This midweek I had a business appointment in Somerset, which gave me an opportunity to take in a game in the West Country and, more to the point, dip into a league I had never checked out before, the Bristol Combination Premier League. In the past I have taken in Gloucestershire County League matches and seen many of the teams in one of the feeder divisions, the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. So, I was interested to get a look at another County League feeder league. My chosen game was DRG Frenchay versus early league leaders Nicholas Wanderers. It meant returning to Frenchay, a village that has been consumed by the Greater Bristol area, for the first time since May 11th, 1991. Why do I know the exact date? Well, that date is etched on the brain of most West Brom supporters. I was staying with a friend, who had recently moved to Frenchay, before and after my trip to Twerton Park that Saturday. West Brom drew 1-1 with Bristol Rovers and were relegated to the third tier for the first (and only) time in their history.
DRG are former winners of the Gloucestershire County League, albeit when playing simply as DRG. That was back in 1996. Since then they have been DRG Stapleton and now DRG Frenchay. After dropping out of the County League and further down the local league system, DRG regained Bristol Combination Division 1 status in 2016-17.They got promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the 21-22 season.
Wanderers were promoted two years earlier than DRG and can also boast a Premier Division title in the 2006-7 season as well as a runners-up medal from 2002.
Last season Frenchay finished in third spot with Wanderers 11 points behind in seventh. DRG did the league double too, winning 2-1 at home and 4-0 at Dundridge Recreation Ground late in the season. After a postponement at the weekend, this was due to be DRG's first outing of the season. Wanderers sat on top of the table after their first game, a 5-1 defeat of Thornbury Town Reserves in which both Billy Arnold and Ross Beazer scored twice. Scott Andoniou got the other goal.
DRG are former winners of the Gloucestershire County League, albeit when playing simply as DRG. That was back in 1996. Since then they have been DRG Stapleton and now DRG Frenchay. After dropping out of the County League and further down the local league system, DRG regained Bristol Combination Division 1 status in 2016-17.They got promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the 21-22 season.
Wanderers were promoted two years earlier than DRG and can also boast a Premier Division title in the 2006-7 season as well as a runners-up medal from 2002.
Last season Frenchay finished in third spot with Wanderers 11 points behind in seventh. DRG did the league double too, winning 2-1 at home and 4-0 at Dundridge Recreation Ground late in the season. After a postponement at the weekend, this was due to be DRG's first outing of the season. Wanderers sat on top of the table after their first game, a 5-1 defeat of Thornbury Town Reserves in which both Billy Arnold and Ross Beazer scored twice. Scott Andoniou got the other goal.
DRG attacking in the 1st half The game started at quite a high pace with the home side kicking down the slope in the first-half. However, it was the visitors who struck the first shot in anger, Billy Arnold putting his attempt high and wide of debutant Ashley Eyles's left-hand post. The home side responded with a break down the right from Jude Scott that was cleared by an unorthodox but effective block by the feet of keeper Mitchell Norman at the near post.
The home team were starting to get on top at this stage and Joe Dalby got the first effort on target with a header that was quite comfortably saved by Norman. Seven minutes later DRG made their possessional advantage pay. A free-kick was delivered into the penalty area where giant striker, Oliver Holden, competed for it. The ball fell into a mix of players and, when an initial attempt was partially blocked, the ball ran through to Joe Dalby, who made no mistake from close range. 1-0
Holden's contribution to the goal was not lost on DRG, who had already tried to find his head with long balls on a number of occasions. Three minutes after going ahead, another ball toward Holden was flicked on by the striker into the path of Dylan Quick, who took his strike early on the volley, only to see his attempt flash narrowly over with Norman beaten.
The home team continued to press down the slope, restricting Wanderers to infrequent breaks into the half, without unduly threatening Norman's goal again. In fact, the next big chance fell to Wanderers. It was created by the lively Arnold who fed the ball to Oliver Boyce on the edge of the box. From the opposite end of the ground, his shot looked to be heading into the top corner before Eyles made ground across his goal and palmed it away to safety. Four minutes after that with the visitors beginning to look more threatening, they really should have squared the game up. Samuel Roberts picked the ball up some 25 yards out, drifted past two challenges and drove into the left side of the box before squaring to the unmarked Scott Andoniou around the penalty spot. Either side of the keeper and it would almost certainly have been 1-1, but the striker could only plant the ball firmly into Eyle's midriff. A let off for DRG.
There was still time for Roberts to also try his luck from the edge of the box but, once gain, the strike flew into the body of Eyles and danger was averted.
HT DRG Frenchay 1 Nicholas Wanderers 0. Frenchay had enough possession to justify their lead the break. However, Wanderers began to get back into the game in the final ten minutes of the half and should really have gone in level. With the slope in their favour for the second 45 minutes, it could be a different game all together.
