Home to Greyfriars, the team that started the Bradley Stoke winning streak last time around.
The game started in slow motion, both teams reacting and moving very lethargically. This was no doubt directly related to the low temperatures and freezing wind chill. Bradley Stoke played with the wind in the first half building up much pressure due to strong tail winds. With consistent attacks on Greyfriars, eventually Jerry Harper was rewarded with a penalty after being tripped as he was spinning off a full back. Jerry stepped up to take it and blasted the ball where the keeper was previously standing. 10 minutes later Jerry did the same move again this time not being tripped he scuffed the ball towards the far post. The keeper jumped over the top of the ball but did not stop it rolling into the net. Not long after Jerry’s second goal Andy Gray took a corner that the wind grabbed and wickedly curled inside the far post. Later in the half Jerry turned his marker inside the box yet again to find his shirt being ripped off his back. On this penalty kick Jerry hit the ball to the keepers right at a good height to help the keeper save it. Seconds after this at the other end of the pitch Chris Tysoe challenged a Greyfriar’s forward. Although everyone felt it was a fair challenge, a penalty was awarded to Greyfriars as the forward hit the floor. Friar’s forward feeling the pressure badly topped the ball and it ran safely wide of the post.

The second half, 3-0 up, and now playing into the evil wind. Bradley Stoke started to feel the pressure of sustained Greyfriars' attacks. And it didn’t take that long, Greyfriars found themselves back in the game within 5 minutes of the restart with a brake away situation that was well finished. This fuelled Friars with forward drive and Bradley Stoke heavily dug in at the back working soundly to repeal each attack from Greyfriars. Tom Hutchings had another magnificent game at centre back, sweeping up all the loose balls and redistributing them into forward positions. Jerry Harper dropped into the midfield on many occasions to hold the ball up and give Stoke an opportunity to move out. Eventually Friar’s energy levels started to wane and they found themselves not push up quite as much. This provided Bradley Stoke with numerous second half opportunities, but they couldn't finish any of them. Greyfriars substituted some players towards the end of the game, which pushed the work rate back up and Bradley stoke had to work hard. Friars' new lease of life culminated in a second goal 5 minutes from the whistle, as a Bradley Stoke player was dispossessed trying to dribble the ball across the edge of the box.
Thankfully time ran out and Bradley Stoke gain the prize of 3 wonderfully deserved points and overtaking Greyfriars in the tables.

Match report courtesy of Roger Smith.