The only games we lost the past weekend were from teams not being able to field a team due to lack of available players., which is quite surprising, especially at Step 6 of the NLS!

In the UHL Premier Division last Saturday, Roman Glass St George continued their pursuit of the title by holding 1^stplace with a 2-1 home win v Tuffley Rovers. With Worcester Raiders, Slimbridge and Droitwich Spa all in cup action, Corsham Town had a chance to make ground on the top 4; they were in fact held at home by Hallen in a 1-1 draw with Corsham’s equalizer coming in the 90^thminute. Cirencester Town kept up their play-off place chase with a 3-1 away win v Fairford Town after being 1-0 down in the game. Longlevens hosted Mangotsfield United and in a very even game with few chances won 1-0. Cinderford Town won 2-0 at home v Royal Wootton Bassett Town, Highworth Town travelled to Pershore Town and won 3-0, Westfields v Thornbury Town ended 2-2 with all 4 goals being scored in the first half. In the battle of the bottom two, Cribbs travelled to Lydney Town and won 3-0. Other teams could be dragged into the relegation places as it’s very tight down at the bottom. In midweek action, Cinderford Town hosted a resurgent Hallen and it finished 2-2 with all goals being scored in the first half. Cribbs hosted Westfields and that one ended 0-0.

We had the UHL Challenge Cup Semi-Finals on Saturday with a place in the finals up for grabs. Hereford Pegasushosted Worcester Raiders and won 4-0 which included a Jordan Williamson hattrick. Slimbridge hosted Droitwich Spa and went in at the break 1-0 up. Droitwich Spa came out in the 2^nd half, scored 4 goals to win 4-1. So, it’s a Hereford Pegasus v Droitwich Spa final which is currently due to be played on the 29^th March. 

In midweek we had the Wiseman Lighting (UHL) Floodlit cup Semi-Finals with a place in the Final due to be held at Stonehouse Town on Tuesday 17^th March. In the first game on Tuesday evening Worcester Raiders hosted Longlevens and in a very tight affair, Longlevens won 1-0. In the second game on Wednesday evening, Malmesbury Victoria gave up home advantage due to pitch issues and Hungerford Town Reserves hosted and won a 5-goal thriller 3-2.  Good luck to both Longlevens and Hungerford Town Reserves in the final next Tuesday, please feel free to pop down to Stonehouse Town to witness what is likely to be a very entertaining game hosted at a great facility. (7.45pm kickoff!)

In UHL Division One on Saturday, we had the 1^st v 2^ndplaying each other which resulted in a 5-goal thriller; FC Stratford hosted Wantage Town and were 2-0 down at half time; they rallied in the second half and went on to win 3-2 with their winning goal coming in the 92^nd minute. Bewdley Town made the long journey to Brimscombe & Thruppand went home with a 3-0 win. With Stonehouse Townhaving no game, Cheltenham Saracens took advantage to draw closer to them with a narrow 2-0 home win v Carterton. Newent Town v Alcester Town finished 1-1, Malmesbury Victoria closed the gap with an impressive 4-1 away win v Redditch Borough. Chipping Sodbury Town and Clanfield 85 shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, Ludlow Town made the long journey to play Thame United Reserves and it finished 0-0. Its looking interesting at the bottom, but there is still going to be plenty of movement, especially with a few teams with lots of games in hand over others. In midweek action Bewdley Town travelled to Redditch Borough and won 2-0 to maintain 2^nd spot. Alcester Town hosted Clanfield 85 and won 3-1.

In the Batemans Sport Alliance Challenge Cup on Saturday, Clanfield 85 Res hosted Evesham United Res and it was 3-3 in normal time with Evesham winning 7-6 on penalties.

In the Alliance East on Saturday, we had wins forHeadington Amateurs, Marlow Res and Easington Sports Devs. In mid-week, it was good to see Ardley United Res in action and they duly won 2-1 v Kidlington Dev. 

In the Alliance West on Saturday, UDA Glos Dev v Bourton Rovers Dev finished 2-1.

In the Vets we had wins for Faringdon Town Vets in the Premier and wins for Henley Town Vets and Marcham Vets in Div 1. 

Good luck to Thame United Vets who are through to the County Cup final and play that next Thursday. 

February Team of the Month awards are out; Congratulations to Tuffley Rovers in the Premier Divisionand to Brimscombe & Thrupp in Division 1. Look out for presentations shortly. 

