WEST COUNTRY FOOTBALL

Tag: 2024/25

  • Power Rangers.

    Power Rangers.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos

    – Saturday 10th May 2025
    – 14:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: ~40
    – Distance Travelled: 28 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – Mid-Somerset League – Division Two
    – Norton Hill Recreation Ground, Midsomer Norton
    – Weather: Sunny, warm
    – Admission: Free
    – Programme: N/A

    Intro

    Today’s is the final game in Division Two of the Mid-Somerset League. Odd Down AFC Development are top, but just one point ahead of Meadow Rangers. A draw won’t be enough for Rangers due to Odd Down’s superior goal difference, so they’ll have no choice but to come out all guns blazing looking for the win today. This league of just 8 teams has been dominated by the two aforementioned teams who are 13 and 15 points ahead of today’s visitors in 3rd place.

    Meadow Rangers got off to a great start; winning 3 (away) games in a row, before a surprising 2-2 draw at Farrington Gurney – the team who will finish 6th this season. And their only loss would be in their home clash with Odd Down Development. Rangers got their revenge in April, beating the Bath-based side 3-0 in the reverse fixture.

    Frome Town United absorbed Mells & Vobster FC at the beginning of this season, although the firsts and reserves still play their home games at Mells Recreation Ground. The Reserve team lost their opening 3 matches before going on a run of 3 consecutive league wins. Ultimately the top 2 teams were too strong and left the chasing pack in their collective wake.

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  • Tis The Season.

    Tis The Season.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos

    – Saturday 19th April 2025
    – 15:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: ~80
    – Distance Travelled: 46 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – Dorset League – Senior Division
    – Recreation Ground, Tisbury
    – Weather: Sunny, mild
    – Admission: Free
    – Programme: N/A

    Intro

    The race for the Dorset Senior League title looks like it will be a close-run thing. Leaders Mere Town have played 19 of their 20 matches, compared to with Cobham Sports Reserves in 2nd, and Tisbury United in 3rd who have played 17 and 18 respectively. Mere are 5 points better off than Cobham, who in turn are a point ahead of Tisbury. The top side’s last game is against today’s hosts a few days after today’s match. A win for either side today would make things very interesting; even a draw doesn’t exactly guarantee the title to Mere!

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  • Brom Proof.

    Brom Proof.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos

    – Saturday 8th March 2025
    – 14:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: ~55
    – Distance Travelled: 25 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – Gloucestershire FA Senior Amateur Cup – Semi-Final
    – Pomphrey Hill Pavilion, Bristol
    – Weather: Sunny, breezy, mild
    – Admission: Free
    – Programme: £1

    Intro

    Bromley Heath United were enjoying a very decent run of form – only one loss in 10 games in all competitions – before losing narrowly away at Henbury & Rockleaze last weekend. Currently plying their trade in the Gloucestershire County League in which they are, at present, occupying 7th position. A month ago they beat Filton Athletic in the previous round of today’s cup competition – a 2-0 home win against the newly promoted side who are a place above them in the league.

    Today’s visitors, Longlevens Reserves, are from the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. This is one of the feeder leagues to the Gloucestershire County League, making Longlevens the underdogs today. Despite being 4th in the league, promotion looks impossible thanks to Tewkesbury Town’s phenomenal record of winning all but two games so far, and Whaddon United’s even better effort of only failing to win on one occasion.

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  • Bratt Pack.

    Bratt Pack.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos

    – Saturday 15th February 2025
    – 14:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: ~10
    – Distance Travelled: 13 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – Foutains Trophies Senior Cup – 2nd Round
    – Bratton Recreation Ground, Bratton
    – Weather: Drizzle, Cold
    – Admission: Free
    – Programme: N/A

    Intro

    These two sides compete in the Wiltshire Senior League Division One, but today meet in the League’s cup competition. To reach this round, Bratton impressively beat Wroughton who are currently 3rd in the Premier Division. They are currently 10th (out of 15) but with at least a couple of games in hand over most other teams in the league. They come into this game off the back of two draws: 3-3 away at 5th place Down Ampney last weekend, after a 1-1 stalemate at home to Bishops Cannings the Saturday before.

    When today’s teams met in Swindon back in November, Redhouse capitulated and conceded 5 first half goals on the way to an 8-1 thrashing. Interestingly, their next game (which didn’t actually take place until January 4th) was an 8-0 win over winless local rivals Purton. Another interesting couple of results had Redhouse beat Bradford Town Reserves away in the 1st Round of the Fountains Trophies Cup, before they lost to the same team a few weeks later on home turf. In the league, Redhouse are down in 11th but should be safe from relegation as they are currently 12 points clear of the drop zone.

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  • War and Pease.

