Welcome to the latest installment of the Gloucester Groundhopper blog.
For this installment, we travelled back to Bristol for another pre season friendly. This time the match was between Southern League Division One South side Bristol Manor Farm and Western League Division One side Brislington at The Creek.
It's All In The Name:
Bristol Manor Farm is also known as the Portwaymen. The Portway is a prominent thoroughfare in Bristol. It is part of the A4 and runs through the Avon Gorge to connect Bristol City Centre to the Avonmouth Docks and the M5 motorway. Following World War I, the route was built to provide access to the ports at Avonmouth Docks, which had superseded Bristol Harbour as the principal local commercial shipping centre.
Some Notable Former Players
Jake Gosling
Alex Russell
Marek Piszczek
Some More Notable People From Bristol:
Alex Beresford- Weather Presenter
Maya Jama- TV Presenter
James May- TV Presenter
Hannah Murray- Actress
Dominique Provost-Chalkley- Actor
A History Lesson From The Gloucester Groundhopper
Bristol Manor Farm Football Club was founded in 1960-61. The club was disbanded after only one season, but was reformed and resumed play in the 1962-63 season.
The BS3 Services Stadium used to be the home of the Port of Bristol Authority Sports & Social Club, but when they relocated to larger facilities in 1965, Manor Farm took over. The pitch of The BS3 Services Stadium was originally infamous for its sloping surface, but in recent years, work has been done to eliminate the slope. With the addition of seating and floodlights since 1980, the club now has great facilities as well as a huge clubhouse.
With a stable home, the team was able to successfully seek to join the Somerset Senior League, where they rose quickly through the levels until electing to join the Western League in 1977.
The team entered the First Division for the 1977-78 season and remained there until the 1982-83 season, when they won the championship and were promoted to the Premier Division. They stayed there until relegation in 2001-02 under Pete McCall's management team, but returned to the Premier League just two seasons later in 2003/04 under Shaun Bond and Nicky Johns. In 1983-84, they reached the final of the G.F.A. Challenge Trophy, when they were defeated by Shortwood United of the Hellenic League. The trophy did make its way to the Creek in 1987-88 and has since been won three times by the club.
The club won their first double in the 2011-12 season, bringing both the GFA Challenge Trophy and the Toolstation League Les Phillips League Cup back to Sea Mills.
Lee Lashenko took over as manager at the start of the 2013-14 season and had an immediate impression in the FA Cup, beating Oldland Abbotonians, Lymington Town, and Corsham Town to reach the second qualifying round, equaling the club's best ever result in the competition. Unfortunately, they were unable to go one further and were defeated 1-2 in a replay at Fairfax Park by Bridgwater Town. The team fought for first place in the league and sought for promotion. The club finished second but were denied promotion when Larkhall Athletic were admitted to the Southern League. The club's second-place finish was the best in its history. The team also broke the club records for most goals scored in a season and fewest goals conceded.
The 2015-16 season left the club with mixed feelings, as they made it to the FA Vase Quarter-Finals before losing to eventual winners Morpeth Town. On the other side, despite finishing third in the Western League, they just missed promotion to the Southern League by one position. They did, however, win the GFA County Challenge Trophy for the second time in a row and the fourth time overall after defeating Lydney Town 9-2.
Bristol Manor Farm eventually gained promotion to the Southern League in the 2016-17 season, winning the Western League by a wide margin. They also enjoyed a strong run in the FA Vase, where they lost in the fifth round proper to eventual semi-finalists Bromsgrove Sporting.
Bristol Manor Farm finished ninth in their maiden season in the eighth tier, fading away near the end after trouncing the top six spots all season.
Honours
🏆 Western Football League Premier Division (Champions: 2016–17)(Runners-up: 2013–14)
🏆 Western Football League Division One (Champions: 1982–83)
🏆 Gloucestershire Football Association Challenge Trophy (Winners: 1987-88, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015-16)
🏆 Western Football League Cup (Winners: 2011-12)
Matchday: Bristol Manor Farm 5-1 Brislington
We travelled to Bristol on a warm summer evening in search of yet another goal infested pre season friendly. As it was only a 45 minute drive down the M5, we arrived at the club in good time. Parking is free at the ground, so that should not be an issue for visitors.
