‘Ness looking Sharp in promotion battle
Cribbs Reserves – 1
J Capon 56’
Sharpness AFC – 5
B Hemmings (p) 10’ K Bennett 34’ M Bryant 48’ A Jones 58’ W Tainton 71’
21st March 2026
Sharpness put Cribbs reserves to the sword last month as the battle at the summit of the Gloucestershire County League started to warm up, five goals with five different scorers certainly ensured Ben Gibbs’ men stayed top with Filton Athletic & Tewkesbury Town in hot pursuit!
The writing was on the cards for the hosts as early as the tenth minute when Ben Hemmings converted a penalty, going two down then looked ominous but when skipper Andrew Forward was dismissed moments ahead of the break, the game was truly done and dusted.
The Lawns has seen numerous Cribbs teams entertain over the previous forty-nine years however this was to be the last of those, as the club revealed recently that it has been asked to move on and seek alternative arrangements from next season.
The red & whites were on the attack from the start, resident custodian Jude Brown forced to make a smart save from Kieran Bennett before Alfie Jones beat the offside trap only to shoot straight at the keeper.
The deadlock was eventually broken from the twelve-yard spot after Michael Bryant had been sandwiched between a couple of blue & white defenders; they were on the front foot again almost immediately, from a long throw a clearance out to Devon Morgan saw him screw off target.
Hemmings pulled another chance wide of the near post, whilst at the opposing end there was a little respite as Ayoola Olaleye cut in from the flank but from the edge of the arc could not get the bend needed to steer within the far upright.
The advantage was finally extended as the interval beckoned, Bennett released down the middle and in spite of some close attendance he twisted and turned to fire into the top corner; Riley Woodman then almost added a third as he drilled narrowly over the bar.
Brown somehow kept the scoreline intact with an instinctive block soon after, but their chances looked well and truly over moments later when Forward was shown a straight red card for a foul on Jones right out on the touchline.
It took just three minutes of the second period for the lead to increase, George Thomas lifting over the blue rearguard and despite hesitancy waiting for a flag which was not forthcoming, Bryant flicked out a boot to add his name to the tally.
Jones was keen to test his athleticism with an overhead kick which landed on top of the net, but it was the home side who converted next as James Capon got on the end of an Abdul Bangoura cross to nod past Peter Dykes in the AFC goal.
However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed within seconds as the cushion was restored when Jones absolutely smashed into the bottom corner; Bennett then again forcing a two-fisted punch away from Brown.
A fifth duly arrived as the resident defence trying to play out from the back conceded possession, a string of passes across the pitch resulted in Will Tainton curling in from the edge of the area, he did net again late on but a flag this time denied. F/T: 1-5
Competition: Gloucestershire County Football League
Venue: The Lawns
Kick-Off: 3.00pm
Surface: Grass
Programme: Online
Attendance: 42
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