I hope you all enjoyed Christmas Day and are ready for the festive fixture list.
In the UHL Premier Division last Saturday, we had a full fixture list. Leaders Roman Glass St George travelled to Highworth Town and suffered a 2-0 defeat. 2nd placed Slimbridge travelled to Cinderford Town and won 4-1. 3rdplaced Droitwich Spa travelled to Royal Wootton Bassett Town and despite going into the break 2-0 up came away with a 2-2 draw. Corsham Town travelled to Westfieldsand won 2-1 and Cirencester Town also travelled to Mangotsfield United and won 3-1 with a hat trick from Harlie Price. Worcester Raiders hosted Hallen and won 3-1, Hereford Pegasus had a convincing 4-0 home win v Cribbs, Longlevens and Pershore Town were stuck at 0-0when a Floodlight failure caused the game to be abandoned, Tuffley Rovers had a 3-0 home win v Lydney Town and Thornbury Town won 2-0 at home to Fairford Town. It was nice to see some healthy crowds in attendance to watch the games and let us hope folks want some fresh air and the 27th December fixtures are well attended. It is still very competitive at the top and bottom of the division.
In UHL Division One on Saturday, leaders Bewdley Towntravelled to Carterton and a 91st minute Carterton goal appeared to have settled the game only for a 95th minute equalizer which saw the game finish 2-2. Wantage Town v Thame United Reserves finished a resounding 7-1 win to Wantage who scored 6 goals in the 2nd half after leading 1-0 at half time. FC Stratford hosted Malmesbury Victoriaand won 2-0. Redditch Borough’s away game v Brimscombe & Thrupp was postponed on Friday due to Seven Trent Water pipes suffering a breach and the far end of the pitch away from the clubhouse was very waterlogged. (Update – it appears that Seven Trent have rectified the situation so hopefully Brimscombe & Thrupps’ next scheduled home games will be ok to be played). Newent Town travelled to Shortwood United and won 4-1 to stay in the final play off place. Stonehouse Town who are in great form hosted Woodford United, won 4-0 and kept close to the play-off pack. Cheltenham Saracens v Clanfield 85 ended 1-1 and Chipping Sodbury Town v Ludlow Town was postponed as Ludlow Town could not raise a full team.
One game in Alliance East saw Marlow Res beat Hambleden away and one game in Alliance West sawHighworth Town Res beat Bourton Rovers Dev away.
In the Batemans Sports Alliance (Chairmans) Challenge Cup, Wantage Town travelled to Kidlington Dev and won 6-1.
I wanted to use this occasion to thank all of the volunteers out there in your clubs, they are the ones who make all of this possible. I also wanted to thank my fellow UHL Committee members, who like you will be hard at work over the holiday period to ensure the League can continue functioning at this busy footballing time of the year.
I will close by wishing you all a Happy New Year and let us hope that 2026 is a great one.
Best Regards,
Ian