Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 5 Odd Down

With the scores level at half time in this Les Phillips Cup match the game could have swung either way. Visitors Odd Down opened the scoring through Kye Simpson on 12 minutes and Manor Farm equalised on 31 minutes from a Luke Clarke header. Odd Down never let the home side settle on the ball and looked to move the game forward at every opportunity. With five minutes of the second half gone Odd Down took the lead once again courtesy of Brad Norris. Manor Farm had little answer to the visitors style of play and on 57 minutes Kye Simpson struck his second to make it 3-1. A well taken free kick into the top left corner by Mark Wall took the visitors tally to four and effectively ended the game. With seven minutes left on the clock Odd Down scored their fifth. A contender for bizarre goal of the season. Keeper Ballard came out to the right and Odd Down’s Jamie Taylor struck it against him as he dived. The ball ricocheted off Ballard, around and slowly rolled to just inside the right hand post. By the end of the match, The Farm were left wondering how they had conceded five goals...

Bristol Manor Farm 6 - 0 Tuffley Rovers

By half time in this GFA Challenge Trophy quarter-final match, The Farm had only managed a one goal lead courtesy of Ricky Chandler, despite their pressure and a penalty. Luke Clarke was brought down in the box and Kye Thomas' spot kicked was brilliantly saved by Mark Harris who pushed it out for a corner. With just the one goal advantage at the start of the second half, Tuffley Rovers were still in the game. But from the hour mark, things changed. Steve Fitzpatrick made it two for Manor Farm and four minutes later Ricky Chandler made it three. The Farm were now looking for even more goals and on 83 minutes Chandler completed his hat trick. Kyle Thomas made it five for the home club and then six and nearly secured a hat trick himself.

Tuffley made a cracking game of this match and we wish them well for the remainder of the season.

Bristol Manor Farm 2 - 1 Longwell Green Sports

This was the fourth encounter between these two teams this season and the first time that Bristol Manor Farm came away victorious. It was a well contested match with little separating the two teams until five minutes before half time. Manor Farm’s Dan Dunt lofted the ball into the box and Luke Clarke was on hand to tap it home. The second half began with the home side pressing and on 53 minutes Clarke passed to Steve Fitzpatrick who made no mistake in knocking it past keeper Mike Bawn to make it 2-0 to the home side. This second goal spurred Longwell Green into action and only six minutes later Simon Dew’s long lofted shot from the left of the box, bounced under diving keeper Lee Ballard to make it 2-1. Now on the front foot and with Manor Farm playing too deep, Longwell continued to hunt for a second goal. But time finally ran out with Manor Farm taking all three points to remain in the top six.

Bristol Manor Farm 3 - 0 Corsham Town

Both sides started slowly in this Boxing Day match and it began to look like a bottom of the table clash with neither side giving much away. The Farm finally opened the scoring on 23 minutes through Sam Rees. An indidvidual effort as he skipped past a couple of defenders and slotted past diving keeper Steve Windle. With just over half an hour gone, Corsham should have been in the driving seat when The Farm were reduced to ten men, Paul Coles being red carded for retaliation, but it was Manor Farm who hit a second courtesy of Scott Feltham. Keeper Windle couldn't hold the ball as he dived to the ground and Feltham picked it up. He went to the left in the six yard box then back to the right before finally hitting home past Corsham's defenders. On the hour mark The Farm scored their third. Steve Fitzpatrick put a neat ball through to Luke Clarke who made no mistake in firing home.

Bristol Manor Farm 4 - 0 Sherborne Town

Sherborne Town are a team who are down on their luck at the moment. They battled for ninety minutes but came away with nothing from this Les Phillips Cup match. After six minutes Manor Farm went ahead. Paul Coles held up the ball on the edge of the box, passed it to Luke Clarke who deftly rounded a defender to strike low past keeper Mark Lock. Sherborne tried to find a way past the home side's defence but either the final ball was lacking or they were unable to finish. By half time the score remained unchanged. Six minutes into the second half and Manor Farm doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty. Luke Clarke made no mistake in converting for his second of the match. Tempers frayed and Sherborne's manager Micky Spencer was dismissed from the dugout with only ten minutes of the half gone. The visitors never looked like giving up and continued to pressurise the Manor Farm defence. But they were making little headway in the final third and Paul Coles made it 3-0 on 72 minutes. The game was all but over and with just minutes left to go, Scott Feltham made it 4-0 to the home side.

Bristol Manor Farm 5 - 2 Ilfracombe Town

With the sound and spectacle of fireworks exploding, Manor Farm welcomed Ilfracombe Town for a first ever Friday night match at The Creek. Maybe it was the journey and late arrival by Ilfracombe, but Manor Farm started much brighter. With 21 minutes gone, the Farm's Luke Clarke was brought down in the box and referee Adam Matthews had no hesitation as he pointed to the spot. Clarke slotted home the penalty to give Manor Farm the lead. Six minutes later and it was a penalty at the other end with Ross Middleton converting to level the match. Within four minutes though the home side had once again taken the lead through an own goal. Just before half time Paul Coles made it 3-1 to Manor Farm. The second half had barely started before Manor Farm extended their lead through Brad Abraham after a goalmouth scramble. The visitors hit back on 53 minutes with a well taken strike by Shaun Lewis to make the score 4-2. But the excitement was far from over. Both teams continued to look for more goals. With just under 15 minutes of the match remaining Steve Fitzpatrick scored Manor Farm's fifth and final goal to win the game 5-2.

Odd Down 3 - 2 Bristol Manor Farm

This was a game that almost had everything. A sending off, the shouting of both sets of frustrated supporters, three goals in quick succession, a two goal lead thrown away, a flurry of bookings, some great football. What it didn't have was a win and three points for Manor Farm...but that's football. For all their hard work and two goal lead, the inconsistency of The Farm defence let them down and gave Odd Down the win. The home side didn't score until the 86th minute and by the 92nd minute the win was wrapped up. Half term report reads "capable of doing better".

Bristol Manor Farm 0 - 1 Radstock Town

These two teams met only three weeks in the league when Radstock recorded their first win of the season and Manor Farm were looking to reverse that result today. But after the first quarter of an hour, the match had goalless draw written all over it. Neither side could find any penetration in the final third to break the deadlock. The best chance fell to visitors Radstock on 14 minutes when from a corner Liam Watson's header rebounded off the post. But like the rest of the half, the back of the net was never troubled. Manor Farm took the game to Radstock at the start of the second half, but once again were unable to capitalise on their chances. At the other end, Radstock were playing the same game and with just ten minutes to go the match was locked at stalemate. Radstock finally broke the deadlock on 87 minutes when Steve Hunt shot low past keeper Lee Ballard. The final moments of the match were hectic as Manor Farm pushed for an equaliser and Radstock clung on to their precious single goal lead.

Longwell Green 2 - 0 Bristol Manor Farm

This was the third meeting of the sides this season and with the same result. The first half ended goalless with neither side really making any impression and the early optimism from both sets of supporters slowly waning as shouts of encouragement became few and far between. The home side opened their account on 51 minutes after a defensive error gifted the ball to Longwell. But at just one down there was still all to play for. The penalty on 66 minutes for Longwell Green effectively sealed victory. For the final ten minutes, Manor Farm upped their game and threw everything at Longwell Green. With the match on just under 90 minutes, The Farm were awarded a penalty. But Danny Maye's side footed effort low and to the keeper's right was easily saved. The referee blew the final whistle minutes later and once again Longwell Green Sports took all the spoils from a less than entertaining match.

Bristol Manor Farm 3 - 1 Bishop Sutton

Sutton raced into an early lead after just two minutes of an enthralling match. With pace and one touch football they cut through The Farm defence which was finished by Billy Downes. The Manor Farm defence was under siege, but they managed to keep the defecit down to a single goal by half time. The second half was a complete turn around. A double strike from Scott Feltham and one from Steve Fitzpatrick sealed a fine victory and all three points to push The Farm up to third in the table.

Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 2 Wells City

From the whistle visitors Wells City were much the brighter and applied early pressure cutting through the Manor Farm defence to set up chances. As the first half progressed with no change to the score, the home side began to find their feet, but by half time the match remained steadfastly goalless. It took an individual effort from Jake Brown who ran a full forty yards, defying tackles and finally beating keeper Lee Ballard to break the deadlock after just two minutes of the second half. Wells were now in the ascendancy and took the game whole heartedly to Manor Farm. Their reward was a second goal from a deflected strike by Adam Jones. The Farm never looked like getting into the game but with just five minutes of normal time left, Wells keeper Luke Langdon parried a fierce shot and sub Omar Sims followed up to make it 1-2. Manor Farm now played their best football of the match but it was too little too late and Wells City were worthy winners of this FA Vase encounter.

Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 1 Willand Rovers

Table toppers Willand Rovers were the visitors Manor Farm. As the match progressed, neither side could find anything in the final third to make an impact and by half time the game remained goalless. The home side looked much the better at the resumption but still failed to score until the 65th minute. A melee in Willand's goalmouth with the ball passed to Jack McKenna whose rasping right foot drive finally ended the stalemate. Manor Farm clung onto their precious lead until the 87th minute. Willand played neatly across Manor Farm's back four, finally sliding the ball across to substitute Dean Stamp who easily slotted home to level the match. Now on the front foot, Willand pressed forward but could not capitalise and the game ended with honours even and a fair result all round.

Bridport 1 - 3 Bristol Manor Farm

For many of the club and team this was their first visit to Bridport. An impressive ground with good facilities and an equally entertaining match. For the first ten minutes Manor Farm looked like scoring but it was Bridport who struck first. A ball through the Farm defence to Tom Richardson who slotted past keeper Lee Ballard on 11 minutes. Five minutes later a cracking goal from Ricky Chandler levelled the match. His shot from wide right curled and dipped into the top left of the net. From then on the game ebbed and flowed and at the start of the second half Bridport looked certain to score. But The Farm defence held them at bay and at the other end Manor Farm couldn't find a route to goal either. The game was heading for a draw when substitute Omari Sims battled his way through three defenders and managed to cross to Kye Mountford. His 30 yard strike beating everyone to give The Farm a 2-1 lead on 77 minutes. Three minutes The Farm took a short corner. Given to Dan Dunt wide on the left he lofted the ball into the Bridport box. Steven Fitzpatrick headed home to make it 3-1 to Manor Farm and three points.

Our thanks to Bridport for their hospitality and we look forward to their visit to The Creek later in the season.

Bristol Manor Farm 2 - 2 Hallen

As local derbies go, this was far from a classic. Three goals were scored in the first half and all within a space of just five minutes. The home side scored first when Jack McKenna lobbed keeper Nicholas Yeo. Three minutes later the scores were level. A Manor Farm defensive error in their own eighteen yard box and Andrew Cook's strike from just outside the box found the back of the net. But two minutes later the home side took the lead again through a Dan Dunt header. Just before half time, Jordan Hazell had to be stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle. As the second half progressed, Manor Farm seemed to run out of steam and ideas and Hallen began to run their defence ragged. It was only a matter a time before they equalised. And with just eight minutes of normal time remaining a goalmouth scramble resulted in the inevitable equaliser, claimed by Ronnie Mowatt. From then on, it was the visitors who looked the most likely to claim all the points. With seven minutes of added time played, the referee brought the game to an end and a hard fought point for both teams.

Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 1 Longwell Green

For all but the first ten minutes, this was a match where both teams effectively cancelled each other out. Early pressure and a goal mouth scramble resulted in an own goal as Longwell turned it into their own net within two minutes. They hit back with just nine minutes gone when a defensive error gifted them the ball. The cross into the box found Simon Dew who made no mistake in levelling the scores. From then on both teams pressed to find an advantage. But both defences held firm. Manor Farm looked to have the upper hand going into the final fifteen minutes. Luke Bryan's shot rebounding off the upright was a real chance at securing the win but ultimately the game ended in a draw with the replay at Longwell Green Sports on Monday night with a kick-off time of 7.30pm.

Bishop Sutton 1 - 1 Bristol Manor Farm

It was a hard fought match at Lakeview as The Farm took on Bishop Sutton in their first away match of the season. The home side kicked off and attacked from the whistle. Manor Farm could do nothing but defend for the opiing couple of minutes as Bishop Sutton competed for every ball. The Farm finally pushed them back but wayward passing kept gifting the ball to Sutton. On 12 minutes, the home side opened the scoring with a strike from Todd Winter. As the first half wore on, Manor Farm began to put their passes together but Sutton defended in numbers and chances were few and far between. With just two minutes of the half remaining, Luke Bryan's shot from wide on the right was deflected into the net to level the scores at one each. If the first half belonged to Bishop Sutton, then the second was Manor Farm's. But for all their pressure it was to no avail and the game finally ended with each team taking a point.

Bristol Manor Farm 4 - 1 Street

Manor Farm got off to winning ways in their opening match of the new season against visitors Street. The home side started much the livelier and a goal looked on the cards in the first five minutes, but Street pegged Manor Farm back and any attempts on goal were quickly quashed. After the initial opening it took 22 minutes before Manor Farm were rewarded with a goal for all their pressure. Omari Sims’ fierce shot could only be parried by Street keeper Tom Punchard and James Fitzpatrick was on hand to follow through with his first goal for the club. A defensive error by the Farm gave Street the equaliser six minutes later and an easy shot for Tom Hill. Star Man Omari Sims once again gave Manor Farm the lead 10 minutes later as he smashed the ball into the back of the net. Just before half time, Sims struck again with a shot from outside the box. With 63 minutes gone, Sims completed his hat trick as he went one-on-one with the keeper and the game ended 4-1 to Manor Farm. An all round good performance from the home side who were not lacking in front of goal with Omar Sims bagging a hat on his debut for the club.

Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 2 Ilfracombe

These two teams met for the third time in six weeks. Both previous encounters were tight affairs with few goals. But within a minute of the kick off, Ilfracombe went one up. A pass back to Farm keeper Lee Ballard put him under pressure but he could only clear it just beyond the area. Ilfracombe played it back into the box and Steve Holland finished it off. With barely a quarter of an hour gone the visitors went two up from a thunderous strike just outside the box by Mark Clunie which gave keeper Ballard no chance. Manor Farm pulled one back on the half hour mark when Kye Thomas’ cross into the area resulted in confusion in the Ilfracombe defence and the ball landed in the back of the net. Although the home side started the second half much better, they were never able to break down a solid Ilfracombe defence and the visitors went away with all three points. A win for Ilfracombe on Monday in their final game of the season will secure them third place.

Bristol Manor Farm 3 - 0 Hallen

In the two previous encounters this season a total of eighteen goals had been scored between these two teams so hopes were high of another goal fest. But by the end of the first half the scoreline remained resolutely at 0-0 as neither side could find an opening on goal. Three minutes into the second half and the home side opened the scoring. From a long corner, Tony Perry lobbed it back into the box for Troy Simpson to claim a free header. Manor Farm doubled their lead on 64 minutes when a Ben Hiscox shot was parried by keeper Amin Jones into the path of Sam Duggan who slotted home. Hallen fought to get back into the game but their attacks broke down through some wayward passing. On 78 minutes Ricky Chandler’s fierce goal bound header was handled and Kye Thomas made it three to Manor Farm from the spot kick. Farmy Army man of the match - Kye Thomas.