 Have a great weekend and let us hope the sun keeps shining, 

Spring has sprung and hopefully our final canter towards the end of a very exciting season. It’s Cheltenham Races next week, so be mindful of traffic if you are travelling through!

The Izusu FA Vase Quarter Final game between Hallenand West Didsbury & Chorlton turned into a photo finish with Hallen equalizing in the 92^nd minute through Harrison Fairman and then winning 6-5 on penalties in front of a watching 402. Fantastic result and congratulations to everyone at Hallen on progressing through to the semi-final with the 1^st leg scheduled at their home ground on Saturday March 28^th. One final push to get to Wembley!

In the UHL Premier Division last Saturday, we lost three games to the weather. Morning leaders Worcester Raidershosted Tuffley Rovers and their fantastic recent form ended with Tuffley winning 3-2. Roman Glass St George took advantage and regained 1^st place with a 3-0-win v Pershore Town. Slimbridge travelled to Hereford Pegasus and despite taking a 2nd minute lead, lost 3-2. Other title contenders/play-off hopefuls; Droitwich Spa, Corsham Town and Cirencester Town all had the games they were due to be involved in, postponed. Fairford Townwon 2-0 at home to Cribbs, but left it very late with goals in the 88^th and 95^th minutes. Mangotsfield United won 3-1 at home to Lydney Town with a Brandon Bak hattrick. Royal Wootton Bassett Town had a 3-1 home win v Thornbury Town. On Tuesday evening, 2^nd placed Worcester Raiderstravelled across to Highworth Town and lost the game 2-1, Slimbridge hosted Royal Wootton Bassett Town and were 1-0 down going into the 92^nd minute where a Jack W Smith goal made it 1-1 and then in the 94^th minute a Bassett own goal gave them a dramatic 2-1 win to thrust them back into title contention. Fairford Town hosted Cinderford Town and won 2-1. Hallen, fresh from their FA Vase ¼ Final win travelled across the bridge to Lydney Town and climbed out off the 2^nd bottom place with a 2-0 win. On Wednesday, Longlevens (who have been suffering with their pitch) hosted Pershore Town and won an entertaining game 4-2, although they were made to sweat at the end when Pershore came back from 3-0 down at half time to 3-2. 

In UHL Division One on Saturday, we also lost three games to the weather. With FC Stratford not in action, Wantage Town hosted Alcester Town and won 3-1 to maintain 2^nd place. Bewdley Town were not in action either and Cheltenham Saracens’ game was postponed. Stonehouse Town hosted Malmesbury Victoria and left it until the 94^th minute to equalize in the 1-1 draw. Thame United Reserves put up a good fight in their home game v Chipping Sodbury Town, but lost it 3-2. On Tuesday evening, Stonehouse Town travelled to Carterton and came away with an impressive 4-2win, Shortwood Unitedhosted Chipping Sodbury Town and lost 2-1. 

In the UHL Supplementary Challenge Cup Newent Town v Marlow Res ended 2-1 to Newent. In this cup on Tuesday evening, Woodford United hosted Alcester Town and lost 2-1. 

In the Alliance East on Saturday, we had wins for Easington Sports Dev and Headington Amateurs. On Tuesday we had a win for Hungerford Town Res. On Wednesday we had a win for Banbury United Dev.

In the Alliance West on Saturday, we had wins for Clanfield (85) Res, University of Bristol and UDA Glos Dev and a draw between Bourton Rovers Dev and Carterton Dev. On Wednesday, we had a win for Carterton Dev. 

In the Vets Premier on Wednesday, we had a win for Windsor & Eton Vets. In Vets D1 we had wins for Bicester Town and Watlington Town Old Boys. 

In the Vets League Cup we had wins for Didcot Town Old Boys and Thame United. These two will meet in the Vets Cup Final on Wednesday 29^th April. Congratulations to both Teams. 

Enjoy the weekend and hopefully all the football that will be played,

Regards, 

Ian

It’s been a much better week weather wise and the sun has appeared on frequent occasions, so here is hoping for plenty of football! Hard to believe February is coming to an end. 

