MATCH PREVIEW: BMF vs Bideford AFC
Manor Farm welcomes Bideford for their first home game of the new season with both teams eager to get their first points on the board.
Club
Away Day Guide: Bashley FC
The Farm begins their 2022/23 campaign on the road at newcomers Bashley who play at the GlenMex Stadium. If you want to find out more about our opponents and read the match preview then you can do so here.
MATCH PREVIEW: Bashley vs BMF
AFC Bashley v Bristol Manor Farm – 13/08/22, 3pm KO
Factfile:
Nickname – The Bash
Stadium – GlenMex stadium (125 miles)
Founded – 1947
Manager – Paul Morris
Star man – Rafa Ramos
Notable former player – Wade Elliot
Last season: Promotion from Wessex League
Last result: 3-1 loss to Stoneham
Fun fact: Reached the FA Cup 2nd round in 1994.
A long trip down to Bashley is Manor Farm’s first test as they look to bounce back from their play-off final defeat in May. The hosts gained promotion from the Wessex League last season and will be full of confidence and momentum, despite a disappointing cup loss last week.
The Bash
Bashley have a solid spine, are difficult to beat and can score plenty of goals. Shot stopper Ross Casey is protected by partners Jackson and Thompson in defence and dead ball specialist Lewis Ross probes the midfield. In attack, the Bash boasts former Bournemouth and Portsmouth talisman, Matt Tubbs. He is supported by talented attackers Rafa Ramos and Harry McGrath.
The Farm
Farm have brought back exceptional young talents Marcus Day and Evander Grubb, as well as retaining almost the entire squad who ended last season. Bustling strikers Owen Howe and Kye Simpson score plenty of goals and former Gibraltar international Jake Gosling can terrorise an entire defence on his own. Defensively, Steve Kingdon, Josh Ford and Sam Boulton protect one of the division’s finest goalkeepers in Ben John.
The Form
Farm are playing their first competitive game this season but will be buoyed by a record-breaking 2021-22 season, albeit ending in disappointment in the play-off final. The pre-season campaign, on the whole, was fairly strong and Farm will be hoping to be there or thereabouts again this season.
Bashley by contrast have already kicked off their season, losing by the odd goal in the preliminary FA Cup round to AFC Stoneham last week. The Bash will take a wealth of positivity into the league season however as they hope to establish themselves back in the Southern League Division One South.
Join us on the supporters’ coach to Bashely for £15 pp or £25 for two seats – book by calling Club Secretary Rachael on 07767 633549. If you can’t make the match, follow all the action with live score updates on our official Twitter page HERE.
MATCH REPORT: Bishop Sutton 0-5 Bristol Manor Farm
Defeating Bishop Sutton by the same score as Shirehampton just four days earlier, Bristol Manor Farm made it consecutive 5-0 pre-season victories on Tuesday night, writes William Ledbury.
With notable absentees, Lee Lashenko’s Farm still made light work for themselves against Shire, and were looking for the same when they traveled to Lakeview – home of Lashenko’s former club, Bishop Sutton.
With the new Western League season starting at the weekend, Bishop Sutton’s tails were raised at the prospect of finishing their pre-season campaign with a good performance against Farm; and the hosts started the brightest.
With hosts playing without names on the shirt, the Sutton number nine took a touch before shooting narrowly wide of Shay Allen’s net – a necessary warning for Farm who knew that they had to be ‘at it’ from the start if they were to continue their on-field momentum.
Further chances would fall the home side’s way, with a narrow strike beating Allen – but also beating the goal.
Midday through the half Farm started to find their rhythm, much of what was seen from Lashenko’s side during the most of last season. Fullbacks Aron Robbins and Sam Boulton combined well with Jake Gosling and Marcus Day – and it was the latter who emphatically finished to open the match’s scoring. Day’s neat step-over fooled the home defence, and his powerful strike gave the home keeper little chance as it nestled into the top left corner.
