Rovers lose for first time

Bristol Premier Combination

Lawrence Rovers lost for the first time since being promoted to Division I as District League champions, crashing 2-1 at Fishponds Athletic.

The hosts raced into an early 2-0 lead thanks to player-manager Alistair Stewart and Joe Galsworthy, who scored with a long-range effort, and missed several other good chances.

Kai Holmes replied in the 70th minute for Rovers, whose manager Tim Richards had no complaints about the result.

"We would have lost by a bigger margin but for several fine saves from our goalkeeper Ryan Fogarty," he said.

Leaders Patchway Reserves lost their 100 per cent record when Matt Sweet grabbed a late equaliser for Totterdown United in a 1-1 draw at the South Bristol Sports Centre.

The visitors dominated the first half and took a deserved lead through Steve Jenkins but failed to turn chances into goals and Totterdown improved after the break to earn a point.

"We should have killed the game off early on but they had the edge in the second half," admitted Patchway manager Andy England.

Oldland Abbotonians Reserves also dropped their first points after being pegged back to 3-3 by Olveston, who trailed 3-0 at the interval.

Dwain Knowles, Kevin Conlon and Gareth Smith were on target for Abbots, while Olveston's fightback was rewarded with goals from Andy Morse (2) and Mike Usher.

A 2-0 victory at Highridge Reserves lifted Seymour United into second place. Lee Billingham fired Seymour in front and Craig Wordman added the second.

Brimsham Green drew 3-3 at home to Greyfriars Athletic, who were saved from defeat by an own goal following a corner in the last minute.

Andy Hellings hit a hat-trick for Brimsham, who were rocked by replies from Jeff Clee and Miles Smith, before the last-gasp leveller in a goalmouth scramble.

Talbot Knowle consolidated their place at the top of the Premier Division with a sparkling 3-1 win at Hallen Reserves.

Jamie Davies twice shot the leaders in front, then completed his hat-trick with a header, after player-manager Craig Domone replied for the home team.

"Still top of the table, I can't believe it myself", said Talbot's delighted manager Mark Dite.

Longwell Green Reserves stayed level on points with Talbot after beating Hartcliffe 3-0 at home.

Tom Morgan netted the opener, then headers from Mark Ashley and Mike Hardiman completed the tally for last season's Division I champions.

AEK Boco lost ground after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by Nicholas Wanderers, who staged a good recovery in the second half inspired by player-manager James Zabec. He struck both goals, the equaliser coming from a free-kick.

Wanderers stalwart Dave Hale was full of praise for referee Nigel Gainard, saying: "He had a great game".

St Philips MAS won for the first time to avenge last week's penalty shoot-out defeat by South Bristol Central in the GFA Senior Amateur Cup, finishing 4-3 up against the same team.

Cedric Diallo netted two penalties for Saints, whose other marksmen were Dazel Young and James Shipman, with SBC replying through John Miles, Terry Keen and his 17-year-old nephew, Ben Keen, with his first goal for the team.

Ben Gardiner bagged a brace for Pucklechurch, 5-2 home winners against Winterbourne Reserves, for whom Shaun Cooper and Ashley White hit back.

Morgan Holmes (penalty), John Wiltshire and Brad Flook were also on the mark for Pucklechurch, who moved up to third place.

Roman Glass St George Reserves remain anchored at the foot of the table, without a point following a 3-1 home defeat by Wick. Matty Davies, Matty Denton and Ben Burrell were on target for the visitors before Ben Nenear slotted in a consolation goal for struggling Saints.

Hillfields OB were unable to raise a team for the home game against Henbury OB and urgently need players for both their Premier Combination and District League squads. Anyone available should contact secretary Darren Venn on 07900 924303.

RESULTS

Prem Div: AEK Boco 2 Nicholas Wndrs 2, Hallen 1 Talbot Knowle Utd 3, Longwell Green 3 Hartcliffe 0, Pucklechurch Spts 5 Winterbourne 2, Roman Glass St George 1 Wick 3, St Philips MAS 4 S Bristol Cent 3.

Prem I: Brimsham Green 3 Greyfriars Ath 3, Fishponds Ath 2 Lawrence Rov 1, Highridge Utd 0 Seymour Utd 2, Hillfields OB v Henbury (post), Oldland Abbots 3 Olveston Utd 3, Totterdown Utd 1 Patchway Tn 1.

FIXTURES

Tonight – Prem Div: Bitton Res v Winterbourne Utd Res (S Robson).

Saturday, October 10 – Prem Div: Hallen Res v Mendip Utd (Steve West), Longwell Gn Sp Res v Wick (A Somers), Pucklechurch Sp v Nicholas Wdrs (P Stephen), R Glass St Gge Res v Bitton Res (J Fussell), St Philips MAS v Hartcliffe (S Tamlin), Talbot Knowle Utd v South Bsl Central (P Durnell).

Div I: Brimsham Green v Highridge Utd Res (D Gayner), Fishponds Ath v Patchway Tn Res (M Piper), Frampton Ath v Seymour Utd (B Holbrook), Henbury Res v Olveston Utd (J Dicker), Hillfields OB v Shaftesbury Crus (T Fox), Oldland Abbots Res v Lawrence Rov (S Pike), Totterdown Utd v Greyfriars Ath (R Savage).