Meadowbank Not having made it to a midweek game this week, BotP had a rare Friday evening opportunity and, as it turned out, it was possibly the best decision made all season. A chance to watch a local cup final and re-visit a ground that I had always promised myself I would get back to at some point. The ground in question, Shortwood United's Meadowbank, and the cup final, a Stroud and District League President's Cup clash between Tetbury Town and Taverners FC. My previous, and only, other visit to Shortwood came in 2019 when I saw the home side draw 2-2 with Brislington (Nice Club, Shame About The League Place). Meadowbank is a delightful ground that has not changed too much in the intervening six years and, frankly, doesn't need to.
The two sides in cup final action this evening finished side by side in the Stroud & District top flight, although Taverners did accumulate eight more points than Tetbury and finished one place higher, in third. Neither could get close to eventual champions, Wickwar Wanderers. Coincidentally, this time last year BotP was at Tetbury to witness their 2-0 home defeat to none other than Wickwar Wanderers (Lessons Of War).
So, league positions and recent league results were in favour of Taverners. They had done the league double over Tetbury, winning 2-0 away and, in the final game of the season, 4-3 at Snakey Lane.
Tetbury had progressed to the final via a 8-1 win at Leonard Stanley, a 3-1 victory here at Meadowbank, over Shortwood United Reserves, and a 2-0 semi-final win at second-placed Old Richians. Meanwhile, Taverners beat Minchinhampton 4-1 in the first round, following it up with a 1-0 defeat of Dursley Town Reserves. In the semi-final they beat last season's beaten finalist, Chalford Reserves, 2-1.
Many thanks to referee, and former Forest Green and Swindon Town striker, Charlie Rowlands for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.
The two sides in cup final action this evening finished side by side in the Stroud & District top flight, although Taverners did accumulate eight more points than Tetbury and finished one place higher, in third. Neither could get close to eventual champions, Wickwar Wanderers. Coincidentally, this time last year BotP was at Tetbury to witness their 2-0 home defeat to none other than Wickwar Wanderers (Lessons Of War).
So, league positions and recent league results were in favour of Taverners. They had done the league double over Tetbury, winning 2-0 away and, in the final game of the season, 4-3 at Snakey Lane.
Tetbury had progressed to the final via a 8-1 win at Leonard Stanley, a 3-1 victory here at Meadowbank, over Shortwood United Reserves, and a 2-0 semi-final win at second-placed Old Richians. Meanwhile, Taverners beat Minchinhampton 4-1 in the first round, following it up with a 1-0 defeat of Dursley Town Reserves. In the semi-final they beat last season's beaten finalist, Chalford Reserves, 2-1.
Many thanks to referee, and former Forest Green and Swindon Town striker, Charlie Rowlands for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.
Purnell heads in The game got off to a lightning start, which was an omen for what was to come for the next 90+ minutes. Within 30 seconds of kick-off Taverners' left-winger Tom Williams got clear out wide before cutting inside and testing the early concentration of James King. The Tetbury stopper was up to the task, making a comfortable stop. Just a few minutes later, with Taverners making the better start of the two, King was gain called into action, saving well from Harley Hudd after a flowing move from Taverners. Tetbury's first real effort came after nine minutes when Owen Johnson was played in, forcing Ed Thompson to make his first save of the evening.
Twelve minutes in the deadlock was broken. Tetbury, under pressure from Hudd, gave the ball away deep in their own half. Hudd immediately fed Fraser Hankins, who made no mistake, firing low to King's left. 0-1.
The goal brought a response from Tetbury, who proceeded to edge the next fifteen minutes without managing to find a way past the Taverners defence. That almost changed on 27 minutes when a lovely cross-field ball found Owen Johnson. He chested the ball down into his path, taking his defender out of the game, before unleashing a volley that slapped into the side-netting. Tetbury were getting closer and, three minutes later, they got themselves level. Winning a corner following a breakaway that looked suspiciously offside (the vociferous Taverners support were convinced), they won a corner. The first ball in way dealt with by the defence at the expense of a second corner from the Tetbury right. This one was played toward the front post where Sam brown got a flick on, where Oliver Purnell managed to get his head to ball amidst a crowd of players, nodding it over the line for 1-1.
Parity, however, lasted just three minutes and, again, it was a mistake in the Tetbury back-line that led to the goal. Taverners won a free-kick out on the left and when the ball was fired in by Liddicott, King spilled it, allowing Joe Baker to steal in and force the ball home. 1-2
There were further chances at either end before the break, but no more scoring. Hartley Hudd had a goal bound header deflected wide for a corner before, in the final minute before the break, Ed Thompson saved brilliantly from point-blank range as Harry Purnell ran in on a ball across the box.
HT Tetbury Town 1 Taverners 2. Time for everyone to draw a breath after a brilliant 45 minutes of football. End to end stuff, three goals and countless chances at both ends.
Twelve minutes in the deadlock was broken. Tetbury, under pressure from Hudd, gave the ball away deep in their own half. Hudd immediately fed Fraser Hankins, who made no mistake, firing low to King's left. 0-1.
