Match Reports

A scorching GlenMex Stadium proved to be an unfavourable first league match for Bristol Manor Farm as Bashley claimed victory on the opening day, writes William Ledbury.

As the temperature soared and Bashley began attacking the Farm’s defense, the newly-promoted side looked dangrous with every attack. In the abscense of key centre halves Josh Ford and Steve Kingdon, captain Aron Robbins paired up with Lloyd Mills in the middle of Farm’s defence – and the two had to deal with pacey forwards Rafa Ramos and Harry McGrath.

The aforementioned Ramos got the match’s first shot away, as the strikers’ effort was deflected behind with Ben John poised to make the save at his near post.

Ramos then setup midfielder Adam Grange who lacked composure with his finish and skewed his shot high and wide of the Farm crossbar.

The opening goal of the match came in extremely contentious fashion. With McGrath bursting inside the area, the fantastic Mills timed his sliding tackle to perfection and swiping the ball out of play for a throw-in. To Farm’s diseray and Bash’s delight, the referee pointed to the spot and awarded the home side a penalty. Despite Farm’s understandable protests, Grange tapped home the rebound after his initial shot was saved by John.

One almost became two as Farm midfielder Theo Llewellyn’s backpass was intercepted by Ramos who could only drag his effort wide of the target.

Farm would draw level right on the stroke of half-time after makeshift full-back Jayden Nielsen was hacked to the floor just inside the area – leaving the referee no choice but to award the penalty and level the playing field. The ever-reliable Owen Howe sent Ross Casey the wrong way and rolled the ball to make it 1-1.

With the scores level at the break, Farm’s misfortunes would contine in the 50th minute when central defender Sam Davidson rose highest to bury his header past John into the top left corner – sending the home crown into delirium at the blazing GlenMex.

Manager Lee Lashenko started to rill the dice and one-by-one introduce Harry Lucas, Evander Grubb, and Kye Simpson into the action.

Jake Gosling, who slipped past two defenders and struck low and hard, was perhaps Farm’s best chance of the half. Casey in the home net did exceptionally well to push the ball around the back post.

Marcus Day and Simpson showed signs of their best abilities by holding the ball up and using their neat footwork to carve out openings, but Bash were in a defiant mood as they started to beleive that all three points would be staying in the New Forest on Saturday afternoon.

As the home bench raised the board to signal five additional minutes, Farm forward Ben Bament seemed to slow down time as everyone inside the stadium anxiously waited to see what would come from the match’s last chance. Bament showed extreme pace and looked set to slam home the equaliser, but home keeper Casey managed to stretch a few inches closer and smothered the ball to ensure Bashley started life in the Southern League with a victory.

Next up for Bristol Manor Farm is a home tie against Bideford AFC on Tuesday evening for a 7:45pm kick-off.

(STAR MAN, Ben John)

Bristol Manor Farm ended pre-season with a win as dry weather plagued a sun-kissed pitch at Avonmouth, writes Jack Davies.

The opening exchanges witnessed two teams struggling to keep a semblance of control of the bounce, and goals were few and far between.

Unsurprisingly the first chance of note came with the ball in the air. The corner from Jake Gosling was headed by Lloyd Mills, but it smashed against the inside of the post and was scrambled clear.

Aaron Harvey in the Avonmouth goal was drafted into the starting 11 just minutes before kick-off, due to the late arrival of the would-be number one, but he was on the pitch long enough to play a key role in the opener. Ben Bament latched on to a superb sweeping pass by Theo Llewelyn and he was clattered by Harvey inside the area. The keeper did get a fingertip to Gosling’s penalty, but the ball did find the home net for 1-0.

The second came before the break and was superbly taken. Marcus Day nicked the ball and defied the bobbles to smash through the legs of the original goalkeeper to double the lead.

The Farm could have had three before the break too. Youngster Harry Lucas sliced the hosts’ defence open with a slide rule pass to Mason Winter, but striker Ben Bament could only lash his cutback wide.