When we arrived at the ground, we were greeted by a man on the turnstile. I said that I had been reliably informed by the club on Twitter that they take card, which he replied 'we do, but it's not working.' We didn't have any cash on us for that reason, so the gentleman sent us to the bar to get some cash back. The bar then promptly informed us that they don't provide cash back. After explaining that the card machine wasn't working, the chairman then took us back to the turnstile where the card machine was magically working again. Problem solved.
We then took our customary circuit of the ground. The stadium is made up of two stands, which can hold up to around 200 people. Walking round, we were greeted with the regular train service that frequently drives past the ground. We then headed into the bar for a couple of drinks, with a wide variety of soft and alcoholic drinks on offer. It was in here that I was informed that AFC Finners was believed to be the Gloucester Groundhopper by a few locals (Dun Dun Duuuun). As it transpired, the locals were a group of people that I had met at a game at Frome Town, one of which gave a cracking rendition of Barry White on the karaoke. After correcting their mistake, we took a selfie and then carried on with the game. They were lovely people.
We then went to get some food from the refreshment area. There was a variety of food available at the ground, including cheeseburgers for £4, chips for £3 and soups for £1.50. One comment I will make, and this isn't exclusive to Bristol Manor Farm, there were not enough veggie options. A pack of veggie burgers wouldnt go amiss, and I know that vegetarians would be grateful for the options. The young girl at the refreshment area did a cracking job, staying positive despite being obviously overwhelmed at times, and always polite.
It has to be said that the people at the club were all really lovely, really welcoming and a good laugh. We really felt at home there and despite the miscommunication at the start, it was an amazing experience that we walked away from smiling.
Teamsheet
Bristol Manor Farm
Manager: Lee Lashenko
Seth Locke
Ollie Woodhouse
Tyrell Squire
Josh Ford
Steve Kingdon
Harry Lucas
Jayden Nielsen
Lloyd Mills
Shea Bennington-Mannings
Jay Adams (c)
Evander Grubb
Substitutes
Bevan Cross
Alfie Cummings
Regan Lashenko
Liam Harding
Brislington
Manager: Lee Perks
TEAMSHEET NOT PROVIDED
The game began dramatically in favour of Bristol Manor Farm, who controlled the early phases. Their first opportunity came when Josh Ford soared above everyone to head a free kick down and volleyed narrowly wide. Last time out, Harry Lucas got his pre-season goal tally up and running, and he showed the confidence it provided him by launching a 30-yard shot that the visiting keeper palmed away to safety. Jay Adams fed Shea Mannings on a quick burst, and the latter's beautiful backheel return pass didn't get the finish it deserved, with Adams sending the ball just over the bar from inside the box.
Josh Ford then cannoned a header that Brislington goalkeeper George Dorrington wonderfully stopped before a Jayden Nielsen free kick was headed wide by rookie defender Ollie Woodhouse. Nielsen delivered another superb delivery, and Ollie Woodhouse slammed his header into the roof of the net, giving Farm the lead at halftime.
Despite being behind, Brislington had played some beautiful football and had the majority of the early second half chances. Dean Griffiths' header forced an excellent save from Seth Locke, before Ford had to be alert twice, heading and sliding the ball to safety after two promising crosses. The visits did, in some ways, level just before the hour. A free kick was awarded on the outskirts of the area and struck into the far top corner. Bristol Manor Farm were not held level for long, as Nielsen received Ford's brilliant pass between the lines, and his weighted ball was perfect for the trialist, who finished outside the boot in the bottom corner.
Bristol Manor Farm finished the game aggressively and clinically. Bevan Cross, who had only recently been introduced, beat his man and delivered a low delivery that man Nielsen buried at the second attempt to put Bristol Manor Farm ahead by two goals. Nielsen's outstanding effort was capped by a hattrick of assists in the 85th minute, only 30 seconds after scoring one himself. His interception and pass broke the Brislington offside trap, and the trialist scored twice. Woodhouse immediately surged forward, and his intended cross was deflected into the far top corner for his second goal and Bristol Manor Farm's fifth.
Scores On The Doors
Atmosphere: 3/10
Food and Drink: 7/10
Stadium: 5/10
Welcome: 8/10
Overall Experience: 7/10
GG
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