Chairman’s Chat

A warm welcome to Arnall Drive to the players, spectators, and management team of this afternoon’s visitors.

We witnessed our first league win of the season last Saturday at home to a spirited Gala Wilton side, the performances have been improving and the 2-0 win was the least that we deserved. Zaki Elgahmi’s Reserve side recorded their 5^th consecutive win of the season, this time a cup win against old foes Fishponds OB’s after being 3-0 down at one stage.

It was also great to hear compliments form referees, opponents, and spectators over the past few games as to the improved standard of the pitch, to me this is another indication that we are moving in the right direction.

If you can help with sponsoring a match, player, or pitch side advertising board, or would just like to help and get involved with the running of the club please speak to myself or to another committee member who will be pleased to speak to you about any potential involvement.

Finally, please remember ‘we win together, we lose together but most importantly we stick together’

Andrew

Manager's Match Preview

"When we were going through our 'new normal' and attending chemo and hospital appointments, we sat and talked about how you don't realise how many people are affected by cancer, we especially found it hard to know that children were going through this. So the charity has a long term goal of purchasing a caravan- "Nelmer's place" to be able to bring smiles to small faces and their families"

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	ADAM PARKES – CENTRE BACK Adam is another strong centre back who has proven during preseason to be equally strong in the air and with the ball at his feet. Adam likes to drive with the ball and maraud forwards. He can also bring a Delap style throw as his party trick.
	CAMERON TARR – CENTRE BACK Back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, Cam is a great addition to the side, bringing a wealth of experience. A strong, physical presence at back, Cam is excellent in the air and a handful for opposition forwards.
	MARCUS WILLIAMS (VICE CAPT) – MIDFIELD Club stalwart, after starting at Under 6’s with Rockleaze Marcus is equally adept at fullback or midfield. A tenacious player, Marcus is a nightmare to play against, winning a lot of ball, and whose low centre of gravity makes him very hard to dispossess.
	DREW SAWDON – MIDFIELD Hard hitting midfielder hailing from the North, 2023-24 Player’s Player of the Season, Drew enjoyed an outstanding first season in the 1sts, ending up as joint top goal scorer (16) as well as being a dominating presence in the midfield.

GFA cup ties not included

AUGUST - DECEMBER 2024

GLOS. COUNTY LEAGUE

Hanham Athletic FC is one of the oldest clubs in the Bristol area.   The Gloucestershire FA recognises the club as being founded in 1896, but the club’s establishment is believed to have been much earlier.

During the 19th century Hanham was a small mining village boarding the South East of Bristol, and in the club’s early days the players lived locally, many of them coming to play straight from a shift in the pits.

A tradition and history which is still recognised today with the club’s nickname “The Miners”. 

We are a committee led Community Amateur Sports Club that manages men’s football teams across a number of leagues, leases and maintains the sports pavilion and grounds of Hanham Athletic FC – titled The Hallett Construction Pavilion.

Over the years we have offered the opportunity for regular football to thousands of boys and men, with c.100 signing on to our books each year.  We were founder members of the Gloucester County League in the late 1960s and have previously very successfully played county league football for many years with a proud history of honours and promotions.  We run our First, Reserves, A Teams and Under 18’s (new for the 2024/2025 season) and operate a talented Sunday Team.   We have, in the past, won awards for our ground work and programmes. 

We, many years ago played in the FA Cup, almost getting to Wembley, as well as the FA Vase during the 1970s.   In 1980 the club started our own Charity Shield Competition running tournaments with teams participating and we continue to run tournament and  

charity events every year.  We are a family friendly club, with a strong social following, a determination to support people, and a huge passion for football.

During the 2022/2023 season our 1st Team under the management team of Tom Morgan (Skinney) and Jason Side (Sider) won the Bristol & District Premier Division, the League Cup Final Winners (April 2023) and Les James Cup (2023).   Winning the league saw HAFC being promoted back into the Marcliff County League.   Under the same management team with Craig Sperring (ex-player) joining Skinney and Sider, we finished 7th in the league and completed in two cup finals …………. unfortunately, we were runners up on both occasions. 

