As another season draws towards it’s close, Farm Life Editor Stephen Barnes runs the rule on how we have fared in a month-by-month review, and as is the way at Manor Farm, it’s been another rollercoaster!
Awkward August [Grade B-]
After an encouraging pre-season that garnered not only some promising results but also some sparkling performances, hopes were high for a roaring start to the season. An opening match up with Melksham Town felt a perfect early gauge of our aspirations, but proved something of a tepid affair under the sun, petering out 0-0. A mid-week trip to Evesham United quickly followed, but again, Farm failed to click as they looked to bed in a plethora of new faces, going down 2-0 without a meaningful strike on goal. An opportunity to get things rolling at Easington Sports in the FA Cup started well enough, as Britton netted his first goal for Manor early on. However, their opponents rallied, and ran out 3-1 winners on a bitterly disappointing afternoon.
With alarm bells ringing in the distance as the August Bank Holiday loomed, a big performance was required with the visit of Bideford in the league, and it arrived in style. The team found their mojo, with both Britton and our latest addition to the squad Tate firing a brace each in a comfortable 4-1 victory to register our first win of the season.
A huge local derby away at Cribbs followed at The Lawns, where the Farm had vanquished their rivals 2-1 in the play-off semi finals on a memorable night for the travel strong Farmy Army just a few months previous. Farm dominated throughout, and came away with a satisfying 2-0 win thanks to goals from Bissett and Kellow. After a stuttering start to the season, a slow start ended on a high.
Stupendous September ! [Grade A+]
With their engines beginning to purr after back-to-back triumphs, Farm pressed on the accelerator. Westbury United were swept away 2-0 in the FA Trophy, Britton again on point, alongside a rare goal from Lucas from a corner. A trip to struggling Cinderford Town saw Farm move into the fast lane, showing no mercy in a 6-1 shellacking, Bissett and Britton hitting two apiece, alongside a strike from Dodimead and a first goal for Farm for Dowling. Buoyant from four wins on the spin, a chance to avenge the recent league defeat at Evesham United presented itself with a return visit in the FA Trophy. In a classic encounter, the game exploded into life towards the end of the first half.
Aron Robbins was sent to the showers after a strong challenge to reduce Farm to 10 men, but the Portwaymen took an immediate shock lead via the enterprise of Britton, taking advantage of a defensive hesitation to round the keeper and give Fam a 1-0 lead at the break. With their numerical advantage, Evesham piled on the pressure in the second half, and despite an impressive rear guard, nothing could stop a rocket of an equaliser on 75 minutes. Evesham now had the momentum, but Dowling had other ideas, unleashing an unstoppable drive to regain the lead. Farm held on to the last knockings, but Evesham somehow found equilibrium through another long range effort in the final seconds, and securing a nerve shredding penalty shoot-out. Farm proved imperious from the spot, netting all 5 to squeeze through to the next round 5-4.
A confident Manor rolled into a mid-week fixture in the GFA Senior Cup, expecting a big test against the reserves of National League side Forest Green Rovers at the Creek. FGR started brightly and deservedly took the lead early on, but Farm slowly turned the screw before providing some scintillating attacking football that yielded 5 goals in reply, with that man Britton hitting a hat-trick around goals from Bissett and Lucas. The final match of the month welcomed league newcomers Falmouth Town to BS9 in front of a bumper expectant crowd. Farm delivered in spades, again hitting 5 in a near perfect display, two more for Britton, plus contributions from Dodimead, Bissett and Tate, to round off a perfect month, accruing 20 goals and 5 impressive wins.