Radstock 0 - 1 Bristol Manor Farm

The Farm put their midweek defeat to Corsham behind them when they travelled to Radstock Town. Manor Farm kicked off and both teams went straight on the attack but it was Radstock who looked the more likely to score in the opening ten minutes as they pressed forward. With just over quarter of an hour gone, Manor Farm made their first substitution bringing off Danny Maye for Scott Feltham. The game swung back and forth. Both sides making chances but neither capitalising. By half time the game was still scoreless.

The second half kicked off twice as the referee asked Radstock to try again. You don't see that very often. The match had a flurry of free kicks, corners and shots off target. Neither side really troubling their opponents goal. Radstock began the half in great form and went looking for that first goal. But the match had goalless written all over it until the 92nd minute. Troy Simpson played a ball on the left over the top to Scott Feltham. He collected it and ran towards the penalty area and as keeper Gary Steven started to come out to meet him, he lobbed the ball over his head. One bounce and in the net for the only goal of the match and to give Manor Farm all three points.

It was an entertaining game of football and one in which Radstock probably deserved a point. As the game moved deep into the second half it was either going to say goalless or it would take just one chance to decide it. In the end Feltham's goal was enough to separate the two teams. We should like to wish Radstock Town all the best in their forthcoming semi-final against Weston-Super-Mare in the Somerset Premier Cup and to thank them for another great game of football.

Bristol Manor Farm 0 - 4 Corsham Town

Corsham Town came to The Creek and outplayed The Farm to take all three points. The visitors opened the scoring after 16 minutes. From a free kick the ball was sent high into the box and Craig Gingell headed home. The Farm created few chances with wayward passing, Corsham failed to capitilise and the first half ended with just the single goal. Manor Farm tried to break through from the outset of the second half, but Corsham stuck to their defensive roles well. With an hour of the match gone, Aaron Jones was caught in possession after a sloppy pass to him and Kris Beasley took the ball. With only keeper Dean Graham to beat his fierce shot made it 2-0 to Corsham. Two minutes later, Ben Hiscox found himself through on goal. He lobbed keeper Mark Billingsley and as the ball slowly descended, it looked for all the world a certain goal. But Billingsley managed to get to it and stopped it from going in. On 70 minutes Oliver Webb made it three for Corsham when he struck a 45 yard shot which stunned everyone. A penalty in the ninetieth minute made it 4-0 to Corsham but by then the game was all but over.

Corsham were better in all departments from front to back. They defended well and attacked in numbers. The Farm looked lack lustre by comparision and by recent performances.

Barnstaple 2 - 3 Bristol Manor Farm

On the day the clocks went forward, so did Barnstaple Town and in numbers. From the whistle the home side threw everything and everyone forward putting immediate pressure on The Farm defence. Occasionally Manor Farm would break out but were unable to break through to create a meaningful attack. With half an hour of the match gone and no goals, Barnstaple's pressure finally paid dividends. A free header on the left of the box found Billy Hopcroft who hit home to give the home side the lead. From the restart The Farm began to go forward and several chances went begging. Deep into stoppage time, the ball fell to Troy Simpson with his back to goal. He turned and his curling shot defeated keeper Luke Purnell to make it a goal each at the break.

The Farm came out attacking for the start of the second half. Barnstaple had slowed down from the pace of the first half and Manor Farm used the space to create chances. But it took substitute Ben Hiscox to finally break the deadlock. On 71 minutes from a goalmouth scramble, Hiscox tapped the ball home to give Manor Farm the lead. But the lead only lasted five minutes. From a corner, Stan Paxton found himself unmarked in the box for an easy header. Four minutes later, The Farm once again took the lead. Hiscox crossed the ball from the right and Tony Perry converted to make it 3-2 to The Farm. Barnstaple tried to find a reply, but with six minutes of added time played, the game ended and Manor Farm took all three points.

This was something of a scrappy game. Free kicks kept stopping the flow. Attacks would stop short of making any real progress, but ultimately Manor Farm deserved their win. The team kept at it, never gave up and reaped the rewards.

Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 2 Brislington

Bristol Manor Farm opened the scoring in less than two minutes when the home team were awarded a free kick outside the penalty area. The Brislington wall broke and keeper May went the wrong way as Thomas's free kick flew into the net. But from the quarter hour mark, the match was all Brislington. Swaby equalised with a low drive into the bottom left corner and just before half time the visitors took the lead. Swaby crossed the ball into the box for Hughes to head home. The second half continued at pace but with little invention and neither side could find the scoring touch with the match ending 1-2 in favour of Brislington.

The contrast between this match and the one earlier in the week against Ilfracombe was stark. The Farm created few chances except for the odd solo effort. We should like to thank Eddie Smart who stepped in at the last minute to referee this match.

Ilfracombe 0 - 1 Bristol Manor Farm

As always a warm welcome awaited The Farm after the long midweek trip to Ilfracombe for this Toolstation League match. With problems on the motorway and a puncture on the way, the team finally arrived. This was the first meeting of the season for these two teams who will next meet in the Les Phillips Cup semi-final. Manor Farm kicked off and both teams went straight on the attack. The game was played at pace and from end to end. Both teams tried to carve out an opening but both defences denied any real goal scoring opportunities. Ilfracombe have conceded the fewest goals in the league and it was easy to see why. Their well drilled defence stopping any attacks. The first half ended goalless and it was on the cards that the game would end the same way.

The second half began at frentic pace. Both sides had upped a gear when it seemed that there was no more to give. There were a few chances, Ilfracombe's Lee Francis came close to opening the scoring when his shot rebounded off the crossbar. Free kicks outside the areas came and went as did corners and still the scoreline refused to budge. On 79 minutes, Scott Feltham raced down the right. He cut into the box and from a tight angle squeezed the ball under the diving Steve Oliver. The goal was the difference in the game. Ilfracombe restarted and threw everything at The Farm goal. One goal mouth scramble nearly gave the home side an equaliser, but it was not to be and the ball was put out for a goal kick. After three minutes of stoppage time, the match ended.

A fantastic game of football played at pace and giving the spectators value for money. Our thanks to Ilfracombe Chairman Allan Day for the refreshments and welcome on arrival. As always, Ilfracombe made us feel very welcome and now we have to make the trip once again on Tuesday 12th April for that semi-final match.

Bristol Manor Farm 4 - 0 Keynsham Town

Manor Farm started much the brighter and for the first ten minutes the game was played in Keynsham's half. Slowly, Keynsham came into the match but The Farm defence cut out any attacks. Troy Simpson and Jamie Adams ran at Keynsham but were unable to carve an opening. Manor Farm came close to opening the scoring, but only hit the woodwork. With just over half an hour gone, The Farm were awarded a free kick some twenty yards out on the right hand corner of the penalty area. Danny Maye took the kick and the ball sailed into the box. The attackers jumped. The defenders jumped. But everyone missed the ball as it floated into the bottom left hand corner of the net to open the scoring for the home side. Two minutes later, The Farm doubled their lead. A high ball was played down middle into the Keynsham box. Simpson raced to get to it as Keynsham keeper Lionel Fear jumped. Fear headed the ball out of the path of Simpson but to the feet of Jamie Adams who lobbed the ball into the net. The first half ended with the score at 2-0.

Keynsham began the second half in attacking mode. From the whistle they went looking for a goal. But their attack broke down and the clearance found Simpson deep in their half. Keeper Fear came out of his area. Simpson rounded him. Two defenders headed into the box as their keeper was now stranded and Simpson coolly put the ball over their heads to make it 3-0 with less than a minute of the second half gone. The Farm continued to look for more goals. On 56 minutes from a corner, the ball finally fell to Kye Mountford who took the only option available, to put it in the net for Manor Farm's fourth goal. The game slowly died down. Keynsham brought on their substitutes but it was ultimately to no avail. Full time approached and a comfortable win for Manor Farm.