On 28 minutes, Farm did have the ball in the net once again. Gosling linked up well with striker Owen Howe who calmly slotted home, but the linesman raised his flag to deny the forward.
Ten minutes later, Farm quickly turned one into three as Boulton and Day punished the home side in 60 brutal seconds. Gosling gracefully controlled the ball from a long pass, and slipped Boulton through to score first time. Just as the hosts restarted, the ball quickly fell back into Farm’s possession. A ranged switch pass found the feet of Day who cut onto his right foot and crept the ball into the bottom right corner.
On 41 minutes, Farm heaped more misery on their hosts when Jake Gosling danced on the edge of the Sutton area and hammered the ball low and centrally past the keeper.
Shortly after the interval, striker Owen Howe landed awkwardly, following a goal attempt, forcing Lashenko into an early change.
The exciting Evander Grubb stepped onto the field, and with Dad Marvin watching from the sidelines, put on a show for the traveling Farm contingent. The midfielder’s first opportunity saw him glide past two defenders and shoot over, and his second ended with the ball in the net – only for the linesman to deny Farm. Grubb was played through and rounded the keeper with relative ease, but was deemed offside.
George Fowler then created another opportunity for Manor Farm, with a long-range strike narrowly missing the target.
Grubb was then rewarded with a goal when he made it five with just over 10 minutes remaining. Advancing past the full-back, Grubb struck the ball with conviction into the corner to round off another strong pre-season performance.
LASHENKO ON NEW SIGNINGS, NEXT SEASON, AND MORE
Earlier this afternoon, the fixtures for the Southern League Division One South season 2022/23 were announced, and Manager Lee Lashenko feels his side are on-track ahead of the Farm’s first league fixture on August 13.
“If I’m being honest, I’ve come away from all three friendly matches very pleased,” Lashenko began.
“We didn’t get too carried away from the Ashton & Backwell defeat, and we didn’t get too dissapointed with our loss at Merthyr.
“Especially in our first match against Merthyr, we were unlucky to be trailing 1-0 at half-time, and had five minutes of madness which ultimetly cost us the game. Since then we’ve scored seven goals in our next two matches, and I’m quietly confident with the football that’s being displayed from us,” Lashenko said.
As a result of the arrival of Lashenko in the 2013/14 season, The Creek has seen an array of attacking quality, including new signing Marcus Day, who returns to the club for a second time in recent seasons.
“The reaction on social media shows that everyone, including me, is very excited to see Marcus back at The Creek,” Lashenko said.
“He’s a brilliant lad and I love him to bits. His communication with me is second to none, and during his last spell he was my number two when we helped manage the club’s U16s side – which I think highlights his desire to succeed.
“Marcus has already shown a tremendous amount of maturity, and when paired with our attacking quality next season, hopefully he can help us to advance even further,” Lashenko expressed.
The Farm’s pre-season schedule continues this weekend with a trip to Wales to take on Penybont FC, and Manager Lashenko beleives that this will be his side’s toughest fixture yet.
“I think we’ll face our toughest pre-season test on Saturday. These matches are designed to test us physically and mentally, and it’s the best preperation we could ask for ahead of next year. Penybont are a strong side, but hopefully our travelling supporters will see an exciting, attacking style of play – similar to what we try and put out on August 13.
Saturday’s fixture in Wales kicks-off at 2pm, and we look forward to seeing the Farmy Army travel to Penybont for the match.
ADAMS JOINS AS STADIUM & EVENTS MANAGER
With great pleasure, we announce that Cerian Adams will join us as the new manager of our Stadium & Events.
FARM WELCOME STEVENS TO THE CREEK
Bristol Manor Farm Football Club is pleased to announce that Luke Stevens has joined the Farm as First-Team Physiotherapist for the 2022/23 season.
After graduating from university with both a Bachelor of Science and a Masters’s degree in Sports Strength & Conditioning and Sports Therapy, Stevens has worked in a variety of roles across sports, including spells at Swindon Town Football Club, Cheltenham Town Football Club, and most recently with Chippenham Town Football Club as Lead Sports Therapist.
