Bristol Premier Combination April 30th 2026 edition
By Simon Parkinson
CHRIS Sweet is urging one big final push from his euphoric Iron Acton champions over these next three weeks or so as they stand on the cusp of a place in the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League.
First half goals by Elan Plummer and leading marksman Alex Lambert were capitalised on by long-serving player Luke Haddow’s second-half strike from inside the box, as Acton overcame Bristol Barcelona 3-0 at Lodge Road to clinch the Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division crown.
With one game of the regular 24-match programme to face in the shape of this Saturday’s trip to play Olveston United (2pm), attentions will then fully turn to a winner-take-all play-off confrontation with Hellenic Alliance West champions University of Bristol.
The pair collide on Gloucestershire FA’s Oaklands Park 3G pitch on Wednesday, May 20 at 7.30pm to establish which of them takes their place in next season’s County League competition.
Of Saturday’s championship-clinching triumph, Iron Acton supremo Sweet beamed: “It was one hell of a day. In fact it’s been one hell of a season, with plenty of ups and downs.
“We went into pre-season early this time and started mid June with the help of new addition Alex Lambert as our pre-season fitness coach.
“We also added last year’s reserve team assistant manager Chris White as first team coach alongside local referee Ben Wintle as goalkeeper coach.
“With myself and chairman Sean Stinchcombe included, we’ve had four coaches helping improve the side and players.
“It’s led to some funny comments at times this season like, “You’ve got more coaches than subs,” when we have all stood up alongside our first-aider Lynden Taylor barking orders!
“It really has been an enjoyable season, and the new players we brought in have been superb.
“There has been a lot of noise surrounding us; but this has only pushed us as a group closer together.
“It’s easily the best dressing room I have had so far, with some unreal characters inside it.
“I also have to say fair play to DRG, who have been our only league losses to date and have pushed us all the way.”
Sweet stressed: “We finish our regular season with eyes firmly fixed on the County League play-offs.
“It really is a shame after such a gruelling season that all the league champions have to do this, as it takes the shine off what has been such a great achievement after making history within our own 131-year-old community club with its highest ever finish.
“Of course, we’re hoping to go one better on Wednesday, May 20th when we face University of Bristol at the GFA’s headquarters in Almondsbury for that play-off decider.”
With Iron Acton, who were in freescoring midweek form too as a Plummer brace and single contributions by Preddie, Rogers and Phillips dispensed of Nicholas Wanderers 5-1 at Dundridge Lane, well out of sight at the summit, DRG Frenchay’s stirring push to cement second spot continued unabated.
Tom Vaughan’s fliers followed up a crushing 9-0 midweek away romp over Greyfriars Athletic with two Emiel Aiken goals and an Adam Porter effort in Saturday’s 3-1 home win over their same opponents in a much tighter affair at Frenchay Park Road.
With Shirehampton’s second string up next for them this Saturday at Penpole Lane (2pm), Hallen Reserves, in third place having been desperately trying to keep on the tails of DRG, had their game with visiting Winterbourne United called off last weekend as Bourne were unable to raise a side.
With a highly competitive campaign throughout the Combination top flight fast coming to a conclusion, there was overdue relief and delight for Nicholas Wanderers, as they celebrated a first victory in 11 appearances thanks to Jack Deacon’s hat-trick in a 3-1 Dundridge Rec success over Olveston United, who had beaten Wands by the same scoreline in a mid-March encounter.
Raul Vasile replied for an Olveston outfit continuing their drop down the table into sixth position.
Josh Morris’ goal wasn’t enough to prevent Thornbury Town Reserves taking a 3-1 home tumble at the hands of Shirehampton Reserves.
Nico Baird was on target for Longwell Green Sports Reserves at their Shellards Road HQ, albeit enough only for a point as bottom-placed Shaftesbury Crusade, who have shown some positive form in recent weeks, held them to a 1-1 draw.
It’s been a tough season for Patchway Town battling it out in and around the Premier Division basement.
They can at least head into their final fixture at Thornbury Reserves on Saturday (2pm) buoyed by a 3-1 Thursday night victory over Winterbourne courtesy of Fraser Butt, Josh Butt and Mekhi Duncan strikes.
In Division One, Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves will end the season fourth in the table after going down 4-2 to Oldland Abbotonians Reserves prevailing through doubles by Casey Woodman and Dexter Griffin.
Pucklechurch Sports and Lion haven’t experienced the easiest of rides of late and over their respective programmes.
Therefore, the relief and joy was understandable in both camps, as they secured uplifting weekend victories.
Lewis Densley scored all three goals for third-bottom Church as they followed up a 1-1 away stalemate with Hambrook & Brimsham United seven days prior by winning 3-1 at Abson Road in a quick return fixture, Riley Llewellyn responding with mid-table Hambrook’s contribution.
Lion, meantime, secured an overdue win of their own, as Dan Jones, Luke Brimble and Jace Esof scored the goals to propel them to a 3-0 win at the Vicarage Road home of bottom-placed battlers Hanham Athletic Reserves.