Bristol Premier Combination April 10th 2026 edition
By Simon Parkinson
ANTONIO Nurse was the hero of the hour for DRG Frenchay as his sole goal clinched his team a vital victory in the race to secure Premier Division pole position.
In a tough and competitive battle at Frenchay Park Road, Nurse was there to turn home from close range from an inviting lofted Dominic Stewert free-kick and give the hosts three prized points from a 1-0 win amid the fight to maintain the heat on second-placed Hallen Reserves and pacesetting Iron Acton above them.
While DRG head into Saturday’s home encounter with Winterbourne United believing all things are possible still in the scrap for supremacy, so too will Iron Acton, who entertain Nicholas Wanderers at Lodge Road at the same 2pm start time lifted by their 3-1 weekend away win over Winterbourne.
Acton, who were hoping to increase their lead at the top with victory at Thornbury Reserves on Tuesday night this week, achieved Saturday’s success through Alex Lambert, Neikell Plummer and Joe Wintle goals, whilst Liam Sheppard responded with Bourne’s consolation effort.
Second-placed Hallen Reserves were without a game but are back in the thick of it on Saturday as they attempt to give their title tilt a push with victory at Olveston United (2pm).
One important contest affecting the lower reaches of the Prem table could be seen at Shellards Road, where Sam Randall’s goal for Longwell Green Sports Reserves was not enough to deny visiting Patchway Town three valuable points from a 2-1 victory thanks to Thomas Butt and Matteo Pali strikes for second-bottom Town, who confront another important basement battle this Saturday when rock-bottom Shaftesbury Crusade visit Scott Park (2pm).
Shaftesbury only have seven points from 16 games following point deductions; but they handed themselves a welcome boost in the attempt to stay safe, as Seth Johnson’s hat-trick, Jamarni Langlais’ double plus Aron Hartin’s effort condemned Nicholas Wanderers, who had Dan Cox on target, to a 6-1 defeat at Lockleaze Sports Centre for a very welcome third win of a tough campaign.
Bristol Barcelona, jubilant League Cup final winners the previous Wednesday night, were brought back to earth albeit in tight circumstances, as hosts Olveston United, with James Kershaw notching twice after the break, overcame them 2-1, Ben Higgins grabbing Barca’s goal.
Whilst results haven’t always gone their way, Benni McCarthy’s Greyfriars Athletic have remained a competitive and threatening force pretty much throughout, as Shirehampton Reserves discovered to their cost at New Road.
Lyam O’Rourke was the main culprit from Shire’s perspective, as his treble, along with Luke Magee’s single contribution, shot Greys to a 4-1 win and lifted them into seventh spot with a sixth victory of their season.
Eli Smith struck with a consolation for a Shirehampton side playing the entire second half with ten men thanks to Connor Bryant’s 43rd minute red card.
In the only game on show in Division One, AEK-Boco Reserves did their hopes of winding up second in the table a power of good by crushing Cribbs A 7-0 at Greenbank Rec through Oleksandr Kohankov and Ashton Russell braces, and Luke Harding and Thomas Frankcom efforts.
Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves and Lion were awarded walkover weekend wins over scheduled opponents Pucklechurch Sports and Hanham Athletic Reserves respectively.
Meanwhile, Bristol Barcelona will enter the close season with a trophy in the cabinet thanks to that 4-2 Uhlsport League Cup final defeat of Bedminster Down, who have been pushing hard for promotion in Division One.
A remarkable 468 spectators turned out to Mangotsfield United’s Cossham Street stadium to witness the showpiece occasion, and Dominic Enwonwu, Reece Matthews, Sam Phillips and Taiwo Omotayo score the goals to clinch the cup for Barca, who are enjoying a fine first season in the Combination top flight following their promotion as First Division champions this time last year.
The league donated £366 to Cystic Fibrosis Comfort Fund from gate receipts.