Bristol Premier Combination November 29th 2025 edition
By Simon Parkinson
AEK-Boco Reserves are in freescoring form and continuing to push leaders Old Sodbury hard loitering with intent second in the First Division standings and only two points adrift of summit status.
Boco haven’t quite had it all their own way, despite a splendid start to their second tier undertakings following the disappointment of relegation bottom of last season’s Premier Division pack.
Bedminster Down, new to the league last term and securing an admirable fourth spot finish for their efforts, demonstrated they’re no mugs this season either, as two Connor Bodnarazek goals and a Cameron Phipps contribution earned them a 3-3 Greenbank Road draw at the expense of Boco hosts responding through Harry Hussey, William Saunders and Seb Davis strikes.
Old Sodbury aren’t relenting either holding firm to pole position for now with six wins and only one loss from their seven outings so far.
There were bragging rights to enjoy too from their latest appearance, as goals for Lewis Bryan and Charlie Davis saw them to a 2-0 Ridings victory over local rivals Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves, who themselves are enjoying a reasonable campaign in third place to date.
Meanwhile, away from a depleted Division One programme, it was always going to be a tall order for Hambrook & Brimsham United as they faced Gloucestershire County League bigger boys Henbury & Rockleaze in the third round of the GFA Senior Amateur Cup on their Arnall Drive travels.
So it proved, as the higher status hosts emerged 6-0 victors to clinch a fourth round berth at home against fellow County Leaguers Tytherington Rocks on Saturday, December 13.
Everyone connected with the Combination Division One scene is keeping everything crossed that the weather allows the four scheduled games this Saturday to go ahead, as AFC Mangotsfield entertain Hanham Athletic Reserves (12.45pm); Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves welcome Pucklechurch Sports to the Ridings; Cribbs A host high-flying AEK-Boco Reserves, and Oldland Abbotonians Reserves seek their first campaign win at the fifth time of asking against Lion at Castle Road HQ (all 2pm).
There was plenty of action in the Premier Division, not least at New Road where Greyfriars Athletic thumped Patchway Town’s strugglers 7-0 courtesy of Lyam O’Rourke’s hat-trick, Emmanuel Aimasiko’s pair plus Luke Magee and Simon Bateman efforts to make it back-to-back wins for their team.
Greyfriars had beaten Longwell Green Sports Reserves 3-2 away in their previous outing, and it got worse for Longwell as they ran into Iron Acton guests in the mood for goals and glory, as Elan Plummer’s treble, along with single strikes by Rhys Higton, Joe Hillard, Alex Lambert, Jordan Wood-Ayemou and Reece Rogers, catapulted in-form fourth-placed Acton to an 8-1 Shellards Road success.
Troy Randall notched with Sports’ consolation.
While second-placed DRG Frenchay, Rhys Perry their marksman, had to be content with a point from a 1-1 home draw with Shirehampton Reserves, Hallen Reserves took advantage of their good fortune there by overcoming battling Nicholas Wanderers, whose Josh Pearce registered, 2-1 at Moorhouse Lane through Archie Parry and Scott Cousins goals to stretch their lead at the top to two points.
Elsewhere in the Combination top flight, Ben Weaver struck twice and Finlay Merrett, Ashley White and Callum Wilson chipped in to catapult champions Winterbourne United, now four unbeaten, to a 5-1 Parkside Avenue success over Bristol Barcelona, who relied on an own goal for their sole contribution.
Thornbury Town Reserves’ 1-0 win at bottom-placed Shaftesbury Crusade made it a third league and cup win from their last four outings for a competitive-looking Thorns side.
Winterbourne’s trip to Iron Acton this Saturday looks an enticing prospect for players and spectators, while Greyfriars entertain Shirehampton, Nicholas Wanderers welcome Shaftesbury to Dundridge Rec, Patchway Town and Longwell Green scrap for much-needed basement points at Scott Park, Thornbury host DRG, and Bristol Barcelona take on Olveston on the Oaklands Park 3G at 3.30pm.
The rest of the games kick off as usual at 2pm.
There has been sad news at the demise of Premier Division strugglers Bradley Stoke Town, who have resigned from the league.
League secretary Ralph Pratten confirmed: “Adam Townsend, from Bradley Stoke Town, has been in discussions with me and the league management committee about possible scenarios to avoid this withdrawal.
“However, over the past two seasons a gradual decline in player availability for the Bristol Premier Combination League has been evident, with the first team having to fill in with reserves and A team-based players which is clearly not sustainable going forward.
“We will have Bradley Stoke Town removed from the league listing, and any results from matches played so far will be removed from the affected teams’ totals.
“I am sure we wish all the staff and players at Bradley Stoke Town the best of luck as they continue to rebuild in the Uhlsport Bristol and District League.”