For the 2024/2025 season we have a new management team of Paul Coles (Noddy) and Jamie Johnson (Rabbzy) taking charge of the First Team following the departure of Skinney and Sider to Avonmouth FC.  

The 2024/2025 Committee is being led by Chris Strawford (Chairman) and Dan Sperring Vice Chairman) and our President is Bob Sperring who following a number of years in the Chairman’s position has taken a step back and you will see him at HAFC games throughout the season – ensuring the pitch is up to standard in his additional role of groundsman with his assistant Craig Smith.  

Brandon Barnes

– Forward His experience to the team is priceless, great on the ball, his passing range is different level and has a wand of left foot. Joined HAFC for the 2022/2023 season and has played a great part in the team during the last couple of seasons.

Dan Lock (Lockie)

– Centre Midfield/Forward – Wears his heart on his sleeve, always gives 100% and when he plays will be an asset for us once back from injury.

Dan Reed

– Right Back/Centre Back – Dan joined us late in pre-season but has been class technically, what you want in defender. Dan has a bright future ahead of him and has played at Bristol Rovers, Little Stoke and Bishop Sutton.

Jamie Fry

– Centre Midfield - 'Little man' quickest player at the club, great attitude and works hard for the team.

Jay Vile

– CDM/Centre Midfield (Viley) – Technically gifted midfielder who gets us playing on the front foot. Jay loves an all-nighter and finally bought a new pair of boots after having the same ones since school. Previous clubs have included West Bromwich Academy and Wick

Joel Athey

– Fullback (Athey) Young lad who plays full back, comfortable on the ball, decent left footed player

Jordan Mignott

– Centre Back/CDM (Rickman) – Strong fast centre half with great distribution. Just needs a new watch as he is always seeming to be running late on a Saturday!

Josh Gibbs

– Right Wingback – loves a tackle and a strong tenacious player who plays with heart on his sleeve. 100% every game and becoming a great all round player.

Kafi Ibrahim

– Centre Midfield – Skilful midfielder who also brings calmness composure who has great vision and expecting big things from him this season. Yate Town was his previous club.

Karim Rendall

- Wealth of Southern league and western league experience, knows where the goal is. Also has the quickest hat trick ever!! Joined HAFC for the 2022/2023 season and has played a big part in our recent success.

Kyle Porter

(Ports) – Centre Midfield – Ports has great feet, loves getting on the ball – keeps us ticking over and has an eye for goal

Leroy Swaby

– Left Wing – Experience winger who still has plenty of pace and loves a trick. Great to have around the changing room and has an eye for goal.

Liam Jenkins

– CAM/LW (LJ) – Great technical player who can play numerous positions and brings valuable experience having won the County League previously. Played at Boco, Wick and Little Stoke previously.

Liam Planter

– Centre Back (Baresi) – Western League experience centre half who shows great composure and distribution on the ball. Previously with FC Bristol.

Louis Short

(Lou) – Right Wing/Centre Forward – Lou has bags of potential who is the youngest member of our squad. Both footed with an eye for goal with loads of energy – one to watch this season. Previous clubs Wick and Odd Down.

Mark Knapman

– Left Back/Centre Midfield (Knapz) – Knapz has a cracking left foot, excellent delivery and loves a tackle. Brings plenty of experience and was played previously with FC Bristol.

Mikey Golding

– Right Wing/Centre Forward – Pace, power and bags of energy. Micky is a hardworking striker with an eye for goal and will close down defenders with predatory instinct. Previous clubs Cadbury Heath and Wick.

Paul Coles

(Player/Manager) – great all round player, who works his socks off for the team, never gives teams time to settle on the ball. Great person to have in the dressing room

Sam Archer –

Right Wing. This guy is rapid!!! Never seen someone get fouled so much, pace is scary and knows where the net is. Expecting plenty of goals and assists this year. One to watch and previous clubs include Little Stoke and Yate Town.

Sam Brown

– Goalkeeper (Browner) - Browner can and will play in any position of which is asked to. Outstanding in so many positions. Great attitude

Sheldon Sawyers

– Centre Back (Gus) Gussssyy is a leader – strong and good in the air and loves a tackle. One to watch on set pieces.

