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Tag: promotionrace

  • Weekly Update 27/02/26

    Weekly Update 27/02/26

    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 6th 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 2nd place with a hard fought 2-1 away win v Cirencester Town. Raider’s winner came in the 97th minute.  Tuffley Roverswon their 3rd 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 1st 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 1st place with a tricky visit to 5th 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 2ndplace. 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,

  • Saturday Football Round-Up: Penalties, Goal Gluts and 1,555 Reasons to Love the Hellenic League

    Saturday Football Round-Up: Penalties, Goal Gluts and 1,555 Reasons to Love the Hellenic League

    Saturday 17 January delivered a full menu of non-league entertainment across the Isuzu FA Vase and the Hellenic League, with penalty shoot-out drama, emphatic league victories and no shortage of goals — all watched by a combined 1,555 supporters who braved January conditions to back their sides.

    And if you ever needed 1,555 reasons to come and watch the Hellenic League, this was it: action packed with drama, great goals, epic saves and just a tiny touch of referee controversy — the good kind that keeps everyone talking on the way home. Give us this any day over the so-called top flight.

    FA Vase: Nerves of Steel Required

    There was knockout tension in the Isuzu FA Vase, starting at Downton where 190 spectators were treated to a goalless stalemate between the hosts and Slimbridge. Clear chances were at a premium, and with neither side able to break through, penalties were required. Downton kept their composure to edge the shoot-out 4–3 and book their place in the next round — goalkeepers and heart-rate monitors earning their keep.

    Hallen and Hythe & Dibden served up a similar script in front of 110 fans. Harrison Fairman put Hallen ahead shortly after the break, only for Harrison Clarke to respond almost immediately for the visitors. With the scores locked at 1–1, it was once again down to penalties, where Hallen proved the cooler customers, winning 4–2 from the spot.

    Premier Division: Big Wins and Big Statements

    In the Hellenic Premier Division, Cirencester Town were in ruthless form, dismantling Westfields 5–1. Harlie Price stole the headlines with four goals, supported by strikes from Zac Powell and Theo Jeremy, as 148 supporters watched a second-half blitz that left little doubt about the outcome.

    The biggest crowd of the day — 259 strong — was at Droitwich Spa, though the home supporters endured a tough afternoon as Cinderford Town ran out 4–0 winners. Jack Watts helped himself to a second-half brace, underlining a dominant away performance.

    Corsham Town did their damage early at Hereford Pegasus, with Nick McCoottie netting twice before half-time. From there, Corsham managed the game well to secure a 2–0 victory in front of 65 spectators.

    Mangotsfield United claimed a solid 2–0 home win over Fairford Town, breaking the deadlock after the hour before sealing the points late on. A disciplined performance watched by 233 fans.

    Pershore Town and Cribbs shared the spoils in a competitive 1–1 draw. Cribbs led through Kieran Clayton, but Pershore showed resilience, with Jamie Lucas grabbing a late equaliser to earn a point in front of 119 in attendance.

    Tuffley Rovers and Royal Wootton Bassett Town produced one of the games of the day, with the visitors edging a 3–2 thriller. Goals flew in at both ends, keeping the 118-strong crowd fully entertained and goalkeepers permanently on edge.

    Worcester Raiders made home advantage count, defeating Lydney Town 3–1. Goals in both halves ensured a deserved win, with 112 spectators watching Raiders continue their positive run.

    Division One: Clinical Finishing on Display

    In Division One, Bewdley Town were efficient and controlled in a 2–0 win over Chipping Sodbury Town, scoring once in each half to secure the points in front of 62 supporters.

    FC Stratford delivered one of the standout performances of the afternoon, sweeping aside Cheltenham Saracens 4–0. Toby Nichol was in devastating form, helping himself to a hat-trick as 61 fans enjoyed a comfortable home victory.

    Malmesbury Victoria were equally convincing on the road, defeating Ludlow Town 4–0. Lewis-James Bexton-Shaw bagged a hat-trick, ensuring the visitors left with maximum points — and the Ludlow goalkeeper left with plenty to think about — watched by 40 spectators.

    Newent Town completed the day’s action with an impressive 4–1 away win at Wellington. After falling behind early, Newent responded emphatically with four goals of their own, turning the game on its head in front of 38 supporters.

    📊 By the Numbers

    Across 13 played fixtures, a total of:

    1,555 spectators

    turned out to support local football — proof once again that the Hellenic League delivers week in, week out. Drama, goals, saves, stories… and you’re close enough to hear the shouts from the dugouts. What more do you want?