Currently, Stevens is working with the Bristol City Academy from the U9s through to the U23 team, and will now join Manager Lee Lashenko’s backroom staff at The Creek this season.
Stevens commented to the club: “Bristol Manor Farm Football Club is another local side to me, and one that I’ve heard a lot of good things about from my time working in football.
“I want to tap into that local aspect, and my main goal is to make sure that injury rates stay nice and low across the season.
“If I can help contribute to the improvement on the performance side of things, then that would be a great bonus for myself personally and for the club,” Stevens said.
We would like you to join us in welcoming Luke to The Creek, and we look forward to seeing him join up with the squad of players ahead of the new season in the Southern League.
FARM ANNOUNCE NEW DEALS
Bristol Manor Farm’s pre-season schedule gets underway next Tuesday evening, as the Farm travel to Merthyr Town with a fresh challenge in its sights.
FIVE MORE SIGN ON
Over the past couple of days, Bristol Manor Farm Manager Lee Lashenko has started to announce his first signings ahead of the 2022/23 Southern League season. The first trio of deals were announced on Wednesday, with Josh Ford, Jayden Nielsen and Owen Howe signing on the dotted line – followed by an off-field acquisition after it was confirmed that Grantley Dicks will stay on as Lashenko’s assistant in the dugout.
On Thursday morning, two more announcements were made. The exciting young talent, George Fowler, was the fourth signing confirmed by Lashenko as his first-team squad started to take shape. Fowler joined the club from Paulton Rovers in March and made a handful of substitute appearances for the Farm as the club secured its highest league finish – and reached the division’s play-off final.
Mike Bryant was the next out-of-contract player to follow suit, rejoining his fellow teammates back at BS9. Bryant worked tirelessly in the middle of the pack last season, including scoring in back-to-back matches against Lymington Town and Paulton. Bryant’s experience at this level and beyond with Mangotsfield, Slimbridge and Yate Town will prove to be very helpful, as the club look to go one step further next season.
On Friday morning, Manor Farm’s veteran shot-stopper, Ben John, confirmed that he wants to stay at The Creek and continue the club’s fight for promotion next season. John was awarded the ‘Player of the Season’ accolade after he was commended for his first-class performances in-between the sticks. Supporters who travelled to AFC Totton will remember the invaluable saves made, as well as denying Frome Town in the play-off semi-final match at Badgers Hill.
LEE LASHENKO ON NEW CONTRACTS
Six weeks on from the club’s play-off final defeat, preparations for the 2022/23 Southern League Division One South season began this afternoon with the club announcing four new contracts ahead of the new campaign.
Last season’s Players POTY, Josh Ford, was the first of the 2021/22 contingent to commit his services for next season, closely followed by midfield maestro Jayden Nielsen. In his first season at The Creek, Ford became an instant hit after joining from Melksham Town, performing admirably and scoring six goals.
Nielsen was another key performer for the Farm last season, becoming the club’s favored option on the attacking left side. The highly sought-after player’s excellent ball control and smooth footwork delighted supporters, and the club is pleased to have secured Nielsen’s services once more.
With two new contracts confirmed by midday, the club’s transfer activity hadn’t stopped for the day there. Last season’s top scorer, Owen Howe, put pen to paper to re-join Ford and Nielsen back at The Creek under Lee Ladhenko’s helm.
Speaking to the club this afternoon, Lashenko commented: “I think it was only right after the play-off final that we spent a few weeks concentrating on Geoff and his family, but with the new season just around the corner – I think these new signings will ignite us for next season.
“The players announced today all have immense quality at this level and will play a big part in next season’s challenge.
“We’re totally committed to going that one step further from last season and achieving the goal that’s firmly set in our minds,” Lashenko said.
In addition to the three players announced, Lashenko today confirmed that Grantley Dicks will remain as his Assistant Manager for the 2022/23 season.