    War and Pease.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos

    – Saturday 1st February 2025
    – 14:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: ~30
    – Distance Travelled: 27 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – Mid-Somerset League – Division One
    – Peasedown Cricket Club, Peasedown St John
    – Weather: Cold, cloudy
    – Admission: Free
    – Programme: N/A

    Intro

    The Mid-Somerset League Division One consists of 8 clubs this season. Peasedown Albion Reserves are unbeaten so far yet, due to having several games in hand over all the other sides, are currently in 3rd position. Despite this, their previous game was a defeat in the County Cup to Odd Down’s Development side. The reverse of today’s fixture resulted in a 5-3 win for Albion at Pensford Recreation Ground back in November.

    Chew Magna Reserves are down in 7th place with just 2 wins to their name. Their most recent victory was a few weeks ago: a 5-3 away win at Pilton United. Interestingly, the match that preceded that high-scoring win was the aforementioned 5-3 defeat to today’s opponents. Magna’s season started badly; with an 8-2 defeat at home to Westfield Reserves, and they didn’t manage a victory until a 2-0 Cup win over Haydon Sports from the league above.

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  • Ashes to Ashes.

    Ashes to Ashes.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos

    – Thursday 26th December 2024
    – 11:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: 407
    – Distance Travelled: 9 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – Western League – Premier Division
    – Kimberley Stadium, Saltash
    – Weather: Cold, foggy
    – Admission: £7
    – Programme: N/A

    Intro

    Saltash United were promoted from the South West Peninsula League after performing well during the pandemic-affected 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. They finished as runners-up in their 2nd season in their new surroundings, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Southern League after losing to Bristol Manor Farm in the inter-step play-off. They’ve struggled to replicate that form in the subsequent season-and-a-half, finishing 13th last season, and currently finding themselves in 16th position. This season started slowly for the Ashes and they didn’t secure 3 points until early September when they beat fellow bottom half teams Oldland Abbotonians and Ilfracombe Town in consecutive matches. Form has been patchy since then, although last Saturday they pushed league-leaders Portishead Town all the way – only losing out to a late goal which condemned United to a 4-3 defeat.

    This is Torpoint’s 3rd Western League campaign since their promotion from the South West Peninsula League. So far they have managed 12th and 10th placed finishes, but this season find themselves only kept off bottom spot by the winless Welton Rovers. After kicking off the season with a 2-0 win over Oldland Abbotonians, Athletic then lost the next 10 league games, as well as crashing out of the FA Cup away at Falmouth Town. They did manage a win in the FA Vase, over Honiton Town, only to lose in the next round at home to Thornbury Town. Last Saturday they secured an invaluable 3 points away at Wellington; their victory in the league since early October.

    Today sees the meeting of two teams struggling for form and looking to move away from the danger of relegation back to the South West Peninsula League. This, coupled with today’s encounter being a local derby, should make for interesting viewing.

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  • Park Life.

    Park Life.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos

    – Saturday 2nd November 2024
    – 14:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: ~40
    – Distance Travelled: 34 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – Wiltshire Senior League – Premier Division
    – Stanley Park, Chippenham
    – Weather: Overcast
    – Admission: Free
    – Programme: N/A

    Intro

    The Wiltshire Senior League has, for some reason, a bit of a reputation for allowing teams from outside of the county’s borders to participate in its competitions. Letcombe, from Oxfordshire, join the likes of Kintbury Rangers (Berkshire), Larkhall Athletic Development (Somerset) and Faringdon Town (also Oxfordshire) in the numbers, after finishing last season as champions of the Hellenic League Division 2 Central. They’ve made a good start to the season and currently sit in 3rd position with at least 2 games in hand over their near rivals. Last weekend they were at home to fellow promotion hopefuls Pewsey Vale and won a ding-dong battle 3-2. They began the season superbly; winning 7 of their opening 8 matches. Highlights so far include a 7-0 win over Blunsdon, an away victory over high-flying Melksham Town Reserves, and a 1-0 defeat of my local team Trowbridge Town.

    Today’s hosts Park United were promoted from Division One last season after finishing in top spot. Last weekend saw them take a break from the league (albeit against league rivals Malmesbury Victoria Development) as they strolled to a 5-0 victory in the County Cup. In the league they are doing well – currently in 5th position, and on a good run of results. They’ve not lost since mid-September and since then have beaten Melksham Town Reserves, drawn away at Pewsey Vale, and thrashed Larkhall Athletic Development at Plain Ham.

    With 2 teams in good form meeting today, this is a difficult game to call.

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  • Brim and Proper.

