Today, our Chair made the trip to see Worcester Raiders to proudly present their well-earned January Team of the Month award! 🏆
After a fantastic run of performances, full of commitment, teamwork and quality football, it was only right that the squad received recognition for their outstanding month. From the players to the coaching staff, everyone has played their part in making January one to remember!
A huge congratulations to Worcester Raiders – your hard work, determination and team spirit have truly paid off. 👏🔥
Here’s to building on that momentum and seeing what the rest of the season brings! 💪⚽
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’.’ 5th round of the Isuzu FA Vase hosting Gornal Athletic who sit 2nd 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. 2nd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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!!! 🤞🤞
Highworth Town vs Worcester Raiders – P-P Cinderford Town vs Royal Wootton Bassett Town – P-P Corsham Town vs Cirencester Town – P-P Cribbs vs Westfields – P-P Droitwich Spa vs Lydney Town – P-P Longlevens AFC vs Mangotsfield United – P-P Thornbury Town vs Hereford Pegasus – P-P
At this point, clubs were just sending “P-P” messages pre-emptively.
🌟 THE TWO THAT SURVIVED (SOMEHOW)
Pershore Town 2–3 Slimbridge
One of the few pitches brave (or foolish) enough to host football.
Pershore led 2–0, Slimbridge responded with three goals and zero mercy.
Football happened. Everyone immediately went home to dry out.
Roman Glass St George 0–4 Fairford Town
Yes. This one was real.
Yes. Fairford absolutely turned up.
Fairford made light work of conditions that looked borderline inflatable, storming into a 2–0 half-time lead before pulling away after the break.
Goals from:
Charles Holliday (17) Harrison Edwards (37) Sol Pryce (48) Elliott Haffenden (70)
Attendance: 105
All heroes. All soaked. All questioning their life choices.
⚽ HELLENIC DIVISION ONE
More water. Less football.
Alcester Town vs Clanfield 85 – P-P Cheltenham Saracens vs Redditch Borough – P-P Ludlow Town vs Chipping Sodbury Town – P-P Newent Town vs Bewdley Town – P-P Shortwood United vs Carterton – P-P Thame United Reserves vs Brimscombe & Thrupp – P-P Woodford United vs Stonehouse Town – P-P
One lonely survivor:
Malmesbury Victoria 2–2 Wantage Town
Football played. Goals scored. Conditions described as “character building”.
🟡 ALLIANCE EAST
Hambleden 1–6 Ardley United Res Goals flowed freely. Hambleden… less so. Kidlington Dev vs Easington Sports Dev – P-P Banbury United Dev vs Hungerford Town Res – P-P
🔵 ALLIANCE WEST
University of Bristol vs Highworth Town Res – P-P Bourton Rovers Dev vs Carterton Dev – P-P
🏆 CUPS
Bateman Sports Alliance (Chairman’s) Challenge Cup: UDA Glos Dev vs Newent Town Dev – P-P Oxon FA Intermediate Cup: Clanfield 85 Res vs Headington Amateurs – P-P
☔ FULL-TIME SUMMARY
Football tried.
Football lost.
The rain remains unbeaten, ducks top the fair play league, and fixture secretaries are now legally entitled to cry.
