Bristol Premier Combination February 6th 2026 edition
By Simon Parkinson
SHAFTESBURY Crusade can approach the rest of what has been a challenging campaign in Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division combat much lifted after suddenly finding their mojo on a consistent basis.
With only the one league win behind them, a 4-3 opening afternoon success at the expense of their Oldland Abbotonians’ guests, heading into the New Year, the Lockleaze Sports Centre-based outfit have turned their season around – as Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Bristol Barcelona exemplified.
It was Shaftesbury’s third victory in their last four appearances, and clinical Carwyn Crow inflicted most of the damage as his hat-trick condemned Barca to an eighth defeat of their season currently placed fifth in the standings.
It’s nonetheless far from all doom and gloom at Oaklands Park for Bristol Barcelona who, on Saturday, travel to face mid-table Gloucestershire County League side Bromley Heath United for an exciting Gloucestershire Senior Amateur Cup affair at Pomphrey Hill (2pm).
As for rejuvenated Shaftesbury, they have to wait until Saturday week, February 14, for their next outing, a last eight appearance of their own at home against Barca once more in the Ulsport League Cup competition.
Once more the wretched weather caused havoc with much of the Combination fixture programme – but that didn’t affect title and promotion-chasing Iron Acton and Hallen Reserves one jot, much to the delight of both ambitious clubs.
Acton found themselves three points ahead of second-placed Hallen at the summit for now thanks to skipper Joe Hillard, Alex Lambert and Dean Preddie strikes, and a sterling display by their star performer Charlie Lacey in central defence, in a 3-0 Oaklands Park 3G victory over gritty Greyfriars Athletic, the team they take on again this Saturday for a League Cup quarter-final encounter at Yate Town’s South West Interiors Stadium (2pm).
As for Hallen’s aspiring second string, they can travel to lock horns with their Longwell Green Sports Reserves hosts on Saturday for a league tussle (2pm) in good shape after finally overcoming determined Patchway Town 4-1 with three late goals at Scott Park through Jack Williams and George Janiak doubles to make it three straight Prem successes.
While Harrison Waller was Hallen’s man of the match, Tom Butt’s goal at least offered Patchway some cheer.
Elsewhere this weekend, Patchway entertain Winterbourne United in league activity while Thornbury Town Reserves and Shirehampton Reserves’ strugglers joust in last eight League Cup combat at Mundy Fields (both 2pm).
There were three fixtures played too in Combination Division One, two of which ended in stalemate.
AEK-Boco Reserves, set on reinforcing their advantage at the top, had to be content with a point from a 2-2 Greenbank Road draw with an Oldland Abbotonians Reserves outfit extending their unbeaten run to five games in the act.
Kailen Anderson and Casey Woodman were both at the double for Boco and Oldland respectively.
Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves, third in the table and seven points adrift of Boco with two games in hand heading into Saturday’s home game with Oldland at The Ridings (2pm), also had to settle for a point from a lively 3-3 draw away against Bedminster Down.
Cameron Phipps struck twice for Down and Dean Yandell bagged their other goal, as Alex Fox, Jordan Hickman and Adam Perks responded for Sodbury.
In an important encounter affecting the lower reaches of the second tier standings, Lion, with five straight defeats in tow, pulled off a morale-boosting 3-0 Little Stoke Park victory over Pucklechurch Sports thanks to Felix McGovern, Ryan Robinson and Josh Hardie goals.
Lion seek more of the same at home to rock-bottom Hanham Athletic Reserves on Saturday, while Pucklechurch bid to bounce back from their Lion setback away at Hambrook & Brimsham United (both 2pm).
Bedminster Down are at AFC Mangotsfield for a last eight League Cup joust at Cossham Street for an earlier 12.45pm engagement.