To-And-Fr-October – [Grade B]
Manor were back in FA Trophy action at the start of the month, and were faced with a proper test away at Mousehole who had a to this point, a perfect home record. The Farm were soundly beaten in the league at Trundle Parc last season (but the travelling Farmies had an excellent weekend anyway!) And were one of the league front runners. An even contest turned our way with a cool strike from Thomas, and Farm took control of the tie. Victory was secured with a now customary finish from Britton, scoring in his sixth game in succession. Back to league action, we faced a mouthwatering encounter against an unbeaten and also free-scoring Helston Athletic in front of a burgeoning crowd of 428. The game did not disappoint, with both sides hell-bent on all out attack, which lead to one of the craziest games ever witnessed at the Creek. Farm gifted the Blues the lead with a comical own goal, before Helston reciprocated with a deflected goal from a Bissett strike. The ping-pong upped in pace, Farm again taking the lead through Thomas, before conceding again. Farm were unbowed, firing in two more before the break, another from the marauding Bissett and of
course, Britton. With the last seconds of the half petering out, Farm again gave their visitors hope with a second inexplicable own goal. Perhaps still ruminating the late error in the first half, Farm conceded again immediately from the re-start, and the game was back at parity, 4-4, with still 44 minutes to play. Inevitably, things settled down, but Manor’s constant probing brought about Bissett’s hat-trick to make it 5-4 in front a disbelieving crowd with 25 minuted to play. The drama was not over, as Helston were awarded a controversial corner, and took advantage to level once again. The game finally ended with honours even in a match that will live long in the memory of all who were there to witness it!
However, the goal madness wasn’t over, as Farm next trekked to Malvern Town. Britton scored twice either side of a Malvern effort, and just before the break, the hosts equalised a second time, before taking the lead id-way through the second half. Britton completed a hat-trick from the spot, but again fell behind in another roller-coaster game. Farm looked to have snatched a point as Britton yet again found the net, but the drama was not over. In added time, Malvern bundled in a winner to break Manor hearts, and consign them to their first defeat since mid-August. Smarting from this regrettable reverse, Farm continued their trio of mid-month road trips at Melksham Town, another side with a perfect home record. Despite an early lead from an instinctive strike from Dodimead, the home side laid siege on the Farm goal, finally breaking
through with an unfortunate wicked deflection from a free kick before the break. Town continued to ratchet the pressure in the second half, reigning a plethora of long balls behind Manor’s back-line, finally breaking through. A third looked inevitable as the hosts were awarded a penalty, but Locke was equal to it, and Farm took the opportunity to pour forward, and in a dramatic minute, Britton neatly finished the break away move to level the tie.
Melksham seemed stunned, but continued to push for a winner. Deep into added time, another long salvo presented them with a golden chance, but was scuffed. Incredibly, Farm repeated their trick from a few minutes earlier, a quick break ball reaching Britton in the box who was hauled to the ground, and Farm had a penalty of their own, dispatched with aplomb by Britton with the last kick of the game and sending the travelling Farmy Army into raptures. A trip to Willand Rovers is always tricky, and so it proved. The All Whites took the lead through Farm old boy Howe, and were then awarded a dubious penalty despite the foul being outside the box, which Howe duly dispatched. With defeat looming Lashenko introduced Tate to dramatic effect, as the big New Zealander emerged from the bench late on to hit two, and send the Farm home with a precious point. The month ended back in the FA Trophy and a chance to progress further than ever before. The visit of the higher ranked Havant & Waterlooville would test a tired Farm to the limit, and the Hawks took the lead and were edging the contest. Farm rallied after the break and took the game to their opponents, finally rewarded with another cool finish from Britton. Farm looked the most likely in the final minutes, but just as in the previous round, the tie would be settled from the spot. Farm had been perfect in Evesham, but this time it was not to be, missing our first two, exiting the cup despite edging the in match chances a tight battle.
Oh-No, November [Grade C]
What goes up, must come down, they say. The exertions and drama of September and October seemed to have taken their toll, and the month began with two defeats on the road, first Thatcham Town, where 10-man Farm went down 2-1 to a last gasp goal after Britton had snatched an early lead. A return to Mousehole gave the home side a chance to atone for Farm jettisoning them from the FA Trophy, and did so by a 3-0 score line, which whilst flattering the Seagulls, condemned Manor to back-to-back defeats. In what was becoming a pattern of playing teams in both the Trophy and the league in short order, Farm faced down Westbury United at home, but could not match their earlier victory against the White Horsemen, in a frustrating no score stalemate. Things perked up as Bashley arrived at the Creek, and a much needed three points thanks to a debut farm goal from Sama and a clincher from Dodimead. The visit of Bishops Cleeve gave Farm a chance to ignite momentum, but with a patched up team, got sucked into a stodgy affair, with Cleeve deservedly emerging as victors 2-0. Farm finally found some solace for some indifferent performances away at Shaftesbury, who despite being near the foot of the league, were top of the form table. Manor paid it no mind, and dominated throughout, leaving with a solid 3-0 win thanks to an early goal from the recently returned Grubb and a brace from Britton. A bumpy and patchy month ended well, against another club vying at the top of the table, Exmouth Town. A nervy game of few real chances as both teams cancelled each other out was decided in the last minute of normal time, as a superb cross from Winter was met by a diving header that glanced into the net for a tension relieving 1-0 win, and provide some much needed impetus for the busy schedule ahead.
