Cup Fever Arrives as League Form Takes Shape
Old Sodbury continue their goal rush, Iron Acton stay strong in the league and promoted Made For Ever produce the Cup shock as knockout football takes centre stage
The Uhlsport Bristol Premier Combination season is beginning to gather serious momentum.
A busy midweek programme produced goals by the bucketload before attention switched to the opening round of the League Cup on Saturday, where league form suddenly counted for little and the first knockout drama of the campaign took centre stage.
And what a few days it proved to be.
Old Sodbury continued their astonishing start by scoring another nine goals across league and cup, Iron Acton maintained their impressive league form before suffering their first major setback of the campaign, Cribbs Reserves continued their recovery, while Olveston United responded emphatically to successive difficult results.
But arguably the biggest story belonged to Made For Ever.
Promoted from the Bristol & District League during the summer, they had already made a perfect start to Division One. On Saturday, they underlined their credentials by travelling to reigning Premier Division champions Iron Acton and knocking them out of the League Cup.
If anyone was still wondering whether the newcomers could compete at this level, they now have their answer.
MIDWEEK LEAGUE ROUND-UP
OLD SODBURY HIT SIX AND THE GOAL RUSH CONTINUES
Winterbourne United 0 Old Sodbury 6
Old Sodbury’s extraordinary start to the season continued with another ruthless attacking display as Winterbourne United were swept aside 6-0.
Having opened the campaign with an 8-1 demolition of Cribbs Reserves before winning an eight-goal thriller 5-3 at Olveston United, Sodbury arrived at Winterbourne having already scored 13 goals in two league matches.
They added another six.
Jordan Hickman struck twice, with Archie Williams, Charlie Davis, Alfie Davis and Sid Woodward completing the scoring.
Sodbury were just as impressive without the ball. Winterbourne were prevented from registering a shot on goal as the visitors controlled proceedings from start to finish.
Old Sodbury’s manager described Winterbourne as having been “absolutely blown away” by the performance, praising the way his side stretched their opponents defensively.
Lewis Bryan collected the Man of the Match award after a commanding display in which he seemed to win everything that came his way.
Three league matches. Three victories.
And, remarkably, 19 goals scored.
Old Sodbury are setting a ferocious early pace.
ACTON STRIKE FOUR
Iron Acton 4 Nicholas Wanderers 1
Iron Acton maintained their unbeaten league start with a convincing 4-1 victory over Nicholas Wanderers.
Wanderers arrived having opened their campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Winterbourne United, and Acton acknowledged afterwards that their visitors provided another tough examination.
But a devastating burst before half-time ultimately decided the contest.
A flurry of goals sent Acton into the interval with a commanding 3-0 advantage, putting Nicholas Wanderers firmly on the back foot.
Todd Carter scored twice for the champions, while Dean Preddie and Zemell Burton also found the net.
Archie Davis replied for Wanderers with a goal Acton felt controversially denied them a clean sheet.
The result continued an excellent opening run for the champions following their 2-2 draw at Olveston, 5-0 victory over Greyfriars and 3-2 success at Hallen.
The champions were rolling, although, as they would discover just three days later, cup football can tell a very different story.
CRIBBS’ RECOVERY GATHERS MOMENTUM
Bedminster Down 0 Cribbs Reserves 2
The response from Cribbs Reserves since their nightmare opening afternoon has been impressive.
After beginning life back in the Premier Combination with that heavy 8-1 defeat at Old Sodbury, Cribbs bounced back to beat Greyfriars Athletic 3-2.
They followed that with another victory in midweek.
A goal in each half secured a professional 2-0 success at Bedminster Down, with Jordan Lawrence and Andy Forward finding the net.
Just as importantly, Cribbs recorded their first clean sheet of the season.
From conceding eight on opening day to successive victories, the Gloucestershire County League-relegated side are beginning to find their feet.
LONGWELL TAKE THE POINTS AS DARKNESS DESCENDS
DRG Frenchay 1 Longwell Green Sports Reserves 3
Longwell Green Sports Reserves collected their first league victory with a 3-1 win at DRG Frenchay in unusual circumstances, with the contest finishing in fading light.
Frenchay were left frustrated after striking the woodwork several times on an evening when their opportunities simply would not fall.