The goal brought a response from Tetbury, who proceeded to edge the next fifteen minutes without managing to find a way past the Taverners defence. That almost changed on 27 minutes when a lovely cross-field ball found Owen Johnson. He chested the ball down into his path, taking his defender out of the game, before unleashing a volley that slapped into the side-netting. Tetbury were getting closer and, three minutes later, they got themselves level. Winning a corner following a breakaway that looked suspiciously offside (the vociferous Taverners support were convinced), they won a corner. The first ball in way dealt with by the defence at the expense of a second corner from the Tetbury right. This one was played toward the front post where Sam brown got a flick on, where Oliver Purnell managed to get his head to ball amidst a crowd of players, nodding it over the line for 1-1.
Parity, however, lasted just three minutes and, again, it was a mistake in the Tetbury back-line that led to the goal. Taverners won a free-kick out on the left and when the ball was fired in by Liddicott, King spilled it, allowing Joe Baker to steal in and force the ball home. 1-2
There were further chances at either end before the break, but no more scoring. Hartley Hudd had a goal bound header deflected wide for a corner before, in the final minute before the break, Ed Thompson saved brilliantly from point-blank range as Harry Purnell ran in on a ball across the box.
HT Tetbury Town 1 Taverners 2. Time for everyone to draw a breath after a brilliant 45 minutes of football. End to end stuff, three goals and countless chances at both ends.
Baker (3) puts Taverners back in front Both teams were out on the pitch well before the officials, clearly eager to get going again, and it was Tetbury who looked to be the most fired up of the two. The orange shirts poured forward in the opening encounters of the second period, gaining a reward just seven minutes in. Owen Johnson with a determined break down the left flank, held off a challenge from a defender before cutting back and drilling a ball across the six-yard line where the unfortunate Ethan Moulton, tracking back, diverted the ball into his own net. 2-2
Taverners, after being pinned back at the start of the half tried to react by hitting Tetbury on the break through Hudd. However, King was alert to the danger, racing off his line to block well. Immediately, Tetbury countered through Josh Hughes, winning the ball in midfield before bursting forward and unleashing a piledriver that flashed narrowly wide of Thompson's left-hand post. It looked like a matter of time before Tetbury edged in front but, out of the blue, on the hour mark, Taverners were back in front. Another delightful through ball from Shelbourn found Harley Hudd in behind the defence and, as King came off his line, the striker deftly placed the finish beyond the keeper into the far corner. 2-3. Now it was Taverners who had their tails up. Substitute Fin Byrnes struck a swirling 25 yarder that King did brilliantly to turn wide, throwing himself full-length to his left. Then, on 67 minutes, Taverners put daylight between the teams. A looping effort was dropping under the bar. With goalkeeper and what looked like a posse of players from both sides challenging, the ball and Tetbury goalkeeper ended up in the net. The assistant was already flagging before the ball went in and King remained on the ground even after the Taverners players wheeled away in celebration, congratulating Luke Bedwell, who got the final touch. After a short discussion with the assistant, the referee pointed to halfway, awarding the goal. 2-4
Tempers were flaring a little by this point and the referee was forced to brandish a couple of yellow cards to calm things down a little.
Tetbury, to their credit, re-doubled their efforts to get back into the game and Taverners looked to be content to defend their two goal advantage. However, with 17 minutes remaining, the lead was again reduced to one when Tetbury were awarded a penalty after another burst into the box was curtailed, unfairly this time. Josh Hughes stepped up and smashed the ball high into the net. No stopping that one. 3-4.
Tetbury were now throwing the kitchen sink at Taverners, who were defending for their lives. We were at the stage of the defenders sending the ball long and in any direction, to relieve the pressure, but the waves of orange kept coming back at them. Six minutes into added time, Tetbury were awarded a free-kick some 35 yards out. King was asking the bench if he should go forward too, but they waved him back. The ball was played into the mix and, when taverners failed in their attempts to clear, Owen Johnson reacted quickest to drill the ball past Thompson for a dramatic equaliser. 4-4. There was barely time to take kick-off before the referee drew a close to the game.
FT Tetbury Town 4 Taverners 4. A superb 90 minutes of pure entertainment. I can imagine that Severn Sports' Ryan Butler, who I spied in the main stand earlier, was hoarse after commentating on that one. It seemed unfair that there had to be a loser in this one, but someone had to win it and it was going to be a penalty shootout to decide it. Taverners were to take the first kick.