Discombobulating December [Grade C]
With the game against Tavistock postponed, Farm had to wait two weeks to fire up again. The visit of Didcot Town saw Farm ably outplay the Diddymen, but could not convert their dominance into goals. Finally Manor got their noses in front through Britton, but could not find a second to kill the game. The inevitable happened late on, as a rare attack from Didcot led to an equaliser, and the match fizzled out, 1-1. The next round of the GFA Senior Cup paired the Farm with Cheltenham Town Reserves, and provided a useful distraction from recent the league travails and a chance to give some players a much needed break, and get some minutes into the legs of retuning squad members.
A pulsating game ebbed and flowed, with Sully registering his first goal for Farm, but Cheltenham drew level before the break. Manor took the lead once more with a customary Robbins rocket, but Cheltenham again showed spirit to equalise once again. However, farm were not done, and Bissett again sent in a superb cross, and Britton converted to send Farm into the Semi-Finals. Farm returned to league action with the short trip to Larkhall Athletic, welcoming a hearty Farmy Army turn out to their recently refurbished Plain Ham home. Farm looked at sixes and sevens in the early exchanges, struggling to come to terms with the artificial surface and some rugged challenges. A scruffy goal gave the hosts the lead, in a half that Farm failed to register a meaningful shot on goal. After the break, Farm looked more energised, but lacked penetration, until a few substitutions added some new thinking into the ever increasing attacks. The final quarter of an hour was played largely in the home side’s half, as Farm came closer and closer to an equaliser. Larks were reduced to 10 men late on, and Manor capitalised, skipper Adams pouncing onto good work from Sully to rifle home. We continued to push for a winner, but the tie ended all square. Farm travelled to league leaders Yate Town for a local derby on Boxing Day, emerging with a highly creditable 1-1 draw thanks to Robbins’ looping header in a game of two halves, with Manor controlling the first, and Yate pushing hard in the second. The year closed with a disappointing 3-1 reverse at home against Evesham United, leaving the Portwaymen in the promotion chasing pack, but still all to play for in another exciting season.
Joyous January [Grade B+]
In recent seasons, the turn of a new year has proved to be where the Farm have started to purr, and this season, the propsect of local rivals Cribbs arriving on New Year’s Day provided the perfect spark. The visitors were a far cry from the side we vied with in the play-offs last season, and on a bitterly cold day, Farm easily dispatched the boys from up the road 4-0 with goals from Dowling, Britton, and a brace from Bissett. In truth, it could have been more. A trip to North Devon to take on Bideford followed, a game notable for the form of the two goalkeepers in a game of fine margins, where the chances came late on. Locke saved well from close range and also parried a stinging shot over the bar, whilst Grubb has the final chance of the game for Farm, but was denied by a brilliant block from the Biddy shot stopper
to leave the game scoreless.
Manor Farm were beginning to suffer from a raft of key injuries, something that would blight the second half of the season, including losing the player-of-the-season so far Josh Bissett and influential midfielder Theo Llewellyn amongst others. A patched up side were tasked with the journey to Bishops Cleeve, a game that saw returning striker Ben Bament draughted in at full back! Matches with Cleeve are always an exciting affair, and so it proved once again, in a game more like a basket ball match than a football clash, as the pendulum swung one way then the other between two attacking sides. Cleeve took the lead, but Farm hit back through Dodimead and Grubb to lead at the break. Cleeve equalised straight from the restart, and as the game wore on, nosed in front with 20 minutes to go. Farm did not go under, and searched for an equaliser, finally rewarded in added time through a Lucas header to take a share of the spoils 3-3, in one of the games of the season.
