It was a chance for the chasing teams to play catch up the previous weekend while the Division One leaders Cheltenham Civil Service were in County Cup action.

With three games in hand on Service at kick off, both Upton Town and Tewkesbury Town took advantage and banked three points in the Cheltenham League, sponsored by Bristol Street Ford Motors, reducing Service’s lead at the top to 11 points. Two of the top three were in action this weekend with Upton taking a break.

Tewkesbury Town looked to keep the pressure up at the top but faced a real challenge this weekend in the shape of Bishop’s Cleeve III. Cleeve started the day in fifth, six points behind their hosts but their position hides an impressive record. John Hunt’s men have been beaten just once this term, their points tally blighted somewhat by four draws which has left them trailing the top teams.

However, they were on song on Saturday as Tewkesbury’s title hopes took a real blow as they were beaten 4-1.

Service themselves also faced tough opponents in the shape of fourth-placed Andoversford, 17 points behind the leaders at the start of play but with two games in hand.

The two teams warmed up for the game with victories in the County Cup last week, Service beating Barnwood 2-0 while Andoversford beat Dowty Dynamos on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The leaders moved into a 3-1 lead before Andoversford pegged them back and levelled the scores. Service top scorer Stu Midwinter then claimed his second of the afternoon to ensure the leaders took all three points.

The new year can’t come quickly enough for Whaddon United Reserves who found themselves in bottom spot with a single point from their nine games going into Saturday. They faced Dowty Dynamos who started the day five places and 10 points ahead of their opponents. In a close match Dowty notched the only goal of the game.

Tewkesbury hit seven past Shurdington Rovers last week, ending Rovers’ recent run of form. Rovers travelled to Newton knowing victory would draw them level on points with their opponents although, they would need an 11 goal swing to overtake them. Despite a poor run of recent form, Newton proved too strong as they claimed a 3-2 win.

In the final game in the division Kings faced RSG. Both teams have been struggling at the wrong end of the table and with just two points separating them at kick off. A 2-2 draw leaves them both still looking over their shoulders at the wrong end of the table.

A 3-2 defeat of Hanley Swan saw The Beeches open up a 10-point lead at the top of Division Two on the first Saturday in December, although second-placed Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves had four games in hand. Both were in action this week and they knew the importance of taking maximum points.

Beeches faced fourth-placed Southside Star FC and this looked, on paper at least, to be a tricky tie. Star put four past Bredon Reserves the previous week and went into the game in a confident mood. Their confidence may have taken a bit of a hit by 3.45 however as The Beeches claimed a 4-3 win.

Service, meanwhile, travelled to Winchcombe to face a Pittville United team who were stunned by bottom club Andoversford Reserves last time out, losing 4-0. They were looking to recover but Pittville will have to wait at least another week after Service strolled to a 5-1 win.

Andoversford’s victory signalled a real change in form for the bottom placed club who lost their opening nine matches but had won their previous two. They went into their match with Fintan a very different proposition to earlier in the season. However, Fintan started the day in fifth and were still favourites… and they lived up to that pre-match billing with a 7-1 win.

As well as focusing on their own game, seventh-placed FC Barometrics Reserves were taking a keen interest in the results of the teams around them. Victory against Bredon Reserves on Saturday could send them as high as fourth if other games went their way, including overtaking their opponents. At full time, however, they had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Gala Wilton Reserves kicked off just a point behind Baros and with opponents Prestbury Rovers just two points further back. A 2-2 draw leaves both teams still anxious to move away from the wrong end of the table.

AFC Renegades remained just one of two teams in the four divisions who have a 100 per cent after they made it seven from seven the previous weekend, a victory that saw them move to within one point of Division Three leaders St Paul’s. They would have been confident of making it eight from eight this week when they faced bottom club Kings Reserves.

Kings lost 6-0 the previous week and put up a brave fight despite playing the game with just 10 men. They faced an even tougher challenge this week and although they lost, the 3-0 defeat was closer than many would have predicted.

St Paul’s took a rest at the start of the month but returned to action against Falcons Reserves. On paper they were clear favourites but having been knocked out of the County Cup by FC Barometrics III last time out – albeit on penalties – all eyes were on them. They didn’t disappoint their supporters, returning to winning ways with a 5-0 victory.

Cheltenham Civil Service III put six past Kings the previous week, following up the seven they scored in the cup the week before. They faced an FC Lakeside Reserves team who were unable to raise a team for their previous scheduled fixture. The two teams shared eight goals in a high scoring affair that leaves both teams in mid-table.

Cheltenham United’s recent good run was brought to an end last time out against Windyridge Rovers, and they were hoping they could rediscover their winning ways against FC Barometrics III. After becoming the first team to get the better of St Paul’s two weeks ago, Baros were surprisingly beaten by Charlton Rovers Reserves last time out.

The defeat almost certainly ended any title aspirations Baros may have but they are still one of the teams to be reckoned with in the division. They showed why as they took full points with a 4-3 win.

Leckhampton Rovers have struggled to string a consistent run of results together, losing to Falcons last time out after an impressive win over Brockworth the week before. They faced Charlton Rovers and with points at a premium Leckhampton were once again disappointed, going down 3-2.

In the final game in the division, Windyridge Rovers faced Dowty Dynamos Reserves. Rovers are just a point off top spot although they have played three more matches than the leaders. While points on the board are critical, the form of the teams around them suggests top spot is probably beyond them. However, they can do no more than keep winning matches, although that was something they were unable to achieve on Saturday as Dowty won 2-1.

Woodmancote United could move level on points with Division Four leaders Prestbury Rovers Reserves if they beat Bishop’s Cleeve Development Reserves on Saturday, although they would have played three more games. However, pull level they did as United took the spoils with a 5-2 victory.

Cheltenham Saracens claimed an excellent win the previous week against Welland Reserves and were looking to maintain that run against Malvern Vale Firsts. Vale started the day in third and needed to win to ensure they maintained their position. At full time Vale emphasised why they are chasing the leaders with a 5-1 win.

After claiming a much-needed win the previous week Andoversford were looking to make it another three points when they played Gala Wilton III.

Wilton started the day in sixth and while top spot is probably beyond them they will still feel they can push for a promotion spot. Andoversford’s hopes of going on a winning run were abruptly ended however as they were beaten 4-2.