Avonmouth were also struggling with the conditions but did find a route back into the game. An almighty scramble following a set piece was eventually stabbed home, Kyle O’Donovan taking the credit from his teammates.

Lee Lashenko turned to talisman Owen Howe late on and the striker was inches away from a certain goal as he felt Gosling’s deep cross whip just ahead of him just seconds after his arrival.

A few pot shots for Evander Grubb and Llewellyn were Farm’s reward for the increase in possession towards the latter stages but the hosts were in a defiant mood.

Despite the resilience of the hosts, the Portwaymen would end all hope of a nervy finish with 5 minutes to go. Howe was again involved as he spun and played through Day, with the silky winger slaloming inside three Avonmouth challenges and calmly slotting his second and his team’s third.

With the conclusion of pre-season, all eyes turn to a trip south to Bashley for the Southern League opening matchday weekend.

The proverbial phrase ‘a game of two halves’ perfectly summed up the pre-season action that took place at The Creek between Bristol Manor Farm and Roman Glass on Thursday evening. The visitors struck three times in the second period to win the match 2-3, leaving the Farm to rue missed chances.

Fresh off the back of their 5-0 rout of Bishop Sutton on Tuesday night, Farm were very much looking for the same again when Glass visited the Portway. Ben Bament got the match off to a flying start when he notched in the match’s opener. A lovely sweeping pass from Evander found the feet of Bament who made no mistake from close range.

With the wind in their sales, Farm quickly went two ahead via a spot kick from the talismanic Jake Gosling. Marcus Day drove into the area after recovering from an initial tackle, but the winger was hurled to the floor leaving Oliver Taylor no choice but to award the penalty. Gosling duly stepped up and powered the strike into the top right corner – despite a strong hand from Ross Grimshaw.

The visitors showed glimpses in the first half, through chances via Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist and Shaquille Smith, but the match certainly seemed far too comfortable for Manor Farm.

In the second period, Mills and Robbins rose the highest from set pieces but couldn’t add to the match’s scoreline.

Glass broke forward in the 61st minute and clawed themselves a goal back through Myles Ferguson. The fullback got the better of Farm’s right side, and his looping effort too fooled Shay Allen in the Farm goal. 2-1.

Substitutes Kye Simpson and Jayden Nielsen impressed when they came on, linking up well with Gosling, Day, and Grubb as they searched for a third. Grubb’s strike from the left kindly fell to Simpson’s head, but the striker could only head over from the back post.

Roman Glass continued to press and deservedly drew level through Smith. The ball split the Farm defence in two, and Smith rounded Allen to tap home.

The turnaround was completed in 87th minute as Roman Glass scored once again through the tireless Smith, leaving Farm bewildered that the match slipped through their fingers. With the club’s pre-season match against Thatcham cancelled on Saturday, attention turns to Chertsey at home on August 6 at The Creek.

A clinical second-half saw Pen-Y-Bont hit double figures in South Wales as they showed Welsh Premier class, writes Jack Davies.

Despite what would be a rampant scoreline, Farm had the better of the opening exchanges. The first effort came through a neat combination between Owen Howe and Jake Gosling with the latter forcing a save from the home keeper.

Bont was moving the ball smoothly in the glistening sunshine and started to take a foothold. Evans found Raffell who rounded Ben John but couldn’t convert from the angle.

The move of the first-half was created by the Farm. Silky one-touch football involving Marcus Day, Evander Grubb, and Gosling before Grubb’s cross just missed Howe and Jayden Nielsen was just unable to convert at the back post.

The Portwaymen also carried an early threat with set pieces. Gosling crossed and George Fowler’s dummy flashed straight across with no one lurking to head home.

Bont opened the scoring after 25 minutes following a neat move down the right. Owen laid to Reffell who finished clinically from just outside the area. It could have been two in as many minutes but Ben John produced a stunning flying save as Sam Snaith volleyed at the back post.

