New dugouts I was last at Chalford Sports & Social Club just over 2 years ago, in April 2022, when the home side were defeated 2-1 by CCS in what was effectively a title decider (Civil Uprising). Fast forward to 2024, and here we are again. Same location and another title decider to end the season. The situation being that a win for either Chalford or Tredworth would see them take the title. However, a draw would be enough for current leaders Longlevens Reserves, to hang on to top spot on goal difference.
The reverse fixture, back in December, ended in a 4-1 victory for Tigers. A hat-trick for Corey Hill and a Corey Washington for Tredworth and a Ben Minnican goal for Chalford. Two weeks later, on December 30th, Chalford went down 2-1 at home to Smiths Barometrics, leaving them well adrift at the turn of the year. However, that was their last defeat. Since that time they have dropped just 8 points from 51 available and are unbeaten in 2024. So, current form definitely favoured the home side.
In contrast to the recent good weather it was a dreary, grey, wet and windy evening in The Cotswolds. The rain which had begun to fall during the journey was more persistent as kick-off approached. To add to that there was a chilly wind blowing across the pitch, which is situated on a hill above the village. The pitch looked in good condition but the weather was not going to make it easy for the players, especially goalkeepers, having to contest with a slippery ball and a surface that was going to add to the zip of any shots.
Thanks to Ryan Butler (@baconbuttee) from Severn Sport, who sent over the team sheets. Cheers Ryan, much appreciated.
The reverse fixture, back in December, ended in a 4-1 victory for Tigers. A hat-trick for Corey Hill and a Corey Washington for Tredworth and a Ben Minnican goal for Chalford. Two weeks later, on December 30th, Chalford went down 2-1 at home to Smiths Barometrics, leaving them well adrift at the turn of the year. However, that was their last defeat. Since that time they have dropped just 8 points from 51 available and are unbeaten in 2024. So, current form definitely favoured the home side.
In contrast to the recent good weather it was a dreary, grey, wet and windy evening in The Cotswolds. The rain which had begun to fall during the journey was more persistent as kick-off approached. To add to that there was a chilly wind blowing across the pitch, which is situated on a hill above the village. The pitch looked in good condition but the weather was not going to make it easy for the players, especially goalkeepers, having to contest with a slippery ball and a surface that was going to add to the zip of any shots.
Thanks to Ryan Butler (@baconbuttee) from Severn Sport, who sent over the team sheets. Cheers Ryan, much appreciated.
Nick Hill fires in a free-kick The opening few minutes of the game promised much. Both sides looked to have attacking intent and both goalkeepers were called into action within the first four minutes. Adam Thomas was out quickly to win the race for a through ball at one end and Adam Fenner did enough coming off his line to force the striker too wide to get a strike away. However, despite that quick start, the game soon settled down with both teams adopting a more cautious approach. This was probably not surprising as both looked more focused on keeping the opposition out than scoring themselves.
The first strike on target didn't arrive until the 26th minute, shortly after the first yellow card in fact. Nick Hill took the kick for Tredworth, on target but relatively easy for Thomas to parry the ball away. It was noticeable that the goalkeeper was not taking any risks in trying to catch the greasy ball.
Half an hour in and with Daniel Harris and Jonathan Davis already in the boof for Chalford, Tredworth's Corey Hill joined them, quickly followed by the Tigers coach, who was clearly unimpressed by the assistant referee.
Hill, possibly fired up from the booking, then had a good effort deflected wide by Jamie Lock as Tredworth ramped up the pressure on the home side.
Tigers were looking the more likely to score at this point. Their passing style was beginning to open up a little more space for them. However, they had to guard against the more direct Chalford approach. The hosts were much more happy to get the ball forward at the earliest opportunity, looking for Ryan Harry to hold the ball up until support could get up with him.
It was Harry who had Chalford's best opportunity, although that did not arrive until the 39th minute. A free-kick was delivered from left to right before being headed back into the mix. Harry spun onto the loose ball was was just unable to wrap his foot around the ball enough to guide it on target.
The last say of the half went to Tigers. First Nick Hill stabbed a shot just wide before, with a minute of normal time remaining, Tyler Hill made good progress down the right flank. His low cross was met by Lee Smith but he screwed his effort wide of the far post.
HT Chalford 0 Tredworth Tigers 0. On the pitch, advantage Tredworth in terms of possession and threat. However, in reality, it's advantage Longlevens Reserves. A long way to go yet though. Time to quickly get the car blowers on in an attempt to dry out a little before the second half.
The first strike on target didn't arrive until the 26th minute, shortly after the first yellow card in fact. Nick Hill took the kick for Tredworth, on target but relatively easy for Thomas to parry the ball away. It was noticeable that the goalkeeper was not taking any risks in trying to catch the greasy ball.
Half an hour in and with Daniel Harris and Jonathan Davis already in the boof for Chalford, Tredworth's Corey Hill joined them, quickly followed by the Tigers coach, who was clearly unimpressed by the assistant referee.
Hill, possibly fired up from the booking, then had a good effort deflected wide by Jamie Lock as Tredworth ramped up the pressure on the home side.