The Farm out played Keynsham with pace and movement. The defence rarely looked in trouble and Manor Farm could have scored more. Keynsham had a few chances but were unable to find a finish. The Farm now go on to play Ilfracombe Town in the semi-final, who beat Larkhall Athletic 1-0. Farmy Army man of the match - Troy Simpson.

Bitton 1 - 2 Bristol Manor Farm

Bitton started the game playing down the slope, attacking from the whistle and overwhelming the Manor Farm Defence. Their pressure paid dividends in the fourth minute when David Burborough skipped the defence and shot from a sharp angle on the left. Keeper Dean Graham could only parry the shot and Mark Salter followed in to score off the post. Bitton kept up the pressure and surely it was only a matter of time before they increased their lead, but The Farm battled to keep them out. With the first fifteen minutes gone, Manor Farm worked their way into what was a one-sided match and began to attack. Neither side could now take a grip on the game but on 34 minutes, Bitton lost the ball on the left to Troy Simpson. He raced down into the box and crossed for Jamie Adams to score his fourth in two matches. The pace of the game settled down, but neither team could find another opening before the half time whistle.

The Farm took the game to Bitton at the start of the second half, playing possession football and looking for an opening. The second half saw a flurry of yellow cards as Bitton tried to regain control of the match. Now in the ascendancy, The Farm started to make openings looking for the winner. Bitton continued to look dangerous in attack. Both teams came close to scoring but through good luck, good defending and the keepers, the score refused to move. Both sides started to make subs to change the course of the game. With just under and hour gone, Bitton brought on Guy Cocks and James Pilling. On 70 minutes Manor Farm subbed Mountford with Feltham. But none of the subs made any difference, so more substitutions were brought into the game. Kye Simpson for Bitton was brought on and Ricky Chandler replaced Jamie Adams. Still the scoreline stayed the same. On 85 minutes, Danny Maye was subbed for Ben Hiscox and the game headed inxexorably towards 90 minutes and a draw. The clocks ticked on and with four minutes of added time played, Bitton made what was almost the final attack of the game. But it fizzled out. As the match moved into the 96th minute, Troy Simpson was released on the right with only a defender to beat. He battled on and as the Bitton defence raced back towards their penalty area, Simpson raced down the right. Hiscox raced into the box and Simpson crossed. Taking one touch to steady the ball, Hiscox struck. The deflection finding the back of the net and taking all three points for Manor Farm.

The statistic of seven yellow cards, six for Bitton and one for Manor Farm, gives the impression of a physical match. But this was not the case. This was a game played at pace by both sides and with a passion for their cause, giving the crowd excitement and plenty to cheer to about. Farmy Army man of the match - Brad Abraham.

Wellington 1 - 4 Manor Farm

After just three minutes, it looked odds on for a rout when Manor Farm opened the scoring. Brad Abraham crossed the ball over to Ben Hiscox in the box who knocked it back for Troy Simpson to score a simple tap in. But the expected flurry of goals after this early opener never happened. Wellington put the brakes on Manor Farm and began carving openings for themselves, but in the main they struggled to find a final killer ball. With a quarter of an hour gone The Farm were awarded a free kick just inside the D and Danny Maye's strike clattered off the bar. Manor Farm's only other real chance came on 41 minutes. Maye put the ball over the top of the defence to Ben Hiscox on the right, but his shot hit the left post. So with 45 minutes gone only the single goal separated the two teams.

Wellington began the second half on the attack and on 57 minutes were nearly rewarded. Alex Pounde found himself one on one with keeper Dean Graham. The keeper did enough but the rebound fell to Simon Ingram who shot over the bar. The second half was being played out like the end of the first until manager John Black brought on Jamie Adams for Ben Hiscox with just over an hour gone. A minute later Adams scored. On the left wing he harried a Wellington defender who pushed the ball towards the byline for a corner. But Troy Simpson raced to collect it. Adams moved into the box and the cross from Simpson made it easy for Adams to score. Three minutes later Adams added a third. Simpson played a through ball to Adams on the right of the box and from the angle he squeezed a goal which bounced off the left hand post. Wellington never looked like giving up and the goal of the match was scored by sub Ollie Nott. A cross field strike from some 20 yards out on the right thundered into the top left hand corner of the net leaving keeper Graham stranded. With a quarter of an hour to go, Adams completed his hat trick. Kye Mountford released Simpson. He rounded the keeper but was unable to beat the two defenders. With keeper Ryan Lewis stranded a goal was certain, but Simpson was stopped. He somehow kept the ball and passed it through to Adams who made no mistake in making it 4-1 to Manor Farm. Wellington continued to look for goals but The Farm defence was now solid and cut out any attack. With three minutes of added time played, the game was brought to an end.

The substitution by John Black paid immediate dividends with the injection of the extra pace of Jamie Adams. The first half fizzled out after the initial goal and Wellington could have scored to level the game. The change in team personnel added extra impetus and the Farmy Army man of the match was Troy Simpson. He scored one and set up all the others.

Manor Farm 4 - 0 Calne Town

It was the second round of the Les Phillips League Cup and we welcomed first division Calne Town to The Creek. The visitors looked nervous at the start of the match and allowed The Farm to attack from the whistle. Calne would break out occasionally and made some good chances. It took Manor Farm thirty minutes to break the deadlock from a Troy Simpson strike. By half time the score remained the same.

With just over 10 minutes of the second half gone, Danny Maye put a ball over the top of the Calne defence to find Ben Hiscox. He skipped two defenders on the left and put the ball across the box for Simpson to get his second. The Farm always threatened to score more and Calne had several missed opportunities. On 74 minutes Ben Hiscox struck to make it 3-0 to the home side. With just over five minutes of the match remaining, substitute Ricky Chandler made it four to wrap up this cup tie.

The Farm always looked like scoring and Calne will rue the chances they missed especially the shot which thundered off the crossbar. In the third round, we will now play Keynsham Town who toppled Bishop Sutton 1-0. This match will be played on Saturday 12th March at The Creek.

Sherborne 6 - 1 Bristol Manor Farm

The Farm suffered their biggest defeat of the season when they visited Sherborne Town. On a heavy pitch, the home side started much the brighter and by the half hour mark were two goals in front and it could so easily have been more. Struggling to impose themselves on the match, the task became much harder when Manor Farm were reduced to ten men when striker Ben Hiscox was red carded. By half time the home side were three up with the possibility of more to come in the second half.

Manager John Black brought on all three subs for the start of the second period and after just five minutes it looked as though the tactic would work when The Farm pulled one back. But it was a false dawn and Sherborne scored their fourth six minutes later. On the hour mark the home side made it five and at this point it was a question of just how many would they score? With ten minutes of the match left, Sherborne scored their final and sixth goal for a decisive victory.

From the start The Farm never looked in the match. Being reduced to ten men never makes a game any easier, but by that point the writing was already on the wall and it's unlikely that having a full team would have made any difference on this match.

Bristol Manor Farm 0 - 0 Street

Manor Farm and Street played out a goalless draw at The Creek in a match which saw six bookings. The home side had most of the possession in the first half, but were unable to capitalise on the few chances they created. Street looked dangerous on the break and came close to breaking the deadlock on 31 minutes when a header from Aaron Lomax rebounded off the post and the Manor Farm defence then scrambled to clear their lines. Manor Farm threw everything forward at the start of the second half but still couldn't break down the Street defence. Street could have taken the lead twice but were denied by some great keeping from Dean Graham. In the end a draw was a fair result.