Emiel Aiken scored the hosts’ goal, but Longwell proved more clinical.
Paul Coles, who had also scored in Longwell’s 2-1 defeat at Bristol Barcelona, was on target again, alongside Abulfazl Atapoor and Charlie Hudd.
Frenchay graciously congratulated Longwell afterwards before turning their attention towards regrouping for their next challenge.
BARCELONA BLOW THORNBURY AWAY TO MAINTAIN PERFECT LEAGUE START
Bristol Barcelona 3 Thornbury Town Reserves 0
Bristol Barcelona made it two wins from two with an impressive 3-0 victory over Thornbury Town Reserves, producing a devastating first-half display before showing their defensive strength after the break.
Having opened the campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Longwell Green Sports Reserves, Barcelona returned looking to maintain their perfect start, while also having a score to settle after suffering two defeats against Thornbury last season.
Barcelona started at a furious pace, with Reece and Gilbert causing problems down both wings, although it was Thornbury who came close to landing the first blow.
A dangerous looping cross threatened to find its way in, but Barcelona goalkeeper Dragon produced a superb save to preserve the goalless scoreline.
It proved an important moment.
From there, Reece took control of the contest and remarkably supplied three assists inside a devastating 20-minute spell.
The opening goal came when Reece released Elliott, who kept his composure and finished cleanly beyond the Thornbury goalkeeper to put Barca ahead.
The same combination soon struck again.
Reece cut inside before finding Elliott, who produced an excellent finish to double Barcelona’s advantage and claim his second of the evening.
If the first two goals were clinical, the third was spectacular.
Reece completed his hat-trick of assists with a beautifully floated, Iliman Ndiaye-style delivery towards the back post.
Waiting was Gilbert, who met it with a stunning acrobatic overhead scissor volley to put Barcelona 3-0 ahead and provide the outstanding moment of the match.
Three goals, three Reece assists and Barcelona had effectively blown Thornbury away before the interval.
BARCA SHOW THEIR OTHER SIDE
The second half brought a different examination.
Thornbury responded strongly and attempted to find a route back into the contest, forcing Barcelona to trade their first-half attacking flair for defensive resilience.
They proved equally capable of doing the dirty work.
The lads put in a huge shift across the back line, standing firm as Thornbury increased the pressure.
And whenever the visitors did find a route towards goal, Dragon was there to ensure his earlier save was not wasted.
Barcelona saw out the remainder of the match without conceding to secure a deserved 3-0 victory and their first clean sheet of the league season.
For the second successive match, Barca had also demonstrated different qualities.
Against Longwell Green Sports Reserves, they had been forced to hold their nerve through a tense finish to secure a 2-1 victory.
Against Thornbury, they produced 45 minutes of devastating attacking football and then defended their advantage with discipline after the break.
Elliott’s brace, Gilbert’s spectacular volley, Reece’s hat-trick of assists and Dragon’s clean sheet completed an excellent night’s work.
After two league matches, Bristol Barcelona had a perfect record:
Played two. Won two. Five goals scored. One conceded. Six points from six.
And after suffering twice against Thornbury last season, this was a particularly satisfying way to maintain it.
DIVISION ONE
BOCO AND PUCKLECHURCH SHARE THE POINTS
AEK Boco Reserves 1 Pucklechurch Sports 1
Two sides who had both enjoyed winning starts could not be separated as AEK Boco Reserves and Pucklechurch Sports drew 1-1.
Ben O’Brien found the net for Boco, while Jake Edwards scored for Pucklechurch.
Pucklechurch were particularly pleased with the point after being forced to dig deep for 90 minutes against what they described as a very strong Boco side.
Nick McAfee collected their Man of the Match award following an excellent performance.
SEALEY DOUBLE DELIVERS WESTON’S FIRST WIN
Lawrence Weston 2 Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves 1
After two frustrating defeats, Lawrence Weston finally had their reward.
The promoted side had shown plenty of promise in a narrow 3-2 opening defeat against Pucklechurch before twice drawing level at Patchway Town, only to eventually lose 4-2.
This time, they got over the line.
Harvey Sealey was the Weston hero, scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory which delivered their first Premier Combination points.