It would be two just after the half hour. Georgievski saw an effort come back of the post and it fell perfectly for Snaith who made no mistake with his second chance. Farm was still carrying a threat late in the half. Howe combined neatly with Gosling again before the Gibraltan skinned Mark Little but was crowded out after his boot caught the turf.

The second-half saw the home side start as they meant to go on. Owen got a slice of luck as a shot deflected into his path and he clipped the loose ball over John for three.

At the hour mark Pen-Y-Bont were able to use the luxury of several fresh faces and they made them pay in style. The fourth came through one of those substitutes Josh Jones who finished calmly from the angle.

Another trio of substitutes was sent on by the home side including a trialist, who tucked home number five with virtually his first touch.

Josh Jones then got his second from almost an identical position, drilling home as he found himself free down the right.

Farm started to feel both the fitness and the heat in the final ten minutes as Bont were still throwing men forward. Snaith got his brace for seven with a beautiful curling effort into the far top corner.

Two quickly became three for Snaith as he wandered into the box for a tap-in and eight.

The final two goals came inside added time and both showed true quality. Jones joined Snaith with a hat-trick when he found the top corner from 20 yards before Kane Owen wrapped a left-footed screamer from even further out for ten and a harsh lesson in the driving heat.

Bristol Manor Farm drew 2-2 away to Hereford Lads Club in pre-season thanks to two late penalties from Ben Bament, writes William Ledbury.

The match sprung into life in the fourth minute when Jayden Nielsen found space, but the winger’s shot stung the palms of Steven Bell who pushed the ball behind for a corner. The resulting kick was floated in, but no one in a red shirt could trouble the Lads Club goal.

The home side created their first chances almost instantly, with Jordan Burke volleying wide and James Hancock failing to beat Ben John from close range.

That being said, Lads Club opened the scoring on 15 minutes through Adam Hockey. Farm failed to get tight to their opposition, and Hockey headed past Ben John despite the veteran keeper getting a touch on the ball.

On 22 minutes played, Farm thought they equalised through Ben Bament. The forward was plagued with a misfortune against Ashton & Backwell in the first-half last Friday, having hit the post on multiple occasions, and Bament struck the post with ferocity against Lads Club when Harry Lucas floated a fantastic ball into the area.

Bament showed pace on 29 minutes to race into the area, but his strike was saved well behind for a corner – only for Bryant to head over at the back post.

Farm’s next best chance came just before the interval. Nielsen once again showed his crossing capabilities from set plays, and Steve Kingdon managed to get a header underway, despite being wrestled to the ground by his opposite number.

The second-half saw George Fowler replace Kye Simpson early on, and it was the former who started Farm’s attack on goal. Nielsen collected the ball from Fowler, and his low cross was met by Bryant who could only stand and watch his strike clash with the post.

Grubb then found space down the right side, beating past two players and striking the ball wide of the far post.

Disaster would follow for Farm’s backline, with the hosts doubling their lead after mixup between Ben Joh and Steve Kingdon. The centre-half received the ball at feet, but was quickly intercepted by a Lads Club forward who squared the ball to Kiea Cowley smashing the ball into the empty net.

Lee Lashenko’s Farm wouldn’t be discouraged as they battled marvellously to claw themselves back into the match. Nielsen, who was a thorn in Lads Clubs side all evening, was wrestled down to the floor in the 83rd minute, giving Farm a clear shot to get back into the match. Bament stepped up and placed the ball into the bottom left corner. 1-2.

Farm’s high-press continued from the restart, and within 60 seconds of scoring from the spot – Nielsen would earn the Portwaymen another penalty. The winger was dragged back, leaving the referee with no choice but to award the night’s second penalty.

Bament placed the ball onto the spot, and chose the same left corner to earn the Farm a draw in what proved to be another hotly-contested fixture. Next up, Farm travel to Cymru Premier side Penybont on Saturday 16 July at 2pm.

A rampant second half by Bristol Manor Farm against Ashton and Backwell saw them score five goals in their latest pre-season fixture, writes Jack Davies.