After two away games, the Farm would finish the month with back to back games at the Creek. A frustrating tie with Cinderford petered out in a 0-0 draw that had little to report, but was followed by a solid 2-0 win against a resilient Willand Rovers despite Spence seeing red, with a brace from Britton to finish the month unbeaten and with 4 clean sheets, if a little frustrating with three drawn games.
Feral February [Grade C]
It would be fair to say, February is the month where things unravelled somewhat. Still suffering from a lack of available players, Farm started the month with a performance that would belie what was to come. The annual visit to Westbury United is always a favourite for the Farmy Army, but due to financial difficulties, the White Horsemen were forced to relocate to nearby Frome Town, a ground we obviously knew well and had many epic encounters. The uncertainty surrounding the future of our hosts played into our hands, as Manor ran riot at Badgers Hill, hitting the hosts for five with two from Dodimead and another hat trick from Britton, though Westbury grabbed a late consolation in a 5-1 scoreline to deny another clean sheet.
We returned to the Creek to take on a lowly Thatcham Town and despite the injuries and suspensions arm were able to name an unchanged side for the first time this year. A early lead through a trademark Robbins rocket was cancelled out as the first half petered out at one a-piece. The exertions on a threadbare squad started to show after the break, as Farm conceded a poor goal at the near post. The Portwaymen were toiling as the Kingfishers sat deep on their lead, but finally broke through late on after a delicious cross from Grubb was converted at close range by Britton. Manor had a chance late on to snatch it, but it wasn’t to be, having to settle for a draw.
In a quirk of fate, we would next be subject to a double-header against play-off chasing Bemerton Heath, starting at home. A keenly fought encounter ended in another stalemate, with Britton’s first half opener pegged back by a late equaliser. Our thin squad was further rocked by our captain Jay Adams opting for a mid-season move to title chasing Yate Town, and the return encounter with Bemerton a few days later proved a breaking point. An exhausted and patched-up eleven were subjected to a 7-0 battering, and whilst the scoreline hardly reflected the performance, remains the low point of the season. Still reeling, Farm succumbed at home in the GFA Cup 2-0 to Cinderford, and mirrored that score against a sprightly Mousehole, leaving Farm’s hopes for the season shattered. A chastening end to the month after such a promising start.
Mixed Bag March [League : Grade C- / Cup : A+]
The season was beginning to drift , as hopes of another play-off charge seemed distant. Added to this was the announcement by manager Lee Lashenko that he would be stepping down after twelve years at the helm lead to a subdued feeling within the Farmy faithful. March began with two long trips in a week, starting with gaining a creditable 1-1 draw at Bashley (yep, Britton) that could’ve been more, but for a contentious penalty award. Tavistock – the scene of “Fog-Gate” earlier in the year – followed, and a determined Farm raised themselves to secure a much needed 2-1 win thanks to goals from Bird and Britton. However, the manful efforts of a dilapidated squad that was now drafting in players from the Under 18’s squad and even coaching staff to field an eleven finally took their toll. Another 2-0 home reverse – this time against relegation threatened Cinderford – was followed by a heartbreaking defeat away at title-chasing Exmouth Town. A spirited display saw Farm 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Spence and Britton, but in a game of two halves, ‘Muff’ hit back and snatched a 3-2 victory deep into an inexplicable amount of added time. Despite vanquishing Tavistock a few days earlier, the return fixture at home saw the Lambs gain revenge, running out easy 3-0 winners in game best forgotten by all.
With the season now spiralling into oblivion, a chink of light appeared. Due to fielding an illegible player in our GFA Cup semi-final loss, Cinderford Town were banished from the competition, leaving Manor with an unexpected opportunity to lift silverware, being reinstated in the final against an in-form Bishops Cleeve at Oaklands Park. Despite our rotten recent run, Manor were buoyed by the return of some key players, and were focused from the first whistle in front of a 200 strong baying Farmy Army, resplendent with flags, smoke and non-stop singing. Despite a cagey start, Farm soon settled to produce their finest performance of the season. A double shot-parry fell to Sama, who drilled home, and Farm never looked back. Dodimead was proving a real menace for the Mitres’ backline and produced a calm finish and a 2-0 lead at the break.
