Bristol Premier Combination March 15th 2025 edition
By Simon Parkinson
BENNI McCarthy believes there’s “room for improvement” from his high-flying Greyfriars Athletic team as they strive to keep First Division pole position in their sights.
Third in the table heading into this Saturday’s away encounter with Oldland Abbotonians Reserves (2pm), and with three games in hand to peg back the eight points currently separating them and leaders Bristol Barcelona, Greys are going well on the strength of a nine match run without loss and only two defeats all term.
Adam Porter struck twice and Simon Bateman and Will Dixon added the rest as Greyfriars saw off Old Sodbury 4-1 at New Road to safely clear their latest hurdle, although their ambitious boss wasn’t altogether satisfied with what he witnessed.
He explained: “We went 1-0 up three minutes into the game and then nothing much really happened until we scored a second to go into half-time two-up and again just after the break for 3-0.
“Old Sodbury responded with a goal before we put it to bed with a fourth on 85 minutes.
“I’m happy we saw the game safely out and of course I’ll take the points.
“I just feel we need to improve on our game management and focus, as our last seven fixtures present a tough run-in and we need to find our second gear.”
Bristol Barcelona will take some shifting as the likes of Greyfriars and second-placed Bedminster Down try to rein them in over the few tense weeks of the season remaining.
After a winless three appearances, two of which ended in 3-0 and 2-0 defeats by Hillside and Bendix respectively, normal business was restored as a Marcin Taras brace and Alex Miners effort helped Barca on their way to a handsome 4-0 Oaklands Park success over a Lion team who had come into the contest confidently on the back of a four-match unbeaten stretch.
Bedminster did their bit too in their latest outing, keeping the gap between them and Bristol Barcelona to six points for now courtesy of Connor Bodnarazek’s strike and an own goal in a 2-0 home downing of Hambrook & Brimsham United.
In-form Hillside are fourth in the second tier standings approaching Saturday’s clash with Cribbs A at UWE (2pm) after Dominic Enwonwu’s double both sides of the break, plus early first half Louis Thackray and Morgan Vincent goals, edged them – 4-3 – past spirited hosts Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves, who had two Alex Fox efforts and Russell Stone’s strike to thank for keeping them in the game.
Oldland Reserves are enjoying a purple patch of six straight wins, all at home, in mid table heading into Saturday’s tough home tester with Greyfriars, the latest a 5-2 Castle Road success over struggling Henbury & Rockleaze A via Louis Rostron’s pair and McKyle Beck, Ellis Clarke and Sam Sousa contributions.
Winterbourne United, meantime, with three straight victories behind them following the setback of 3-1 home defeat to Nicholas Wanderers, reinforced their position at the head of the Premier Division table as Ben Weaver’s brace, including a 35-yard screamer to seal the points against “awkward and hardworking opponents” in the words of Bourne boss Tim Minihane, proved sufficient to overcome their Olveston United hosts 2-0.
That win maintained a nine-point advantage over a second-placed Hallen Reserves team, who have played two games fewer than Minihane’s men, keeping alive their own interest in the title race thanks to a 3-1 victory at Nicholas Wanderers, for whom Harry Hockey notched with their sole goal.
DRG Frenchay remain a serious title threat too third in the standings with games in hand after clinching a third straight win courtesy of a 4-1 home defeat of AEK-Boco Reserves.
Emiel Aiken hit a hat-trick and Todd Carter pitched in with DRG’s other goal to set them in good heart for last evening’s Wednesday away encounter with Iron Acton followed by this Saturday’s trip to Dundridge Rec for a joust with Nicholas Wanderers (2pm).
Whilst Aron Hartin and Joseph Hinestroza were among the goals to help see Shaftesbury Crusade to a welcome first victory, 3-0 at Patchway Town, since a 4-1 October 26 home win over Thornbury Town Reserves, and bottom-placed Thornbury and Longwell Green Sports Reserves were battling out a goalless Mundy Fields draw, Shirehampton Reserves were celebrating a return to winning ways.
They did so thanks to a fine 2-1 victory over Iron Acton, who went close early on in forcing a brilliant reflex save from Luke Brimson.
It was his brother George Brimson who gave Shire the lead on 20 minutes with a fantastic far corner finish after Jordan Whittaker had cut the ball back to the edge of the box.
The lead only lasted seven minutes as Luke Brimson was unable to hold a well-struck free- kick and was beaten to the rebound. He was injured for his trouble, and sibling George duly donned the gloves.
Just before half-time a deep free-kick was delivered by Whittaker and Sam Shorney beat the Acton keeper to it to head home for a 2-1 Shire advantage.
Not only was Shorney sent off for a second yellow card with 20 minutes to go, George Brimson was then red carded ten minutes from time, meaning George Rooke became Shire’s third keeper of the day as his understaffed side had to work hard to hold out with nine men.
Acton did have a free-kick smartly saved by Rooke and a late header disallowed for offside, as Shire managed to cling on for the points.