Tigers were looking the more likely to score at this point. Their passing style was beginning to open up a little more space for them. However, they had to guard against the more direct Chalford approach. The hosts were much more happy to get the ball forward at the earliest opportunity, looking for Ryan Harry to hold the ball up until support could get up with him.
It was Harry who had Chalford's best opportunity, although that did not arrive until the 39th minute. A free-kick was delivered from left to right before being headed back into the mix. Harry spun onto the loose ball was was just unable to wrap his foot around the ball enough to guide it on target.
The last say of the half went to Tigers. First Nick Hill stabbed a shot just wide before, with a minute of normal time remaining, Tyler Hill made good progress down the right flank. His low cross was met by Lee Smith but he screwed his effort wide of the far post.
HT Chalford 0 Tredworth Tigers 0. On the pitch, advantage Tredworth in terms of possession and threat. However, in reality, it's advantage Longlevens Reserves. A long way to go yet though. Time to quickly get the car blowers on in an attempt to dry out a little before the second half.
Ryan Harry presses the Tigers defence The rain had reduced to a constant drizzle by the time the second half kicked off, Chalford now kicking down the slope towards the clubhouse end. The hosts almost had a dream start as Ryan Harry latched onto an attempted headed clearance, beating Fenner to the ball but then firing wide from a narrow angle. However, the Chalford support didn't have much longer to wait as they saw their side take the lead on 51 minutes. Ben Minnican's beautifully flighted freekick from the right was powerfully headed past Fenner by Andrew Maryon. 1-0 to Chalford.
Unperturbed, Tredworth immediately set about finding a way back into the game. The second half was already looking to be a lot livelier than the first, especially now that a goal had gone in. Hill fired just wide for the visitors before, just before the hour, Martin Smith's piledriver looked goal bound before Jamie Lock did enough to deflect it wide of the target. A good response from Tredworth but they were almost two down on 62 minutes when Robins captain Johnny Davis rose to meet a left-wing corner. His downward header bounced up and over the bar. A close shave for Tigers.
From almost being two down, the visitors then broke up the other end and levelled the scores. Corey Warrington picked the ball up on the left flank, cut inside and drilled a low effort, via a slight deflection, into the opposite bottom corner. 1-1
The goal lifted Tredworth again. They were now looking the more likely team to get a winner and came within a few inches on 65 minutes when the broke up the right with lightning pace. Hill's driven cross was just too far ahead of any blue shirt running into the box. With twenty minutes remaining and with the visitors winding up the temp again, full-back Luke Payne let fly from 25 yards, stinging the palms of Adam Thomas.
Entering the final 10 minutes, the game slowed down a little again. Both teams knew they needed another goal to wrestle to title from Longlevens, but both were also well aware that one mistake might be all that it took. Tredworth continued to look the most likely but, on 86 minutes, they were caught completely cold. When a Tigers attack broke down, Adam Thomas launched a long punt downfield which the Tredworth defence allowed to bounce. The conditions probably helped cause the indecision at the back, but Chalford substitute Luke Brunsdon didn't care. He got between defender and goalkeeper, stabbing the ball past Fenner to make it 2-1.
Tigers were stunned and had just a few minutes to rescue the game, now needing two goals. The pushed forward, as they had to, and almost got caught again in the final minute of normal time. Brunsdon, again, was sent clean through to finish it, but his first touch let him down allowing Fenner to come out and clear the ball.
It was not enough though. Tigers ran out of time and Chalford were champions.
FT Chalford 2 Tredworth Tigers 1. A strange game in a lot of ways. Over the 90 minutes Tredworth were the better team in my opinion. However, that is not what counts. Goals make the difference and Chalford took their chances when they came along. Take nothing away from The Robins, winning the league two seasons on the bounce is a fantastic achievement and, the table doesn't lie. Over the entire season they have been the best team in the league. Best wishes to them in the promotion play-offs where they wil need to get the better of Totterdown United (Bristol Premier Combination) and Filton Athletic (Bristol and Suburban League) in a battle for the two promotion spots into the Gloucestershire County League.
Commiserations to Tredworth Tigers and Longlevens Reserves who took the league into the final game of the season with the title still undecided. That's what it is all about. Fantastic entertainment for supporters and neutrals alike.
Look out for photos from Pete Kinsella (petekinsella69)
Check out the Severn Sport match report
Chalford: 1.Thomas, 2.Minnican, 3.Outram, 4.Benneyworth, 5.Lock, 6.Davis(c), 7.Harris,8. Roberts, 9.Harry, 10.Maryon, 11.Keylock. Subs: 12.Barstow, 14.Moore, 15.Parker, 16.Brunsdon, 17.Buckland
Tredworth Tigers: 1.Fenner, 12.Payne, 6.N.Hill, 5.Morgan, 3.Rogers, 11.T.Hill, 10.Hamilton(c), 2.M.Smith, 14.Warrington, 17.L.Smith, 9.C.Hill. Subs: 4.Foster, 8.Rich, 21.James, 7.Dyer, 15.Weir
Unperturbed, Tredworth immediately set about finding a way back into the game. The second half was already looking to be a lot livelier than the first, especially now that a goal had gone in. Hill fired just wide for the visitors before, just before the hour, Martin Smith's piledriver looked goal bound before Jamie Lock did enough to deflect it wide of the target. A good response from Tredworth but they were almost two down on 62 minutes when Robins captain Johnny Davis rose to meet a left-wing corner. His downward header bounced up and over the bar. A close shave for Tigers.