    Brim and Proper.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos

    – Saturday 12th October 2024
    – 15:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: 70
    – Distance Travelled: 72 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – Hellenic League – Premier Division
    – The Meadow, Brimscombe
    – Weather: Mostly sunny, cool
    – Admission: £7
    – Programme: Online only

    Intro

    Bottom of the pile Brimscombe & Thrupp already have an unenviable goal difference of -47. This unwelcome statistic comes largely courtesy of two consecutive thrashings within four September days of each other. On September 21st they hosted Westfields who mercilessly defeated the Lilywhites 11-0, then the following Wednesday Brimscombe headed south to face off against Roman Glass St George but somehow managed an even worse result; losing 12-0 at the Gloucestershire FA HQ. Despite these two low points, it’s not been all doom and gloom – last weekend they travelled to Sporting Club Inkberrow at came away with a 2-1 victory. The Lilywhites’ other victory came at home to Cirencester Town, and with a couple of games in hand over a number of teams around them it shouldn’t take too much to climb the table.

    Worcester Raiders sit in 9th position and haven’t suffered defeat since mid-September when they lost away at Highworth Town. They have drawn half of their 14 games so far including back-to-back 3-3 ties with Slimbridge and Cirencester Town. An impressive 6-0 win over promotion hopefuls Corsham Town last weekend demonstrates the potential of this Raiders side. They enjoyed a midweek win in the County Cup against Malvern Town, so on the one hand they have built up some momentum, but also have had less of a break than their hosts today.

    On paper this looks like a win for the visitors, however Brimscombe have brought in a number of new signings so who knows! Let’s hope for a competitive game with plenty of talking points.

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  • Atomic Brom.

    Atomic Brom.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos
    The Line-Ups

    – Saturday 7th September 2024
    – 15:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: ~20
    – Distance Travelled: 22.5 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – Trowbridge & District League – Division Two
    – Jubilee Field, Bromham
    – Weather: Overcast, drizzle
    – Admission: Free
    – Programme: N/A

    Intro

    Bromham FC were relegated from Division One last season after winning just one game, and ending the season on minus one point. That game came in November when they beat Melksham Town Development 2-1 at Oakfield Stadium. They only played 3 matches in all competitions after that, as they were unable to field a team after their 6-0 cup win over Bishops Cannings Reserves in January. They will be hoping for a fresh start in Division Two this season, with a more consistent squad. So far, after starting their season a couple of weeks later than most other sides in the league, they have thrashed new team Pilot FC 10-1 at home. Last weekend, in the Knock Out Cup, they defeated Freshford United Reserves 4-0 to maintain their fine start.

    Avon Valley FC are fielding a Saturday team for the first time, and so are a bit of an unknown entity. The season got off to a slow start, as their opener against fellow new club Pilot FC was postponed due to concerns about the pitch at the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Field in Melksham. They hosted yet another club making their debut in the Trowbridge and District League – Freshford United Reserves – the following weekend and stormed to a 3-0 victory at Durrington Recreation Ground. Two away wins followed as Avon Valley travelled to Staverton Rangers, and then Bishops Cannings Reserves, prevailing 5-2 and 8-2 respectively. Their 100% record means they currently sit in 2nd place, behind local rivals Durrington who have a slightly better goal difference.

    With 2 undefeated sides meeting today, this should be an entertaining game that I am unwilling to make any pre-match predictions on!

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  • El Dorado.

    El Dorado.

    The Intro
    The Ground
    The Match
    The Photos
    The Line-Ups

    – Saturday 17th August 2024
    – 15:00 Kick Off
    – Attendance: 38
    – Distance Travelled: 16 miles
    – Full Photo Gallery

    – South West Peninsula League – East Division
    – Haye Road, Plymstock
    – Weather: Cloudy, breezy
    – Admission: £6
    – Programme: £1

    Intro

    Last season saw a mid-table finish for Elburton Villa who finished 8th out of 17. They had a decent run in the FA Vase, beating Newton Abbot Spurs and Ilfracombe Town, before losing narrowly at Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Their final game of the season was the final of the League Cup. Taking place at Bovey Tracey, they faced-off against Okehampton Argyle. It did end in disappointment for Villa as they lost 3-1 in front of 400 fans. The opening game of the season for Villa was a goal-fest as they travelled east to Crediton United and came away with an impressive 5-3 victory. Last weekend they hosted Newton Abbot Spurs, who ended up getting revenge on Elburton for knocking them out of the FA Vase last year, winning 2-1.

    Bridport have had a disappointing start to the season. They’re only 3rd from bottom by virtue of a better goal difference than Torridgeside, and Axminster Town being deducted 3 points as they were unable to field a side against Bovey Tracey last Friday. Home losses to Teignmouth and Sidmouth Town, followed by a defeat at Torrington sees them pointless after 3 matches. This pales in comparison to last campaign where they finished in 4th position, just one point behind 2nd place, albeit way off Champions Ivybridge Town who stormed to the title.

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