Premier Comb’n Stapes book place in quarter-finals
STAPLETON were among a clutch of delighted Bristol Premier Combination teams celebrating further progress in the GFA Senior Amateur South Cup.
With Premier Division Winterbourne United standing in their way at the third-round juncture, Division One leaders Stapes responded to early goal arrears inflicted by Bourne’s Ben Weaver to march through to the quarter-finals thanks to the clinical Callums – Barnfield (2) and Baker – in a 3-1 home success.
Chuffed chairman Rob Selman said: “It was a great win for us. We showed such a positive reaction to going a goal down early on to run out deserved winners. We have Rockleaze next, two divisions above us, who use our club for after-match drinks these days which should be interesting!”
DRG SV Frenchay booked a lasteight slot, 4-2, at the expense of Combination Prem compatriots and guests Olveston United.
Callum Date, Matt Hyslop, Dylan Quick and Emiel Aiken delivered the goals to see DRG to the most testing of ties next, a home meeting with Suburban Premier Division Avonmouth, who overcame Combination top flight visitors Nicholas Wanderers 6-1. Ross Beazer struck with their consolation goal.
The outcome was a disappointment for Olveston, who have been going well in the league but could only respond with Phil Williams and Matt Knight strikes.
Also through to the quarter-finals of the county competition are Totterdown United, who stunned Gloucestershire County League pacesetters Bromley Heath United by beating them 1-0 on their Pomphrey Hill travels thanks to Chaz Hemmings’ goal.
“Even they told us we were welldeserved winners,” jubilant Totterdown chairman Steve Thomas remarked as his fourth-placed team, managed by player-boss Jack Thorley, teed up a last-eight date away against Combination Prem rivals St Nicholas on January 14. James Mapstone’s Saints had every reason to celebrate their safe passage too, after a superb edge-of-box volley by Jason Bradford secured a1-0 Ridings HQ win over Suburban Senior side Redbridge.
Iron Acton had goals from Charlie Lacey and Jordan Wood-Ayemou goals in a 3-2 defeat against AEKBoco Reserves, who were indebted to Cory Langdon, Bayley Rudge and Jaye Rudge strikes.
In Bristol Combination Division One, Cribbs A fielded four 16-yearolds in their tough fixture with sharpshooters Shirehampton Reserves, two of whom were making their adult football debuts. So given that, and the fact Shire have been scoring goals for fun this season and sit second in the table while their opponents remain bottom without a win eight games in, the spirited visitors did extremely well to run their lofty hosts all the way before bowing to a 2-1 defeat.
Louis Snailham drove down the right and crossed for Cody Winkler to volley in after 34 minutes for a Shire lead which lasted mere seconds, as straight from the restart a long Cribbs ball caught out their defence, and youngster Tatenda Stancelous Mateke headed in the equaliser.
Shire enjoyed more dominance in the second half, although it took until the 78th minute for the winner to come, with Caleb Makanjuola finishing on his debut.
Wick Reserves, who pitched up third in the Division One standings had a 4-0 home romp over Hambrook, thanks to Luke Henderson’s double and Jamie Hill and Luke Bailey contributions.
Real Thornbury are up to seventh in Division One heading into Saturday’s challenging home game with Iron Acton (2pm) after seeing off Nicholas Wanderers Reserves 3-2 at Dundridge Park via Isaac Vaughan’s double and Calum Davies-Smith’s strike.
In a close contest, mid-table Wanderers were always in contention after scoring through Mark Davidson and James Hubbard.