District Boco’s A-team hit Seymour for six to seal Senior Division title
AEK-BOCO A are basking in the afterglow of Bristol and District Senior Division championship success thanks to a convincing victory over Seymour United Reserves.
Jamie Johnson’s fliers have won 22 and lost only one of their 23 games, with three to play, starting with Saturday’s home fixture against Totterdown United Reserves (2.30pm).
Boco powered past Seymour’s strugglers – Bradley Saunders and Ben Murphy notched for them - 6-2 at a jubilant Greenbank Road HQ to secure the title and potential promotion to the Bristol Premier Combination.
Manager Johnson was among Boco’s marksmen along with Mikey Golding (2), Tommy Hutton, Jordan Mignott and Kyle Thomas.
The thrilled player-boss said: “We’re just pleased to have got it wrapped up. The boys have worked hard all season and have finally got their reward.
“Now we can concentrate on our GFA Junior Cup final with (league rivals) Patchway Reserves next Monday (April 25, Oaklands Park, 7.30pm).”
That Boco win put paid to any outside hopes second-placed AFC Mangotsfield District had of catching the unrelenting leaders, even though they pressed on unabated with a fine 3-2 away victory over fourth-placed Real Thornbury, who had Asher Budd and an own goal to thank for keeping them in the game.
Bedminster Down, in third, celebrated a return to winning ways following three straight defeats, as Liam Needs and Dean Yandell goals proved just enough to see off Patchway Town Reserves 2-1 on their Scott Park travels. The hosts replied through Claudio Da Silva’s strike.
Fifth-placed Stapleton, who face AFC Mangotsfield District on Saturday (2.30pm) aiming to reduce arrears between the two to three points as the fight for runners-up status intensifies, returned to winning ways following the setback of a 3-1 loss to Seymour by overcoming mid-table visitors Lawrence Rovers 6-2 at Begbrook Green Park through Ryan Ricketts’ hat-trick and Ryan Madge, Sam Sheppard and Jack Little efforts.
While leaders Thornbury Town Reserves kept alive their Division One title hopes with a 3-0 victory at Iron Acton Reserves knowing third-spot Bristol Barcelona, whose scheduled away day with MPK Lofts was postponed after the hosts announced they were unable to raise a side, can yet steal the crown from under their noses, fifth-placed Bradley Stoke Town Reserves were breezing past Hanham Athletic Reserves 3-0 at Vicarage Road via Aaron Bundy, Mitch Bombroff and Aiden Molyneux goals.
As Old Sodbury stayed second with a 2-0 victory at Olveston United Reserves, Spike Weaver’s brace still couldn’t save Sea Mills Park from taking a 4-2 tumble at home against Hambrook Reserves.
Mendip Broadwalk A eventually overcame relegation-haunted basement compatriots Greyfriars Athletic Reserves, who played their part in a lively Division Two confrontation at Mile Straight Club, 6-4, courtesy of Jamie Elliott’s double and Pedro Santos and Tom Clark contributions.
In Division Four, lowly Lion Reserves, with Daniel Jones and David Bunker on target, and fourthplaced Roman Glass St George Reserves, who had Sheldon Walker’s brace to thank, shared the spoils at the BAWA via a 2-2 draw, a familiar outcome for Saints who have drawn their last three games now by that same scoreline.
Also in the District League’s fifth tier, goals by Adam Butcher (2) and Declan Harding weren’t quite enough for Bitton Reserves as hosts Shaftesbury Crusade Reserves edged them aside 4-3.
Still the fight to secure Division Five top spot for keeps rages on. Leaders Redfield Rovers, battling furiously to stave off the real threat posed by second-placed Real St George, kept their nerve with the heat firmly on as Marvin Atkinson, Liam Vaughan and an own goal ensured them a precious 3-2 win at third-placed Hallen Rangers, who replied through Corey Burton and Adam Snook efforts.
Micah Chudleigh and Sam Brain goals were sufficient to clinch Tormarton Reserves three more points from a second straight win courtesy of a 2-1 home defeat of Bedminster Down Reserves, who had Jordan Munn registering, which elevated the hosts above their beaten opponents into eighth position on goal difference on the strength of it.
Jacob Moore’s strike for a resurgent Hengrove 88 earned his team a point from a 1-1 home draw with mid-table