Hallen 5 - 6 Bristol Manor Farm

A quite extraordinary match was played out when we visited local rivals Hallen. After 13 minutes The Farm once gave away a penalty for a second match in a row and Tom Collett duly despatched it to put the home side a goal up. Four minutes later Manor Farm equalised through Mitch Tippins and then took the lead just before the half hour when Tippins crossed for Troy Simpson to slot it home. But a minute later the game was all square again courtesy of James Clarke. As the half time mark approached, Hallen once again took the lead through George Brimson. And just as the crowd believed that was it for the first half and the game went into time added on, Kyle Thomas struck a low shot into the bottom left hand corner to bring the match to 3-3. One half gone and six goals scored.

Nine minutes into the second half and the goals once again started flow. The Farm took the lead when Ben Hiscox struck and four minutes later Tippins increased Manor Farm's lead after a pin point cross from Scott Feltham. At 5-3 to Manor Farm, the game should have been out of reach of Hallen but they were awarded another penalty on 71 minutes and once again Tom Collett put it away. With less than five minutes of the match remaining, Hiscox scored again to make it 6-4 but Hallen pulled another back on 90 minutes. Hallen threw everything they could at finding one more goal and at least getting a draw from the match, but it was not to be.

Few games this season, or indeed any season, will surpass this one. If you blinked you would have missed a goal. Hallen no doubt will feel that they at least deserved a draw from a match where they were far from bystanders. After all, it takes two teams with a single minded approach to create a game like this. Our thanks to Hallen for their hospitality and for a match which many will remember for years to come.

Wells City 2 - 4 Bristol Manor Farm

The new dugouts at Wells City were used for the first time and the new fencing now enclosing the ground was impressive. The strong wind was always evident throughout a match which gave us six goals and plenty of talking points. The home side started much the better and with only eight minutes gone were awarded a penalty. The speed of Steve Murray fooled Tony Perry as he went to ground with a tackle. The ball was placed on the penalty spot and the wind rolled it gently forward. Murray replaced the ball. Took only two steps back and then despatched it high over the crossbar. The game ebbed and flowed with neither side really creating a chance. On 23 minutes, Matthew Hurley from the right wing sent a ball through to split The Farm defence. Murray collected it and made no mistake to give Wells the lead. Up to the break, Wells were unable to increase their lead and The Farm had several opportunities to level the game. But the first half ended with just the single goal.

Troy Simpson came on for the start of the second half which necessitated Manor Farm rejigging their defence and midfield. The extra pace of Simpson started to pay dividends straight away as he harried the Wells defence. With only five minutes of the half gone, Brad Abraham had to be subbed with Mitch Tippins replacing him. Hiscox, Simpson and Tippins now pressed the Wells defence which paid dividends when The Farm were awarded a free kick. Danny Maye's well taken free kick from the right of the box on 53 minutes levelled the match as it floated into the top left corner of the net. Three minutes later, Dan Dunt gave The Farm the lead when his shot from inside the penalty area took a deflection. Manor Farm were now in the ascendancy and looking for more goals. On the hour mark, Jamie Adams came on for Ben Hiscox and twenty minutes later his low hard shot could only be parried by Wells keeper Tom Punchard and Simpson was on hand to follow up and make it 3-1 to the visitors. The game was all but over as people began to leave the ground. But Wells continued to attack. On 84 minutes a pass back to Farm keeper Dean Graham somehow crossed the line. The referee gave the goal and the match stood at 2-3 in favour of The Farm. The incident gave rise to Graham being shown a yellow card. As the crowd waited for the restart. The referee made his way over to the dugouts and dismissed a couple to the changing rooms from the home side. Into stoppage time and Simpson picked up the ball deep in the Wells half. He ran down the left, cut across the box and fired it home to make it 2-4. A minute later the game ended.

The introduction of the extra pace of Simpson and Tippins certainly paid dividends in the second half. Together with Ben Hiscox (the Farmy Army's man of the match) they caused problems for the home side's defence. But ultimately, this was an all round good team performance and one which they need to continue into Monday's match against Hallen.

Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 4 Willand Rovers

Willand Rovers played like a team with something to prove after their exit from the FA Vase last weekend. They denied Manor Farm time on the ball and went in front after 11 minutes. Perry Carpenter split the home defence with a ball through to Dean Stamp who was then brought down in the penalty area by keeper Dean Graham and Stamp made no mistake from the spot kick. It took just two minutes of the second half for Willand to double their lead. Stamp turned in the box and his hard low shot beat the diving Graham. Ten minutes later the visitors all but wrapped the game up when Paul Pocock hit a curling shot into the roof of the net. With only five minutes of the match left, Manor Farm grabbed a consolation goal. Mitch Tippins was fouled in the box and Kye Thomas brought the score to 1 - 3. Substitute Sam Williams added a fourth on 90 minutes for the Rovers.

Willand never let The Farm settle on the ball or play their game. They out played them for most of the match and never let them get into any rhythm.

Bradford Town 1 - 2 Bristol Manor Farm

Manor Farm paid their first ever visit to Bradford Town in this Les Phllips League Cup match. The Farm started quickly from the whistle and found themselves one up after only five minutes. Awarded a free kick just outside the box, the ball was floated in and Carl Rutter, facing away from goal, headed it on. The looping header seemed to fool young under-18 England keeper Ed Baldy as it found it's way under the crossbar. The first fifteen minutes of the match was all Manor Farm. And they could and should have increased their lead. Slowly Bradford Town came into the game and started to attack. With just under half an hour gone, Bradford's Dave Percival's shot could only be parried by keeper Dean Graham and Matt Morris was there to follow up and bring the scores level.

The Farm began the second half attacking with pace. But Bradford held off and put the ball in the net twice. Both chances by Matt Morris were ruled offside but Bradford looked dangerous on the attack. On 66 minutes, John Black made a triple substitution. Both Manor Farm and Bradford Town continued to attack and the game looked as though it may well go to extra time. Troy Simpson broke through the Bradford defence on 83 minutes. His shot rebounded and Carl Rutter tapped it home to give the visitors the lead once more. In the final minutes of the game, Bradford threw everything they could at levelling the match, but it was not to be.

Bradford Town may feel they deserved at least extra time this entertaining cup match. Their young side certainly showed that they are a match for any team on their day. It was nice to visit a ground which no one at the club had been to before and we should like to thank Bradford Town for their hospitality and wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

Bristol Manor Farm 3 - 1 Odd Down (Bath)

Odd Down dominated the first half of this mid table clash and took the lead on 17 minutes when a poorly taken goal kick went straight to Odd Down's Jamie Taylor who coolly lobbed it over keeper Ballard. Odd Down continued to pressurise Manor Farm's defence but failed to increase their score. Manor Farm changed their formation for the start of the second half and began to play with more passion. But it was Odd Down who continued to dominate the match. With 20 minutes to go, Manor Farm made a triple substitution and two minutes later were awarded a penalty which Danny Maye slotted into the bottom left corner. The goal sparked the home side into life and they took the lead when Tony Perry quickly took a free kick from the edge of the box. Now in the lead, Manor Farm played the ball around and created openings in the Odd Down defence. A good spell of play from the left saw Troy Simpson cross to Scott Feltham to make the final score 3-1 to Manor Farm.

Bristol Manor Farm 3 - 3 Dawlish Town

Dawlish were the unexpected visitors to The Creek when the match was switched on the Friday due to problems at the Devon club. For the first half an hour the game had all the hallmarks of two mid-table teams battling towards a goalless draw. Then a moment of brilliance from Danny Maye as he jinked past the Dawlish defence to set up Mitch Tippins. Dawlish keeper Grant Fisher dived early and Tippins coolly chipped it over him to open the scoring for the home side. But within a minute the visitors were back on level terms when The Farm defence backed off and Lee Fenner cut inside with his left footed shot leaving keeper Lee Ballard stranded. Just two minutes later and Dawlish took the lead. Defender Aaron Jones slipped allowing Liam McAuley past and his well struck shot found the top left corner of the net. With barely five minutes to half time Dawlish must have been looking to take their one goal lead into the break. But Danny Maye once again broke forward and was brought down in the box. Kyle Thomas stepped up to take the penalty and the scores were level again.