Jacob Shipp replied for Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves, with Harrison French named their Man of the Match.
For Lawrence Weston, it was an important breakthrough after two encouraging performances had gone unrewarded.
MADE FOR EVER’S PERFECT START CONTINUES
Made For Ever 4 Oldland Abbotonians Reserves 0
Made For Ever are rapidly becoming one of the stories of the season.
The promoted side announced their arrival in the Premier Combination with a superb 4-0 victory at AFC Mangotsfield Rocks Reserves.
Their first home league fixture produced exactly the same scoreline.
Scott O’Brien followed his opening-day hat-trick with another two goals, while Jake McCracken scored for the second successive match and Archie Neill completed the scoring.
Jack Williams was named Man of the Match.
Perhaps most impressive of all, Made For Ever’s goalkeeper and defence recorded another clean sheet.
After two league matches, the newcomers had scored eight goals without conceding once.
And their week was about to get even better.
ROCKS RESPOND IN STYLE
Longwell Green Sports Development 2 AFC Mangotsfield Rocks Reserves 5
After being beaten 4-0 by Made For Ever on their opening weekend, AFC Mangotsfield Rocks Reserves produced precisely the response they were looking for.
A much-improved display saw the Rocks run out 5-2 winners at Longwell Green Sports Development.
Joe Alston, Christopher Astley, Daniel Lewis and Tim Rice were among the goals for Mangotsfield, with Rice earning Man of the Match honours after running the Longwell defence ragged.
Adam Puplett and Marcus Werrett replied for the hosts.
THURSDAY NIGHT: OLVESTON RESPOND WITH SIX
Greyfriars Athletic 1 Olveston United 6
Olveston United had experienced a challenging opening.
After drawing 2-2 with champions Iron Acton, they suffered a 5-3 defeat against free-scoring Old Sodbury despite a spirited second-half fightback.
On Thursday night they responded emphatically.
George Williams needed only two minutes to put Olveston ahead, with Luke Magee adding another in the 11th minute.
Barry Phillips struck twice, in the 27th and 34th minutes, as Olveston took control.
Greyfriars found some reward through Simon Bateman in the 27th minute, but the visitors had plenty more to come.
Half-time substitute Brandon Robin Barnes scored in the 55th minute before fellow substitute Matthew Barnes completed the rout five minutes from time.
Six goals, three points and a welcome return to winning ways for Olveston.
LEAGUE CUP ROUND ONE
Saturday brought a change of focus.
League positions and early-season records were temporarily put aside as the Uhlsport Bristol Premier Combination League Cup began and the opening round provided everything expected of knockout football.
There were emphatic victories, tight encounters, a penalty shootout and one major upset.
BOCO CRUISE INTO ROUND TWO
AEK Boco Reserves 5 Hallen A 1
AEK Boco Reserves produced one of the day’s most convincing displays, beating Hallen A 5-1.
Boco were dominant from the outset and combined that control with clinical finishing.
Jasper Hudd, Billy Saunders and Will Whiteford were on target, while Ash Russell scored twice.
Russell’s brace earned him the Man of the Match award as Boco booked their place in round two in style.
ROCKS BUILD MOMENTUM
AFC Mangotsfield Rocks Reserves 4 Lawrence Weston 1
What a difference a week has made for AFC Mangotsfield Rocks Reserves.
After losing 4-0 to Made For Ever in their opening league match, the Rocks responded with five goals at Longwell Green in midweek and another four in the League Cup.
Kris Douglas, Joe Alston, Ollie Baker and Ed Brown supplied the goals in a 4-1 victory over Lawrence Weston.
Finlay Gaynor replied for Weston, whose hopes were ultimately undone by a disappointing second-half performance.
Lawrence Weston graciously wished Mangotsfield well in the next round and also reserved special praise for the young referee, who they felt produced an excellent performance.
For Mangotsfield, that’s nine goals in two matches and a place in round two.
FRENCHAY FIND THEIR FINISHING TOUCH
Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves 2 DRG Frenchay 5
After the frustration of their midweek defeat against Longwell Green when they struck the woodwork several times DRG Frenchay found their shooting boots in spectacular fashion.
