Toolstation/Hellenic Stags chief delighted with impact made by new management
ASHTON & Backwell United chairman Mike Thomas is backing boss Tony Beecham and his new-look management team to build on an impressive start to their reign.
The Lancer Scott Stadium side, promoted this summer from the First Division of the Toolstation Western League under Stuart Jones’ astute stewardship, are back in business under ex-Cribbs and Hallen supremo Beecham’s leadership now they have got to grips better with challenging Premier Division competition.
Saturday’s 4-0 home victory over basement rivals Bridport followed an eye-catching 2-1 away defeat of Brislington in the FA Vase. It got even better for the Stags on Tuesday, as they overcame Taunton Town 5-4 on penalties to progress to the second round of the Somerset Premier Cup, after Jason Radnedge’s goal had put them in front in normal time before their hosts tied it up at 1-1.
Reason, then, for cheer for an Ashton & Backwell outfit who, perhaps not so surprisingly, began life at the higher level slowly as they sought new leadership following the spring departure of Jones, now in charge at Hellenic League outfit Hallen, and then the unexpected exit of Charlie Rich, who had been appointed as Jones’ replacement in early May only to leave on the eve of the new campaign.
Thomas said: “Beech (Beecham) was in the dugout for our Helston game a few weeks back, although we only officially announced his arrival after the game.
“Since then he’s overseen three straight wins in conjunction with his management team of Jim Williams, who assisted him at Cribbs before managing St George Easton in Gordano more recently, and Ryan Perrett, who had been in charge at Parson St Old Boys in the Suburban League for the past eight seasons. Until they all came in, our first-team affairs following Charlie’s sudden departure had been looked after by our vice-chairman and reserve-team coach Matt Southern, and Nick Smart, our reserves manager. They both gave up so much of their time for the cause and did a brilliant job in the interim.”
The Ashton & Backwell chief said: “We always knew going into the Premier Division that we had seven/eight players capable of playing at this level, helped by a couple of new signings and younger lads making the step up.
“Eight players had left us after our promotion had been confirmed and it probably looked like something had gone horribly wrong, which couldn’t have been further from the truth.
“Most had valid reasons for going and a ninth player, Harry Walker, was nursing a serious ankle injury sustained at work.
“The fact is the fantastic loyalty and spirit that got us to where we are today is very much intact; players are at the club for the right reasons as we have to cut our cloth accordingly. Some have turned down potential moves to big clubs, and the money that would have gone with it, because they love being here.”
Thomas continued: “Beech brought in a few players with him, including Conor Hartley, an attacker from Hallen, while 17-year-old Alfie Cummings, another attacker/winger, is doing marvellously having scored one on Saturday and set up another.
“Another handful have been training with Beech to see where it takes them, and it’s been pleasing to see (centre-forward) Paul Uppington back from a spell with Bishop Sutton.
“Harry (Walker) is gaining progress from his ankle break and I’m quietly confident, after losing only twice in our last seven games, that we can compete strongly with the next six to eight clubs above us and keep well away from danger in what is a very competitive division.”
Second-placed Bitton, and sixthspot near neighbours Keynsham Town, are Bristol’s leading lights in the Toolstation Premier just now. Keynsham, spurred on by their eyebrow-raising 4-1 weekend victory at Bitton, and then 3-2 midweek Somerset Premier Cup success at Wincanton through Matt Brown’s treble, seek more of the same at Clevedon Town back in the league tomorrow.
Bitton go to Saltash United desperate to keep leaders Tavistock in their sights following that Keynsham setback.
Bristol Telephones manager Jack Richardson insists his team have every reason to feel they can make a concerted push towards mid-table and possibly higher.
The Stockwood Lane side have shown tangible signs of revival in the Toolstation League’s second tier under Richardson’s stewardship this term. Indeed, 14th-placed Telephones put together a spiritlifting five-game unbeaten run before being dealt three straight defeats of late.
Richardson said: “It has been something of a mixed bag of results
so far; but overall it’s been encouraging when you consider how tough things have been for us down there at the wrong end of the table in recent years.
“Losing 6-2 at home to Tytherington Rocks was disappointing, although Will Boyer’s sending off didn’t help matters. Our game after that saw us losing 2-0 at home to Radstock Town, one of the few times this season we could hold our hands up and say the better team won.
“Other games we’ve lost have been tight. We were 2-0 up against Lebeq early into the season, only to lose 3-2. It’s that lack of experience that has cost us at times. Other than that, we’ve shown we can be competitive.”
The young Phones supremo, who is head of sport and recruitment at Bristol Rovers Community Trust, stressed: “We have a really big group of players and everyone’s together; the spirit is good.
“It’s a case of keeping that togetherness, while the strategy is to try and push towards the mid-table area and see where it takes us.”
Game of the day in the First Division tomorrow is at West Clewes, where unbeaten leaders Welton Rovers host third-placed AEK Boco. Before then, there’s Friday football at Hengrove’s AVB Stadium where tenants Longwell Green Sports face Cheddar (7.30pm).
In the Hellenic Premier Division, there are home games for Chipping Sodbury Town, against highflying Brimscombe & Thrupp, and Thornbury Town, who host Shrivenham.
Roman Glass St George, whose back-to-back wins ended with Wednesday’s 1-0 home defeat by Corsham Town, are at Calne Town.
There’s more Friday football tonight at The Lawns, where Cribbs can return to the top if they overcome lowly Bristol rivals Hallen (7.45pm).