Twaine Plummer

- Centre Back/Forward – local legend in the Bristol football world and if isn’t slapping net for us, you can catch him as a DJ at Kisstory or on Google Box …..

Les James League Cup

HONOURS LIST

Match Reports by Mark Simpson

New leaders – SGS take over the top on goal difference from Almondsbury who return to winning ways, albeit goal scoring appears to be a problem. Last weeks leaders Sharpness fell to Chalford. Totterdown United kept up their improvement with an away point at Hanham Athletic.

We start at the Hallett Construction Pavilion where Hanham Athletic took on Totterdown United and it was the visitors who took an early lead when a great through ball was expertly finished by Ollie Lovell. Once again Totterdown set their defensive formation that is becoming hard to breakdown. Sam Archer had a great chance to equalise on 35 minutes but failed to get a shot away when free in front of goal. Hanham went very close just before the break but Brandon Barnes’ volley from Karim Rendall’s excellent cross was just over the bar. Hanham eventually equalised five minutes from time when Josh Gibbs found himself free in the box and finished brilliantly for a 1-1 draw.

At Pen Park, Filton Athletic looked to keep their 100% home record against Broadwell Amateurs but had to settle for an entertaining draw. Filton had a great start when after some good play down the left Said Hassan squared for Trey Merrett to finish nicely past Jack Watkins. It was not long after when confusion in the Filton defence led to a shot from Nathan Davies which was well saved by Barry Phillips before Jordan Locke then shot over. On 10 minutes a good challenge and through ball from Tom Fry nearly led to a second Filton goal but Fraser Venables dragged his shot wide. Filton were on top at this stage, and Chris Hillyer curled a free kick just wide. On 23 minutes an interesting point, the Referee had given a penalty to Filton and dismissed Broadwell’s Locke for handball, but, after consulting Broadwell’s

linesman they deemed Hillyer’s shot was over the goal line, the goal given and the red card overturned. Good V.A.R! And not long after Rio Burson-Stephens fired a free kick past Phillips to bring Broadwell back in it. Filton had a few good chances before half time with a Fry header over, and Cooper shooting wide. Early in the second half a Filton corner ended with Fry shooting straight at Watkins. After a great save by Phillips from Broadwell’s Davies, Burston-Stephens followed in for his second and 2-2. Jack Cole shot wide for Filton before Phillips was on hand to save from Dunscombe and Knight on 81, before Venables shot was well saved by Watkins and Jack Cole’s follow up header was just over and there it ended 2-2

At a bright Arnall Drive, Henbury & Rockleaze took on Gala Wilton, and with H&R still looking for a league win they took the lead as early as the third minute when Jordan Dent met a Sam Bailey cross and beat Oscar Bignell with a stooping header. A few minutes on it was almost two when Calum Winter’s fierce shot was well blocked by Kieran Mace in the six-yard box. It wasn’t all one-way traffic as on twelve minutes Harry O’Connor skimmed the H&R crossbar. On 16 minutes Dent had another chance, his well-directed effort well saved by Bignell. On 35 minutes Jordan Dunning made a brilliant one-handed save from an Ethan Vaughan 22-yard free kick. Just before the break Drew Sawdon got a header in from a corner but Bignell was up to the task again. Dunning then tipped over a cross-shot from Vaughan. The second half started at a slower pace until ten minutes in when Sawdon thought he’d scored from a back post volley until the linesman intervened. H&R were not perturbed and on 58 minutes a great cross from Nick Jones was met by Dent with a powerful header straight at Bignell, but Winter was there to smash the rebound home. On 66 minutes Dan Webb went through but was thwarted by Bignell. The game became really stretched with 

numerous corners and free kicks for both sides but neither keeper was called upon to make any difficult saves and 2-0 to H&R it ended.

At Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham Civil Service took on Frampton United, in front of a good size crowd, and the game started in a feisty fashion with the Referee handing out a number of yellow cards to Service. Frampton were having some joy down the right side and took the lead from a cross and excellent volley finish by Manolo Espada. A few minutes later it was two, a free kick on the right was met by Dom Brown. Things blew up on twenty minutes with Evren Turksen picking up his second yellow and lots of protest from the dugout saw Service’s coach also receiving a red. Near the end of the half Micolaj Rewczuk made a great run into the Frampton box and was up-ended for a penalty which he duly converted. The second half saw Frampton with more of the ball due to numerical advantage but chances were few and far between and 2-1 to Frampton it ended.

At Pomphrey Hill in a mid-table clash Bromley Heath United took on Ruardean Hill Rangers with the visitors on top in the early stages and they took the lead ten minutes in when hesitation in the home box was gratefully accepted by Alex Stephens who ran on to slot the ball past Ollie Amos. A few moments later Stephens out-paced the defence and was one-on-one with Amos who foiled him this time. Halfway through the half, from a good through ball Stephens easily beat the last defender and slotted past Amos for 2-0. Mistakes by both defences saw further chances but none taken before the break. Hill started the second half in the same vein and were unlucky not to add to the score straight away, but hit the bar and the ball was scrambled away. However, the third was not long coming Fellows heading home from a corner. 

Heath had a few chances towards the end but failed to make them count and Hill took a deserved three points back to the Forest with a 3-0 victory.

At Hamwells, Sharpness’ unbeaten start to the season came to and end in a close fought encounter with Chalford. Will Tainton had an opportunity to open the scoring for the Sharks midway through the half when Bennet found him, in space, in the box but his effort was well saved by Portlock. On the half hour a dangerous ball into the Sharks box by Minnican was well defended by Gough who steered the ball to prevent Maryon from scoring. Just before the break Alex Gaynor was played in by James Tainton but fired the ball at Portlock. Both teams continued to cancel each other out in the second half and on 65 the two Tainton brothers linked up well, with James setting up Will but once again, Portlock denied Will’s shot. The deadlock was broken fifteen minutes from time by Chalford, when Roberts cross found George Parker in space and he made no mistake slotting his shot past Holder. A tight game with both teams being well matched but Chalford found that moment of quality to take the three points with a 1-0 win.

A sunny but windy afternoon saw Stoke Gifford SGS United take on struggling Quedgeley Wanderers, but saw Quedgeley create the first chance on ten minutes with a Diwash Kerung effort going wide of the post. SGS started to impose their authority with Rudy Hill, Arron Sweete, and Jake Abraham all with good efforts saved by Nathan Charnock. And, on forty minutes Hill rose to head home a corner for 1-0. Minutes later Hill turned provider for Arian Askari to head home, and on the stroke of half time, Askari unleashed an unstoppable 20 yard shot for 3-0. Quedgeley pressed at the start of the second half with Abiodun Odewale going close. But, on 65 minutes SGS put the game to bed when Hill delivered a pin 

point cross for Joe Taylor to fire home from close range. SGS controlled the remainder of the half for a comfortable 4-0 win.

At Wick Playing Fields, hosts Wick took on Almondsbury in a battle of two of the form teams. A large crowd voiced their approval as battle commenced! Both teams were testing each other out early on, and it was Frank Taylor-Fox who ghosted into the box to get on the end of a cross to half volley against the post, the rebound was netted but the linesman’s flag subdued celebrations. Within minutes Jay Rudge unleashed a piledriver which Sam Burgess dealt with comfortably. Almondsbury created the next chance but was wastefully headed over. Both teams had decent possession without creating anything until Bayley Rudge blasted over the bar and the trees behind – so-long ball it was nice knowing you! Wick were playing some nice football but it was Almonds who scored first with Omari Alwari on the edge of the box rifling past a stranded Kai Wilson. Within minutes Taylor-Fox had a great chance after dribbling past two opponents he fired just over. With half time approaching Almonds had the ball in the net again but were denied by a linesman’s flag. Both teams started the second half playing good football with early chances. Wick made a number of changes for a more attacking formation and Almonds the same for tiring legs. Chances kept coming – most for Wick the best of these Louis Robson’s low drive saved by Burgess. Five minutes of added time were played out and a well drilled Almondsbury held out for a narrow 1-0 win.

