Match Reports

Bristol Manor Farm stretch their unbeaten run to six matches following a 1-0 home win against Sholing FC on Saturday afternoon, writes Jack Davies.
 
The visitors still had an outside chance of sneaking a play off spot despite inconsistent recent form and started on the front foot. Their first chance came via a Ryan Cluett free kick but striker Dan Mason could only head over.
 
Mason then turned provider as his clever pass set Fatah Makhloufi away but he was denied by Ben John.
 
Farm created a few half chances before being gifted the lead. A wayward pass by Brad Targett found the space between his two centre backs and Farm’s Kye Simpson pounced and passed the ball emphatically into the net.
 
Farm probed for a second before the break. Jake Gosling’s deflected cross almost fell invitingly for Ben Bament but Sholing keeper Luke Deacon gathered well.
 
Farm had the first chance of the second period and beautifully crafted it was too. Simpson and Bament exchanged neat flicks before the former smashed over from just inside the area.
 
Sholing were struggling to break down a stubborn home defence with most of their chances coming from set peices. Another deep free kick was headed over by Bryon Mason.
 
Farm carried a threat on the counter despite seeing less of the ball. Skipper Aron Robbins did superbly to steal possession and find Gosling, who’s low cross was just hacked clear by Dan Miller.
 
Gosling’s next contribution was a trademark devilish corner but Josh Ford could only head wide.
 
The game’s two final chances really ought to have been taken. Sholing broke down the right and Brad Targett’s cross found Mason for what looked a certain goal. Home stopper Ben John made a superb close range save, certainly not his first of those this season.
 
Farm’s final chance fell to the eventual match winner but it wasn’t one he’ll want to see back. Gosling robbed Miller and he picked out Simpson just 7 yards out, but the forward placed wide.
 
John would make one final save before the ref called time. Farm had made it four wins in a row and kept up their 100% home record since the turn of the year.
 
STAR MAN, Aron Robbins.

Bristol Manor Farm secured a famous victory at the Snows Stadium on Saturday in a pulsating top of the table tussle against AFC Totton. It was the proverbial ‘game of two halves’ as the visitors dominated the first period and took their advantage into a second 45 which saw the home side predictably roaring forward in search of an equaliser.

In our seven previous Southern League encounters the Stags had won six and drawn just once – a 2-2 game earlier this season at The Creek in which Owen Howe had scored twice for the Farm. Following brief subsequent sojourns at Tiverton and Barnstaple, the experienced striker had returned to the club in midweek and started Saturday on the substitutes bench. His late contribution from it would prove ultimately decisive.

The Portwaymen had performed well on our previous visits to the well-appointed South Coast club but, with no luck at all, had ever came away with anything other than unlucky defeats. Things always looked very different from the off on Saturday.

Following bright early probing and the game not five minutes old, right-back Mason Winter hit a clever, long-range shot from just inside his own half that had the Stags goalkeeper Louis Noice back-pedalling furiously to pluck the ball out of the air.

After a quarter of an hour Farm ‘keeper Ben John produced a fine low dive to punch away a 25-yard free kick that was but a prelude to his own mighty heroics later in the game.

More sustained pressure from The Farm ended with Josh Ford striking just wide and a Jake Gosling free-kick causing chaos in an unsettled Totton defence.

Just before the half-hour mark Manor Farm deservedly took the lead when Ben Bament swept majestically home from the left hand side of the penalty area.

Ten minutes from the interval, a Lloyd Mills shot from the edge of the box was well saved low to his left by Noice and Totton responded immediately with a Robert Flooks header that flew through a crowd and just wide of John’s right upright.

A quick break by Manor Farm in the 40th minute saw Bament intelligently feed Jake Gosling who cut inside to produce another good save by Noice.

With just six minutes gone in the second half, a Totton effort squeezed past John’s dive, struck his left-hand post and rebounded across an empty goalmouth and away for a goal-kick. Up the other end, a Gosling cross just evaded Mike Bryant’s touch as the ball fizzed from one side of the Totton goalmouth to the other.

When Ben John stood strong and brave to thwart a Hisham Kasimu effort in the 65th minute he was already well on the way to a man-of-the-match accolade but his supernatural efforts in the 69th minute of the game made him a dead-cert shoe-in for the prize. And then some…

The Farm keeper somehow, quite miraculously, pulled off an amazing triple save that made Jim Montgomery’s famous efforts in the 1973 FA Cup Final look like mere child’s play – the Bristol glovesman diving left, then right, then left again in quick succession to keep out almost certain goal-bound strikes. Three minutes later he was at it again – bravely going down at his near post and sustaining injury on the way to turning behind another dangerous effort. It was breath-taking stuff and very much appreciated by the large, sun-kissed crowd of 624.