Frenchay travelled to Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves and emerged with an excellent 5-2 victory to progress.
Joseph Baggs scored twice for Chipping Sodbury, but five Frenchay goals put the visitors safely through.
Their goalscorers were not provided, but after the frustration of Wednesday night, Frenchay could celebrate a deserved cup result.
LION ROAR THROUGH ON PENALTIES
De Veys 2 Lion 2 – Lion won 5-4 on penalties
The drama of the round came between De Veys and Lion.
De Veys appeared to be heading out when they found themselves 2-0 behind, but the promoted side showed tremendous character.
Darren Bloomfield struck in the 76th minute to give them hope before scoring again in the 88th to force a shootout.
But Lion’s goalkeeper had already produced several impressive saves during the match and became a decisive figure again when penalties arrived.
Lion eventually prevailed 5-4 in the shootout, ending De Veys’ cup campaign.
For De Veys there was disappointment, but also plenty of pride in a comeback which showed real character.
SHIREHAMPTON PROGRESS
Greyfriars Athletic 1 Shirehampton Reserves 3
Shirehampton Reserves continued their encouraging start by booking a place in round two with a 3-1 victory at Greyfriars Athletic.
Ibrahim Ceesay struck either side of half-time, scoring in the 41st and 62nd minutes.
Barely a minute after Ceesay’s second, Oleksandr Kohankov added another.
Jamie Elliott scored for Greyfriars in the 52nd minute, but Shirehampton’s three goals were enough to take them through.
HALLEN EDGE OUT WANDERERS
Hallen Reserves 2 Nicholas Wanderers 1
Hallen Reserves bounced back from their narrow league defeat against champions Iron Acton by edging Nicholas Wanderers 2-1.
Rio Richards and Jack Williams scored the decisive goals for Hallen.
Noah Eddolls replied for Nicholas Wanderers, but Hallen held firm to secure their place in the next round.
PATCHWAY WIN FIVE-GOAL CUP THRILLER
Hanham Athletic 2 Patchway Town 3
Patchway Town’s excellent week continued as they emerged victorious from a dramatic five-goal contest at Hanham Athletic.
The visitors scored from their first meaningful attack, converting from close range to take an early lead.
Hanham responded when Alfie Clarke released Liam Jenkins, who showed his composure from 12 yards to level the tie.
Patchway restored their advantage when a long ball split the Hanham defence and the resulting opportunity was tucked into the bottom corner.
That sent Patchway into half-time 2-1 ahead.
Hanham fought back again after the break.
A superb Jamie Johnson free-kick struck the post and Jack Boyd-Cox reacted quickest to the rebound, levelling the contest at 2-2.
But there was one final twist.
A long Patchway free-kick dropped into the penalty area and the visitors reacted first, converting to secure a late 3-2 victory.
Tom Butt, Matteo Pali and Paollo Pali were the Patchway scorers.
Having beaten Lawrence Weston 4-2 in the league, Patchway had now scored seven goals across successive victories and, more importantly, booked their place in the next round.
PROMOTED MADE FOR EVER STUN THE CHAMPIONS
Iron Acton 1 Made For Ever 2
The result of the round.
Reigning Premier Division champions Iron Acton welcomed Division One newcomers Made For Ever with an unbeaten league record and having scored freely throughout the opening weeks.
But knockout football rarely follows the script.
Made For Ever produced a superb first-half performance and deservedly went into the interval 2-0 ahead, with Archie Neill scoring both goals.
Iron Acton were furious with their own opening 45 minutes and produced a much stronger response after the restart.
Within five minutes, Dean Preddie had pulled one back.
Suddenly the tie was alive.
Acton pushed hard for an equaliser and struck both the crossbar and the post, but Made For Ever refused to buckle.
The Division One newcomers held on.
Iron Acton 1, Made For Ever 2.
Acton admitted afterwards that their poor first-half display had cost them, while sportingly wishing Made For Ever well in the next round.
For the visitors, Archie Neill and Daniel Tutt shared the Man of the Match honours.
Made For Ever’s start since promotion now reads like a statement of intent: consecutive 4-0 league victories followed by a cup victory away to the reigning Premier Division champions.
They are no longer simply the new boys.
They are becoming a team nobody will fancy facing.