By Jon Crouch

IT’S FA Cup weekend and for the 64 teams contesting the third qualifying round this afternoon, that feeling of ‘what if’ is already firmly locked at the back of the minds of many.

‘What if’ we win one more game and get a winnable tie in the fourth qualifying?

‘What it’ we then pull out a Birmingham City or a Bolton Wanderers when the EFL clubs from Leagues One and Two enter in the first round, and ‘what if’ we get the TV cameras down for a nice big payday to boot?

Not that’ll you’ll catch managers admitting to harbouring such thoughts at this stage, but for chairmen and women, the boards of directors and, of course, the fans, it’s very much allowed. In fact, it’s insisted upon.

Each and every year a Non-League club get their place in the spotlight, it seems. A fairytale story decided upon by the FA Cup gods alone, irrespective of league position or previous history.

You only need cast your minds back 12 months for an example of what can achieved. The FA Cup first round threw up a dream tie for Step 4 side Cray Valley PM, whose reward for a fourth qualifying round victory over Enfield Town was a first-round clash at neighbouring big guns Charlton Athletic.

Incredibly, a Lucas Ness own goal earned the Millers a lucrative replay in front of the TV cameras at the humble Badgers Sports Ground where the Addicks eventually won through.

Since then, however, Cray Valley have won promotion to Step 3 for the first time in their history and star striker Kyrell Lisbie earned a move to the National League with Braintree Town.

The same thing happened to Isthmian Premier side Horsham, who earned a first-round tie at former Premier League side Barnsley at Oakwell, brought forward to the Friday night.

The Hornets produced the performance of a lifetime to hold the Tykes to a 3-3 draw to force a home replay, where they eventually lost 3-0. But they were soon reinstated after it was discovered Barnsley had fielded an ineligible player, only to go down 3-0 to League Two Sutton United in the next round.

Perhaps under the radar was Aldershot Town’s trip to Swindon Town – but it was a tie that was to go down in the history books.

Incredibly, Tommy Widdrington’s National League Shots went 3-0 up against their League Two hosts inside just nine minutes and led 7-0 by the 58th minute before the Robins brought it back to 7-4.

It was the first time in history that a Non-League club had put seven goals past an EFL club in the FA Cup, while Widdrington’s men went onto beat League Two leaders Stockport County away from home and earn a third-round to at Championship side West Brom.

Sheppey United also earned a taste of the big time when hosting Walsall for a first ever foray to the ‘proper’ stages (as The FA so condescendingly call it).

Two years ago, Bracknell Town were the Non-League cup heroes, drawing out an Ipswich Town side on an upward spiral under new boss Kieran McKenna.

A capacity 2,000 crowd and the ITV cameras greeted them at their shared Bottom Meadow stadium where the Step 3 Robins gave the Tractor Boys a rather uncomfortable evening at times before succumbing to a 3-0 defeat.

McKenna and a large number of those Ipswich players are now keeping Premier League company these days so, for Bracknell, it was a night the club will never forget.

Elsewhere in the first round, we saw 1-0 victories for Chippenham Town, at home to League One Lincoln City, and King’s Lynn Town, who stunned Doncaster Rovers on the road thanks to Gold Omotayo’s winner seven minutes from time.

Torquay United, too, came back from two goals down to force a replay at Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium, while Farnborough enjoyed their best FA Cup run for 21 years - since that unforgettable 2003 campaign which ended with a fourth-round defeat at Arsenal – beat humbling League Two Sutton on the road.

Sadly, this year, the dynamic has been altered somewhat with the scrapping of FA Cup replays from the first round onwards.

Naturally, the decision has gone down like a lead balloon with clubs outside of the top-flight with the chances of earning a televised home replay or money-spinning away day now kicked into touch.

But with drawn ties now going straight to the lottery of penalties, a famous giant-killing is still as opportune as ever. It’s in the lap of the FA Cup gods.

Gloucester County League - League Cup

Saturday 12th October 2024 Kick Off 3pm