Match Reports

A brace by Owen Howe capped an excellent defensive performance by Bristol Manor Farm on Saturday afternoon, writes Jack Davies.

Manor Farm’s miserable run continued as they were soundly beaten by Bashley.

Farm made the fastest start with an effective early press. Jayden Neilsen had the game’s first effort as his clever nutmeg got him away, but his shot was blocked wide. As has been the case too often for Farm, the visitors scored with their first meaningful attack. Harvey Slade’s clever flick bought him space to run into too down the left and his cut back was curled home by Brad Morris. Bashley nearly doubled their lead minutes after. A corner was met by Jack Lovell, but Frankie Artus headed the ball off the line. Farm’s last chance before the break dropped to Neilsen again but he was crowded out after collecting Jake Gosling’s neat flick inside.

Farm’s best chance to get level came after a slow second half sprang into life on the hour. Gosling with an incredible piece of skill to leave a defender for dead but goalkeeper Ross Casey was out quickly to save. Bashley sealed the points with 20 minutes to play. Farm losing the ball twice from their own defensive throw in and Billy Lowes accepted the gift to double the visitors lead. They even had time for a third as Farm conceded in injury time for the fourth time in three games. Substitute Rafa Ramos got in on the counter and his low ball across was bundled home by Jack Lovell.

Manor Farm suffer late heartbreak as Wimborne score late to seal all 3 points in a game which saw an incredible 3 goals in injury time.

Farm were keen to get back amongst the points and came out the traps brightly, some neat passing almost set Owen Howe away but the ball just evaded him. The home side were in good form and started to impose themselves in the game. A good spell of possession resulted in a succession of corners but neither was taken advantage of. Farm always carry a threat from a set play and skipper Jake Gosling sent the latest whipped free kick in but Aron Robbins could only head over. Just as Farm began to start to build pressure, they were caught on the break. A clever dummy opened up the space and the in form Harry Baker drilled home the opener for Wimborne. Barely a minute after, Farm had their best chance so far. Gosling and Howe involved before the latter sent the pass to Kye Simpson, who’s curling effort was tipped just wide. Baker could have doubled the lead just before the break. The striker seemed to take an age to get his feet sorted and his eventual shot lacked the power to trouble Ben John.

The second half started very well for Farm. Probing passing led to a few nearly moments before Farm levelled after an hour. A trademark Gosling corner was met by the thumping header of Josh Ford. The big defender now has 4 goals this season, all of them away from home. The game took a real end to end feel as both sides looked for a winner. Jayden Neilsen almost scored one of the goals of the season in Farm’s next chance. He left 3 or 4 defenders for dead before his snapshot was well saved by Murphy in the home goal. The hosts chance just minutes after fell to the dangerous Bartlett. The midfielder struck superbly from range and Ben John’s smart save was followed up by a brilliant Ford clearance. Ben John wasn’t done there either. In the final minute of normal time, he saved superbly following a Kingdon slip as Wimborne looked destined to win it. The Farm defender recovered superbly after that fine save, throwing himself at the ball to deflect the rebound over. All the defensive resilience seemed like it would count for nothing as Wimborne stole a lead in injury time. Oakley Hanger’s dipping cross didn’t get a single touch as it bounced high into the far corner to send the home fans crazy. Incredibly that wasn’t it! Farm forced a corner deeper into added time and after a clearance fell to Marcus Day, he fired a rocket into the corner to equalise. What happened next could not be written. Almost directly from kick off, the in form Bartlett hit one from the half way line that someone found his way in for a dramatic winner.

A bitterly cold afternoon at The BS3 Services Stadium saw Melksham hit Manor Farm for five on Saturday afternoon, writes William Ledbury.

Bristol Manor Farm’s winning run comes to an end after being put to the sword away to Willand.