Totton sub Sam Griffin was next to try his luck, chipping the ball just over the bar from 20 yards out before the home side, with just ten minutes left on the clock, finally eked out the equaliser that their second half response had deserved. Stags’ top scorer Kasimu struck a loose ball firmly and true through a crowd of players and straight past the unsighted Ben John to nestle into the far corner and send the vast majority of the Snows crowd into raptures.

But it was another prolific striker who had the last word on the events of the day just three minutes from full time. Summoned from the Manor Farm bench, Owen Howe, at his combative best and from a hopeless looking prone position in the Totton box, somehow squirmed and twisted his body to stretch out his right leg and firmly poke an effort beyond Noice’s despairing dive in the Totton goal. The small but noisy contingent of Manor Farm fans were sent into ecstasy as their team snatched all three points and leap-frogged the Hampshire side into third place in the table. What a game. What a day…I

A wonder goal by debutant Kye Simpson helped Farm on their way to a 2-0 win over Willand.

Blustery conditions plagued the opening exchanges but Farm did fashion a few early chances. Jayden Neilsen weaved his way down the left and his set to Jake Gosling was fired just over by the Gibraltan. Gosling would have another chance shortly after. A swift break involving Kye Simpson, Ben Bament and Lloyd Mills led to the latter playing Gosling in but once again he couldn’t find the target. Willand rallied and had a few early chances of their own. Jack Veale smashed a free kick high and wide before William Richards’ mazy run was eventually stopped by defender Josh Ford. Farm’s next chance came after another flowing move. Josh Ford’s 50 yard raking pass was perfect for Neilsen, who slipped Robbins in down the left but the skipper’s cross shot was cut out by Kieran Bailey. Josh Ford met the resulting Gosling corner but he couldn’t keep his header down. Farm would get the lead just before the break. Simpson rolled his man and drove into the Willand area, he cut it back to Gosling who finished neatly from the edge of the box.

Farm were determined to put the result beyond doubt early in the second half. Simpson was found beautifully by Mills in the early going but the strikers deflected shot trickled just wide. Willand then missed a bit chance to level before the hour. A neat move down the left was played through to Richards who’s lifted effort beat Ben John but rolled wide. The moment of the game arrived just before the hour. Gosling’s cross looked too deep for Simpson before the big man watched the ball over his head and despite facing away from goal, produced an outstanding flick which lobbed visiting keeper George Burton and nestled for 2-0. Mills was again chief creator after an hour. His crunching tackle saw him halt the Willand counter and he laid to Neilsen who’s effort was off target. Another fine move almost led to a Gosling brace. Simpson and Bament worked the ball brilliantly between them and Gosling’s effort looked certain to fly in before a crucial deflection. Substitute Dean Stamp had the final two efforts of a pretty comfortable win for Farm. He met Mason Winter’s low cross and found the only spot on the line Burton could save from before he collected the proceeding throw in, span and fired a shot that, this time beat Burton, but cannoned off the far post and away to safety. Fellow substitute Lucas Vowles looked through on goal in the final seconds but he lost his footing before the referee signalled for full time and Farm kept up their 100% home record in 2022.

Honours ended even at Thornhill Park, as Bristol Manor Farm were held to a 1-1 draw against Slimbridge AFC, writes William Ledbury.

Fresh off the back of their thumping 4-0 home victory against Highworth Town last weekend, the Farm were looking to make it consecutive victories and close the gap at the top-end of the table.

It was a dream start for Lee Lashenko’s men, who served his final eight match stadium ban on Saturday afternoon, with the Farm opening the scoring through defender Josh Ford inside five minutes. Jake Gosling raised his arms and whipped a delicious cross into the Swans penalty area, giving Ford the simple task of burying his header past Lewis Adams into the back of the net.

Despite going a goal down early on, The Swans wouldn’t let that deter them as they instantly searched for an equaliser. Forward Jamie Martin, who recently returned to full fitness, saw his header miss the target after a cross from Jordan Yeo. The aforementioned midfielder delivered another opportunity for the hosts, but this time Nathan Dennis headed off-target.

On 20 minutes, Slimbridge missed a glorious opportunity to equalise. Swans striker Edji Mbunga, who scored a hat-trick against Cirencester in recent weeks, was looking to stretch his impressive goal return and bring his side level. Mbunga was released on goal, but the advancing Ben John made a remarkable one-on-one save to keep the Farm ahead.

It was the Farmers turn to create chances of their own, with the illustrious Gosling setting up Lloyd Mills who could only stand and watch his strike go wide of the target.

