My choice of game this Tuesday was a tough one. I changed my mind several times in the course of the day. Should I take in an FA Cup replay? Should I head North, South, East or West? Eventually I settled upon the game that had been at the top of my original options list, Hartpury University v Malmesbury Victoria. The reasons for choosing this game were a) it was a new ground in rural Gloucestershire, so may as well make the most of a warm Summer evening to drive through the Cotswolds, and b) Newly promoted Hartpury were playing their first ever home game at this level and had won their opening game 6-1 at Newent.
I'd never seen Hartpury play before but I have seen Malmesbury's first team play twice before  at Calne Town in October 2016 (Webb Double Sinks Vics) and at home to Chippenham Park August 2017 (Flying Visit). I also saw their Development team play at Wickwar Wanderers in June 2021 (The End Of The War)  and in the Cricklade Cup Final versus Chesterton (Fitting Final Finale).

The Ground
Hartpury University FC somewhat unsurprisingly play within the grounds of the Hartpury College campus, just outside the village of Hartpury to the North West of Gloucester. This is the club's first season at this level and, indeed was their first home game. There are building works happening in the campus which means that what is normally a one-way system around the college is currently two-way. Cars entering the ground were met by a university staff member who guided us to the main car park and pointed out where the pitch was by highlighting the floodlights to the right of the car park. Beware for now, there aren't any signs directing supporters from car park to pitch and many did the same as me, walked across an adjoining rugby pitch. However, the actual route should have been down the hill past the Alpas Arena (which is where the spectator toilets are located). Not that it caused any great problem (although, the other route did bypass the turnstile. Note: I walked back to the turnstile, paid my entrance and picked up a programme). There is a small covered stand on one side of the ground but no other spectator shelter. Dugouts are on the opposite side to the covered stand as are the refreshment stands one of which is something that I have not seen at a football ground before, a mobile pizza truck complete with a pizza oven. The pitch was absolutely immaculate which, as we were to witness later, is exactly how this team would like it given their style of play.
I'm guessing that Hartpury will be a popular ground for hoppers this season given it is their first season at Step 6. They have a decent setup and a very good pitch. The pizza oven may well prove to be a popular attraction too. If I had to make any critical observations it would be the lack of signage from car park to pitch and the fact that team sheets are not displayed anywhere (this is always a popular feature with groundhoppers). However, this was their first ever home game at this level, so plenty of time to improve.

​The Background
Hartpury's football club was only founded in 2020. They played in the Herefordshire County League for their first season, and what a season it was! Over a 20 game season they finished with a 100% record, 19 points ahead of second placed Ledbury Town and with a goal difference of +107, scoring 117 and conceding just 10. They also won the Herefordshire County Cup beating Hereford 2-1 in the final. By my reckoning this means that they have yet to lose (or even draw) a single competitive match (of course, someone may well tell me otherwise).
Vics are something of a fixture in the Hellenic League Division One. Aside from a one season venture into the Premier League (2009-10), two season's back in the Wiltshire League and two seasons in the Western league system (2016-18), they have been a Division 1 stalwart since joining the league at the turn of the century. This followed a successful, championship winning season in the Wiltshire League, something they replicated in the 2015-15 season. Last season's top scorer, Harrison Archer who scored 16 goals, won't be lining up alongside former Torquay and Wycombe (amongst others) striker Chris Zebroski, who turned out for the Vics last season.
This would be the second league game of the season for both sides. They opened up with contrasting results. Hartpury made the trip to Newent Town last Saturday and, after leading by a goal to nil at half-time, they went on to clock up a resounding 6-1 victory in a game that saw Newent's Jordan Cooper see red. Meanwhile Malmesbury were on the wrong end of a 1-0 score line at Moreton Rangers

​The Game
As with most games, there was an initial opening period of settling in for both teams but it was the home team who hit their passing stride first. Five minutes in they broke quickly down the right flank before forcing the visitor's goalkeeper to make the first real stop of the game. A the game settled into a pattern of play it became very clear that Vics had come here with a game plan to sit deep and frustrate The Acorns. The Malmesbury back four, marshalled by Paul Carson, held a firm formation, never even pushing up to halfway even when the ball was cleared. They were quite happy to sit back and soak up the Hartpury pressure with a view to breaking out and hoping to get the chance of a set piece up the other end. With 30 minutes gone, it looked as it the visitor's plan was working well. Carson was having his own private contest to see how far out of the ground he could launch clearances and goalkeeper Adam Clatworthy had not been stretched. Hartpury had retained the ball for long periods but had only got in behind the Vics defensive line twice. On both occasions the ball had been fizzed across the 6 yard box without a home player being ale to get on the end of it.

