Toolstation League Division One
At: Shellards Road
Kick-off: 12-00 noon
Admission: £4 including 28 page programme
Attendance: 322
Weather: sunny, wind
Duration: first-half: 46:37; second-half: 48:40
The first leg of a Good Friday ‘double’ proved to be a real cracker of a game in front of the biggest crowd in the Toolstation League Division 1 all season. Longwell Green gained the local bragging rights with two goals during the final quarter after Cadbury Heath had cancelled out an early penalty.
A while ago, I agreed to take Mrs and Junior ‘iwf’ down to Devon for a long weekend away at the mother-in-law. I was confidence, without knowing the fixtures, that my return journey up the M5 on Good Friday wouldn’t be without football. My confidence was justified as I enjoyed a ‘double’ in the company of several travellers with a short trip to Bitton following this one.
“This is without doubt the best local derby in Bristol as the last two games have proved,” wrote the Longwell Green Chairman in the programme describing this clash with close neighbours Cadbury Heath, adding “that it is full credit to both teams and sets of supporters.” I certainly thought I’d picked a good game to watch and this pre-match assessment was to prove correct.
The origins of Longwell Green Sports are interesting. They were formed in 1966 from the workforce of the area’s main employer, Longwell Green Coachworks, following the great upsurge of interest in football following England’s Word Cup win. The first pitch was laid out at the same site as today’s pitch is but in those days was open farmland. Over the past few years, they have made great strides up the pyramid from Bristol Combination to Toolstation League via the Gloucestershire County League.
Longwell Green’s home is the ‘Community Centre’ ground on Shellards Road. From the M32 Junction 1, take the A4174 ring road eastbound to the Kingsfield roundabout (by Asda) turn left into Marsham Way. At the first set of traffic lights, turn left into Woodward Drive, then right into Parkwall Road which becomes Shellards Road and the ground is on the left There is a car park and the ground is behind the Community Centre continuing round to the left.
Entering the ground behind the goal at the northern end, there is a small stand on the right-hand touchline near the Social Club and changing rooms. On each touchline are three floodlight pylons. Those who have been to the ground will know that there is no solid barrier between the ground and outside world, just wire fencing. So I liked the comment in the programme by the Chairman: “Please give a wave and a whistle to those people stood outside the fence watching the game for free.”
A decent programme was issued and included in the £4 admission charge. It was a 28-pager including a glossy cover which prominently featured the club badge. All relevant information was present – opposition history, league table, stats, club news, etc. – and all-in-all an interesting read.
The match itself was a cracker watched by a crowd of 322, the highest Toolstation League Division One crowd of the season surpassing the 280 which saw Longwell’s home game with Shepton Mallett last month. The home side took the lead with a 12th-minute penalty converted by Chris Churchill but this was eventually cancelled out on the hour. However, Longwell quickly regained the lead and wrapped up a 3-1 win with Matt Jackson’s late third goal.
Quite a few of the travellers at Longwell opted for Roman Glass St George, which would have been a 'new ground' for me as well, but I stuck with the original plan of making the short journey to ‘tick’ Premier Division Bitton.
Longwell Green Sports (sky blue and white stripes / black / black): 1. Mark Britton, 2. Lee Vickerman, 3. Ryan Gardner, 4. Ross Vickerman, 5. Sam McAlinden, 6. Luke Davidson, 7. Stuart Mountford, 8. Neil Rossle, 9. Matt Jackson, 10. Chris Churchill, 11. Chris Alway. Subs: 12. Matt Gunstone (for Mountford, 75), 14. Adam Wyrill (not used), 15. Matt Alway (not used).
Cadbury Heath (red and white stripes / red / red): 1. Simon Crawford, 2. Mark Cooke, 3. Dave Scott (capt), 4. Joe Lott, 5. Tony Perry, 6. Mark Fear, 7. Ryan Nicholls, 8. Paul Bryant, 9. Joe Dakwa, 10. Marcus Duharty, 11. Leon Maloney. Subs: 12. Nick Dyer (for Nicholls, ht), 14. Andy Weeks (not used), 15. Lee Gitson (not used).
Referee: Lee Hoskins.
Assistants: Maris Brugis and Jeff Forster.
Goals:
1-0 Chris Churchill (12 pen)
1-1 Leon Maloney (60)
2-1 Chris Alway (71)
3-1 Matt Jackson (86)
Cards:
Longwell Green: Ross Vickerman (YC, 59).
Cadbury Heath: Simon Crawford (YC, 11), Marcus Duharty (YC, 46).