Just before the half hour mark, Mbunga very nearly turned provider for his attacking counterpart Martin, but the reliable John stepped up once again to deny Slimbridge from levelling the scores.

In an end-to-end half of football, Farm could have extended their lead when Lucas Vowles and former Swans midfielder Mike Bryant had efforts blocked.

Referee Thomas Staten signalled the end of the first-half, with Manor Farm edging the match after Ford’s early goal. 0-1.

The second period started in similar fashion to the first, with opportunities being presented to both sides. It was the Farm who came closest first, with Vowles looking to add his second Bristol Manor Farm goal after his loan deal was extended on Thursday afternoon. The young forward released a strike on goal, but home keeper Adams pulled off a fine stop to deny him.

On 54 minutes, Slimbridge would finally be rewarded for their persistence. The Swans broke down the right flank, and midfielder Yeo spotted the runs of Mbunga and Martin advancing into the Farm area. Either forward could have made a connection, but it was Mbunga who got to the ball first to head past John.

Arguably the Farm’s best chance of the half came on 60 minutes. With the ball going out for a Farm corner, Gosling had another opportunity to deliver one of his trademark crosses. Raising his arms once again, the dead ball was expertly floated to the back post and defender Ford’s fierce header was miraculously kept out by Adams.

On 75 minutes, it was ‘heart in mouth’ stuff for the Farm who almost went behind. Swans striker Martin chased a loose ball, and chipped the advancing John only to see his lobbed-effort crash off the crossbar and cleared to safety.

John had to be alert in the final stages as Ben McLean’s strike was kept out.

Referee Staten drew the afternoon’s entertainment to a close, with the result extending the Farm’s unbeaten run to two matches. We would like to thank Slimbridge for their brilliant hospitality for our players, committee and supporters, as well as making donations to the Ukrainian collection.

STAR MAN, Ben John.

Bristol Manor Farm returned to winning ways in emphatic style as they scored four against a hapless Highworth side, writes Jack Davies.

Farm’s home form had been perfect since the turn of the year and they started brightly here. Jake Gosling, who was sorely missed last week, cut inside a pair of challenges before forcing a smart save from visiting keeper Connor Johns. From the resuming corner Farm would find the breakthrough. Lucas Vowles had done everything but score since his loan return last month, but he got off the mark after five minutes heading home following some pinball on the goal line.

Johns then almost gifted Farm a second. His loose pass was seized upon by Vowles before the striker turned and teed up Gosling, who fired just wide.

Johns first half wasn’t getting any better, he spilled Mike Bryant’s long range effort and Vowles nicked in before him on the rebound. Despite stonewall contact between the keeper’s hand and the strikers leg, no penalty was given.

Farm’s front four were giving the Worthians a torrid time. Bament, Nielsen, Gosling and Vowles all combined with Gosling seeing his effort saved and Vowles only able to poke the ball just over.

Gosling then forced a fine defensive challenge from Matt Cheetham as his low cross looked set to be finished by Ben Bament.

Farm’s first half dominance was rewarded by a second after half an hour. Vowles’ touch and turn set him to find Neilsen who’s cross shot was parried by Johns and Lloyd Mills fired home at the back post.

Farm would have further chances before the break. Bament collected from Nielsen and stung Johns’ palms before Neilsen himself drove past two challenges and shot just wide.

Highworth had more of the ball in the early stages of the second half but failed to trouble Ben John in the home goal. Their only real chance falling to Dan Drewett, but he placed wide from just outside the box.

Neilsen remained bright as the half wore on. He drove forward again and his perfect cross was headed just wide by Bament.

Gosling was next to try his luck, a pair of neat one touch passes were shared by Neilsen and Vowles before the Gibraltan bent his effort just wide.

Farm would add gloss to a superb performance in the final 5 minutes. The third goal came through more brilliance by the irrepressible Nielsen. He collected from Gosling, dropped his shoulder inside before unleashing an arrow from 25 yards that nestled in the far corner.

Nielsen wasn’t done there either. In the final minute, he evaded several challenges before his cute pass found substitute Dean Stamp. The striker smashing home, as he always seems to when in the squad, to make it four goals and three big points for Farm.

STAR MAN, Sam Boulton.

Manor Farm’s winning streak came to an end as they suffered late heartbreak in Bideford, writes Matchday Reporter Jack Davies.

The home side were also in good form and started brightly, Alex Moyse collected from 30 yards and his speculative effort dropped narrowly wide.

Farm’s first chance came at the end of a wild scramble on the edge of the box. Several challenges flew around and with a few players sprawling on the floor, Lucas Vowles struck for goal but saw his effort deflected wide.

