed Hillside gave it their best shot too but couldn’t quite match the potency of Division One leaders Bristol Barcelona, who remained undefeated for the season thanks to a 3-2 victory courtesy of goals for Luis Santos, Marcin Taras and Reece Matthews, the spirited UWE hosts ensuring the contest went to the wire with Louis Hoyle and Piers Ellis Walton efforts.
Barca, who have won nine and drawn two of their 11 games thus far, now on Saturday travel to lock horns with fourth-placed Greyfriars Athletic for an enticing New Road collision (2pm).
Bendix, meanwhile, in second spot for now, go to Bedminster Down on Saturday keen for a swift pick-up win after themselves taking a 3-2 tumble against Henbury & Rockleaze A, Luke Harding and Jack Waldron goals not quite enough for a high-flying team falling to only a second defeat of their splendid campaign to date against a Henbury outfit celebrating only a second victory.
Hambrook & Brimsham United find themselves fifth still in the second section standings thanks to goals by Mark Bragg and Sam Beale in a 2-0 Whiteshill Common win over bottom team Patchway Town Reserves.
Winterbourne United are showing no signs of let-up now they have grabbed Premier Division pole position.
Tim Minihane’s in-form team racked up an eighth Premier Division win from their nine games to date courtesy of James Mainstone’s brace and Craig Doyle and Ollie Faulkner strikes in a 4-0 home success over AEK-Boco Reserves.
Manager Minihane, who next takes his table topping charges to Little Stoke Park to face Bradley Stoke Town on Saturday (2pm) targeting more of the same, enthused of the win: “We produced a complete performance and on another day I’m sure we’d have scored more goals.”
Heartened Hallen Reserves find themselves second in the standings heading to Boco on Saturday after Jack Williams and Patryk Kosciolek goals had them leapfrog beaten guests Iron Acton, who dropped to third place in the event, via a 2-0 Moorhouse Lane success.
While Bradley Stoke Town and Nicholas Wanderers fought out a 2-2 Little Stoke Park stalemate, there was jubilation for DRG Frenchay, who remarkably, due in part to cup activity, hadn’t played a league game since their November 2 defeat by Olveston United.
Nonetheless, and despite their current sixth-placed position on the Prem ladder, DRG are enjoying a splendid campaign with five wins now from six appearances, one which continued with goals from Dylan Quick and Aaron West in a 2-1 away win over Patchway Town strugglers responding through Malick Bojang.
DRG next on Saturday entertain a fifth-placed Shirehampton Reserves side they’ll rise above in the table if three points can be clinched.