The Farm started strongly against their lower league hosts. A quickly worked throw-in saw Jake Gosling find Ben Bament who smashed the bar in the opening exchanges, repeating the feat from the previous friendly where he saw an early effort hit the woodwork.

More good work down the Farm right led to the game’s first clear chance. Gosling and Winter combined before the latter crossed for Bryant who lifted over.

Farm somehow didn’t take the lead after 20 minutes. Lloyd Mills planted a header, once he was found by Gosling, before an unbelievable tip onto the bar by the home keeper was followed up by another terrific save after Bament lashed the rebound goalward.

When it wasn’t the keeper, it was the woodwork! Evander Grubb bent a wicked effort from range which hit the crossbar before Neilsen hit the post barely seconds later.

Farm would go into half-time goalless but not before one final piece of magic before the break. Jake Gosling slipped the ball through the sliding defender’s legs before he played in Bament, where the forward was denied by another fine save by the Stags’ keeper.

Farm wasn’t to be denied in the second-half and the first goal came just minutes in. Grubb was well picked out on the right and his superb cross was tucked in by Bament, finally getting the goal his endeavors deserved.

The home keeper may have conceded one but his fine performance continued. Grubb’s half volley was palmed away before Neilsen took control of a short corner and whipped another effort that was well saved.

Farm would make it two just after the hour through a fine solo goal. Grubb picked a defender’s pocket before his pace got him away and he cooly slid his finish between the keeper’s legs.

Defender Sam Boulton was relishing his maiden 90 minutes this year and almost got Farm’s third. A typically perfect Gosling delivery found his head but the ball glanced wide.

Kye Simpson had worked exceptionally hard since his introduction just after the break and after putting one chance over he finally got off the mark late on. Neilsen’s dancing feet left several defenders sprawling on the floor and despite the scene looking somewhat like a war film, he had the presence of mind to lay unselfishly for Simpson who had the simple job of making it three.

The floodgates were well and truly open now and it was soon four. This time Simpson turned provider as he muscled his way to the by-line and set the back for Gosling who fired back across the keeper from the edge of the area.

Boulton headed another devilish Gosling delivery over before Farm enjoyed the luxury of a fifth in the final minute. A moment of madness from the hosts left full-back as his pass was too heavy for his keeper and the optimism of Simpson to gamble paid off as he tapped home his second.

A clinical Merthyr Town ensured Farm started pre-season with defeat in Wales, writes Jack Davies.

Manor Farm traveled to Merthyr knowing it would be their toughest friendly first. The Martyrs were relegated initially at the end of last season but a few reshuffles ensured their place one league above was maintained.

The Farm started brightly enough, Ben Bament charged home keeper Will Fuller’s clearance and was unlucky to see the ball cannon off the crossbar.

The host’s first chance was after some classic route one. A flick-on by Gethyn Hill dropped for Curtis Hudson who skipped inside and dragged a shot just wide.

The early sparring continued as Farm had the next try. Jayden Neilsen brought himself a yard on the Farm left before his cross was just too long for Kye Simpson who hit the side netting from a tight angle.

Hudson was by far Merthyr’s brightest spark in the opening exchanges. The winger drove inside after 15 minutes but his effort from just inside the box ballooned over.

His next effort was far more decisive, however. Adam Davies stole possession before finding Hudson, who unleashed an effort from range that found the bottom corner.

His frantic ten minutes continued minutes after. This time flicking a dangerous Frazer Thomas free-kick narrowly wide.

Farm weathered the post-goal storm and grew back into the half. Kye Simpson’s persistence stole him the ball high but he could only drag wide.

Farm’s next chance came from some quick thinking by Ben Bament. The striker took a quick free-kick as he spread a diagonal to Evander Grubb and the teenager left two men for dead before clipping the outside of the near post with his dinked effort.

As the half-time whistle approached Farm produced the move of the match so far. Bament again with a gorgeous ball to Grubb who this time snuck inside and unleashed an effort that forced a smart save. From the resulting corner, Marcus Day played a clever one-two with Neilsen whose own effort was tipped just wide.

