Glos. County League Report – 28^th Jan.

Kings Stanley 1 v Rockleaze Rangers 3

Despite having the better of the first half Stanley found themselves behind by the odd goal in three, going behind after ten minutes when the visitors broke from defence down their left flank and Tom Pass slipped trying to usher the ball for a corner allowing the ball to be crossed for Jack Rivers to side foot in from five yards.

Stanley hit back and Nick Humphries forced visiting keeper Nick Adams to make an excellent save before a long ball to the left found Simon Harmer who cut in and struck a fine shot into the far corner for a deserved equaliser.

The visitors regained the lead just before half time when keeper Gavin Dean appeared to be impeded attempting to gather a high cross and the ball dropped for Rivers to net from close range.

Stanley toiled in vain in the second half but their cause was not helped when Danny Stephens was dismissed for a very harsh second yellow card but despite this handicap they continued to have the upper hand but were caught out in the last minute of the game by a breakaway that resulted in Rivers completing his hat trick.   

Glos. County League Report – 21^st Jan

Tuffley Rovers 5 v Kings Stanley 1

This was a much closer game than the score line would suggest with the big difference being the home side taking their chances and the visitors not taking theirs.

Stanley took an early lead when some slack defending from a free kick allowed Ben Newman to steal in and net from close range. Two minutes later Stanley should have gone two up when a superb through ball by Theo Stubbs put Andy Maryon in, but his shot rolled just the wrong side of the post. Tuffley made Stanley pay soon after when Jivan Munroe’s shot dipped just under the cross bar. Stanley hit back and were unlucky to be denied by the post. Stuart Griffiths increased the home side lead before Stanley were again denied by a post before Griffiths netted his second from the penalty spot. Two goal in the final two minutes from Mark Wallington and Munroe then put a very unrealistic look to the final score.

Glos. County League Report – 17^th Dec

Kings Stanley 2 v Berkeley Town 2

For the second time in their last three games Stanley threw away a two goal lead and two more valuable points.

Stanley made a promising start and should have taken the lead following a good move between Matt Casey and Liam Gale but Ben Newman scooped the ball over the bar from close range.

Skipper Sam Prior showed how to find the back of the net when he converted a well taken free kick into the top far corner giving Ewan Prentice in the visitors goal no chance.

The Bluebells had the opportunities to increase their tally but allowed Berkeley to get back in the game and were fortunate to see one shot strike the bar and bounce to safety.

Stanley increased their lead early in the second half when Newman delivered a cross for Liam Gale to hit a superb volley into the far corner of the net but then hit the self destruct button as they conceded two goals by Ryan Stephenson and Paul Brookes.

Glos. County League Report – 10^th Dec

Kings Stanley 0 v Bristol Academy 2

Goals at the beginning and the end of the first half were sufficient to halt Stanley’s hopes of a rare win at home this season. The first goal was conceded in fortunate circumstances for the visitors when a free kick was delivered into the Stanley penalty area which keeper Gavin Dean elected to punch clear only to see the ball strike Academy player Alex Ball and rebound into the net.

The remainder of the first half was evenly contested with play switching from end to end but with few chances created by either side until right on half time a corner kick was driven hard across the goal to be met by the head of Oren Kozlowski to power home and increase the Academy lead.

Stanley battled hard in the second half, which again was consigned to a competitive battle in midfield, but were unable to break down a well organised defence.

Glos. County League Report – 3^rd Dec

Kings Stanley 3 v Chipping Sodbury Town 3

Stanley made a good start to the game and could have easily been two up inside the first ten minutes with Liam Gale creating himself two great chances as he gave the visitors defence a torrid welcome. Ben Newman made the break through with a very well taken effort following a well worked move down the left, but not for the first time this season the Bluebells were unable to consolidate on their good start and conceded the equaliser following two attempted clearances with the ball dropping to Lee Gardiner to score. Liam Gale then redeemed himself to put Stanley back in front when he broke to round the keeper and slide the ball home.

Early in the second half Stanley increased their lead with the best goal of the game when Nick Humphries did well to skip past two defenders before delivering a perfect cross for Gale to head home his second, but from a seemingly winning position Stanley somehow contrived to concede two goals by Paul Harris to concede two valuable points and continue to struggle to achieve their best form at home.