It’s a good job England weren’t playing in the Stroud Football League’s Harry Greening Trophy last week.

Why? Because all four quarter-finals went to penalty shootouts and we all know how good England are when they are put on the spot in sudden death situations!

Nevertheless, it made for thrilling entertainment in the Stroud League with holders Stonehouse Town edging out fellow County League team Hardwicke, while the third County League team, Frampton United, beat Northern Senior League Division One team Chalford in a thriller.

Cam Bulldogs came through at the expense of Taverners, while Tuffley Rovers Reserves progressed over Sharpness.

In the Section A games, holders Stroud Harriers had a thumping 7-2 win at Charfield. Harriers will play Frampton United Reserves in the next round in a repeat of last season’s final. Frampton had overcome Hardwicke Reserves in their midweek tie.

Quedgeley may be struggling in the Northern Senior League, but they beat Stroud United 6-1 to add to their impressive cup runs this season, adding to their success in reaching the Senior League’s Reg Davis Final.

They will next play Dursley Town who beat Leonard Stanley on penalties in the failing light in midweek. Both teams played well in another entertaining game that saw the Senior League Division Two team upset Leonard Stanley who play a level above them.

In the lower half of the draw, Upton St Leonards eased past Tredworth Tigers 3-1 and Berkeley edged out Kings Stanley 1-0, despite Berkeley being two divisions higher.

The last of the matches were played on Saturday as two all Stroud League contests saw Stonehouse Reserves thump Randwick by 6-3 and Barnwood sneak through by beating Old Richians 7-6 on penalties after a fiercely fought 3-3 draw which saw Richians take the lead in the 89th minute, only for Barnwood to force penalties by replying with the equaliser in injury time.

On Saturday, the Stroud League Division Two to Division Seven teams opened up their campaigns in the three-team mini-groups and there were a number of standout results.

In Section B, Minchinhampton travelled to Thornbury Reserves and won 4-1, while Division Two Tibberton travelled to Division Three Uley and won by 5-0.

Another solid away performance from Cam Reserves saw them come away from Eastcombe with the win. The only match that was decided on penalties saw Cotswold Rangers win at Quedgeley 3rds after a 2-2 draw. There were also wins for Bush, McCadam, Quedgeley Reserves and Taverners Reserves.

In Section C, the Dennis Mason Trophy, Stonehouse 3rds beat Saintbridge on penalties after a highly entertaining 4-4 draw.

Rodborough Reserves put in a fine performance in beating Berkeley Reserves by 5-0 and there were narrow away wins for Chalford 3rds and Kings Stanley Reserves, both against higher division teams. There were also wins for Barnwood Reserves and Hardwicke 3rds. A 1-1 draw in the two-team group involving Stroud Harriers Reserves and Old Richians Reserves means that the second leg of the tie will start level.

In Section D, Kingsway Rovers Reserves and Ramblers Reserves had thumping wins, making them favourites to progress to the knockout stages. North Nibley won at Sharpness 3rds and Cashes Green had an impressive 4-1 win at Tuffley 5ths. In the final tie, the two teams that have propped up the Stroud League’s lower division in the past two seasons produced a 3-2 win for Uley 3rds over Woodchester.

The Harry Greening semi-finals and Section B quarter-finals will be played on Sundays in mid-to-late September, with the Harry Greening final due to be played in late October, depending upon ground availability.