The Cheltenham League was back on centre stage this weekend after the previous week’s County Cup action, writes Rob Morrison.

And there was certainly plenty to enjoy in Division One with high-flying Cheltenham Civil Service taking on Shurdington Rovers.

Service have been boosted by the return of Josh Goodhall from Saracens in recent weeks, and he has hit the ground running with a goal in each of the three games he has featured.

While Service are flying at the top, it has not been the start to the season that Rovers manager Dan Pardoe would have hoped for. Promoted after finishing sixth in Division Two last season, Rovers have found points hard to come by and went into the match with just four from seven matches.

With the odds stacked considerably in Service’s favour they duly cashed in, winning 6-0 to cement their place at the summit

Tewkesbury Town started the day in second spot, six points behind Service but with two games in hand. They faced a real challenge this week in the shape of John Hunt’s Bishop’s Cleeve III. Cleeve took Upton’s 100 per cent record in their previous league match and enjoyed an impressive 5-1 win in the cup last weekend.

Despite some strong performances Cleeve had only won two of their six previous outings, although with three draws they were proving to be a tough team to beat.

While the draws may impact on their own title chances they may well have a say in the outcome of the title through their results against other title contenders.

With home advantage Cleeve once again showed how tough they are to beat as the teams shared the points in a 3-3 draw.

They may have lost their 100 per cent record against Cleeve, but Upton Town returned to winning ways last Saturday as they defeated RSG 3-2.

They faced the team directly below them on Saturday, Andoversford, who had started their campaign well but have dropped points in recent matches.

A win was a must for both teams if they wanted to stay in touch with the leaders and, while 1-1 was not the worst result for either team it will have put a dent in their title hopes.

Having found some form and won two of their last three games, RSG went into their match with Dowty Dynamos with a confidence that wasn’t there earlier in the season.

Dowty’s were just two points and one place above their opponents and this was a big game for both teams. Victory would move RSG away from the group of teams at the bottom while Dowty’s were keen to distance themselves from the lower reaches of the division.

At full time it was Dowty’s who were the happier team, a 4-2 win giving them the three points.

The final match in the division pitted Kings against Whaddon United Reserves. To many people’s surprise Whaddon started the day bottom, although manager Kev Taylor knew he could jump as many as four places with a win.

Kings, like RSG, were at the wrong end of the table but knew victory would make the stats much better reading come 4pm. Come full time a 2-1 win for Kings leaves Taylor still looking for that winning formula.

While Service are setting a fast pace in Division One, Beeches in Division Two of the Cheltenham League, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors, are going just as well.

The Cirencester-based team hosted mid-table Fintan and went into the game with a four-point lead.

And while Fintan are always a threat, Beeches had too many aces as they won 2-0.

Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves started the day in second spot ahead of their game against Gala Wilton III. Despite occupying seventh place, Gala lost only by the odd goal in seven last time out.

It was close again on Saturday but this time Gala were beaten by the odd goal in three.

Bredon Reserves defeated basement club Andoversford Reserves the previous Saturday and were in a local derby this weekend when they played Tewkesbury Town Reserves. The teams have had contrasting fortunes with Bredon challenging the top group while Town were just a place off the bottom.

However, as we all know, form counts for little in derby games and so it proved again as Tewkesbury won 3-1.

With no points to their name going into their game against Pittville United, Andoversford Reserves knew that they needed to get their season up and running.

Pittville may not have lived up to their own pre-season expectations in the current campaign but they did add three more points with a 2-1 win.

Southside Star FC pushed Civil Service all the way last weekend in the cup before going out on penalties. With six points from six matches their focus this week was on moving up the table.

Their opponents FC Barometrics, had their own agenda, looking to secure promotion back to Division One after last season’s relegation. However, promotion seems a long way off for Baros as Southside stunned them with a 3-2 win.

St Paul’s United moved to the top of Division Three the previous weekend when previous leaders AFC Renegades saw their match postponed. United would have expected to retain pole position after the weekend’s matches when they faced bottom club Cheltenham United.

United lost 3-1 to fellow strugglers Cheltenham Civil Service III the previous Saturday and the fixture computer couldn’t have been tougher on them as they looked to move up the division. And so it proved as St Paul’s hammered them 8-0.

Renegades had made a perfect start to the season, winning their opening five matches. This week they faced a Windyridge team who shipped four goals without reply to St Paul’s the previous Saturday, and have seen their title hopes fade after a strong start.

Rovers also saw their top goalscorer Dave Keylock move to St Paul’s during the week and their mood would not have improved after they slipped to a 4-0 loss.

The big match in the division saw third host fourth as Leckhampton Rovers travelled to Brockworth Albion Reserves. With just goal differences separating the two teams it promised to be a close affair.

However, it was the home team that left the field victorious, winning 5-3 to move into second spot in the table.

After beating Cheltenham United the previous weekend, Cheltenham Civil Service III were looking to put a run together as they faced Charlton Rovers Reserves. Rovers were three places but just one point ahead of Service at kick-off but that all changed by 4pm as Service earned a 3-2 win.

Sitting between Service and Rovers were Falcons Reserves and Dowty Dynamos Reserves and the two teams met at Naunton Park. With just three points separating six teams in the middle of the table just one victory could make a big difference, and so it proved as Dowty’s open up a three team gap over Falcons following a 6-1 win.

In the final match in the division FC Barometrics III played Kings Reserves. Kings started the game just a place off bottom spot and faced a Baros team who despite sitting in sixth spot were in good form, winning three of their four league games to date.

However, they were undone by Kings who won by the odd goal in seven.

The previous weekend couldn’t have gone much better for Prestbury Rovers Reserves. Despite not kicking a ball, they saw their position at the top of Division Four strengthen as the two teams below them at the start of play lost.

With a 100 per cent record, Rovers had won their previous six matches and played a Cheltenham Saracens III team who went into the match off the back of a 7-1 hammering at Woodmancote United.

Rovers were clear favourites to make it seven from seven and duly delivered, cruising to a 6-1 win.

After tasting defeat the previous weekend, second-placed Malvern Vale hosted Woodmancote United, knowing that defeat would not only hand their opponents three points but also second place. Full of confidence from their big win last time out United kept their excellent run going with a 1-0 win.

Gala Wilton III were another team who benefited from two of the top three losing last weekend, moving ahead of Welland Reserves who dropped from third to fifth. Gala faced Andoversford III who went into the weekend with just three points to their name and were struggling one place off the foot of the table.

Looking to show their title credentials Gala were surprised as their hosts held them to a 3-3 draw.

Not much is going right for struggling Charlton Rovers III and they fared no better against Malvern Vale FC Academy who rushed to a 9-1 win.

Winchcombe Town shocked Malvern Vale the previous weekend and they were looking to pull off a similar result this week against Welland Reserves. Welland were third at the start of play last weekend but like Malvern suffered a surprise defeat. Looking to get back to winning ways, Welland showed why they are at the right end of the table, winning 8-3.

In the final game Bishop’s Cleeve Development Reserves played Fintan Reserves. With both teams starting the day on six points this promised to be a close affair. Despite home advantage it was Cleeve who left the field pointless as they went down 3-1.