With just six minutes of the second half gone, The Farm were awarded a second penalty. Kye Mountford and Phil Vice worked a one-two on the edge of the box which saw Vice put through into the penalty area only for him to be brought down. Once again Kyle Thomas took the spot kick. This time he hit it hard down the middle at mid height to defeat the diving Fisher. Dawlish were reduced to ten men on 65 minutes when a high tackle by Craig Fenner led to his sending off. This spurred Dawlish to greater efforts and two minutes later the referee pointed to the spot when Gary Saunders brought their attacker down. Dean Stevens made no mistake with the penalty kick and once again the scores were level. With just over five minutes of normal time left, Manor Farm hit the ball low through the Dawlish defence. Sam Rees raced forward and Grant Fisher raced out of his goal. Rees made it to the ball first and touched it past the diving Fisher into the path of Ben Hiscox who slotted home. But the celebrations were cut short when referee Robert Abrams disallowed the goal. Protests from the home side were brushed aside and the game resumed after the physio was called on to look at Fisher. The game ended not long after with the scores tied at three each.

The Farm may consider themselves unlucky not to have come away from this match with all three points. The disallowed goal was reminiscent of the one which Torpoint scored and was allowed. But The Farm were guilty of some poor defending and giving away easy goals. Standing off your opponents as they attack is a dangerous game to play and Manor Farm paid the price. Dawlish will no doubt be happy with the point especially after they were reduced to ten men. A game which began as a mid-table encounter ended more like a cup match.

Bristol Manor Farm 3 - 1 Barnstaple Town

Reduced to ten men in the 40th minute when captain Kye Thomas was shown a straight red card, The Farm had to battle hard for a result in this match. Keeper Dean Graham was still carrying the injury from the Torpoint match and was less than mobile in goal. And when Manor Farm went a goal behind against the run of play in the 28th minute, the writing was on the wall for a bad day at the office. But to their credit, the team battled on and were rewarded with an equaliser just before half time. Ben Hiscox tried to find a way through the Barnstaple defence. He slipped the ball to Sam Rees who then took it into the box, and shot home.

Barnstaple started the second half on the front foot and pressed forward to take advantage of their extra man. But for all their pressure, The Farm defence stood solid and it was Manor Farm who took the lead on 69 minutes courtesy of Mitch Tippins. Hiscox had once again battled to make an opening. His shot was parried away but only into the path of Tippins who made no mistake and gave Manor Farm the lead. There then followed and extraordinary period of five minutes when three Farm players were booked. Barnstaple continued to press their advantage but were denied. Into injury time and man of the match Tippins scored his second to finally secure all three points for The Farm.

For most of the first half this looked like a match between two mid-table teams. But to their credit, The Farm having gone a goal down and then a player sent off never gave up. They battled on and showed tenacity and spirit to grab all three points.

Manor Farm 3 - 7 Torpoint Athetic

Manor Farm were undone in fifteen minutes of madness in the second half. Having gone two goals up in the first 18 minutes with goals from Dan Dunt and Troy Simpson, the home side could have further increased their lead but Ben Hiscox's header went straight to the hands of James Sleeman. Torpoint hit back in the 35th minute when Adam Carter went one on one with keeper Dean Graham. Both went for the ball with Graham coming worse off and Carter had a simple tap in. Having been injured in the tackle, Graham went off to be replaced by outfield player Phil Vice. Torpoint threw everything forward at the start of the second half and Darren Hicks levelled the match when the ball cruelly bounced over keeper Vice. Five minutes later Torpoint took the lead through Carter and a minute later made it 4-2 through Josh Grant. Within three minutes it was five from a Grant free kick then six when Carter got his hat trick by rounding the keeper to slot it home. Before you could blink Liam Thornton made it seven for the visitors. Manor Farm hit a late consolation goal from Kye Thomas.

The scoreline certainly flattered Torpoint. Without a recognised keeper, The Farm were always go to struggle. But you have to hand it to Torpoint, they took their chances and it was in the space of just fifteen minutes in the second half that The Farm quite literally took their off the ball. We should like to wish Torpoint all the best for the rest of their season and good luck in the next round of the Vase.

Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 2 Bitton

Manor Farm went into the break a goal down and were lucky not to have conceded more but for some fine saves from keeper Dean Graham. Bitton started the match much the brighter and took the lead through a penalty scored by Mark Salter after 44 minutes when Dan Dunt was adjudged to have handled. After starting the second half more lively and bringing the scores level on the hour mark through Troy Simpson who coolly chipped the keeper, things then went from bad to worse for the home side. Bitton hit back on 78 minutes through Dave Burborough to once again take the lead when Manor Farm failed to clear their lines and then with the match nearly over, Simpson was red carded for the home side. Not a classic match but one which sees Bitton remain in contention for the top spot.

Corsham Town 2 - 1 Bristol Manor Farm

To the surprise of many, Corsham Town have started the season well and are among the teams battling for top spot. After playing and drawing with leaders Willand Rovers last Wednesday and being beaten 2-1 by leadership contenders Bitton, this was another tough game for The Farm. The game started with Corsham in control, but both teams had chances to score and failed to take them. The Farm went close on several occasions but it was the home side who took the lead on 25 minutes. Manor Farm were on the attack and from a goal scoring position, they lost the ball. Corsham broke fast with a run down the left beating The Farm defence. The well hit cross was met by Jack Hooper who rose to head it home. Three minutes later Corsham doubled their lead. With The Farm defence in disarray, Corsham passed the ball across the front of the box. Finally, Ross Lye stuck it with his left foot and found the bottom left hand corner of the net. Manor Farm kept battling to find a way through. On 41 minutes, Troy Simpson ran into the Corsham box on the right and was brought down. The referee pointed to the spot. Kye Thomas stepped up and thundered the ball home. The first half ended with the home side leading 2-1.

The second half played out much like the first. Manor Farm had chances but failed to put them away. Corsham came close to increasing their lead, but also failed to capitalise. The game became end to end. Both teams fighting to find a route to goal. Ultimately, neither side could score with some wayward shooting. The game ended with no increase in the score. Manor Farm had at least eleven chances to score but failed on each occasion. Defensively they were at times caught out of position which led to at least one of Corsham's goals. Verdict: must do better if they are to have any chance against Frome on Tuesday night.

Bristol Manor Farm 3 - 2 Wellington

Wellington came into this game sitting bottom of the table with just a single point after nine games. The Farm had just won their last two league games and scored eight goals, so the signs looked good for an easy win. But in football things are never quite that simple. Wellington got the game underway but all the pressure came from Manor Farm. With just nine minutes on the clock a Manor Farm corner was flicked on and Ben Hiscox made no mistake in opening the scoring. From the restart, The Farm took their foot off the gas and Wellington started to come back into the game. But they had few attempts on target. The woodwork denied them an equaliser as did the Manor Farm defence. Against the run of play, Manor Farm doubled their lead on 34 minutes. Mitch Tippins' strike took a deflection to beat keeper Ryan Lewis. The first half ended with a two goal advantage to Manor Farm.

The game by now should have been sewn up by The Farm. But Wellington continued to battle from the start of the second half. It took a mix up in defence to gift Wellington their first goal of the game and Joe Dakwa made no mistake to slot it home. The visitors were now on the front foot and buoyed by their goal. Manor Farm once again increased their lead with just eight minutes remaining. Kyle Thomas slipped the ball through to Danny Maye who coolly shot past keeper Lewis. Once again the match should have been over but Wellington kept up the pressure. Another defensive error gave the ball to Wellington's Craig Herrod who shot high into the right hand corner. As the game moved into time added on, Wellington nearly brought the game level. The Farm defence having their work cut out to hold them at bay. Finally the game ended with all three points going to Manor Farm.

