The rain pulled back, and the sun shone down on Bradley Stoke Town FC in the Semi Final of the Minor Cup. Away to Fishponds Old Boys at Badminton Road playing fields in Downend, for the first game since Noah’s flood pt II began. The rare clear skies and the strong gusts could do little to dry the saturated ground which was the texture of warm brie with patchy grass.

Stoke won the toss but elected to give much of the early pressure to Fishponds. Fishpond were balanced in their attack an found space and channels to move forward into dangerous ground across the field. Fishponds were strong and fast on the move but thankfully most of this good football was snuffed out by the defensive triangle of Kevin Grey, Tom Hutchings and midfielder Craig Potter. Bradley Stoke slowly found confidences from there superb defensive opening and started to turn the tables on Fishponds with a few fine breakaways. On 30 minutes Craig Potter treaded a tight pass into the path of Andy Forshaw who scuffed the ball into the corner of the net past a transfixed keeper. The opportunities kept coming and the Fishponds keeper made some brave saves to keep it close. Against the flow, a long ball from Fishponds suddenly found a big hole in Stokes midfield. The ball was quickly glided into the path of Fishponds forward who left the defence standing and side footed the ball into the corner without worry. Moments later Stoke were back in front as Ben Osborne crossed the ball low for Ashley Lloyd, who stuck the ball in off the post and possibly the keepers back.

For most of the second half Fishponds found it difficult to breakdown Stoke and gain any real advantage as the midfield and defence sniffed out every opportunity. At the other end the story was one of fast breaks and shot after shot; blocked, saved or not in the right direction.
The best opportunity of the half fell to Andy Forshaw as he rounded the Fishponds keeper and line up on goal. The Centre back threw himself into the goal to block the shot but as the ball passed him he reached back and made an outstanding save that neither the Referee nor linesman saw. The last 10 minutes were a little worrying as the score line was so fine and Fishponds had thrown everyone forward to find an equalizer. Bradley Stoke prevailed to play against Brislington Cricketers in the final on the 3rd of April at Almondsbury.

Bradley Stoke were outstanding, making very good opposition look quiet average, frustrating and counter attacking with speed.
Best of Wishes for the final !!!

Match report courtesy of Roger Smith.

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BRADLEY STOKE THROUGH AFTER FIRST-HALF GOALS
Date : 05.03.07

Bradley Stoke Town secured a place in the GFA Minor Cup Final after they held on for an impressive 2-1 win away at Fishponds. Two first-half goals from Andy Forshaw and Ashley Lloyd put the young side a goal clear at half time and although they survived some nervous moments after the break they battled hard to deny the home side an equaliser.

Manager James Collis-Pritchard was thrilled with the result and with the commitment shown by his side.

"We've got a really young team", he said. "We were up against men so I'm really proud of the way we worked and still managed to play some good football.

"The fitness training we've done means that in a game like that we are first and second to everything, they all showed great tenacity and it's got us through".

Ashley Lloyd and Joe Williams made useful contributions on each flank and Andy Forshaw's pace provided a counter-attacking threat that should have yielded more goals for Bradley Stoke.

But it was an excellent defensive performance by midfielder Craig Potter that held Bradley Stoke together, and protected a defence that often looked vulnerable.

The crucial midfield battle with Fishpond's Wayne Sawyers became evident early on and the momentum swung back and forth right until the final whistle.

Both sides showed attacking ambition in the opening exchanges and had chances to take the lead.

Forshaw sent a looping volley over the bar for the visitors before Fishponds' Ricky Cox played in Sam Payne, whose shot was smothered by the onrushing Bradley Stoke goalkeeper James Potter.

After half an hour the visitors scored when Craig Potter slid a ball through to Forshaw and he steered home. Further chances fell to Williams and Forshaw but Tony Walker twice saved well.

Fishponds seemed incapable of building an attack but then, when they pumped the ball long, an equaliser came from nothing.

Payne did well to flick on and Mark Slateford ran through a static defence to calmly side-foot past James Potter.

The revival was short-lived however, and after play was momentarily delayed by a canine wanderer on the pitch, Bradley Stoke again took the lead.

Full-back Ben Osborne attacked on the right and his low cross found Lloyd who clipped the ball in of the post.

It was a killer blow to Fishponds, whose marking was sloppy, and they would now have to claw back their way back into the game again after the break.

An early chance came as Slateford set up Payne but his strike partner wastefully shot wide. Bradley Stoke then had a succession of chances as the home side left gaps at the back.

Forshaw picked up another Craig Potter through pass but his attempted lob sailed over. Walker did well to deny Williams shortly after but Lloyd had no excuses when he blasted over in front of goal.

Forshaw then missed the best opportunity when he rounded Walker and inexplicably shot wide from close in.

Bradley Stoke had dominated the half but were made to hang on in the final minutes, with Craig Potter and Matt Dobbins making some important tackles.

They possess pace up front and on both flanks so they will always create chances. If they can convert more of them they should secure promotion from the District League Division 6, where they sit in 4th place.

Meanwhile they will play either Ashley Reserves or Brislington Cricketers in the GFA Minor Cup final on the 3rd April at Almondsbury Town.

TEAMS

Fishponds Old Boys A: Tony Walker, Luke Roberts, Mark Connor (Adie Hill 85), Kevin Murray, Jason Kirby (capt), Wayne Sawyers, Danny Yeomans, Ricky Cox (Ross Towell 62), Sam Payne, Mark Slateford, Josh Sargent (Gerry Monelle 50). Goals: Mark Slateford (39)

Bradley Stoke Town: James Potter, Sam Chillcott, Liam Dixon, Ben Osborne, Matt Dobbins, Craig Potter, Tom Hutchings, Ashley Lloyd (James Collis-Pritchard 82), Paul Skipp, Andy Forshaw, Joe Williams.
Subs not used: Roger Smith, Kevin Gray, Andy Gore.
Goals: Andy Forshaw (28), Ashley Lloyd (43).

Match report courtesy of Bristol Evening Post.