The Izusu FA Vase Quarter Final tie between Hallen and West Didsbury & Chorlton takes place on Saturday atHallen. West Didsbury & Chorlton ply their trade in The North West Counties Football League Premier Divisionand are currently in 6^th place, but well placed for a play-off spot. The club was founded in 1908 and is based in Chorlton which is just outside Manchester. All our hopes are firmly pinned on Hallen to make it through to the Semi-Finals. 

In the UHL Premier Division last Saturday, we had a pretty much full program with only the Slimbridge v Corsham Town game falling to the weather. Worcester Raiderscontinued their climb up the table and took over 2^nd place with a hard fought 2-1 away win v Cirencester Town. Raider’s winner came in the 97^th minute.  Tuffley Roverswon their 3^rd game in a row with a narrow 1-0 home win v Westfields. Mangotsfield United made the relatively short trip across Bristol to play Cribbs and won 1-0 with an 84th minute goal. Fairford Town and Cinderford Town’s recent revivals in form ended on Saturday with Fairford losing 2-0 away to Lydney Town and Cinderford losing 2-1 away to Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Hereford Pegasus lost 3-1 at home to Thornbury Town and Longlevens lost 2-0 away to Highworth Town. Hallen (with games in hand on teams around them) had a good 3-0 away win v Pershore Town to enhance their hopes of beating the drop. On Tuesday night we had Slimbridge v Worcester Raiders, with Raiders continuing their fantastic form, winning 1-0 and taking over 1^st place in the table. Cribbs are a little marooned at the bottom of the table at present and it’s quite tight between the bottom 5. At the top, it’s ultra-competitive with the top spot and play-off places being fiercely contested. 

In the UHL Challenge Cup on Tuesday, Droitwich Spahosted Fairford Town and duly won the game 5-2 to set up a semi-final tie away v Slimbridge. 

In UHL Division One on Saturday, we also had a pretty full program of league games played. FC Stratford continued in 1^st place with a tricky visit to 5^th placed Newent Town. They came away with a 2-0 win. Wantage Town hosted Carterton and won the 5-goal thriller 3-2 to maintain 2^ndplace. With Bewdley Town not in action, Stonehouse Town closed the gap with a 4-1 away win v Thame United Reserves. Cheltenham Saracens continued their impressive season with a 2-1 home win v Woodford United. Brimscombe & Thrupp v Redditch Boroughended 0-0, Shortwood United won 1-0 at home v Wellington, Ludlow Town travelled to Clanfield 85 and a Ramzi Killicaslan hattrick saw them travel home with a 3-2 win. Alcester Town v Malmesbury Victoria was postponed. In mid-week, FC Stratford had a very impressive 7-1-win v Woodford United with Toby Nichollscoring 4 of the goals. Bewdley Town travelled to Alcester Town and won 1-0 and Cheltenham Saracens hosted Redditch Borough and won 2-0. It is still really close at the top of the table and there is sure to be some movement at the bottom. 

In the UHL Supplementary Challenge Cup Banbury United Dev v Chipping Sodbury Town ended 3-2, with both of Chipping Sodbury’s goals coming in stoppage time. Mohammed Gaye scored a hattrick for Banbury.  

In the Batemans Sports Alliance Challenge Cup, UDA Glos Dev won 4-0 v Newent Town Dev. 

In the Alliance East there was one game on Friday eveningwhich saw Hungerford Town Res beat Eversley & California Res 6-0 and one game on Saturday which saw Marlow Res v Headington Amateurs end 2-2. In midweek, Easington Sports Dev won 8-0 v Eversley & California Res. 

In the Vets Premier we had wins for Faringdon Town Vets, Didcot Town Old Boys Vets and Penn & Tyler Green Vets. 

In the Vets Division One, we had wins for Witney Royals Vets, Bicester Town vets and Holyport Vets.

 Fingers crossed on the weather front,

Regards,

From what looked like being a complete washout last weekend, things actually turned out far better than expected. If we end up with a hosepipe ban this summer, perhaps it’s time for the Hellenic Lawyers to take on the water companies! Cheltenham today has delivered what feels like four seasons in one day, so let’s hope for a return to some settled, dry weather.

In the Isuzu FA Vase 5th Round last Saturday, Hallen produced an outstanding performance, beating Gornal Athletic 3–0. Harrison Fairman grabbed two of the goals in a superb display that sees Hallen progress to the quarter-finals. They have another home tie on 28th February, which I’ll highlight again in the coming weeks — a great occasion for the club.