Merthyr effectively ended the contest in three early second-half minutes. A succession of crosses eventually saw the ball drop to Tom Handley who delivered for the unmarked Lewis Powell to head home from six yards.

Powell had two in as many minutes shortly after that restart. This time he collected well under pressure before spinning and driving his shot past Ben John.

The Portwaymen stayed resilient and were creating chances. Neilsen somehow retained the ball after evading several challenges before Aron Robbins forced a smart save from substitute keeper Jamie Cogman.

Young Farm substitute Harry Lucas looked lively after coming on. He combined well with Neilsen who got another effort away under pressure that was well saved.

Lucas then came inches from giving Farm something to celebrate late on. He made himself half a yard and let fly from 30 yards, watching his curling effort drop just wide with Cogman scrambling.

The Martyrs would add some gloss late in superb fashion. Matthew Harris caught Farm cold with an audacious quick free-kick from just inside the attacking half which dropped in for a flattering fourth.

In front of a bumper crowd at Badger’s Hill, Bristol Manor Farm reached the playoff final with an incredible performance, writes Jack Davies.
Frome had narrowly missed out on the title and looked in a determined mood early on. Jon Davies, fresh from a hattrick last time out, dealt better with a long ball and fired narrowly wide, in the game’s first chance.
The early home pressure continued as Joe O’Loughlin found himself unmarked at the back post following a Matt Smith cross, but he got his header all wrong.
Farm’s first chance after a nervous first 25 minutes was a very presentable one. Owen Howe fought for a loose ball and once his shot was tipped wide by James Carey, Jayden Neilsen was somehow denied by a block by Alex Monks as the Farm winger looked certain to score at the back post.
Frome would take a lead after the half-hour. O’Loughlin allowed ample time and space to cut inside from the left and fire a wonderful finish into the far corner. 1-0.
The celebrations had barely died down before Farm got themselves instantly level. Owen Howe flicked an Aron Robbins cross on and Kye Simpson finished delightfully at the back post.
Farm ended a hard-fought first half on the front foot. Jake Gosling curled the ball just over with Carey scrambling before Howe sliced a volley over the bar after he met a Mike Bryant flick-on.
Frome starting the second half as well as they did the first. Simpson was denied by a brilliant block by Steve Kingdon before former Farm man Rex Mannings fired the rebound wide.
The Farm would go ahead as the long throw of Kingdon continued to cause problems. The big defender launched into the box and once the ball was allowed to bounce, Howe launched himself to the header to put the visitors ahead.
Frome looked to get their own instant reply just minutes after they fell behind. Smart one-touch play between Simpson and Smith led to the latter seeing a shot blocked by Josh Ford and Teale was only able to fire the rebound just wide.
Farm all but sealed the win in the 70th minute. Good running by Simpson led to him finding Gosling and his perfect cross was emphatically headed home by Howe, to spark wild scenes in the corner where the travelling Farmy Army was largely gathered.
Frome pushed and pushed for a route back but found Farm’s defence as stubborn as always. Kingdon and Ford headed successful corners away before Ben John punched the final cross away.
The referee blew the whistle to send the Farm fans into delirium and the Farm players into Monday’s play-off final at Winchester.
STAR MAN, Theo Llewellyn.

Bristol Manor Farm showed no sign of play-off nerves as they put Larkhall to the sword, winning 3-0 at the Creek writes Jack Davies.

A cagey opener saw limited chances at either end before Farm began to take control. Jake Gosling slipped the ball through a defenders legs in the games first incident before he was adjudged to be fouled just outside the box.

Gosling was involved again shortly after , playing a neat one two before setting Mason Winter away down the right. The full backs cross was a good one and Owen Howe headed just wide under pressure.

The first real effort on target came from direct from a free kick. Mike Bryant’s persistence saw him win the set peice and Gosling’s swinging effort was tipped wide by Shaun Semmens.

