While Manchester City are tearing it up at the top of the Premier League, there’s a similar story unfolding closer to home.

Cheltenham Civil Service now have a massive 14-point lead at the top of Division One of the Cheltenham League, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Cheltenham Ford, after their 1-0 win over closest rivals Tewkesbury Town.

It promised to be a tense affair, and so it proved as at the final whistle the teams were divided only by a Lewis Driscoll goal.

It’s not been a good few days for Tewkesbury because they also lost the three points they gained against Worcester Olympic earlier in the season after the Worcestershire club’s record was finally expunged from the division.

At least Tewkesbury know all is not lost because despite the gap between the two teams, they do at least have three games in hand on the runaway leaders.

While Olympic’s withdrawal from the league was bad news for Tewkesbury, it was even worse for Whaddon United Reserves who had lost the only three points they had won this season.

Kev Taylor’s team thus went into their match with Andoversford with a record of played eight, lost eight.

But they can at least now boast a point after their 1-1 draw against a team who have fallen short of the standards they set earlier in the season.

The ambitious Cotswolds club now trail Service by 17 points although they have played two games fewer.

Upton Town went to their game against Kings in fourth place. They were beaten 3-2 by Service the previous Saturday and knew getting back to winning ways was a must if they were to retain any hope of fighting for honours.

They duly delivered with a 4-0 win that saw them move into third. They may be 14 points off leaders Service but like Tewkesbury they do have three games in hand. All is certainly not lost!

Three points separated mid-table Newton and RSG at kick-off, but by full time they were level. A 2-1 RSG victory moved them on a par with their opponents although they have played a game more.

In the final match in the division it was fifth against sixth as Dowty Dynamos faced Bishop’s Cleeve III. Cleeve had tasted defeat just once this season although four drawn matches have left them in mid-table.

However, they once again demonstrated their strength with a 3-1 win to open up a two-point lead over their opponents.

Division Two leaders, The Beeches showed just why they are in pole position as they hammered third place Hanley Swan 11-2 the previous weekend.

With second-placed Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves not in action, Beeches knew they could open up a seven-point gap if they defeated FC Barometric Reserves, although Service would have three games in hand.

Baros find themselves in mid-table following last season’s relegation, although games in hand and a good goal difference meant victory could leave them in third spot at 4pm. The leaders however proved too strong as they eased to a 3-2 win.

After their hammering at the hands of the leaders, Hanley Swan looked to get back to winning ways but faced a challenging fixture against Gala Wilton Reserves, a team who have pushed the top two all the way in recent weeks.

Gala once again battled hard but again came out with nothing to show for their efforts after a 3-2 defeat.

Andoversford Reserves were another team who suffered a heavy defeat last time out, going down 8-0 to Service to leave them pointless at the foot of the table. They travelled to Prestbury Rovers still looking for their first points of the season.

It would not be easy against opponents buoyed by a 2-1 defeat of Southside Star but after nine defeats Andoversford finally got their first points of the season courtesy of a 3-1 win.

After losing out to Rovers last weekend, Southside were hoping to bounce back against Tewkesbury Town Reserves, a team who started the day two points behind their opponents. They did so in some style, hammering their opponents 8-0.

With a number of teams in County Cup action this week, there was a reduced league programme in Division Three.

St Pauls United opened up a four-point lead at the top the previous Saturday and remained unbeaten in all competitions since their formation.

However, that all changed on Saturday when United finally tasted defeat, although not in normal time. A 1-1 draw against FC Barometrics III sent their cup match to penalties and Baros finally did what no other team have managed as they beat United in the shootout.

Cheltenham United got their first win of the season the previous week and although they went into the weekend bottom of the table, their confidence levels had undoubtedly risen.

Standing in their way on Saturday were FC Lakeside Reserves, who have not been at their best this season. It was an opportunity for United and they took it as they claimed a 2-0 win.

Windyridge Rovers have dropped points in recent weeks after an impressive start to the season. With top scorer Dave Keylock having moved to St Pauls United, Rovers had the chance to lay down a marker to the teams around them when they faced Falcons Reserves.

They duly delivered with a 2-1 win to move level on points with second-placed AFC Renegades although they have played four more games.

In the final game in the division, Leckhampton Rovers hosted Brockworth Albion Reserves. After losing to bottom club Cheltenham United last time out, Rovers looked to show it was a mere blip.

And they went a long way to redeeming themselves as they ran out 6-3 winners.

Division Four also saw a number of teams in County Cup action leaving just two league matches.

A 3-1 defeat last time out saw Woodmancote United lose second place to their conquerors, Welland United Reserves.

They were hoping to regain second spot when they hosted bottom club Charlton Rovers III who had yet to pick up a point. As the form book suggested United eased to victory, winning 7-2.

In the other league match Malvern Vale hosted Fintan Reserves. Vale failed in their bid to halt Prestbury Rovers’ 100 per cent start to the season the previous week but were back to winning ways as they recorded a 4-1 victory.

GFA County Minor Cup: AFC Renegades 3 Cam Bulldogs 3rds 2, Cheltenham CS 3rds 7 Rodborough and Cainscross OBs 2, Dowy Dynamos Res 1 Charfield Res 4, St Pauls Utd 1 FC Baros 3rds 1 (Baros won 4-3 pens), Kings FC Res 2 Charlton R Res 1.

GFA County Primary Cup: Bishop’s Cleeve Dev Res 7 Andoversford 3rds 0, Gala Wilton 3rds 6 Cashes Green Res 0, Kingsway R Res 1 Cheltenham Saracens 3rds 1 (Kingsway won 4-2 pens), Prestbury R Res 5 Staunton & Corse Res 0, Smiths Ath Res 1 Abbeymead R 3rds 5, Winchcombe T Res 5 Sherborne Harriers 1.