Malmesbury had rarely threatened until the 31st minute when they won a corner on their right. The ball was played deep towards the far post where a Vics player managed to meet it, sending the ball narrowly wide.
That was as good as it got for Malmesbury in the first half as the home side began to wind up the pressure on their visitors. On 34 minutes Zac Berry decided to take matters into his own hands, starting a run towards the Vics goal from way inside his own half. A couple of exchanged passes and a few skips past defenders saw him break through onto the edge of the area. Unfortunately for the left-back his finish lacked some of the power and accuracy of his run, skidding just wide of the Vics upright. It was a warning though. Hartpury were back on the offence just a few minutes later. This time Justin Hall beat his man out on the left before sending a low cross in towards the penalty spot. It was met by Tobey Soule but his slightly scuffed effort did not have the power to beat the Clatworthy who saved low to his left. That was on 38 minutes but Malmesbury could not hang on for the remaining seven minutes to the break. The next Acorns attack led to the opening goal. Malmesbury conceded a needless free-kick just outside the box but way out on the left. Luke Salter took the kick, delivering a perfect ball for Alexandre Hainault to rise above everyone and glance a header into the net. 1-0. It was no more than the home side deserved on the balance of play but a kick in the teeth for Malmesbury who had executed their game plan almost perfectly up to that point.

​HT Hartpury University 1 Malmesbury Victoria 0. Vics deep defensive line and game plan had frustrated the home side for much of the half but the Acorns kept to their passing game and were eventually rewarded. The key to the second half will be to see if Vics can change their game pan now they are one down.

Nine minutes into the second period Hartpury doubled their lead. Once again it came from a free kick, this time conceded just outside the box and to the right of goal from Hartpury's perspective. Luca Robinson curled an absolute beauty around the wall and in off the lower part of the keeper's left-hand post. 2-0. Quite ironic that Vics, who had come to the game with a plan to defend and rely on set pieces, had been twice undone by set pieces themselves.
At this point it seemed that the three points were in the bag. Hartpury's keeper, Stephen Sarkodie, had not really had a save to make and was playing more as a sweeper than a goalkeeper. Malmesbury, who to be fair had defended pretty well all game, didn't appear to be able to make a dent in the Hartpury backline. It looked as if it was just a matter of time before the home side increased their advantage. 
And this they did, but it took until the 76th minute. Josh Radford, who had buzzed around the Vics defence all game, was brought down in the box. Penalty to the Acorns. Captain Kian Kang stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. 3-0.

FT (well, 82 mins gone) Hartpury University 3 Malmesbury Victoria 0.
The match is listed as abandoned in Full-Time and, as of the time of writing, the match does not feature in the league table statistics for either side. When the league decides the outcome, whether that be a home win or that the match should be replayed, I'll update the blog accordingly.
Regardless of what happens, it's hard not to be impressed with Hartpury on the pitch. They play a thoroughly entertaining and very effective brand of football. Their players are energetic and skilful. Every player on the pitch, even their goalkeeper, looked very comfortable on the ball and always willing to make themselves available for a pass. Having said that, Malmesbury coped with the pressure exceedingly well for 40 minutes. Their defence is well organised and their midfielders tracked back to make life very difficult for the Hartpury players. It will be interesting to see how both of these teams fair as the season progresses. It's way too early for predictions but, if I was pressed, I'd have a few quid on Hartpury being there or thereabouts come May.


