With several postponements last weekend, and most midweek fixtures also falling foul to the weather, the past few days of winter chill has come as a somewhat relief for our local football teams.
It will hopefully be another packed day of fixtures involving Gloucestershire’s local non-league teams.
We have several great previews on some of the matches coming up this weekend; make sure to read the full articles linked throughout!
National League North
Blyth Spartans vs Gloucester City
@Croft Park: 3:00pm kick-off
Gloucester City sit 17th in the National League North, having drew 0-0 in their last National League North outing, Manager Lee Mansell is looking at his forwards to bring more to the table to bring all three points.
Picking up nine out of the past 15 points available, and unbeaten in five, fans traveling up to Northumberland will hopefully see their team come back to New Meadow Park with some rewards.
City travel to Blyth Spartans, who sit 19th, one point behind the Tigers, with two wins and three losses in their past five matches.
Read Charlie Barnett’s full preview here.
Hellenic Premier Division
Bradford Town vs Tuffley Rovers
@Bradford Sports and Social Club 3:00 kick-off
Tuffley Rovers will be wanting to put Tuesday’s disappointing 3-0 loss at home to Roman Glass Saint George behind them on Saturday. Rovers will face second placed Bradford Town, who have won seven of their last nine matches in the Hellenic Premier Division.
Tuffley, who sit 17th in the table do have recent history on their side in this fixture, winning the return match 1-0 at the start of October, with the goal coming from Joseph Shutt.
Thornbury Town vs Brimscombe and Thrupp
@Mundy Playing Fields 3:00 kick-off
After last Saturday’s match at home to Corsham Town was called off due to the weather, Brimscombe and Thrupp will be looking to extend their four-match winning streak in all competitions. Their last outing, a 6-2 win away at Tuffley Rovers helped see the team up to fifth in the league.
Facing 15th placed Thornbury Town, expectation to carry on putting pressure on the teams around them is clear. The visitors won the reverse tie 2-1 in November, with Jack Smith and Jonty Welsh with the goals.
Hellenic Division One
Ablington United vs Cheltenham Saracens
Having their two most recent matches called off due to the pitch at Petersfield Park being unplayable, Cheltenham Saracens will be thankful to be on their travels this weekend.
Their opposition, Ablington United, sit 15th in the division, but have won three of their last six matches to have lift them off the root of the table in the last two months.
Saracens manager Ryan Betteridge has told ParkLife Sport, “We as a group put pressure on ourselves every game, regardless of the opposition. We set standards and expect to meet them as often as possible” in answer to his side sitting third in the table 27 points better off than their opponents.
Gloucester Northern Senior League:
Woolaston vs Cheltenham Civil Service
Sitting pretty at the top of the Northern Senior League; Cheltenham Civil Service will be wanting to get back to winning ways after their last match on December 18th 1-1 draw with Dursley Town.
Last Saturday’s away fixture against Chalford was called off, and Manager Steve Holend knows the risks of having such a gap between fixtures.
“With any group, there is an element of the group that do something outside oif football, and there is a smaller group who are kind of reliant of the football and the training that you do, as a result that takes a few a little bit longer, I’m quite happy that the new kids in the group for the last three weeks have been training,: training isn’t a replication of a football match, but we haven’t missed too much”.
Cheltenham Football League Division 3
Newton vs Montpellier
After last week’s cup triumph against Bishops Cleeve Reserves, Montpellier are fighting on two fronts, as they remain at the top of Cheltenham Football League Division 3.
Another away match for them sees the league leaders travel to second bottom Newton, who after adjustments made to the division sit on three points.
Montpellier captain Liam Bond is not taking anything for granted however
“We know they gave us a really good game last time we played them a few months ago, It was only our second fixture, and we know what we need to improve on this time, a bit more game management is key to preparation.”