The expected response from Cleeve did not materialise, as Manor looked in control and dangerous on the counter, coming close several times. Any nerves were quelled on the hour mark as Dodimead scored again, a sublime team goal for 3-0 that sent the Farmies barmy! The final half hour was played out in a carnival atmosphere as Manor lifted the GFA Senior Challenge Cup for the first time in their history and add some shine to a tricky season, with even the announcement of our top scorer Britton moving on to higher levels with Weston Super-Mare unable to dampen the mood too much. 38 goals in all competitions, thank you Louis, and good luck. The month ended with a narrow defeat 2-1 away at Didcot Town, a forgivable result in the aftermath of the final celebrations, with Sama scoring in consecutive games.
All Over April [Grade D]
With no play-offs for Farm this year, April would be our final month of comptitive football for another season. Whilst there would be many changes on and off the field taking place, the pressure would be off and we could simply enjoy the final fixtures, including two long trips to the depths of far flung Cornwall and three at home.
It began with the visit of Larkhall Athletic, who were desperate for points to secure their status in the division. In the spring sunshine, Farm controlled the first half, with a long range effort from Dowling and a well placed header from Lucas bringing a comfotable 2-0 lead at half time. Larkhall were more industrious after the break as Manor wilted in the heat. Their efforts paid off, scoring twice in quick succession to bring the game level. The game became tetchy, leading to a Larks player seeing red. From the resulting free kick, Dowling fired Farm back in front, and despite some dicey moments, the game was seen out for a 3-2 win and a relieving three points.
The visit of play-off chasing Malvern Town would provide another tough test, but Farm acquitted themselves well, proving more clinical to take a 2 goal lead through Grubb and another dead ball finish from Dowling, before conceding before the break. Malvern laid siege in the second half, and despite some stout defending and excellent stops from Locke, the Hillsiders were awarded a late penalty to draw the game to a close 2-2. The first of two long trips to the end of Cornwall began with a visit to Falmouth Town. With a very different line-up that had overwhelmed ‘The Town’ 5-1 back in September, the game settled into a mid-table to-and-fro that reflected both teams’ positions. Town took a first half lead from a fine finish, as Farm toiled. After the break, Manor looked sharper, creating a few good openings, whilst Locke kept occasional Falmouth forays at bay. Finally the breakthrough came, with Howe nestling a crisp finish into the net at the second time of asking. Predictably, the game faded out for a 1-1 draw.
The final home game of the season – and of Lee’s reign – would see the ‘champions elect’ Yate Town visit the Creek. Whilst they could not fully secure the title, a win for the Bluebells would go a long way to reaching their target. From the off, Yate took the game by the scruff of the neck, as Farm – perhaps hampered by the emotion of the day, or the short recovery time from the trip to Buckland Park – were chasing shadows. Yate took the lead from a well worked attack, but the hammer blow came with the last kick of the first half as the visitors went too ahead. Farm tried to find a way back, but were finding no space against a confident outfit,
now marshalled by our ex-skipper Jay Adams. A third goal came, subjecting Manor to a 3-0 defeat.
The final game of the season saw the team yo-yo back down to deepest Cornwall to face Helston Athletic, a side in the relegation zone but with hope of a reprieve due to the impending demotion of Shaftesbury. The sides shared the spoils in a 5-5 thriller earlier in the season, but both sides were now a shadow of those ebullient times. After a slow start, Farm hit the front through Thomas, but just before the break, Helston were awarded a soft penalty to gain parity at the break. Right after the re-start, the hosts were in front, pouncing on an error to take the lead. However, Farm were now the stronger, a plethora of chances going begging before a great strike from Sama brought the sides level. A late late chance from Grubb went agonisingly wide, and the game ended 2-2, marking Farm’s 17th league draw of
the season.
So, the season ends with Bristol Manor Farm finishing in 12th place, but also clutching the GFA Senior Cup for the first time in their history. It was unfortunate that a raft of key injuries, departures and suspensions hampered any real consistency through the campaign, but that’s football, eh? [Final Grade C-]
Thank you to Stephen for putting together this excellent complete season review. Please show your support by liking and sharing across the club’s social channels!