BEDMINSTER BOUNCE BACK WITH FIVE
Longwell Green Sports Development 0 Bedminster Down 5
Bedminster Down responded perfectly to their 2-0 midweek league defeat against Cribbs Reserves by cruising into the next round with a 5-0 victory.
Connor Bodnarazek struck twice, with Marshall Quinn, Ches Blackett and Jordan Pocock completing the scoring.
Five goals and a clean sheet represented an excellent afternoon’s work.
BUDD AT THE DOUBLE FOR THORNBURY
Oldland Abbotonians Reserves 0 Thornbury Town Reserves 3
Thornbury Town Reserves also responded to a midweek league defeat by booking their place in round two.
Asher Budd scored twice in a 3-0 victory at Oldland Abbotonians Reserves, with Harry Walton adding the other.
Budd is enjoying a productive opening to the season after also scoring in Thornbury’s 3-2 league victory against Bedminster Down.
CRIBBS’ REVIVAL CONTINUES
Olveston United 1 Cribbs Reserves 3
Cribbs Reserves’ opening-day nightmare now seems a distant memory.
Having conceded eight against Old Sodbury, they have responded with three consecutive victories across league and cup.
Their latest came at Olveston United.
Aaron Coleman struck twice, continuing his excellent personal start after also scoring a brace against Greyfriars Athletic.
Jordan Lawrence added the other and has now scored in consecutive matches following his midweek goal at Bedminster Down.
James Moore replied for Olveston, but Cribbs marched into round two with a 3-1 victory.
SODBURY MACHINE ROLLS ON
Pucklechurch Sports 1 Old Sodbury 3
Could anyone stop Old Sodbury scoring?
Pucklechurch Sports gave it a very good go.
After Sodbury had scored 25 goals across their opening three league matches, Pucklechurch managed to keep the Premier Division high-flyers quiet for long periods and could take plenty of confidence despite eventually losing 3-1.
Dave Paterson scored for Pucklechurch, with Corey Jackson collecting their Man of the Match award.
But Sodbury’s firepower eventually told.
Archie Williams struck twice, while Alfie Andrews added the other.
Callum Cooper was named Old Sodbury’s Man of the Match.
Williams’ double continues an outstanding start in front of goal, while Sodbury have now won four consecutive matches in league and cup, scoring an extraordinary 28 goals in the process.
The Old Sods are on fire.
WINTERBOURNE BOUNCE BACK TO DUMP OUT BARCA
Winterbourne United 1 Bristol Barcelona 0
Perhaps one of the most intriguing results of the round came at Winterbourne.
Just three days earlier, Winterbourne had been comprehensively beaten 6-0 by Old Sodbury without managing a shot on target.
Bristol Barcelona, meanwhile, arrived having won both of their opening league matches, scoring five and conceding just once.
Cup football turned those fortunes upside down.
Jenson Beard scored the decisive goal as Winterbourne produced the response they needed and knocked Barcelona out with a 1-0 victory.
For Barca it was a first defeat of the campaign.
For Winterbourne, after a difficult start to their league season, it was exactly the result required to restore confidence.
A WEEK THAT CHANGED THE PICTURE
Three weeks into the campaign and the early storylines are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Old Sodbury are the division’s great entertainers. Their attacking numbers have been extraordinary, and another three goals in the Cup mean they have now struck 28 times across four competitive matches.
Iron Acton remain formidable in the league, but their League Cup ambitions are over after Made For Ever produced the standout result of the opening round.
Cribbs Reserves have responded superbly to their opening-day humiliation, turning an 8-1 defeat into three successive victories.
And then there are Made For Ever.
Promoted during the summer, two league matches have produced two victories, eight goals and two clean sheets. Their first League Cup assignment then sent them to the home of the reigning Premier Division champions.
They won that as well.
Meanwhile, Patchway, AFC Mangotsfield Rocks Reserves and Shirehampton are building momentum, while Winterbourne’s cup victory demonstrates perfectly why early league results do not always tell the whole story.
The league campaign will soon take centre stage again.
But after the opening round of the Uhlsport Bristol Premier Combination League Cup, several clubs have already discovered an old footballing truth:
When the Cup comes around, reputations count for nothing.