In the UHL Premier Division, with several sides involved in cup action, we had three league fixtures last weekend. Corsham Town travelled to in-form Cinderford Town and were beaten 3–1. Tuffley Rovers made the trip to Pershore Town and came away with an impressive 3–0 win, with the ever-reliable Karnell Chambers once again finding the net. Royal Wootton Bassett Town hosted Westfields and continued their steady climb up the table with a convincing 3–0 victory. Longlevens v Cribbs fell victim to Friday’s downpours despite Longlevens’ best efforts to get the game on.

On Tuesday evening, Lydney Town hosted Hereford Pegasus, with Pegasus running out 2–1 winners. Fairford Town travelled to Westfields and continued their own climb up the table with a 2–0 victory. Reports suggest both pitches were in excellent condition despite recent flooding, so huge credit must go to the grounds staff at Lydney and Westfields for their hard work.

In the UHL Challenge Cup, Hereford Pegasus edged past Highworth Town 1–0. Slimbridge made the short trip to Stonehouse Town for a Gloucestershire derby and secured a 3–1 win. Worcester Raiders faced a long journey to Mangotsfield United, with the match finishing 2–2 in normal time before Raiders prevailed 5–3 on penalties.

In the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup on Tuesday, Highworth Town made the long midweek journey to Alcester Town and returned with an emphatic 5–0 win, including a hat-trick from Bonsa Teshome. Cribbs hosted Longlevens but were beaten 3–1.

In UHL Division One, five league matches were played on Saturday. FC Stratford maintained top spot with a 2–0 away win at Ludlow Town. Wantage Town kept up the pressure with a 2–1 home victory over Brimscombe & Thrupp. Malmesbury Victoria were narrowly beaten 3–2 by Clanfield 85 in a five-goal thriller. Cheltenham Saracens drew 2–2 with Thame United Reserves, with Thame equalising in the 88th minute. Wellington enjoyed a welcome 4–1 win over Chipping Sodbury Town. Redditch Borough v Bewdley Town was postponed.

In the UHL Supplementary Challenge Cup, Shortwood and Hungerford Town Reserves drew 1–1 before Shortwood triumphed 4–2 on penalties. In midweek, Marlow Reserves beat Thame United Reserves 3–1.

Finally, in the Batemans Sports Alliance Challenge Cup, Evesham United Reserves hosted Banbury United Development but were beaten 7–1.

Let’s hope for a full programme and plenty of football to enjoy this weekend.

The rain took a massive toll on fixtures last weekend with only 3 surviving. One of these was the grass pitch at Pershore Town, a massive thanks to the grounds-staff at Pershore which must have been a huge effort. With more rain this week, we have already lost some games that were due to be played tomorrow. 

Hallen’.’ 5^th round of the Isuzu FA Vase hosting Gornal Athletic who sit 2^nd in Division One of the Midland Football League will be attempted at Hallen again on Saturday. Fingers crossed the game goes ahead and all the best to Hallen. 

In the UHL Premier Division last Saturday, where we had 2 games surviving the weather, two of the current top 3 played. 2^nd placed Roman Glass St. George hosted Fairford Town, who last time out won 7-3 away at Slimbridge. Fairford ripped the form book up again and won 4-0 to dent Roman Glass St George’s eye on top spot in the division. A real 5-goal thriller took place on the grass at Pershore Town where they hosted 3^rd placed Slimbridge. Pershore had beaten promotion chasing Cirencester Town the week before. The game was poised at 1-1 going in at the interval. Pershore then went 2-1 up and almost added a 3^rd that was well saved by the Slimbridge goalkeeper. Into the last ten minutes and Slimbridge leveled with regular marksman Jack W Smithfinding the net with a header. Deep into stoppage time Slimbridge completed the victory with Smith again on the mark to seal the win. Slimbridge are still 3^rd but hot on the heels of the top two with games in hand. 

In UHL Division One on Saturday, we only had 1 game played. Malmesbury Victoria borrowed Cirencester Towns’ 3G pitch and hosted fellow 3G pitch owners Wantage Town. The game finished 2-2 with Wantage firmly in 3^rd place and Malmesbury just one place outside of the play-off places. On Tuesday, Brimscombe & Thrupp v Carterton was the only survivor of the night and it was well worth it for Brimscombe & Thrupp who won convincingly 6-1. Again, a great effort by the grounds team at the club. 