The home team were starting to get on top at this stage and Joe Dalby got the first effort on target with a header that was quite comfortably saved by Norman. Seven minutes later DRG made their possessional advantage pay. A free-kick was delivered into the penalty area where giant striker, Oliver Holden, competed for it. The ball fell into a mix of players and, when an initial attempt was partially blocked, the ball ran through to Joe Dalby, who made no mistake from close range. 1-0
Holden's contribution to the goal was not lost on DRG, who had already tried to find his head with long balls on a number of occasions. Three minutes after going ahead, another ball toward Holden was flicked on by the striker into the path of Dylan Quick, who took his strike early on the volley, only to see his attempt flash narrowly over with Norman beaten.
The home team continued to press down the slope, restricting Wanderers to infrequent breaks into the half, without unduly threatening Norman's goal again. In fact, the next big chance fell to Wanderers. It was created by the lively Arnold who fed the ball to Oliver Boyce on the edge of the box. From the opposite end of the ground, his shot looked to be heading into the top corner before Eyles made ground across his goal and palmed it away to safety. Four minutes after that with the visitors beginning to look more threatening, they really should have squared the game up. Samuel Roberts picked the ball up some 25 yards out, drifted past two challenges and drove into the left side of the box before squaring to the unmarked Scott Andoniou around the penalty spot. Either side of the keeper and it would almost certainly have been 1-1, but the striker could only plant the ball firmly into Eyle's midriff. A let off for DRG.
There was still time for Roberts to also try his luck from the edge of the box but, once gain, the strike flew into the body of Eyles and danger was averted.
HT DRG Frenchay 1 Nicholas Wanderers 0. Frenchay had enough possession to justify their lead the break. However, Wanderers began to get back into the game in the final ten minutes of the half and should really have gone in level. With the slope in their favour for the second 45 minutes, it could be a different game all together.
Ashley Eyles about to save Beaver's penalty Four minutes into the second half, French came close to doubling their lead when Holden flicked on again, this time sending goal scorer Dalby through on goal. His low shot beat Norman but appeared to come back off the foot of the post before being cleared by a defender. Billy Arnold then took it upon himself to attempt to change the game. First of all, another good run down the right, culminated in the winger cutting the ball back into the path of Roberts who could only sky his strike well over. A few minutes after that Arnold picked the ball up on the halfway line, drove at the DRG defence and let fly only to see his slightly dragged shot go wide of the post.
Just before the hour mark the visitors came close gain when, after a corner was not properly cleared, centre-half Luke Bailey got away a snapshot that clipped the outside of the post before going for a goal-kick.
A minute after the hour The Wands had an even bigger chance when they were awarded a penalty, much to the consternation of the home dugout. To be fair, the ball struck a hand in the box but the shot as hit from fairly close range and the defender appeared to have his hands by his sides rather than in an unnatural position. However, handball it most certainly was, giving Wanderers captain Ross Beazer the chance to level it up from the spot. He hit the ball cleanly enough, but Eyles went the right way and made an excellent save.
Undeterred, the team in pale blue kept pushing and when substitute Jack Neagle flashed a low cross across the face of the home goal it just needed a touch to finish it off. However, Arnold couldn't quite get a toe on it, maybe caught slightly off guard after Eyles dived for the cross and missed it.
Just before the hour mark the visitors came close gain when, after a corner was not properly cleared, centre-half Luke Bailey got away a snapshot that clipped the outside of the post before going for a goal-kick.
A minute after the hour The Wands had an even bigger chance when they were awarded a penalty, much to the consternation of the home dugout. To be fair, the ball struck a hand in the box but the shot as hit from fairly close range and the defender appeared to have his hands by his sides rather than in an unnatural position. However, handball it most certainly was, giving Wanderers captain Ross Beazer the chance to level it up from the spot. He hit the ball cleanly enough, but Eyles went the right way and made an excellent save.
Undeterred, the team in pale blue kept pushing and when substitute Jack Neagle flashed a low cross across the face of the home goal it just needed a touch to finish it off. However, Arnold couldn't quite get a toe on it, maybe caught slightly off guard after Eyles dived for the cross and missed it.
Mitchell Norman about to save Quick's spot-kick Not to be left out from missing chances, DRG promptly went up the other end and missed a glorious chance to seal the game, not once, but twice. First of all Quick was left with what looked, from a distance, like a simple tap-in to an unguarded net from 10 yards. Somehow the striker contrived to smash the ball against the bar. However, in the ensuing scramble the referee once again pointed to the spot for an offence that, I must admit, I didn't catch but brought few complaints from Wanderers. Quick stepped up, looking to make amends and, much like Beazer, he hit the ball well enough only for Norman to emulate his counterpart with a superb flying save.
Even after two penalty saves, the action was not over. With a minute of normal time remaining Frenchay cleared a Wanderers corner only for it to be recycled back into the six yard box. A group of players challenged for the ball with a Wanderers toe getting the final touch to poke it over the line. However, the assistant on the far side had his flag up and, after consultation with the referee, the goal was disallowed for offside. A controversial end to the game. From my vantage point there was no way I could determine if it was on or off but it must have been a very tight call.