Hartpury University: Sarkodie, Kang(c), Berry, Giles, Fairnie, Hainault, Robinson, Soule, Radford, Salter, Hall. Subs: Taylor, McGregor, Holland, Mahoney, Iley

Malmesbury Victoria: Clatworthy, Fusco, Baker, Toop, Wych, Carson, Jones, Pring, H.Archer, Phin, Witt(c). Subs: Walsh, Crosbee-Clark, J.Archer
Ground Number: 320
Att: 
Entrance: £5.00 (£4.00 if purchased online in advance)
Programme: Included in admission

three​It's been close to 3 months since I was at Fernie Fields to watch Blisworth overcome Roade in the Northants Premier Cup Final. The future of this blog and website has been a little up in the air since then. There are going to be far fewer Saturday game opportunities which unfortunately means fewer chances to report on grassroots level games. However, taking advantage of the longer days, there are a number of games at Step 7 and below in the opening weeks. My opening venture of the 22/23 season is a Reg Davis Memorial Cup game featuring Gloucestershire Northern Senior Division One side Berkeley Town and newly promoted Division Two outfit Tredworth Tigers. I've never been to Berkeley or seen them play before but I have seen Tigers. Back in April 2021 I watched Tredworth beat Minety 3-0 in the Cricklade Supreme Trophy and Shield (Beaten, But Certainly No Mugs).

I must admit, I knew very little about the Reg Davis Memorial Charity Cup, so many thanks to Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Secretary John Green for his quick and concise response to my enquiry. The Cup was created as a mark of respect for former President and Chairman Reg Davis, who had also been associated with the league through Frampton United for many years, when he passed away in 2004. It is effectively the GNSL League Cup competition, but was renamed in Reg's honour. Sharpness were the inaugural winners. Since then (and I may have some missing information, so please excuse any incorrect presumptions here), three teams share the most number of wins, two. They are Gala Wilton, Newent Town and current holders Chalford, who beat Cheltenham Civil Service 4-3 in last season's Final.
The competition is played on a pre-drawn knock-out basis, and in the first three rounds no extra -time is played with any drawn game being decided on kicks from the penalty mark after 90 minutes, in the Semi-Final and Final ties extra time is played and then kicks from the penalty mark are taken if the scores are level. The final tie is always played on a neutral ground. It is a Charity Competition with donations being made to various deserving causes, in the past donations have been made to such organisations as the Air Ambulance and Cheltenham Hospital Oncology Unit, among others.

​The Ground
The small town of Berkeley is most famous for Its castle and for being the birthplace of Edward Jenner, pioneer of the world's first vaccine. Topically, the vaccine in question was for Smallpox, quite relevant today with the current rise of Monkeypox across the globe. 
Berkeley Town, The Hunters, play their home games at Canon Park, just to the North of the town centre just off the main road to Sharpness, the first winners of the Reg Davis Cup. Although there is a small car park at Canon Park, the majority of the available space is in the surrounding streets, Canon Park and The Leys (always be mindful of access for locals). There is a good sized club house with a few outside tables next to the car park, a kids play area and a small-sided 3G surface. The main pitch is situated sideways on to the clubhouse, towards the Station Road end of the park. The playing surface is surrounded by a low metal fence and, quite unusually for this level, there is a small stand on the Station Road side. This incorporates covered standing for supporters as well as a small seating area either side used by each team, with a technical area marked out towards the edge of the pitch. There is a slight slope on the pitch but, all in all, it looked in good nick especially taking into account the recent hot weather. It's a pretty good facility all round and well worth a visit if you haven't been before (or even if you have).

​The Background
As stated, this was a an early season league Cup game, Reg Davis Memorial Charity Cup to be exact, between Berkeley Town of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One and Tredworth Tigers of Division Two. Tredworth gained promotion from the Stroud league last season and this would be their first venture into the Reg Davis Cup.
Berkeley Town have been in the GNSL Division One since dropping down from the Gloucestershire Senior League in 2015. The won this division in 2005-06 but, as far as I can see, have not the League Cup (happy to correct this if I am wrong). Visitors Tredworth Tigers hail from what was once the village of Tredworth but is now a fully fledged suburb of Gloucester to the South of the City centre. The area around Tredworth is a bit of a non-league football hot spot with Step 5 Tuffley Rovers and County sides Quedgeley Wanderers and Hardwicke all within a hoofed clearance of Tigers.
Before we get into the game, a big thank you to Tredworth's co-manager Adam Dix for helping me get both team sheets. It's a great help when tweeting and writing these blogs.

