Prestbury Rovers ended Whaddon United’s unbeaten start to the Cheltenham League Division One season and at the same time announced themselves as serious title contenders.

Whaddon boss Kev Taylor told The Local Answer last week that Prestbury were “dark horses” for the title and Saturday’s 3-1 win has lifted them up to third in the table.

They moved one point and one place ahead of Whaddon, who have played one game fewer, and now trail leaders Tewkesbury Town, who were without a game on Saturday, by just four points.

Second-placed Malvern Vale, who have played four games more than the two teams either side of them, moved to within three points of the leaders with a 3-0 win over Newton, who are still waiting to record their first league win of the campaign.

Bishop’s Cleeve A have been picking up momentum in recent weeks and they climbed into the top six with a 2-0 win over Bredon Reserves to leave them 10 points adrift of Tewkesbury Town but with three games in hand.

Dowty Dynamos returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win against Kings and Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves also regained the winning habit as they defeated Shurdington Rovers 2-1.

Rovers opened the scoring but by full-time they were rueing their missed chances after a controversial Joe McCauley penalty drew Service level before a fine Bobby Greenwood goal handed the home side the points.

In the only other game in the division Southside Star shared four goals with Hanley Swan.

Into Division Two and Prestbury Rovers Reserves closed the gap on leaders Smiths Barometrics Athletic Reserves to two points after winning a seven-goal thriller at Gala Wilton A, who started the day in third place, while the leaders were being held to a 1-1 draw at Brockworth Albion Reserves.

St Paul’s United moved into the top three with an impressive 5-0 win over Leckhampton Rovers, a result that leaves them 10 points off the pace but with two games in hand.

At the other end of the table, Pittville United moved off the bottom with a 3-1 win over Andoversford Reserves, who are now propping up the rest of the division.

All the games went with form in Division Three with the top five all winning.
Leaders Smiths Barometrics Athletic III won 3-1 at Falcons Reserves while second-placed Cheltenham United won 5-1 at Tewkesbury Town Reserves and third-placed Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves triumphed 8-1 at 303 Squandron.

The top three are all looking over their shoulders at FC Lakeside Reserves, however, because they made it seven wins out of seven with an 8-1 demolition of Malvern Vale Reserves, a result that leaves them 10 points off the lead but with six games in hand.


In the remaining game in the division, fifth-placed Charlton Rovers Reserves defeated Southside Star Reserves 4-1.

The new year has not been kind to Division Four leaders Tewkesbury Athletic. They remain on top despite losing 3-2 to Apperley on Satrurday – their fourth defeat of the campaign – but the chasing pack are closing in on them.

Unbeaten AFC Cheltenham moved to within three points of the top with a 4-1 win over Woodmancote United to make it eight victories out of eight. They have played five games fewer than the long-time leaders.

Winchcombe Town Reserves also have 24 points after their 3-0 win at Cheltenham Saracens Reserves although they have played three more games than AFC Cheltenham.

Fourth-placed Kempsey Corinthians are still going well, however, and they made it six wins out of six with a 2-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Charlton Rovers Reserves.

Improving AFC Renegades Reserves cemented their place in mid-table with a 4-1 win over visitors Pittville United Reserves and there were five goals at Fintan Reserves as well where the home side enjoyed a 3-2 win over Bishop’s Cleeve Development.

Cheltenham League results

Division 1
Bredon Reserves 0 Bishops Cleeve A 2
Cheltenham CS Reserves 2 Shurdington Rovers 1
Kings 0 Dowty Dynamos 2
Newton 0 Malvern Vale FC 3
Prestbury Rovers 3 Whaddon United 1
Southside Star FC 2 Hanley Swan 2

Division 2
Brockworth Albion Res 1 Smiths Baros Ath Res 1
Gala Wilton Reserves 3 Prestbury Rovers Res 4
Pittville United 3 Andoversford Reserves 1
St Pauls United 5 Leckhampton Rovers 0

Division 3
303 Squadron 1 Cheltenham CS 3rds 8
Charlton Rovers Res 4 Southside Star Res 1
Falcons Res 1 Smiths Baros 3rds 3
FC Lakeside Res 8 Malvern Vale Res 1
Tewkesbury Town Res 1 Cheltenham United 5

Division 4
AFC Renegades Res 4 Pittville United Res 1
Apperley 3 Tewkesbury Athletic 2
Cheltenham Saras 3rds 0 Winchcombe T Res 3
Fintan Reserves 3 Bishop’s Cleeve Devel 2
Kempsey Corinthians FC 2 Charlton R 3rds 1
Woodmancote United 1 AFC Cheltenham 4

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