Andoversford III hosted AFC Renegades Reserves in Division Four of the Cheltenham League on Saturday with both teams seeking an upturn in fortunes.

They had just two league wins between them ahead of the game – one each – and by the end of the 90 minutes that was still the case although that only tells half the story.

That’s because the two teams were involved in a 12-goal thriller with honours ending even after a 6-6 draw.

Elsewhere in the division AFC Cheltenham maintained their winning start to the season and ended Winchcombe Town Reserves’ 100 per cent winning record with a 3-2 win while leaders Tewkesbury Athletic made it six out of six with a 2-0 win over Apperley.

There were just the two games in Division One where Shurdington Rovers climbed into second spot with a 1-0 win over Malvern Vale while at the other end of the table AFC Renegades gained their first league win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Bredon Reserves.

Smiths Barometrics Athletic Reserves are back on top in Division Two after a 4-1 win at Fintan and Cheltenham United continue to set a hot pace in Division Three.

United defeated Tewkesbury Town Reserves 4-1 but their two closest rivals – Smiths Barometrics Athletic 3rds and Cheltenham Civil service 3rds – also enjoyed with wins, with Service making it three wins out of three with the 5-0 victory over Falcons Reserves.

There were a whole host of cup matches on Saturday with St Paul’s United catching the eye in the Junior Charities Cup as they defeated Southside Star, who play a level above them in Division One, 5-2.

There were also a good number of County Cup games with one of the more intriguing the all Cheltenham League tie between Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves and Whaddon United.

Kev Taylor returned to the Whaddon manager’s position this season after previously leading Cheltenham Civil Service IIIs to Charities Cup success and his squad also boasted former Service players Rich Goodey and Mike Hackett.

After a strong start to the season Service have struggled in recent weeks and they were let off the hook early on in Junior Cup clash when Michael Winter failed to capitalise with the goal at his mercy and by half time Whaddon were made to pay the price as Joe McCauley fired the hosts into the lead.

Whaddon did not lie down however, and an error by Service’s stand-in keeper Dan Midwinter allowed Whaddon to get back into the game and things then got even worse for Service as Whaddon took the lead.

However, with time running out Service were handed a lifeline. This time it was Whaddon keeper Rich Goodey who made the mistake, allowing Jack Costerton to fire Service level.

Neither team was able to find a winning goal and the tie went to penalties. After both teams had scored their first four kicks from the spot, Ryan Williams made it five from five for the home team before Whaddon’s Mike Hackett fired his effort over the bar.

The four other County Cup ties involving Cheltenham League teams saw Bishop’s Cleeve Reserves go through, but Dowty Dynamos, Kings and Tewkesbury Town all went out.

Results

Cheltenham League

Div 1
AFC Renegades First 3 Bredon Reserves 1
Shurdington Rovers 1 Malvern Vale First 0

Div 2
Brockworth Albion Reserves P Pittville United First P
Fintan First 1 Smiths Barometrics Athletic Reserves 4

Div 3
Cheltenham United 4 Tewkesbury Town Reserves 1
Charlton Rovers Reserves 2 Smiths Barometrics Athletic 3rds 4
Cheltenham Civil Service 3rd 5 Falcons Reserves 0

Div 4
AFC Cheltenham 3 Winchcombe Town Reserves 2
Andoversford Thirds 6 AFC Renegades Reserves 6
Tewkesbury Athletic 2 Apperley 0
Charlton Rovers Third P Fintan Reserves P
Gala Wilton A 2 Cheltenham Saracens Thirds 0
Pittville United Reserves 0 Woodmancote United First 3

CAFL Junior Charity Cup
St Paul’s United 5 Southside Star FC First 2

CAFL Minor Charity Cup
303 Squadron 1st 2 Malvern Vale FC Reserves 12
FC Lakeside Reserves 7 Kempsey Corinthians FC 1

GFA Junior County Cup
Cheltenham Civil Service Res 2 Whaddon Utd 2 (Cheltenham CS won 5-4 pens)
Tibberton Utd 2 Kings FC 1
Taverners 7 Dowty Dynamos 2
Bourton Rovers 5 Tewkesbury Town Firsts 4
Bishops Cleeve FC A team 2 Worrall Hill 0

GFA Intermediate Cup
North Nibley 2 Prestbury Rovers Reserves 5
Leckhampton Rovers 5 Tuffley Rovers 3rds 4

WFA County Cup
Welland Res 3 Redditch Borough 2
Worcester City Royals P Tenbury Town P


The Cheltenham League is sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Cheltenham Ford.