The scoreline of 3-2 would suggest a cracking game. But this was far from it. Manor Farm didn't show the kind of form that they had in their previous two games. Wellington may well consider themselves unlucky not to go away with a point, but for all their pressure, they were unable to find the net. The Farm will have to play better than this on Wednesday when they take on Bitton in the GFA Challenge Trophy.

Bristol Manor Farm 0 - 2 Wells City

Wells City took all three points in a match won in the first half. Manor Farm pushed forward for a corner on ten minutes and were undone when the ball was played out to the unmarked Adam Jones. The home defence was unable to cover as Jones stormed forward on his own and struck the ball low into the corner of the net. On 25 minutes, Wells were awarded a penalty when Jake Brown was brought down. Steve Murray doubled the visitor's lead from the spot kick. Manor Farm started the second half much brighter but ultimately neither side really threatened to change the score.

The Farm didn't play well or show the passion of the previous two encounters with Basingstoke. Whatever the reason, Wells were quicker to the ball and quick to break. Manor Farm on the other hand contrived to give the ball away. Wells came with a game plan and stuck to it. Their defence giving nothing away and making it hard for the home side to press any advantage.

Basingstoke Town 1 - 0 Bristol Manor Farm

The night belonged to Basingstoke Town. But Manor Farm battled to the end to try and secure the equaliser that would take the match to extra time. Basingstoke had upped their game from the first match. But once again, for all their possession failed to find the back of the net. Wayward shooting was once again the order of the day. For a while it looked as though the football gods were smiling on the Farm. From inside the six yard box and with an open net, Greg Draper rose to head the ball home. But instead it went clean over the bar. The woodwork came in for more of a battering as the half progressed. Basingstoke finally made the break through on 41 minutes. From 15 yards out, Draper hit a low shot to just inside the post to give them the lead. The half came to an end, but Manor Farm could still come back into this match.

The Farm began to dominate the second half and Basingstoke's defence started to rattle. On 52 minutes, Scott Feltham nearly makes it through but is stopped by Jay Gasson. Manor Farm continued to pressurise Basingstoke, but with a packed defence it was never going to be easy. Basingstoke could do little other than clear their lines, a long ball from defence into open space or to keeper Dean Graham. With five minutes remaining a corner for Manor Farm but Dan Dunt's header went straight to keeper Lee Allen. Time was fast running but The Farm continued to hit the ball forward for the runners. With five minutes of added time played, referee Ian Robinson brought the game to an end.

The team once again showed just how good they can be. Losing to a team three leagues higher by a single goal is no disgrace. An all round good performance that will linger in the memory for some time to come. Our thanks to Basingstoke for their hospitality and we wish them well in their next round match against Didcot Town.

Bristol Manor Farm 2 - 2 Basingstoke Town

Sitting three leagues above Manor Farm, Basingstoke Town were the opponents for this FA Cup Second Round Qualifying match. In warm sunshine, the game got underway and Basingstoke went straight on the offensive. For the first ten minutes it was almost one way traffic with The Farm defence standing firm and some wayward shooting from Basingstoke. With just under quarter of an hour gone, a Basingstoke strike was headed off the line by Scott Feltham. While the visitors were claiming a goal, Manor Farm turned to attack. Ben Hiscox struck the ball goal bound but it was parried away by keeper Chris Tardif only for Hiscox to follow it up by heading home and giving the home side the lead. The visitors continued to have most of the play but were unable to craft a way through Manor Farm's defence until the 42nd minute when a low speculative shot from some twenty yards out by Greg Draper sneaked in just past the left hand post. Half time and the scores were level at one each.

After their half time team talk, Basingstoke showed renewed vigour and within minutes of the restart, Greg Draper doubled his tally to give Basingstoke the lead. Manor Farm battled away to find an equaliser which came in the 61st minute. Brad Abraham lobbed the defence to put Scott Feltham clear. His perfectly timed lob over keeper Tardif brought the game level. There was still just under half an hour of the match to go and try as they might, neither side could find an opening. The Farm came close on 85 minutes when a low shot from Hiscox hit the post and trickled out.

It was an all round excellent team performance from Manor Farm. They may have showed Basingstoke a little too much respect in the first half, but in the second they played their own game and nearly came close to pulling off a shock. They will get another chance on Monday in the replay when they visit the Camrose Ground in Basingstoke. Kick off is at 7.45pm

Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 1 Welton Rovers

Maybe it was a hangover from their FA Cup exploits midweek. Maybe it was looking at Welton Rovers' recent form. But the match never really produced a spark and was lacking in invention going forward. Welton Rovers, in the middle of rebuilding their team under new manager Mark Leaney, belied their form and matched The Farm in all departments. The first half was a goalless affair. Neither team were able to break through or create many chances and at this stage many believed it was heading for 0-0.

The second half began and The Farm showed more life and urgency, but Welton also had upped their game and on 57 minutes they opened the scoring when Steve Bridges waltzed past a static Farm defence and hit the ball high into the net. Welton were on their way to a much needed win. Manor Farm were still unable to find a way past Welton's defence. On 65 minutes, manager John Black made a triple substitution, but this had little impact. Welton came close to doubling their lead but the chances went begging. On 82 minutes, Ben Hiscox levelled the scores. His lob high and to the right past keeper Courtney Redwood was enough to secure a point for the home side.

The Farm looked jaded and were nothing like the team which had beaten Almondsbury earlier in the week. No doubt a rest will do them good with no midweek match. Basingstoke play at a much higher level and no doubt the team will be up for it come next Saturday.

Bristol Manor Farm 1 - 1 Almondsbury Town (FT)
2 -2 (AET); 3 - 1 (Penalties)

Second bites of the cherry often end with the lower league team losing out to their higher opposition. But not on this occasion. The Farm once again opened the scoring with just under quarter of an hour gone. A short corner on the right was played across the box and Tony Perry scored his first goal for Manor Farm. Almondsbury had most, if not all the possession, but were unable to find the target. The second half carried on in much the same way until the 35th minute when the Almonds broke through and hit the ball goalwards. In trying to keep the ball out, Carl Rutter slid the ball into his own net to level the scores. With five minutes of added time played, the referee blew his whistle and the match moved into extra time. The tired legs were made to move and with 12 mintues of the first half gone, Almondsbury took the lead for the first time in either match through Marvin Brown. The second period of extra time saw Almondsbury seeking a further goal, but with five minutes on the clock, Ben Hiscox levelled the game at 2-2. Penalty kicks are no fun if your team is taking part. Kye Thomas stepped up to take the first one and duly hammered it past Almondsbury keeper Stuart Jones. Marvin Brown for Almondsbury then had the chance to level it, but his shot went wide and to the right. Jake Gardner for The Farm made not mistake with his spot kick. David Anyinsah was next for Almondsbury, but keeper Dean Graham was more than a match and saved it. Phil Vice was the third Farm penalty taker, but his shot was wayward. Michael Whittington for Almondsbury needed to score but his shot was saved by Graham. Asked to take it again, Graham saved it for a second time. Keeper Graham then took The Farm's fourth penalty but sadly it was saved. Ross Stearn stepped up and incredibly, Dean Graham saved another one! But once again the referee asked for it to be retaken. Whittington made no mistake the second time and brought the score to 2-1. Manor Farm's final penalty was taken by Kyle Thomas. This could decide the winners of the match. Kyle struck it easily past Jones to put Manor Farm through to the next round.

A magnificent performance by the team who did everything that was asked of them. Almondsbury struggled in front of goal. For all their possession they were unable to covert chances into goals. But take nothing away from The Farm, they battled all the way through two matches to earn their place in the next round and a home tie with Basingstoke Town.

