Match Reports

Manor Farm score four away from home in one of the games of the season against Bishop’s Cleeve, writes Jack Davies.

A quick-fire second-half double was enough as Tavistock claim all three points at The BS3 Services Stadium, writes Jack Davies.

Bristol Manor Farm’s consecutive run of draws came to an end on Tuesday evening following a narrow defeat away to Bideford, writes Jack Davies.

Prior to Tuesday’s match, returning captain Jake Gosling managed just 70 minutes last weekend at Exmouth but was forced to be substituted due to sustaining a nasty ankle injury following a late challenge. Lloyd Mills, who has done an excellent standing-in job, was given the armband once again as the Portwaymen made the 200-mile roundtrip to the Sports Ground.

The Robins had the match’s first opportunity in 8 minutes when forward Javan Wright won a free-kick wide left. A melee of red shirts attacked the ball, and following two wasted attempts, Farm were able to break on Seehouse-Evans’ goal. The youngster showed extreme pace when he skipped past three, but fell short at the final hurdle when Bideford eventually recovered.

Nielsen did extremely well to avoid two lunging challenges, and the aforementioned Grub had Manor Farm’s first attempt in 25 minutes. Grubb allowed the ball to come across his body, but his strike bobbled its way towards goal only for Seedhouse-Evans to gather.

Mills found space high up the pitch and played a lovely searching pass into the feet of Grubb, and his chipped effort went narrowly wide of the back post.

If you asked those in attendance, ‘Who looked like scoring most?’ Undoubtedly the answer would be the Portwaymen who had three more clear-cut chances at the home goal. After George Fowler’s strike was pushed behind, Owen Howe headed over the Robins’ crossbar. Nielsen decided to cross low and hard, but Mills couldn’t get enough power on his near post effort. However much like this season, luck wasn’t to be on Farm’s side as Ryan Turner finished past John after a clever pass by his captain Aaron Taylor – albeit against the run of play.

Farm probed for parity early into the second half, but Bideford still carried a threat on the break. Winsor fired a shot just over for the hosts and Farm defender Steve Kingdon slid in to stop a certain tap-in at the back post following a low cross from Turner.

Jayden Nielsen came closest in normal time to find an equaliser, firing narrowly over following a clever set free kick.

Farm were forced to substitute two of their centre-backs late on and the only one who stayed on the pitch had the game’s final chance. Mills sliced his effort wide after a clever cross from young substitute Will Gallagher.

STAR MAN – Harry Lucas.

In a highly competitive game played on Saturday afternoon, Manor Farm earned an important point against Exmouth Town, writes Jack Davies.

Bristol Manor Farm held runaway league leaders Sholing to a 1-1 draw in a highly entertaining affair at The BS3 Services Stadium on Saturday afternoon, writes Jack Davies.

Manor Farm put Bishop’s Cleeve to the sword as they progress in the Senior Challenge Cup with a 3-0 win at the BS3 Services Stadium.

Lee Lashenko’s men had been in good form despite Saturday’s defeat at Totton, but it was the visitors who started sharper. Joe Selmon did well down the right before crossing to Kevin Slack, who brought the best out of home stopper Ben John. Farm’s first chance fell to their in-form number 9 Owen Howe. The striker headed just over after a pinpoint cross from wingback Jayden Nielsen. Nielsen and Marcus Day began causing havoc down the Farm left, combining well to set up the next chance for Evander Grubb who was just beaten to the low cross by visiting keeper Greg Lannon. Farm would get reward for the pressure after 20 minutes. Midfield general Frankie Artus fired an effort that he was desperately unlikely to see clip the underside of the crossbar before Owen Howe followed in to convert the rebound. His 15th of the season. Farm doubled their lead only 2 minutes after taking it. A diagonal ball over the top was misjudged by Lannon and his defender Will Turner and Grubb stretched every sinew to get a decisive touch and divert the ball into the net. Cleeve threatened to strike back before the break. Isaac Pierce forced another fine save by John before defender Steve Kingdon did brilliantly with a goal saving tackle at the back post.

John was forced into action early in the second half too. Pierce sent a wide free kick towards the back post and the keeper was alert to tip the ball over. Farm wrapped the tie up with a wonderfully crafted counter attack. Nielsen beat 3 players to create the space before finding Day whose low cross was absolutely hammered home by Howe for his second and Farm’s third. The big striker would have a couple of chances to get the match ball as the second half ticked by without too much incident. Day was neatly found by Nielsen again and his low drive was spilled by Lannon before the keeper did just enough to thwart Howe’s chance for a tap in. The final chance for the striker came from Day once more who’s wicked cross was half an inch too high, and Howe could only glance the ball wide.

It was back-to-back victories for Bristol Manor Farm as they triumphed 3-1 away at Tavistock on Wednesday evening, writes William Ledbury.

Manor Farm earned a vital three points as they got their first win of 2023 against Willand, writes Jack Davies.

Dan Cann’s Hammers were ‘Worthy’ winners on Tuesday night whose first-half performance blew away a young Farm side, writes Jack Davies.

Hamworthy’s ruthless first half began in the 10th minute. After a swirling wind blew a corner all over the place, one of the home contingencies finally managed to stab it home.

The first attempt for a second was frustrated by an offside flag, but shortly afterwards Sam Griffin emphatically volleyed home from distance. It looked like John had done enough to clear the danger, but the talismanic forward lashed the ball with venom into the top corner.

A third arrived and it was one Farm won’t want to see back. As soon as Kai Storr sent a long ball forward, it found its way through to Max Wilcock who put the ball in the back of the net for 3-0. Wilcock turned provider for the final goal of the half. His low cross was tucked home by Curtis Young.

Manor Farm had the most of the early second half going before being punished further on the counter. Rafa Ramos has only joined the club that day and having already netted against Farm for former club Bashley this season, he popped up with the 5th.

Farm’s fragmented squad saw them only able to name three teenagers on the bench but all were brought out and combined for some respectability late on. Regan Lashenko’s late effort was parried by Storr and the rebound was buried by Luco Ponsillo for his first senior competitive goal for Farm. The third young sub had the game’s final say. Will Gallagher, who became one of the club’s youngest-ever scorers aged 16 earlier this season, got his second after gambling well at the back post.

STAR MAN – Jayden Nielsen.

The Farmy Army found scant fare to cheer from their festive Boxing Day fixture at the First4Pools Stadium, writes Kevin O’Donohoe.