First Team

Bristol Manor Farm AFC let their football do the talking as a superb second-half performance secured the all important three points in the final game of the Paulton trilogy, writes Matchday Reporter Jack Davies.

The Portwayment had been dumped out of two cup competitions by their hosts in the last couple of weeks and started brightly in their hunt for revenge. Stuart Tovey’s whipped cross was hacked at by defender Dan Dempsey, before the ball fell kindly to Owen Howe who volleyed just over.

Just moments later Howe had the next chance, lashing a driven free-kick high and wide.

Despite the confident start, Paulton would sting on the break. Ed Butcher led a counter before his pass found Leighton Thomas and the striker finished smartly.

Farm escaped a second blow a few minutes later. Tovey cleared superbly off the line after a Thomas header had beaten Ben John.

It would take a penalty for Farm to get a much deserved equaliser. Kyle Tooze made a nuisance of himself, dealing with a difficult bouncing ball far better than his counterpart Leighton Tuodolo, as the defender clumsily hauled Tooze down just inside the box. Howe collected the ball and emphatically buried his 12th league goal of the season.

Paulton had two chances just before the break to reestablish the lead. Butcher crossed for Thomas who headed over from point blank range before Butcher again crossed for Will Harvey but he could only find the side netting.

Farm started an incredibly impressive second-half on the front foot. Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist spinning left and right before his cute chip was just too heavy for Howe at the back post.

The hosts’ first chance of the second-half was an extremely presentable one. Liban Ibrahim got in down the left but Thomas could only hammer over from the penalty spot.

Tooze was once again causing problems for Farm down their right. Skipping inside and out before his superb cross left keeper Aaron Sainsbury in no man’s land, but there were no takers at a vacant back post.

Paulton looked certainties to take the lead as Butcher escaped Tovey on the break, but Theo Llewelyn came from nowhere to make a superb recovery tackle.

On the hour, a managerial masterstroke by Lee Lashenko turned the balance in Manor Farm’s favour. Within 60 seconds of coming on, substitute Lloyd Mills’ first touch was a peach of a pass to Howe which led to a Farm corner; The resulting corner was well worked, and Tooze fired a cross to Mills who swept home to give the Portwaymen the lead.

The game was effectively over as a contest just a few minutes later. Tooze again drove Farm forward and once Leigh-Gilchrist got a toe to a loose ball first, Tuodolo swiped wildly at the forward leading to a second penalty and a second yellow for the defender.

Howe smashed home again and led the team to the beaming Lashenko for wild celebrations and three big points secured.

Manor Farm were denied a touch more gloss late on. Leigh-Gilchrist’s perfect corner found Josh Ford, who had defended outstandingly throughout, but his downward header was brilliantly tipped wide by Sainsbury.

Saturday’s result made certain that Bristol Manor Farm remained in third place after 11 matches, four points off league leaders AFC Totton who have played a match less. You can watch Manager Lashenko’s post-match interview on Official BMF TV HERE. Up next, the Portwaymen host Bideford AFC at The Creek on Saturday 23rd October – Match preview and information will be posted across our website and social media channels in the coming days.

Paulton Rovers progressed to the next round of the Southern League Challenge Cup on penalties following the 2-2 stalemate against Bristol Manor Farm at The Creek on Tuesday night. Covering the match on the Portway was Matchday Reporter, Jack Davies.

Bristol Manor Farm were held to a goalless draw against Lymington at The Creek on Saturday afternoon, with the visitors’ defence holding firm with ten men for the last quarter. For the second time in a week, Matchday Reporter Jack Davies watched on from the sodden Creek stands. 

Bristol Manor Farm overcame a two goal deficit on Tuesday night as they condemned high-flying Plymouth Parkway to a 4-2 defeat at The Creek. In just under 24 hours from Tuesday’s fixture, Matchday Reporter Jack Davies covers all the action that unfolded in what will be looked back on as a memorable night in the club’s history.

Despite a nine day lay-off, Manor Farm looked like a team that were thankful for the rest. The lively Kyle Tooze carried the ball 30 yards before cutting inside and seeing his low effort blocked.

Tooze was at it again a few minutes later, twisting inside of defender Ryan Lane and unleashing another effort that whistled just over.

Plymouth Parkway had made a very strong start to the campaign and began to get a foothold. First Steve Kingdon had to be alert to turn away a goalbound effort from Michael Williams before it would be the Farm man himself who would give his opponent the lead. Jack Crago’s low shot taking a touch off Kingdon before tricking over the line.

Farm weren’t deterred and almost leveled instantly. Tooze again making his own space and delivering a cross for Aron Robbins, the captains’ header was looping goalbound and but for the actions of Plymouth defender Callum Rose, it may have dipped inside the post.

The visitors then had Rose to thank again shortly after. Owen Howe’s flick-on looked to have set Tooze away but the defenders’ last ditch tackle was timed superbly.

Those defensive interventions would be rewarded too. River Allen’s free-kick was spilled by Ben John, and Williams was quickest to react to double the Plymouth lead.

Farm rallied once more and got a hugely deserved goal before the break. Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist with a perfect corner and Josh Ford was left all alone to power home his header.

Lashenko’s men then could have easily gone in level. Tooze’s whipped cross fell at the back post to Robbins, but he skewed his effort wide of the near post.

It had seemed the break had come at a bad time for Farm but that notion was put to bed just a few minutes in.

Leigh-Gilchrist’s first corner of the second-half saw a Tooze flick turned off the line by Ethan Mitchell, but his second set peice eventually fell to Ford and the centre back finished like a seasoned striker to get his and Farm’s second.

The turnaround was complete just moments later when Tooze turned a sixpence, and his perfectly weighted pass set Jamie Short away to open his Manor Farm account, sending the home supporters into delirium.

Plymouth were reeling, but couldn’t capitalise on the few chances to draw level around the hour mark.

Adam Carter saw two well-struck efforts saved by Ben John, before heading over a guilt-edged chance following a well worked set piece.

The visitors’ comeback attempts were made harder with 15 minutes left as they were reduced to ten men. Ryan Lane, who had been given a torrid time by Tooze all afternoon, lashed out following a coming together between the pair and he was rightly given his marching orders.

Farm were honouring manager Lee Lashenko’s late Father in the game and both Dad and Son would have shared a broad smile at the way the game was settled for good.

Kyle Tooze’s eventful night was topped off in champagne fashion, with the forward collecting from 30 yards and his rocket flew into the far corner to secure a much deserved three points on Tuesday night.

Next up, Bristol Manor Farm will welcome Lymington Town to the Creek next Saturday, with all eyes on AFC Totton who lead Manor Farm at the top of the division by five points. You can watch Manager Lashenko’s post-match reaction on our Official YouTube channel HERE.