Toolstation League decide to suspend fixtures due to latest tier restrictions
Over the three seasons since we were promoted to the Prem we’ve steadily improved
THE Toolstation Western League has decided to suspend fixtures until January 22 following the latest tier restrictions put in place by the Government.
The league issued a statement on Wednesday night, which read: “The Toolstation Western League has suspended league fixtures until January 22, pending the next Government review of the local authority tier system.
“The Western League board had been working with clubs that wanted to continue playing to create a fixture list that facilitated games to take place. However, with Somerset put into Tier Four, where playing non-League football is not allowed, the board felt it was not appropriate to continue playing matches until the coronavirus situation across the league’s areas had improved.
“The next review of local authority tiers is scheduled to take place on January 13, following which the Western League board will review its position regarding league fixtures. However, the league has reassured clubs that whatever the outcome of the next review, they will be given a reasonable notice period, meaning that fixtures cannot resume until Saturday, January 23 at the earliest.”
Among the clubs to be left disappointed by the latest curtailment of fixtures are Roman Glass St George, who had been due to host second-placed Tavistck Town on the 3G surface at Oaklands Park, Almondsbury, tomorrow.
Roman Glass returned to league action for the first time since midOctober’s 3-1 home victory over Buckland Athletic to brush aside Bradford Town 2-0 in Wiltshire a fortnight ago, thanks to Ben Bament’s brace.
Manager Andy Gurney, the former Bristol Rovers and Swindon defender, said: “It was nice to start back with a win and deserved too after a decent performance on a heavy pitch.
“That was our third win on the spin spanning several weeks and it’s kept us in touch with the seven sides above us.
“If truth be told Plymouth Parkway look like they’re running away with it at the top but we’re more than capable of breaking into that top four or five with the squad we have.”
The 46-year-old confirmed Roman Glass’ long-term objectives: “Our aim is the Southern League; nothing changes there.
“Over the three seasons since we were promoted to the Prem we’ve steadily improved.
“On the basis only one team, likely to be Plymouth, goes up this season, then it’s not likely to happen this time, although there are lots of good sides, including us, they have to play. So points could be dropped.”
Gurney revealed he is in talks with a potential new assistant manager to replace Liam Greening, who recently took up the reins with Marcliff Gloucestershire County League side Shirehampton, after knee surgery prompted him to call it a day “on good terms” as Roman Glass’ trusted No 2.
Brislington had been hoping to build on Monday’s 2-0 win at Chipping Sodbury with another three points against at home to Odd Down tomorrow, but that game, of course, has now been postponed. Simon Prangley and Cameron Brown strikes secured victory against Sodbury.
The smiles are back at Bristol Telephones after a “marked improvement” in their First Division form.
Phones manager Jack Richardson said: “Generally speaking our lads have seemed more committed and motivated, with some lads new to the level keen to make their mark.”
Now 24, Richardson already had managerial experience with former Gloucestershire County League club Kingswood at only 20 when he joined Telephones’ staff, initially as a coach and helper operating alongside established duo Shaun Collins and Dave Johnson, before being given sole responsibility of the team last summer.
Of the few Covid-affected months of the 2020-21 campaign since, Richardson maintained: “There’s definitely been a marked improvement on the previous two years after losing our first three games (all by single goal margins) this season.
“The majority of our players are aged between 23 and 26 and it’s made for good camaraderie and more experience as some came to us having already played at this level or from the County League.
“One of my first moves after taking charge was to prise Andy Clark straight out of retirement. He had been a coach at Keynsham Town and was looking to call it a day at the end of last season, having once been popular on the staff here at Telephones according to lads who knew and respected him. Our aim going into the season was simply to get away from the bottom where’d we’d been so accustomed to being.
“We’ve made a decent start with that and now the objectives are to maintain stability and see if we can creep into the top half of the table.”
Richardson added: “We’re very pleased to have (striker) Dhani Golding back from taking a break from the game, and Harry Neil is also available again having only played a couple of games for us after arriving from Fry’s before injuring his ankle. We haven’t added new players to what is a big group but having these two back will be like two new signings.”