​The Game
Unsurprisingly, there was a fair bit of sparring from both sides at the start of the match, but the game soon started to open up a little. With only 5 minutes on the clock Berkeley earned themselves a corner out on the right. the ball was swung in and met with some force by the head of Tom Waterman but, sadly for the home side, his direction did not match the power. It was again the home side who forced the next decent opportunity five minutes later, Kyle Head getting a strike on target only to see Adam Fenner get down well to scoop the ball away to safety.
After those initial chance for Town, Tredworth starting to hit their stride and it was no great surprise when they took the lead on 19 minutes. Thierry Shitto was the first to react when the ball ran loose inside the Town 18 yard area, firing the ball hard and low past Peter Sykes. 0-1.
Six minutes later, with the visitors now on top, they almost made it two but this time Dykes made a good save with his feet to foil a goal bound effort. It wasn't all Tredworth though. With 20 minutes left before half-time Berkeley created an opening for Tom Bidder who saw his fizzing effort go narrowly wide of the target.
Just past the half hour mark, Tigers co-manager Lee Smith lined up a free-kick from just outside the area. His curling shot looked to be just dipping in under the bar before Sykes got across his goal well to palm it away. Then, with seven minutes left on the first-half clock and, somewhat against the run of play, Berkeley got themselves back on level terms. Jake Haynes was the scorer latching onto a ball parried away by Fenner before firing it back past the stopper into the far corner. 1-1
The first half action was not yet over. Three minutes after being pegged back (not a Royal reference) Tigers came mightily close to getting their noses back in front. Once again they were denied by the fingertips of goalkeeper Peter Sykes, stretching to turn a goal bound header onto the bar and away. A superb save from The Hunter's keeper.

HT Berkeley Town 1 Tredworth Tigers 1. Tredworth had the lion's share of possession and looked the more dangerous side. However, all square at the break and all to play for. It was great to meet photographer Pete Kinsella (@PeteKinsella69) during the break too. Check out Pete's timeline for some great shots of the match action.

​Berkeley started the second period with a lot more purpose than the first half. For the first 15 minutes of the half they made their higher league pedigree show, pushing Tredworth back into their own half and stemming the flowing attacks that Tigers displayed in the first 45 minutes. However, the home side couldn't make their possession count and, after 67 minutes, were made to pay for it. Tredworth attacked down the left and, when the ball found its way to Lee Smith in the box, the striker's loose first touch appeared to have let let the opportunity pass by. However, Smith managed to get another bite at the cherry and made no mistake the second time. 1-2
The goal gave Tredworth their impetus back. Despite Berkeley pushing for an equaliser, Tigers were more than holding their own, much like in the first half. On 78 minutes the visitors made sure of their progression to the next round. A delightful series of one-twos down their left flank culminated in the ball arriving at the feet of Lee Dyer who made no mistake, firing low past Dykes. 1-3
There was nothing Berkeley could do to redress a two goal deficit at this stage. They continued to push forward in search but, in reality, the third goal for Tigers had killed off the game.

FT Berkeley Town 1 Tredworth Tigers 3. A great game to start the season. It was fantastic to be back out there watching live football. Many thanks to two fully committed sides, neither of whom looked at all rusty given the fact that it is still very early August. Tredworth showed that they intend to shake up Division Two this season and looked to be a side well worth keeping an eye on, especially going forward. They have pace down both flanks through Shitto and Rodgers, the guile of Lee Smith leading the line and the buzzing Corey Hill who caused untold problems to the Berkeley back line on the night.
You can catch Tredworth in action as early as Saturday afternoon when they travel to Tewkesbury Town, also in the Reg Davis Cup. You'll have to wait a little longer to see Berkeley Town play though. They host Stonehouse Town Reserves in the league on Saturday 13th August.

Berkeley Town: Dykes, Sumner, Watmough, Nelson(c), Dwyer, Haynes, Skuse, B.Gillison, Head, Bidder, Waterman. Subs: Griffiths, Jones, Martin, Bond, F.Gillison
Tredworth Tigers: Fenner, Morgan, Foster, Whereat, Rich, Hamilton(c), Shitto, James, Rodgers, L.Smith, Hill. Subs: Manners, S.Smith, Adams, Drame, Dyer


Ground Number: 319
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A