Bideford were looking the stronger in the opening exchanges, Moyse brought a save by Ben John and Bello headed over from the resulting loose ball.

John then had to be even more alert after half an hour. A goalmouth scramble was eventually swung at but Craig Duff but the Farm keeper showed fine reflexes to save.

Farm came strong at the end of the half, Mike Bryant denied what looked a very strong penalty appeal before he collected from Mason Winter and seen his effort glance off the post. From the resulting corner, Josh Ford came inches from heading home at the back post.

Farm finally had the wind with them second-half, and had a great chance to steal ahead after just a few minutes in. Bryant’s perfect pass split the defence for Vowles and despite showing poise to round the home keeper, he was denied by the recovering James Mayne.

Vowles was involved again before the hour mark. His neat one-two with Winter set him away but his snapshot arrowed wide.

Adam Seedhouse-Evans in the visiting goal had a quiet hour before he was called into action. Lloyd Mills collected a deep Jayden Neilsen cross before his half volley was tipped over by the keeper.

Farm were looking ever likely as the game went on, Vowles again could only steer wide after Bryant did well to close down a clearance.

Farm’s last chance of normal time fell to teenage substitute Luca Ponsillo. He was found after more good work by Bryant but took a touch too many and his eventual effort was blocked by Mayne.

Bideford had rode their luck and thought they’d won it in injury time. Ex Farm man Kai Fisher rose highest and his header was somehow kept out by a truly outstanding fingertip save by John.

Disappointment would turn to elation from the resulting corner though. Farm laboured to clear and the loose ball found it’s way to Charles Hanson, who stayed the coolest man in the area to find the far corner and end Farm’s six match winning run.

Manor Farm would have one final chance to salvage a point. An almighty goalmouth scramble, including a few penalty claims, failed to cross the line before Steve Kingdon lashed wide as the ball trickled to the edge of the box.

Travel back to 2017 with Kevin O’Donohoe’s classic match report from the Farm’s scintillating 2-3 victory away to Street FC, as the Farm were on the cusp of clinching the Toolstation Western Premier Division title.

Bristol Manor Farm made it six wins in a row on Saturday afternoon, securing a comfortable 2-0 home win against Paulton Rovers, writes Jack Davies.

Manor Farm were looking for 5 wins in a row as they made their way to a windswept Lymington.

The hosts were in need of points themselves as they found themselves sliding down the table and started on the front foot, pushing forward with Harrison Cable as he headed over inside the opening few minutes. Farm almost gifted them the lead just after, Steve Kingdon slid the ball towards Ben John who was fortunate to see his sliced miskick bounce narrowly wide. Farm were feeling their way into the game, on loan Lucas Vowles played a neat one-two with Jake Gosling but his low cross was turned wide by Ryan Fuller, with Mikey Bryant waiting with the goal at his mercy. From the resulting corner, Gosling’s whipped cross was headed inches wide by defender Josh Ford. Lymington were looking a real threat from set plays themselves and it was through one late in the half, that they took the lead. Luke Churchill’s pinpoint delivery was thumped home via the head of Stephen Walker. Farm had a golden chance to level shortly after. Lloyd Mills with a superb lofted pass for Vowles who’s first touch was immaculate but his low effort was smartly saved by Nick Jones. Ben John had to be alert to keep the deficit to one right on the whistle, Ford’s backpack was short and Freddie Bullard’s shot was tipped wide.

Farm controlled the majority of the second half as they looked to get back in the game. A neat move with Jayden Nielsen and Vowles led to the latter setting for Lloyd Mills, who lashed narrowly wide. Kingdon was next to try his luck, another neat run and set by Neilsen but the defender fired over. Lymington was happy to soak up and look for a counter, Rian Drake darted down the right and his wayward cross clipped the top of the bar with John scrambling. Farm would get a deserved equaliser just after the hour. Mason Winter found Gosling who span and laid across to Neilsen – the winger used Robbins decoy run to perfection and found half a yard to fire into the far corner. Vowles was having a very eventful second debut, he flew towards a Gosling corner but his diving header glanced wide. A lovely Winter cross gave Vowles his next chance, but the strikers strike on the spin was well blocked. Farm were pushing hard and almost took a lead in spectacular fashion. Jake Gosling collected from 30 yards and his blockbuster cannoned off the underside of the bar. The decisive goal finally came with 10 minutes to play. Winter’s cross was spilled by Jones and Mike Bryant was on hand to sweep home and send the away fans into delirium. Farm had two big chances to avoid a nervy finish, Neilsen was denied by a combination of Jones and Fuller before Vowles was denied by Jones as he ran through on the counter. Farm had one more attack to keep out in injury time. Callum Davies got to the byline and his cross evaded John but thankfully for Farm, Josh Ford was on hand to clear from the line and the fifth win in a row was secured.