FT DRG Frenchay 1 Nicholas Wanderers 0. With a number of missed chances and two penalty saves, it was quite extraordinary that one goal decided this game. From a neutral perspective, it was an enjoyable introduction to the Bristol Combination.
On Saturday DRG are at home again as they welcome newly promoted Thornbury Town Reserves.
Nicholas Wanderers are also at home, also against a promoted team, Iron Acton.
DRG Frenchay: 1.Eyles, 2.Nicholls, 3.Stewart, 4.Wiltshire, 5.Knight(c), 6.Dalby, 7.Scott, 8.Hughes, 10.Quick, 15.Holden, 11.West. Subs: 12.Hudson, 14.Jones, 16.McCann
Nicholas Wanderers: 1.Norman, 2.Partridge, 3.Kenway, 4.Isles, 5.Bailey, 6.Beazer(c), 7.Roberts, 8.Boyce, 9.Andoniou, 10.Arnold, 11.Maynard. Subs: 12.Davis, 14.Scrase, 15.Neagle, 16.Balanon
Even after two penalty saves, the action was not over. With a minute of normal time remaining Frenchay cleared a Wanderers corner only for it to be recycled back into the six yard box. A group of players challenged for the ball with a Wanderers toe getting the final touch to poke it over the line. However, the assistant on the far side had his flag up and, after consultation with the referee, the goal was disallowed for offside. A controversial end to the game. From my vantage point there was no way I could determine if it was on or off but it must have been a very tight call.
FT DRG Frenchay 1 Nicholas Wanderers 0. With a number of missed chances and two penalty saves, it was quite extraordinary that one goal decided this game. From a neutral perspective, it was an enjoyable introduction to the Bristol Combination.
On Saturday DRG are at home again as they welcome newly promoted Thornbury Town Reserves.
Nicholas Wanderers are also at home, also against a promoted team, Iron Acton.
DRG Frenchay: 1.Eyles, 2.Nicholls, 3.Stewart, 4.Wiltshire, 5.Knight(c), 6.Dalby, 7.Scott, 8.Hughes, 10.Quick, 15.Holden, 11.West. Subs: 12.Hudson, 14.Jones, 16.McCann
Nicholas Wanderers: 1.Norman, 2.Partridge, 3.Kenway, 4.Isles, 5.Bailey, 6.Beazer(c), 7.Roberts, 8.Boyce, 9.Andoniou, 10.Arnold, 11.Maynard. Subs: 12.Davis, 14.Scrase, 15.Neagle, 16.Balanon
The Ground
DRG's Frenchay Park Road ground is situated just to the South-West of Frenchay village centre. A fairly large car ark sits in front of the club house with further parking alongside the building and around to the right. There's a lot of work going on at the club currently, especially around the car park area and beyond the current pitch, toward the M32, where I was told a new pitch is being constructed. The clubhouse building also houses the changing areas for players and officials. The surroundings of the club, including a patio area facing the pitch, were renovated last Summer. The building is bedecked with the club logo, above the entrance, in the clubhouse, on the doors and even in the toilets. I always like to see this. Having the club's identity everywhere somehow adds to the general atmosphere of ground. The playing surface, which sits at 90 degrees to the clubhouse, has a slope that runs down from right to left as you look. The dugouts situated on the clubhouse side of the pitch, straddling the halfway line.
I was told by first team coach Thomas Vaughan that the club wants to get the facilities up to County League standards so that they can push to get back to that level. Many thanks to Thomas for getting the team sheets for me too. Nice to have a chat before the game. Much appreciated, especially as it is a busy time pre-match.
Hopefully, I can get down to Frenchay gain some time to see the progress being made at what feels like a progressive club.
Ground Number: 416
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
DRG's Frenchay Park Road ground is situated just to the South-West of Frenchay village centre. A fairly large car ark sits in front of the club house with further parking alongside the building and around to the right. There's a lot of work going on at the club currently, especially around the car park area and beyond the current pitch, toward the M32, where I was told a new pitch is being constructed. The clubhouse building also houses the changing areas for players and officials. The surroundings of the club, including a patio area facing the pitch, were renovated last Summer. The building is bedecked with the club logo, above the entrance, in the clubhouse, on the doors and even in the toilets. I always like to see this. Having the club's identity everywhere somehow adds to the general atmosphere of ground. The playing surface, which sits at 90 degrees to the clubhouse, has a slope that runs down from right to left as you look. The dugouts situated on the clubhouse side of the pitch, straddling the halfway line.
I was told by first team coach Thomas Vaughan that the club wants to get the facilities up to County League standards so that they can push to get back to that level. Many thanks to Thomas for getting the team sheets for me too. Nice to have a chat before the game. Much appreciated, especially as it is a busy time pre-match.
Hopefully, I can get down to Frenchay gain some time to see the progress being made at what feels like a progressive club.
Ground Number: 416
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
DRG Frenchay Sports Ground
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