Farm’s bad afternoon began inside just a few minutes. A free kick given deep in the Willand half was allowed to be taken on the halfway line and after a few failed clearances, Oliver Bray rifled home a smart finish from just inside the area. Farm almost responded instantly. Jake Gosling sent a typically accurate delivery from wide, and Owen Howe glanced his header wide. More indecision at the back gave Willand a 2-goal lead. Bray once more playing a one two and finished from the angle to get his and his teams second. Farm defender Josh Ford was then booked for shouting at his own players as the referee’s interesting game continued. Farm’s best chance of the afternoon came just before the break. Gosling let go from distance and forced an initial save by George Burton before the keeper sprung up to make an even better save from Owen Howe’s follow up.

The second half began with Farm on the front foot. Substitute Theo Llewelyn coming closer than anybody and his smart effort hit the crossbar just after the break. Set pieces were causing a problem for the hosts as the game approached the hour. Robbins hooked just over following a Ford flick before Ford himself had a goal bound header blocked, a goal kick somehow the decision. Willand picked Farm off on the counter late on. Firstly, Oliver Bray completed his fine afternoon with his hattrick before Will Richards blocked Steve Kingdon’s clearance and Farm’s afternoon was summed up, the ball ricocheting into the net for four.

A Jake Gosling penalty was enough on Saturday afternoon as Bristol Manor Farm made it three league wins in a row on a blustery day at The BS3 Services Stadium, writes Jack Davies.

Both sides were in good form heading into the match, and after getting to grips with the conditions, Farm enjoyed most of the early possession.

Returning striker Ben Bament came the closest early on. His shot hit the woodwork from a tight angle once he’d rounded visiting keeper Mark Bowden.

Westbury did have their moments in a damp first half. Shanley forced a smart save from Ben John before Bowden denied Jake Gosling at the other end.

The last chance of the half fell to the visitors. Harvey Flippance headed over as he freed himself in the area – needless to say it was a wasted opportunity, and Farm counted their lucky stars as they could have gone a goal down against the run of play.

The Portwaymen came out for the second half on the front foot and created several early chances. Full-back Mason Winter let fly from fully 30 yards and Bowden had to be alert once more to tip it over.

Defender Josh Ford had an incredible three in three games for Farm and he had a chance to make it a fantastic four. Gosling’s delivery found the big man but he couldn’t get his header on target.

Gosling was beginning to dictate the tempo as the hour mark approached and he had the next chance. The captain skipped by a few challenges but couldn’t keep his effort down.

The game’s decisive moment came in the 70th minute. Jayden Nielsen was hacked down inside the area, giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Gosling stepped up and buried his fourth of the season, giving Farm another huge three points in the Southern League.

Bristol Manor Farm’s FA Trophy adventure is over at the hands of Plymouth Parkway following a very exciting game at Bolitho Park, writes Jack Davies.

Bristol Manor Farm make it back-to-back away wins as they score four on the road at Lymington Town, writes Jack Davies.

An Evander Grubb wonder goal helped Farm get their first win of the season away in Cinderford, writes Jack Davies.

The visitors had won their last two at the Causeway stadium and started well here. Jamie Bremmer found half a yard and his strike hit the upright.

Farm’s first real chance came through the fancy footwork of Jayden Neilsen. The youngster was playing at full-back in the absence of the captain but found himself well forward and he evaded two challenges but shot just wide.

The end-to-end first half continued towards the half hour. Ben Brooks forced a smart save by Ben John before Grubb seized on a mistake at the back but his shot was well blocked.

The Farm would go into the break ahead. Josh Ford, who headed home away at this ground last season, repeated the trick by nodding his first of this campaign. 

Cinderford came out brightly and did equalise before the hour. Brooks making no mistake from inside the area.

Lloyd Mills and Owen Howe had efforts to regain the lead for Farm before a moment of genuine magic stole the show. Evander Grubb shifted the ball to his right and his effort rocketed into the top corner.

Both sides exchanged efforts as the minutes ticked by. Mitchell McCann fired an effort over on the break before Jake Gosling sent a direct free kick just off target.

The Farm would have a golden chance to end the contest with a couple of minutes to play. Owen Howe was upended inside the box and he dusted himself down to smash home the penalty for 3-1. The game’s final minute saw a nice moment for teenager Will Gallagher, sent on for his debut for the Farm.

STAR MAN, Lloyd Mills.