Bristol Manor Farm may have only had 10 players on the pitch at full-time, but it was a five star performance from the Portwaymen who inflicted a 2-0 defeat on high-flying Plymouth Parkway at Bolitho Park, writes William Ledbury.

Since December 19, 2019, Plymouth Parkway hadn’t lost a match at Bolitho Park; an impressive statistic which spanned a remarkable 772 days, or 2 years, 1 month and 10 days. That streak, however, lasted until the in-form Farmers travelled down to Plymouth on Saturday afternoon, looking to build on their previous three victories in the Southern League Division One South.

The Portwaymen’s form since the turn of the New Year has been nothing short of remarkable, with every single player pulling together in the same forward direction. Since the Farm’s 3-0 victory away to rivals Mangotsfield, Manager Lee Lashenko expressed to his players that there’s “15 cup finals to go” as we look to cement our selves into the play-off positions. Despite missing the last two matches due to suspension, full credit must be given to Lee, his coaching staff, and of course the players who are desperately trying to achieve our goals this season.

With Dean Stamp absent, Ben Bament was restored to the starting lineup against Plymouth after he recovered from a knee injury that he picked up in training. Midfielder Lloyd Mills was also named amongst the 11 Farmers on the pitch, assisting Mike Bryant and Theo Llewellyn in the engine room.

Parkway started the match the brightest, and Farm’s defence had to be alert to block Billy Palfrey’s goal bound effort – especially after the defender was looking to add another wonder strike to his name, following his screamer against Slimbridge on Tuesday night.

Jayden Nielsen responded for the Farm in the 10th minute, breaking away inside the Parkway area, but the wide midfielder could only watch his strike fly over the crossbar.

The Farm’s defence weathered the early Parkway storm, with Josh Ford and Steve Kingdon clearing their lines and protecting Ben John’s goal at all costs. River Allen struck a dead ball from around 30 yards, but the aforementioned defenders blocked the ball behind for a corner.
 
On 21 minutes, Nielsen saw an opening and attempted to loft an effort past Kyle Moore from 50 yards – but the midfielder’s strike went too high and wide to trouble the home keeper.

Arguably the match’s biggest turning point came on the half hour mark. It was a dramatic three minutes for Ben Bament and the Portwaymen, as the former was shown both a yellow card and a straight red for a challenge on Ryan Lane. With the Parkway just four points behind Manor Farm, and having played five games less, the match automatically became a ‘must not lose’ game if Lashenko’s side want to achieve a play off position at the end of the season. Mike Bryant moved into the ‘False 9’ position, and had the arduous task of shadowing the Parkway’s backline.

With half-time approaching, the Portwaymen struck gold on 40 minutes when Josh Ford bundled home the opener. Gosling stepped up to take the Farm’s first corner of the match, and his whipped cross flew through the hands of Moore leaving Ford with the simple task of tapping home.

The well-known phrase, ‘the calm before the storm’, certainly could have been applied to Saturday’s second-half at Bolitho Park as everyone connected to Bristol Manor Farm knew the mammoth task at hand for Lashenko’s players. The message at half-time was simple from Grantley Dicks and Stuart Tovey: “soak up the pressure, and hit them on the counter” – and the Portwaymen certainly did that, and more.

On 64 minutes, Parkway came agonisingly close to equalising. Adam Carter’s header deflected off the crossbar, and the Farm defence managed to clear their lines.

Shea Bennington-Mannings replaced Lloyd Mills on 76 minutes, and within the first 60 seconds, the forward combined with Gosling who entered his name into the ‘goal of the season’ competition. Gosling raced clear of two Parkway defenders, leaving one for dead, and curled an exquisite strike from 18 yards into the far corner. 500 home supporters silenced as the Gibraltar international sent the travelling Manor Farm contingent into raptures. Despite the reliable John in the Farm goal, the whole squad ran towards the fantastic away support to celebrate – knowing Plymouth Parkway had a mountain to climb.

As the clock ticked on, the determined Parkway started to look jaded from their fifth match in 15 days as they were unable to break down the heroic Manor Farm backline. After the four minutes of additional time was played, a mighty roar from the visiting bench broke out – knowing full well that the Farmers pulled off their best defensive performance of the season, despite playing over an hour without the dismissed Bament.

It was mission accomplisehd for Bristol Manor Farm who have now collected maximum points from their last four matches. With the emotions running high, Lashenko will regroup with his players and staff on Tuesday with all eyes on Lymington next weekend…