DIVISION Six of the Cheltenham League, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Ford Cheltenham, saw the result of the weekend as Tewkesbury Town III beat leaders Cheltenham United.
United who had an excellent start to the season have so far struggled in 2013.
Two weeks ago they had to come from behind to beat a spirited Andoversford Reserves side and then last week saw themselves lose their first league game of the season to Town.
A hat-trick for Kev Joyce, taking him to 25 goals for the season, and a Tom Avery strike gave them a 4-2 victory over a United team who had previously dropped just two points in the league.
The result sees three teams, Hatherley FC, Tewkesbury Town III and Cheltenham Civil Service IV closing the gap at the top to nine points and all three teams have two games in hand on the leaders
This week the top four teams face the bottom four teams and unless there is an upset they will all continue to believe they are in with a chance of winning the title.
With only three games in the Division 5 Shurdington Rovers reserves were the big winners.
Their 6-3 victory over Star FC III saw them move into second place. Rovers will hope to continue their run of victories this week when they face Winchombe Town III who are struggling near the foot at the table.
Leaders Newlands return to league action this week following a narrow cup victory over Division 6 Cheltenham Civil Service IV.
They host Apperley and Tewkesbury Dynamo Reserves who sit in mid table, seven points behind their opponents.
In Division Four Cheltenham Civil Service III were denied by a last gasp equaliser against Cheltonians. The 2-2 draw gave Service only their fifth point of the season and manager Dave Anderson will be hoping it will provide a turning point at the start of an important run of matches for his team.
Bottom club Bourton Rovers, twenty three points adrift of Service at the start of the day ,beat Tewkesbury Town Reserves 2-0. This leaves Rovers on -16 points and they will need to keep winning if they are to avoid the drop.
At the top, a 6-1 victory for Leckhampton Rovers over AC Olympia Reserves saw them move up to second place. The result means that manager Enzo Scognamiglio has taken his Leckhampton team to within five points of leaders Charlton Rovers Reserves with three games in hand.
Village Real won the big game in Division 3 to move two points ahead of opponents Whaddon United Reserves. A great team performance on a boggy pitch saw Real take all three points in a 5-1 win. Goals from Ed Rollason, Craig Fitchett, Damian Spencer, Peter Bailey and Grant Polson mean that Real must be considered real contenders for the title as they are yet to face leaders FC Lakeside.
Bottom club Elmbridge OB will take heart from their game against second placed Belmore. A narrow 3-2 defeat could provide a confidence boost as they face Hatherley Rangers this week who sit two places above them.
FC Lakeside will be looking to maintain their 100% record this weekend when they face fourth placed Whaddon United Reserves.
Lakeside beat their opponents 4-2 in the cup two weeks ago and will hope to repeat their victory at their KGV ground.
Gala Wilton Reserves and Hanley Swan won last week to maintain the pace at the top of Division 2. Both face teams in the lower end of the league this week and will be expecting to take maximum points.
Bottom club Staunton and Corse had an excellent result last week, beating fifth placed Newton 3-2.
They host leaders Gala Wilton Reserves this week and will hope they can use last weeks result as a springboard to further success.
It is as you are at the top of Division 1 with the top four teams all winning last week.
Bibury's 6-1 victory over Gloucester Elmleaze maintains their nine point lead.
This week they travel to Northway who sit ten places and twenty three points behind them.
↧