Rain, rain go away!!!!! We either have none or a deluge!!!
In the Isuzu FA Vase Second Round on Saturday, our 7teams left in the competition went down to 3. Cinderford Town drew 1-1 with Helston Athletic, subsequently winning 5-3 on penalties. Hallen drew 0-0 v Andover New Street away and then went on to win 4-1 on penalties. Slimbridge travelled down to Ivybridge Town and came back with an emphatic 5-0 victory; all 5 goals being scored by different scorers. Corsham Town lost 4-1 away to Bovey Tracey, Roman Glass St George suffered a 1-0home defeat v Hamworthy Recreation, Shortwood Unitedtravelled to Downton and lost 4-1. This was Shortwood United’s first time in the 2nd round for 14 years, so a great achievement. Thornbury Town were away at Hythe & Dibden, took a 2-0 lead in the first half with all looking good, but a 2nd half 3 goal comeback ended their chances to progress. The draw for the Third round has already been made with home games for Slimbridge and Hallen and an away game for Cinderford town, all due to be playedonDecember 6th. I noted there were good crowds at all the games, hopefully the crowds will flock to the next round games as well.
In the UHL Premier Division on Saturday, Droitwich Spawon the derby v Pershore Town 4-1 with 276 watching, Worcester Raiders travelled to Hereford Pegasus and won 3-0, Cirencester Town continued their steady progress with a 3-0 home win v Tuffley Rovers, Highworth Towntravelled to Cribbs and won 1-0, Fairford Town who have games in hand won 2-0 at home to Mangotsfield United, Royal Wootton Bassett Town v Longlevens finished 1-1and Lydney Town turned the formbook upside down winning 2-1 at home v Westfields. Lydney Town’s win really did bring them back from being cut adrift at the bottom of the table. On Wednesday evening leaders Roman Glass St George put their Vase exit behind them, winning 4-1 at home v Cinderford Town who finished the game with 9men.
In UHL Division One, on Saturday, leaders Bewdley Townwere held to at 1-1 home draw v Stonehouse Town, FC Stratford won 4-0 away v Woodford United, Redditch Borough won 4-1 at home v Thame United Reserves, free scoring Wantage Town won 6-0 at home v Malmesbury Victoria with Josh Davis scoring a hattrick and claiming the Uhlsport match ball. Cheltenham Saracens v Brimscombe & Thrupp finished in a 2-2 draw in the Glos derby, Chipping Sodbury Town won 3-0 at home v Wellington and Clanfield 85 climbed out of the bottom 3with a 2-1 away win v Ludlow Town. In the Wiseman Lighting (UHL) Floodlit Cup on Tuesday, Newent Townwon 3-2 v Bewdley Town.
In the Alliance East, Hungerford Town Reserves travelled to Penn & Tylers Green United and won 5-0, Headington Amateurs won 3-0 v Easington Sports Dev and there was a 5-goal thriller which saw Banbury United Dev winning 3-2 v Hambleden.
Bourton Rovers Dev v Evesham United Reserves finished 1-2 in Alliance West.
The disappointing news in the Alliance West saw the withdrawal of Mangotsfield United Dev, with a lack of commitment and buy-in from the players. Their record will be expunged as per the normal protocol.
In the Batemans Sports Alliance (Chairman’s) Challenge Cup Hightworth Town Reserves won 3-0 v Clanfield (85) Reserves.
The UHL Management Committee had their meeting on Wednesday evening where we talked long into the evening. Lots of topics on the agenda which was 15 items long. One of the big ones was: how do we end the season, in terms of the play-offs as well as the cup finals. More will follow on that. From the meeting was the news that clubs no longer have to upload an image for postponed games as they would have been on a video call with either Brian or myself. The respect table was also discussed and some clubs will be invited in to have a discussion given their points tally for respect not being up to the standards expected. I will also be emailing clubs in the next few weeks for interest to host the cup finals – thanks to those whose interest has already been registered.
Finally, onto this weekend, where we are currently being blitzed by Storm Claudia. Brian and myself are expecting a good few calls and we will both be available from 09:30Saturday morning. A reminder, any Premier Division or Division One club must call Brian and any Alliance club must call myself to arrange a Whatsapp Video inspection. Obviously if things are already looking bad, make contact today and the appropriate decision can potentially be made early.
Fingers crossed we get a good proportion of our games in as Saturday’s weather looks more encouraging.
Stay Dry,
Ian