We had 3 Vets games to survive the weather on Wednesday. In Division One there were wins for Woodley United Vets at home v Watlington Town Old Boys Vets and Gording United vets at home v Marcham Vets. In theVets League Cup, Thame United Vets beat Bicester Town Vets. 

Team of the month for January:

Premier Division – Worcester Raiders

Division One – Bewdley Town

Lookout for the trophy presentation in due course and congratulations.  

This Sunday, myself, Bill B and Brian K are heading to St. Georges Park for a Steps 5 and 6 Leagues Meeting which brings together all Step 5 and 6 Leagues from across the country. Main topics are: FA Referees Update, Club Licensing and a Step 6 Review. I will look to provide some snippets over the coming weeks for you.

Hoping for a good proportion of games tomorrow!!!  🤞🤞

The rain is starting to get a tad boring now! We have already lost games this upcoming weekend!

Weather dependent, there is a massive game in the 5^thround of the Isuzu FA Vase seeing our remaining survivors in the competition, Hallen, hosting Gornal Athletic who sit 2^nd in Division One of the Midland Football League. All the very best to Hallen to keep the UHL flag flying into the next round. 

In the UHL Premier Division last Saturday, previous leaders Roman Glass St George had no game, so 2^ndplaced Droitwich Spa took full advantage in their home 4-0-win v Cribbs and duly moved into top spot. 3^rd Placed Slimbridge travelled to bottom club at the time Hallen and were soundly beaten 4-0 with Harrison Fairman scoring a hat trick. Hallen moved off the bottom as a result and Slimbridge dropped to 4^th place as Worcester Raidershosted Westfields and two 2^nd half goals saw them leapfrog Slimbridge into 3^rd.  Corsham Town travelled to Tuffley Rovers and suffered a 3-2 defeat, Cirencester Town hosted Pershore Town and two 2^nd half goals saw Pershore Town travel home with 3 points in the bag.  Mangotsfield United hosted a resurgent Cinderford Townand lost 3-2, Fairford Town v Hereford Pegasus was postponed due to a heavy downpour just before kick-off resulting in the pitch becoming un-playable. Highworth Town hosted Thornbury Town and with the game poised at 1-1, Thornbury popped up with an 87^th minute winner to take the 3 points. Lydney Town travelled to Royal Wootton Bassett Town and travelled home on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat. A few twists and turns this week and no doubt many more to come over the next few weeks. 

On Tuesday evening we had Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup action which saw Malmesbury Victoria travel toWantage Town and win 5-3 and Worcester Raiders v Hereford Pegasus end 1-1 in normal time with Worcester Raiders winning 5-3 on penalties. 

In UHL Division One on Saturday, Leaders FC Stratfordhosted Chipping Sodbury Town and kept top spot with a 3-1 win. Bewdley Town travelled to Shortwood United and won 2-1, Wantage Town were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Ludlow Town, Stonehouse Town v Cheltenham Saracens was also a draw, but this one finished 1-1. Alcester Town v Wellington ended in a 2-0 home win. Woodford United v Carterton ended 2-2. Redditch Borough v Malmesbury Victoria and Clanfield 85 v Brimscombe & Thrupp were both postponed.

One game in Alliance East saw Headington Amateurs v Banbury United Dev end 2-1. 

Two games in Alliance West saw Bourton Rovers Dev v UDA Glos Dev finish 3-0 and Evesham United Res v Highworth Town Res finish 2-1. 

In the Batemans Sports Alliance (Chairmans) Challenge Cup, we had wins for Ardley United Res v Easington Sports Dev and Marlow Res v Hambleden.

We had 3 Vets games survive the weather on Wednesday in Division One with wins for Goring United Vets away at Bicester Town Vets and Chinnor Vets at home v Marcham Vets.  

Golden Glove Awards for January saw Harry Pickering of Malmesbury Victoria in Division One and Joe Stocktonof Droitwich Spa in the Premier Division pick up the UHLSPORT Gloves. Congratulations to both goal-keepers.

Great news received from Highworth Town in regards to the new stadia and 3G pitch. It looks like work will start at the end of March and be ready for pre-season friendlies in time for season 2026-2027 to start. It has been a long wait with some hard work by the Highworth Stalwarts, but hopefully they will get their rewards with the new development. 

Yours in sport, 

Ian