Farm were cranking up the pressure as the half wore on. Kye Simpson headed down from a raking diagonal by Josh Ford and Ben Bament was denied from close range by the flying Semmens in goal.

The opening goal came just before the break and was beautifully crafted. Winter snapped in to steal possession and send Gosling away down the right. The Gibraltan sold defender Tom Warren with a neat dummy and his blocked shot dropped perfectly for Howe, who made no mistake from 12 yards. 

Farm controlled the entire second-half and effectively put the result beyond doubt just minutes after the whistle. Howe collected well and despite Dean Stamp being unable to take the strikers flick into his stride, he laid it back for Winter who, via a deflection, netted his first of the season.

Another glorious move almost ended in a third just 50 minutes in. Stamp slid Simpson in and the striker unselfishly squared for Howe, who put the ball wide as he slid in at the back post.

The game’s second contentious moment saw Farm denied a third once more. Aron Robbins’ dangerous ball bounced through to Howe and his driven effort bounced off the underside of the bar. Despite the fans and forward’s protest that the ball had bounced over the line, the linesman waved played on.

The Gosling show continued after the hour. His corner was met by Howe who’s shot was blocked before Steve Kingdon lashed the rebound over.

Gosling then left another pair of defenders for dead down the Farm right and played Winter in again. The right back’s effort beat the keeper but defender Dale Evans slid the ball wide.

Ford and Howe headed just wide from consecutive corners from Gosling before Bryant found Semmens hands when he picked up the ball just outside the box.

Howe had another chance as the minutes ticked on. No surprise at who created it however, Gosling again leaving a defender sprawling before his pass was placed wide by the aforementioned Howe.

Farm would add some gloss that the performance fully merited. Robbins cannoned his defensive header to Stamp who swivelled and found Simpson. The striker didn’t have the finest angle to work with but finished superbly with his second touch to make it 3.

Farm keep up their 100% home record in 2022 and go into the final day with it all in their hands. 

Bristol Manor Farm and Frome Town played out a 0-0 stalemate at Badgers Hill, writes Jack Davies

It was second vs fourth at kick-off and Farm took the game to their hosts early on. Farm did had the ball in the net in the first two minutes, but the linesman’s flag halted celebrations after Ben Bament flicked in Owen Howe’s shot.

James Carey was next to deny Farm, making a flying save as Howe powered a header towards goal.

Farm’s flying start continued. Another chance inside the first five minutes as Josh Ford headed a Gosling corner past Carey before Alex Monks hacked off the line for the hosts.

Frome weathered the early storm and were starting to come alive themselves. Mike Baker headed tamely towards Ben John’s goal, after rising highest form a Jonathan Davies free-kick.

John’s next save wasn’t nearly as routine. Good work by Davies allowed Kane Simpson to drive infield and force a smart stop by Farm’s number one.

When it wasn’t John stopping the Robins it was some excellent defending. Mike Bryant slid in to stop a certain tap in for Simpson before Aron Robbins held off Davies at the back post following a dangerous that cross evaded everybody.

Farm’s big first-half chance came just before the half hour. A great run by Jake Gosling saw him collect from a one-two and his low cross was miskicked by Howe and defender Teale before dropping to Bament in an inviting position. The striker became the third man to fail to make clean connection and the ball eventually landed in the hands of Carey.

The second-half saw Frome control the early stages. Ford and Kingdon both made successive blocks before Monks fired wide from distance.

Frome were struggling to create clear cut chances but came closest just before the hour. Davies combined well with Simpson again before the striker lashed into the side netting.

The second-half rather petered out with both teams given nothing away. Farm did end as strongly as they started however, Bryant inches away from connecting with a late Mason Winter cross.

Theo Llewelyn had yet to score this season but he also marked his return to the starting 11 in style. Some penalty box pinball dropped to him 25 yards out and his drive drifted narrowly wide.

Not for the first time this season, Ben John would have the final word. Substitute Evans received the ball back following his initial corner but his powerfully struck effort was held superbly by Farm’s stopper.