Hanham stay on course for league and cup double

HANHAM Athletic’s stunning response to their disappointing 2021-22 Gloucestershire County League drop shows no sign of let-up as they continue to close in on a memorable Combination league and cup double.

The Vicarage Road fliers followed up their 4-2 League Cup final success over DRG SV Frenchay with a hard-fought 3-1 home win over Hallen Reserves back in Premier Division competition, to extend their lead at the summit to seven points.

In an evenly-balanced game in which both teams looked to play good football, it was Hanham who took the lead on the half-hour mark through Paul Coles, who, five minutes later, added a second.

Hallen’s youthful team, eager to add end product to all their possession, came out stronger in the second half and pulled one back via Saul Lewis’ penalty, only for Hanham to race straight up the other end to make it 3-1 thanks to a third goal for hat-trick man Coles.

Three days prior to that, Hanham were celebrating that Combination Cup final victory over Prem compatriots DRG SV Frenchay in an enthralling final at Mangotsfield United’s Cossham Street.

DRG had opened the scoring with a lofted shot across the box which beat Hanham’s backpedalling ‘keeper.

Hanham hit back hard, as Karim Rendall first equalised with a header from a corner before Brandon Barnes put them 2-1 in front with a low shot from outside the box.

DRG then restored parity following a free-kick, only to lose a man to a straight red card for a reckless challenge ten minutes before half-time.

Barnes grabbed his second with a sublime strike, and Hanham wrapped up the win following an interchange of passes and neat finish once more by Rendall.

Back in league action last Saturday, DRG fell to a 4-3 away defeat at the hands of a fourthplaced Winterbourne United side bouncing back from a four-game winless stretch.

Chairman Robyn Maggs, whose team went on to be held to a 2-2 Tuesday evening draw by guests Nicholas Wanderers, said: “We were back to our best on Saturday.

“Missing chances and conceding silly goals is still an affliction; but Ben Weaver, Dave Herbert and Charlie Davis’ double made sure of the points.”

Ben Summerfield, Fred Mullen and Callum Date goals kept DRG in the contest.

Relieved Totterdown United put paid to three straight defeats with a 2-0 win at AEK Boco Reserves, thanks to George Saunders’ penalty and an own goal.

St Nicholas, meantime, have been gaining useful points as they strive to exit the bottom four.

Three more were pocketed at Ridings HQ on Saturday, as goals for Craig Doyle, Jack Parker, Craig Harding and James Appleyard saw off high-flying Olveston United 4-2, whose manager Russell Knight conceded: “We came unstuck; the only highlight for us was a first senior goal for Jake Portch.”

Prior to the midweek 2-2 draw with Winterbourne, Nicholas Wanderers had made it back-to-back victories in overcoming secondbottom Shaftesbury Crusade 1-0 through Archie Davis’ effort.

Chipping Sodbury Town Reserves

remain rooted to the Premier Division floor without a win.

They did, however, manage a fighting point from a 1-1 draw with second-spot Longwell Green Reserves courtesy of Harry Winter’s strike, with the away side registering through Jack Waldron.

In Division One, second-placed Shirehampton Reserves had to accept a point after being held to a 1-1 draw by second-bottom De Veys.

De Veys took the lead in the second half through Connor Sposito, before Louis Snailham’s header levelled up the contest.

Iron Acton, third in the table, stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with a 2-0 away victory over Greyfriars Athletic, thanks to Keaton Cook and Wesley Chipato goals.

Oldland Abbotonians Reserves can have a say in the title race too after starting the week in fifth position thanks to a battling 4-3 Castle Road despatching of battling Nicholas Wanderers Reserves.

Twice Oldland’s young guns trailed too before emerging victorious courtesy of Zac Tucker’s double and Sam Clifton and Wil Cains contributions.

The frustrations are building up for another title contender in fourthplaced Stapleton, who haven’t played since the 1-1 March 4 stalemate with Mendip no thanks to a raft of postponements.

On Saturday their meeting with Boco A was called off as the visitors, who were to host Stapleton last night in a rapid reverse encounter, were unable to raise a side.

Mendip Broadwalk Reserves won 5-1 at Real Thornbury after trailing to a Josh Crawford goal at half-time. Dylan Whittle (2), George Vile, Rhys Hickery and Liam Matthew scored their goials.

Hambrook won 3-1 against Cribbs A, thanks to goals from Joe Carter (2) and Jack Cole. Daniel Sledge scored for Cribbs.