Almondsbury Town 1 - 1 Bristol Manor Farm

Bright autumn sun and a strong breeze greeted the players for this first round qualifying FA Cup match at Almondsbury Town. The match kicked off just after 3pm and Almondsbury soon showed why they were in a higher league. Their front men running at The Farm defence and causing problems almost from the start. But Manor Farm held up and this was certainly not one way traffic. The Farm were equal in attack and had several chances in this first half. With just under 20 minutes gone, Troy Simpson was brought down and had to go off with sub Tom Dailly taking up his attacking position. Some might say that this was a fortuitous change as four minutes later, keeper Dean Graham's huge kick cleared the ball to the Almondsbury end. Dailly picked it up and slotted it home to give the visitors a one goal lead. His cartwheel of celebration was echoed by the visiting Farm supporters.

Everyone expected Almondsbury to start the second half all guns blazing. But in reality, the game continued where it had left off. The Farm defence held firm against the attacks and then would counter. When Jake Gardener whipped the ball low into the box, Almondsbury's Scott Brice was stood on the near post and touched it. The ball bobbled and could have gone anywhere. Luckily for the home side it went out for a corner. With only twenty minutes of the match remaining, Almondsbury looked more desperate and The Farm brought on Phil Vice for Scott Feltham. It took a defensive error to finally give the home team the equaliser. With less than 10 minutes to go the ball was lobbed forwards toward Manor Farm's penalty box. Kye Thomas ran back and headed towards keeper Graham. But Almondsbury's David Anyinsah was too quick. He stretched and pushed the ball past the keeper. The ball trickled into the net to bring the game level. With just five minutes of the match remaining, Ben Hiscox was replaced by John Stephens. Finally the time added on ticked away with neither team gaining an advantage.

Holding onto a lead for so long is never easy, but the team nearly did it. The defence was once again in fine form. Some might argue that The Farm had their chance in this game and will struggle in the replay on Tuesday. If they can show this sort of form again, then anything is possible...

Bristol Manor Farm 3 - 0 Longwell Green Sports

Longwell Green's league form showed that in their first three games they had only scored two goals but conceded just the one. On the other hand, Manor Farm had been scoring goals but also leaking them. Within fifteen minutes of the start, the game had goalless draw written all over it. Longwell created few chances, but those they did went begging by their strikers. Manor Farm created several goal scoring opportunities but similarly were unable to find the back of the net; the ball going just over or boucing off the crossbar. As the first half ended without a goal, most of the crowd agreed that the odds were certainly in favour of this ending 0-0. The last fifteen minutes of the half being a flurry of yellow cards for badly timed tackles.

The second half began where the first left off with both teams struggling to find that all important opening goal. The game changed on the hour when Tom Dailly came on for Ben Hiscox. Kyle Thomas picked up the ball in midfield and battled his way through to the box. His final poke of the ball found Dailly who made no mistake and finally opened the scoring. With renewed confidence, The Farm pressed for a second goal. On 73 minutes Kyle Thomas was put through and he duly slotted it past diving keeper Mark Britton to double The Farm's lead. Longwell Green then started the fight back and looked more lively going forward. On 78 minutes, Scott Feltham from the right of the box rounded the keeper and scored to make it 3-0 to Manor Farm.

This was another all round team performance from The Farm. Scoring goals recently has not been the problem, it was conceding them. The defence looked more solid and the team were rewarded with their first clean sheet of the campaign. This was most certainly "a game of two halves". The extra pace of Dailly certainly told but it was unfortunate that he had to go off after just fifteen minutes of coming on due to a tackle. With a tough cup match coming up against Almondsbury Town, this result should do no harm in building the team's confidence.

Hallen 3 - 4 Bristol Manor Farm

Local rivals Hallen were next up for The Farm in the FA Cup. Both teams started lively, but it was Manor Farm who opened the scoring when Ben Hiscox was put through and found himself one on one with Hallen keeper Ray Johnson. His low shot from the right of the box curled away from the diving Johnson and found it's way inside the left hand post. The game was played at pace by both sides and Hallen tried to break down The Farm. On twelve minutes a shot from outside the box by Jarrod Bright was cruelly defelected to bring the game level. Manor Farm once again looked for the lead and it came on twenty minutes. Troy Simpson laid the ball through to Hiscox who duly slotted it home to make it 2-1 to The Farm. But the game wasn't all one way and Hallen fought back. With just four minutes to go to the break Tom Collett lofted the ball across the six yard box and Ashely Bennett headed home to once again level the match. The first half ended with the teams all square and the crowd treated to four goals.

The second half began with pressure from Manor Farm. The one way traffic finally paying dividends. Keeper Dean Graham kicked the ball out to the far right. Simpson harried the Hallen defender to take the ball and cross it into the box where the unmarked Scott Feltham scored the easiest goal of the game with a tap in. Not content with the single goal advantage, The Farm looked to increase their lead. With just over quarter of an hour to go, Hallen were awarded a free kick just inside the D. The kick was blasted into the Manor Farm wall and Phil Vice was adjudged to have handled and referee Abrams pointed to the spot. Captain Andrew Cook stepped up to take the spot kick and hit it low to the right to level the match at 3-3. The goal gave Hallen a fresh impetus and it was now Manor Farm who were on the back foot and defending. With just three minutes left, Hallen's Dave Truan lobbed the ball into the Manor Farm area. Kye Thomas somehow headed under the bar and out but couldn't clear the box. The resulting goal bound shot was instinctively saved by keeper Graham. The game moved into time added on and was inevitably moving towards a replay. The Farm forced a corner with the clock showing 92 minutes. Kyle Thomas hit it low and hard towards the near post where Hallen's Jarrod Bright turned it into his own net to give the lead back to Manor Farm. A minute later, the referee blew time on a cracking match and victory to Manor Farm

As one spectator put it, "This game had everything" and so it did. Seven goals. A disputed penalty. Two own goals. And two teams who wanted to play football and win. The final analysis will probably show that both teams were guilty of defensive errors which allowed some of the goals. But from a spectator point of view it was edge of the seat stuff as neither team could impose themselves on the game. Manor Farm now face an away match to Almondsbury Town in the next round of the cup.

Bristol Manor Farm 5 - 3 Ardley United

The Farm played host to Ardley United from the Hellenic league in this Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup. From the kick off, Ardley pressurised the Manor Farm defence but failed to capitalise on their chances. With just two minutes on the clock, Troy Simpson ran through the Ardley defence, his shot parried by keeper Kurt Fox only to land at the feet of Ben Hiscox who duly slotted it home. Once again Ardley pressed forward and once again Troy Simpson swept past the Ardley defence. His solo effort giving Manor Farm a 2-0 lead. Ardley always looked dangerous in attack and on 39 minutes a free kick from Ben Milner reduced The Farm's lead. The first half ending with the score at 2-1 to the home team.

The start of the second half once again saw Simpson running at the defence. His hard, low cross being turned into his own net by Milner. With an hour played, Ardley's Adam Richmond was sent off when he brought down Simpson on the edge of the box. Kye Thomas stepped up to take the free kick and his low shot past the wall put Manor Farm 4-1 up. Five minutes later Kyle Thomas jinked past several defenders on the right. Making his way into the penalty area he struck into the far left corner to make the score 5-1 and put the game out of Ardley's reach. Although reduced to ten men, Ardley never gave up and hit back with two goals through Stidder and Bryan. With still fifteen minutes to play and the score now at 5-3, Manor Farm started to look nervous. But the game ended and The Farm now face local rivals Hallen in the next round.

Unlike Manor Farm, Ardley failed to take their chances. Although quick on the break, their defence allowed Manor Farm to score goals. Ardley battled to the end and played good football. We should like to wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

Man of the Match - Troy Simpson. Scored one, made two and continually terrorised Ardley with his pace.