DRG Stapleton extend lead in Gloucestershire County League

Gloucestershire County League round-up:

DRG Stapleton increased their lead at the top of the Gloucestershire County League with a 2-1 win at Yate Town Reserves.

Strikes from Tristan Ferguson and Aaron Taynton secured all three points for visitors, while Omari Sims netted the only goal for Yate.

Patchway Town grabbed their first victory of the season with a 2-1 win at home to Taverners.

Mark Palmer set up Adam Grinter with a superb through-ball for the striker to five Town the lead.

Patchway added a second when a Chris Chinnock cross was turned in by Luke Garbacz.

Taverners pulled a goal back when Tom Hanley headed home from 12 yards, but they could not find an equaliser.

Highridge United and Kingswood drew 1-1.

United took the lead in the 33rd minute with a disputed goal, Nick Pratten going clear to chip the ball over Chris Fox with all the Kingswood defenders appealing for offside.

It was a lively first half in which both Fox and opposite number Ray Johnson made several fine saves.

However, Highridge shot themselves in the foot after the break as brothers Craig and Shane Hobbs were both dismissed – Craig for a bad tackle and Shane for inappropriate language.

Kingswood soon equalised through Paul Eldridge, but they could not force a winner –Johnson making a number of crucial stops, while Highridge were also saved by the crossbar.

Nine-man United almost snatched a dramatic winner themselves though, as Steve French's effort also hit the woodwork.

Henbury and Hanham Athletic shared the points after a 1-1 draw at Arnell Drive.

Hanham took the lead on 40 minutes through Nathan Bryer, but Henbury drew level midway through the second half with an Eddie Howells strike.

The match between Berkeley Town and Brimscombe & Thrupp at Station Road also finished 1-1.

The visitors took the lead in the 57th minute through Franny King, but Town levelled in the 72nd minute when Richard Langford went clear to score.

Meanwhile, in the GFA Trophy, King's Stanley beat Thornbury Town 3-1, while Rockleaze Avonside went out of the competition after going down 1-0 at home to Somerset County League side Shirehampton.