    Written by: AI (with a touch of human help!)

    Cover Photo: Pete Kinsella

  • End of Year League Round-Up: 2025 Signed Off with Everything Still to Play For

    End of Year League Round-Up: 2025 Signed Off with Everything Still to Play For

    As 2025 draws to a close, it’s hard to believe how quickly the first part of the season has flown by. With games played right up to the end of the year and the first full round of fixtures in 2026 kicking off on 3rd January — mercifully giving everyone plenty of time to sober up after New Year’s parties — both the Premier Division and Division One now head into the business end of the season with promotion races, play-off battles and relegation scraps all very much alive.

    Premier Division: Pressure at the Top, Tension at the Bottom

    At the summit, Roman Glass St George end 2025 setting the pace. With 52 points from 26 matches and a healthy +26 goal difference, they have been the benchmark so far. However, with a clutch of teams below them holding games in hand, there is little room for complacency as the chasing pack lurks.

    Slimbridge sit second on 48 points from just 21 games and boast the strongest goal difference in the division. Their form suggests they are primed to make a serious push in the New Year. Droitwich Spa remain firmly in the hunt in third place, their consistency keeping them well within touching distance of the leaders.

    Just behind, Corsham Town occupy fourth and remain well placed to capitalise on any slip-ups above them. Cirencester Town and Worcester Raiders round out the top six, both well positioned to make their presence felt as fixtures begin to stack up in early 2026.

    The middle of the table is where things become particularly congested. Longlevens AFC, Westfields, Hereford Pegasus, and Tuffley Rovers are separated by only a handful of points, meaning one good run — or one bad one — could dramatically alter their outlook.

    Further down, Fairford Town, Mangotsfield United, Highworth Town, and Cinderford Town will be keen to find greater consistency as the season enters its defining phase. Turning solid performances into points will be crucial.

    At the foot of the table, the pressure is unmistakable. Pershore Town, Royal Wootton Bassett Town, Lydney Town, Thornbury Town, Hallen, and Cribbs all face a critical period ahead. With plenty of football still to be played, survival remains achievable — but January will quickly separate those ready for the fight from those already glancing nervously over their shoulders.

    Division One: Promotion Race Alive and Kicking

    Division One also signs off 2025 with momentum building across the table. With one fixture still to be played before the year ends and the rest now resuming in January, the division is shaping up for a fascinating second half.

    Wantage Town lead the way at the turn of the year, losing just twice in 20 matches and boasting an eye-catching +38 goal difference. However, Bewdley Town are just two points behind, while FC Stratford sit ominously in third with games in hand and an impressive win record that makes them a genuine promotion threat.

    The chasing group remains tightly packed. Stonehouse Town and Redditch Borough sit level on points, while Newent Town and Cheltenham Saracens continue to hover with intent. A strong January could see any of these sides force their way firmly into the promotion picture.

    Mid-table remains finely balanced, with Malmesbury Victoria, Alcester Town, Ludlow Town, and Brimscombe & Thrupp all separated by narrow margins, where consistency — or lack of it — will prove decisive.

    Lower down, Woodford United, Chipping Sodbury Town, Carterton, and Shortwood United will see the New Year as a chance to reset and regroup.

    At the bottom end, things are rather more bleak. Wellington and Clanfield 85 have endured a testing campaign so far, though Clanfield in particular appear to be stuck in a season where the goal difference does most of the talking. With just three wins and numbers heading in the wrong direction, 2026 may be less about climbing the table and more about stopping the slide — and finding the net with greater regularity.

    Propping up the division are Thame United Reserves, for whom points have been painfully hard to come by. If nothing else, the New Year offers a clean slate — and surely the chance to improve on a return that can only go one way.

    Looking Ahead to 2026

    As both divisions head into January, the story is the same throughout the league: nothing is settled, and everything is still to play for. Promotion dreams remain alive, relegation battles are taking shape, and with the first full set of fixtures in 2026 landing on 3rd January, there’s just enough time for everyone to recover from New Year’s celebrations before the real work begins.

    2025 may be done — but if the first half of the season is anything to go by, 2026 is where it all kicks off.

    Cover photo credit: SJ Photography-

    https://linktr.ee/SJPhotography1989?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=08da4f20-15be-48b2-a9b4-d6974d1076c4

    Written By: AI