From almost being two down, the visitors then broke up the other end and levelled the scores. Corey Warrington picked the ball up on the left flank, cut inside and drilled a low effort, via a slight deflection, into the opposite bottom corner. 1-1
The goal lifted Tredworth again. They were now looking the more likely team to get a winner and came within a few inches on 65 minutes when the broke up the right with lightning pace. Hill's driven cross was just too far ahead of any blue shirt running into the box. With twenty minutes remaining and with the visitors winding up the temp again, full-back Luke Payne let fly from 25 yards, stinging the palms of Adam Thomas.
Entering the final 10 minutes, the game slowed down a little again. Both teams knew they needed another goal to wrestle to title from Longlevens, but both were also well aware that one mistake might be all that it took. Tredworth continued to look the most likely but, on 86 minutes, they were caught completely cold. When a Tigers attack broke down, Adam Thomas launched a long punt downfield which the Tredworth defence allowed to bounce. The conditions probably helped cause the indecision at the back, but Chalford substitute Luke Brunsdon didn't care. He got between defender and goalkeeper, stabbing the ball past Fenner to make it 2-1.
Tigers were stunned and had just a few minutes to rescue the game, now needing two goals. The pushed forward, as they had to, and almost got caught again in the final minute of normal time. Brunsdon, again, was sent clean through to finish it, but his first touch let him down allowing Fenner to come out and clear the ball.
It was not enough though. Tigers ran out of time and Chalford were champions.
FT Chalford 2 Tredworth Tigers 1. A strange game in a lot of ways. Over the 90 minutes Tredworth were the better team in my opinion. However, that is not what counts. Goals make the difference and Chalford took their chances when they came along. Take nothing away from The Robins, winning the league two seasons on the bounce is a fantastic achievement and, the table doesn't lie. Over the entire season they have been the best team in the league. Best wishes to them in the promotion play-offs where they wil need to get the better of Totterdown United (Bristol Premier Combination) and Filton Athletic (Bristol and Suburban League) in a battle for the two promotion spots into the Gloucestershire County League.
Commiserations to Tredworth Tigers and Longlevens Reserves who took the league into the final game of the season with the title still undecided. That's what it is all about. Fantastic entertainment for supporters and neutrals alike.
Look out for photos from Pete Kinsella (petekinsella69)
Check out the Severn Sport match report
Chalford: 1.Thomas, 2.Minnican, 3.Outram, 4.Benneyworth, 5.Lock, 6.Davis(c), 7.Harris,8. Roberts, 9.Harry, 10.Maryon, 11.Keylock. Subs: 12.Barstow, 14.Moore, 15.Parker, 16.Brunsdon, 17.Buckland
Tredworth Tigers: 1.Fenner, 12.Payne, 6.N.Hill, 5.Morgan, 3.Rogers, 11.T.Hill, 10.Hamilton(c), 2.M.Smith, 14.Warrington, 17.L.Smith, 9.C.Hill. Subs: 4.Foster, 8.Rich, 21.James, 7.Dyer, 15.Weir
Tredworth pushed for a second goal
Play-off fixtures
15th May, Almondsbury - Totterdown United v Filton Athletic
18th May, Almondsbury - Loser of above game v Chalford
If Chalford win this game then Chalford plus the winner of the first game will be promoted. IF Chalford lose then they wil face the winners of the first game on the 22nd May. The winners of that game wil be promoted with the winners of game two.
The Ground
It's only been two years since the last visit, so the ground details in the previous blog (Civil Uprising) still hold true in the main. However, I did notice an enhancement. Replacing the old brick dugout structures, which have been completely removed are two wooden structures. Whereas the old dugouts were an extension of the main stand, the new ones are standalone wooden shelters.
Ground Number: Revisit
Att: Approx. 440 (manual headcount from Southern Street Soul - @streetsouthern1)
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
15th May, Almondsbury - Totterdown United v Filton Athletic
18th May, Almondsbury - Loser of above game v Chalford
If Chalford win this game then Chalford plus the winner of the first game will be promoted. IF Chalford lose then they wil face the winners of the first game on the 22nd May. The winners of that game wil be promoted with the winners of game two.
The Ground
It's only been two years since the last visit, so the ground details in the previous blog (Civil Uprising) still hold true in the main. However, I did notice an enhancement. Replacing the old brick dugout structures, which have been completely removed are two wooden structures. Whereas the old dugouts were an extension of the main stand, the new ones are standalone wooden shelters.
Ground Number: Revisit
Att: Approx. 440 (manual headcount from Southern Street Soul - @streetsouthern1)
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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