Taverners, after being pinned back at the start of the half tried to react by hitting Tetbury on the break through Hudd. However, King was alert to the danger, racing off his line to block well. Immediately, Tetbury countered through Josh Hughes, winning the ball in midfield before bursting forward and unleashing a piledriver that flashed narrowly wide of Thompson's left-hand post. It looked like a matter of time before Tetbury edged in front but, out of the blue, on the hour mark, Taverners were back in front. Another delightful through ball from Shelbourn found Harley Hudd in behind the defence and, as King came off his line, the striker deftly placed the finish beyond the keeper into the far corner. 2-3. Now it was Taverners who had their tails up. Substitute Fin Byrnes struck a swirling 25 yarder that King did brilliantly to turn wide, throwing himself full-length to his left. Then, on 67 minutes, Taverners put daylight between the teams. A looping effort was dropping under the bar. With goalkeeper and what looked like a posse of players from both sides challenging, the ball and Tetbury goalkeeper ended up in the net. The assistant was already flagging before the ball went in and King remained on the ground even after the Taverners players wheeled away in celebration, congratulating Luke Bedwell, who got the final touch. After a short discussion with the assistant, the referee pointed to halfway, awarding the goal. 2-4
Tempers were flaring a little by this point and the referee was forced to brandish a couple of yellow cards to calm things down a little.
Tetbury, to their credit, re-doubled their efforts to get back into the game and Taverners looked to be content to defend their two goal advantage. However, with 17 minutes remaining, the lead was again reduced to one when Tetbury were awarded a penalty after another burst into the box was curtailed, unfairly this time. Josh Hughes stepped up and smashed the ball high into the net. No stopping that one. 3-4.
Tetbury were now throwing the kitchen sink at Taverners, who were defending for their lives. We were at the stage of the defenders sending the ball long and in any direction, to relieve the pressure, but the waves of orange kept coming back at them. Six minutes into added time, Tetbury were awarded a free-kick some 35 yards out. King was asking the bench if he should go forward too, but they waved him back. The ball was played into the mix and, when taverners failed in their attempts to clear, Owen Johnson reacted quickest to drill the ball past Thompson for a dramatic equaliser. 4-4. There was barely time to take kick-off before the referee drew a close to the game.
FT Tetbury Town 4 Taverners 4. A superb 90 minutes of pure entertainment. I can imagine that Severn Sports' Ryan Butler, who I spied in the main stand earlier, was hoarse after commentating on that one. It seemed unfair that there had to be a loser in this one, but someone had to win it and it was going to be a penalty shootout to decide it. Taverners were to take the first kick.
Josh Hughes makes it 3-4 from the spot
Penalty Shootout
Taverners - Louis Wilkins - Scored 0-1
Tetbury - Josh Hughes - Scored 1-1
Taverners - Tom Williams - Scored 1-2
Tetbury - Tommy Blackah - Scored 2-2
Taverners - Ethan Moulden - Scored 2-3
Tetbury - Adam Grech - Scored - 3-3
Taverners - Fin Byrnes - Scored - 3-4
Tetbury - Harry Purnell - Scored 4-4
Taverners - Brook Jenner - Clips the bar and goes over. 4-4
Tetbury - Billy Montague to win it. Scored 5-4
Congratulations to Tetbury Town, President's Cup Winners 2025.
It's a bit of a cliche, but the big winner tonight was football. What a fantastic game of football served up by these two teams. A credit to the Stroud & District Football League. My journey time, in both directions, was longer than the actual game. However, it was worth every minute. This is why grassroots football, in my opinion, knocks spots off the professional game. This was entertainment at the highest level, which is what football should be about. Not only that, but it was free to get in. Free!!
Tetbury Town: King, Brown, Grech, Montague, Johnson, Seal, Hughes, Blackah, Jones(c), O.Purnell, H.Purnell. Subs: O'Keeffe, Hillman, Kraham-Wood, Goodwin
Taverners: Thompson, Moulden, Baker, Thornton, Fletcher, Blunt, Hankins, Liddicot, Hudd, Wilkins(c), Williams. Subs: Bedwell, Shelbourn, Fisher, Jenner, Byrnes
Ground Number: Revisit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Tetbury - Josh Hughes - Scored 1-1
Taverners - Tom Williams - Scored 1-2
Tetbury - Tommy Blackah - Scored 2-2
Taverners - Ethan Moulden - Scored 2-3
Tetbury - Adam Grech - Scored - 3-3
Taverners - Fin Byrnes - Scored - 3-4
Tetbury - Harry Purnell - Scored 4-4
Taverners - Brook Jenner - Clips the bar and goes over. 4-4
Tetbury - Billy Montague to win it. Scored 5-4
Congratulations to Tetbury Town, President's Cup Winners 2025.
It's a bit of a cliche, but the big winner tonight was football. What a fantastic game of football served up by these two teams. A credit to the Stroud & District Football League. My journey time, in both directions, was longer than the actual game. However, it was worth every minute. This is why grassroots football, in my opinion, knocks spots off the professional game. This was entertainment at the highest level, which is what football should be about. Not only that, but it was free to get in. Free!!
Tetbury Town: King, Brown, Grech, Montague, Johnson, Seal, Hughes, Blackah, Jones(c), O.Purnell, H.Purnell. Subs: O'Keeffe, Hillman, Kraham-Wood, Goodwin
Taverners: Thompson, Moulden, Baker, Thornton, Fletcher, Blunt, Hankins, Liddicot, Hudd, Wilkins(c), Williams. Subs: Bedwell, Shelbourn, Fisher, Jenner, Byrnes
Ground Number: Revisit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Billy Montague strikes the winning penalty
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