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1st Team Football

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Shirley, scorer of the 3rd goal, gives Easington a good licking!

Final Hellenic Div 1 (West) Table Season 07/08

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Leading Goal Scorers Season 07/08

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Fixtures / Results / Reports

D Cheltenham Saracens 1 1 Clanfield Saturday, 11 August 2007
Attendance 22
A.Sherlock
(Mom) S.Stroud

W Cricklade Town 0 3 Cheltenham Saracens Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Attendance 41
A.Crosskey A.Sherlock(2)
(Mom) B.Quinn

L Cheltenham Saracens 1 2 Old Woodstock Town Saturday, 18 August 2007
Attendance 32
A.Sherlock
(Mom) A.Moxey

W Cirencester United 0 8 Cheltenham Saracens Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Attendance 35
A.Crosskey(2) C.Griffiths(2) A.Moxey B.Quinn A.Sherlock(2)
(Mom) A.Moxey

W Cheltenham Saracens 3 2 Pewsey Vale Saturday, 25 August 2007
Attendance 38
C.Griffiths(2) A.Sherlock
(Mom) M.Wilce

D Oxford City Nomads 0 0 Cheltenham Saracens Monday, 27 August 2007
Attendance 40
(Mom) B.Quinn

W Cheltenham Saracens 6 0 Launton Sports Saturday, 01 September 2007
Attendance 52
A.Crosskey(4) C.Griffiths R.Oldham
(Mom) S.Hughes

D Headington Amateurs 1 1 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 08 September 2007
Attendance 38
S.Hughes
(Mom) K.Watkins

D Tytherington Rocks 2 2 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 22 September 2007
Attendance 50
A.Crosskey(2)
(Mom) A.Crosskey

W Cheltenham Saracens 4 0 Wootton Bassett Town Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Attendance 32
A.Crosskey(2) C.Griffiths(2)
(Mom) A.Crosskey

W Easington Sports 1 2 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 29 September 2007
Attendance 70
A.Crosskey C.Griffiths
(Mom) A.Crosskey

L Cheltenham Saracens 0 1 Trowbridge Town Saturday, 06 October 2007
Attendance 42
(Mom) A.Crosskey

L Old Woodstock Town 1 0 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 13 October 2007
Attendance 38
(Mom) R.Betteridge

W Cheltenham Saracens 2 0 Purton Saturday, 20 October 2007
Attendance 29
A.Crosskey C.Griffiths
(Mom) A.Crosskey

D Cheltenham Saracens 1 1 Letcombe Saturday, 10 November 2007
Attendance 32
L.Rayson
(Mom) C. Palmer

L Clanfield 3 2 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 17 November 2007
Attendance 30
A.Sherlock(2)
(Mom) R.Betteridge

W Cheltenham Saracens 3 1 Oxford City Nomads Saturday, 01 December 2007
Attendance 23
A.Crosskey C.Griffiths A.Sherlock
(Mom) R.Betteridge

W Banbury United Reserves 0 7 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 22 December 2007
Attendance 36
A.Crosskey J.Ellin C.Griffiths A.Sherlock(4)
(Mom) A.Sherlock

W Cheltenham Saracens 5 0 Cirencester United Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Attendance 32
A.Crosskey C.Griffiths A.Sherlock(3)
(Mom) A.Sherlock

D Cheltenham Saracens 1 1 Headington Amateurs Saturday, 05 January 2008
Attendance 28
A.Sherlock
(Mom) C.Palmer

D Letcombe 2 2 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 02 February 2008
Attendance 40
C.Palmer A.Sherlock
(Mom) C.Griffiths

Match Report:The Saracens slipped to two goals down after only 27 minutes of the first half against 4th placed Letcombe but showed their intention to stay in the promotion race by fighting back to draw.After 21 minutes a cross to the far post allowed Pendell to score with a header for the home team and 6 minutes later they increased their lead when from a free kick Webb stooped low to head home number two.The Saracens fought back and after 37 minutes pulled a goal back from a penalty by Andy Sherlock after a Letcombe defender handled.The second half was all Saracens and Letcombe were forced onto the back foot for 45 minutes but the only goal was scored by Chris Palmer to share the points.A long throw from Marcus Finch was flicked on by Joe Tustain for Palmer to push home on the far post in the 62nd minute.Although the Saracens had several clear cut chances before the end to take all three points they failed to beat the home keeper.The next match on Wednesday at home against 6th place Tytherington Rocks ko 7.30 is decisive as Joe Tustain starts a 35 day ban and Andy Crosskey is serving his last game of a 3 match ban just when manager Gerry Oldham really needs his strongest squad for the promotion push.

L Trowbridge Town 2 1 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 09 February 2008
Attendance 95
M.Finch
(Mom) R. Betteridge

Match Report: In the second encounter in three weeksTrowbridge gained revenge for being knocked out of the League cup and completed the double over the Saracens to dent the hopes of promotion. Luckily several of the top sides also lost which meant that they have not lost much ground.It looked as though there might be a runaway score when after only two minutes Marcus Finch stooped low to head home for the Saracens but they let the lead slip after only 4 minutes when Ranger scored from close range. The rest of the first half belonged to Trowbridge as they conditioned themselves to playing on Chippenhams ground for the first time.After the interval the Saracens came about deternmined to gain all three points and hit the post twice,had a shot cleared off the line and had several one on one chances which were missed and then the they paid for their mistakes when in the 87th minute they allowed the home side to score when failing to clear the ball out of defence.

W Winterbourne United 0 1 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 16 February 2008
Attendance 60
Palmer

Match Report:Missing several key players due to injury and suspension the Saracens stuck to their task of pushing for promotion and came away from Bristol with a valuable three points.It is very tight at the top of the table with only 10 points separating the top 8 teams so it is important that no silly points are dropped over the next few weeks.Although the Saracens controlled the match throughout the only goal was scored by Chris Palmer after 40 minutes when he headed home from a good cross from Carl Griffiths.


Wootton Bassett 1 4 Cheltenham Saracens
League Cup Quarter Final
Saturday, February 2008

Match Report:The Saracens eased into the semi-final of the league cup with an emphatic win at the fellow Division one opponents. Playing an orthodox 4-4-2 formation as he was without several players the team played well but were only 1-0 up at half time scored by Andy Sherlock. After the interval they moved into a 4-0 lead with a completed hat-trick by Sherlock added to a single from Carl Griffiths. Bassett scored a consolation goal with a few minutes to go and also missed a penalty which Ryan Betteridge saved.

Cheltenham Saracens 3 1 Banbury United Reserves Saturday, 23 February 2008
Attendance 29
Sherlock (2), Tovey

Match Report:After the highlight in the week of reaching the semi-final of the League Cup where they will meet either Premier League leaders Almondsbury or Badshot Lea the Saracens had to return to league business and faced a young Banbury side who are struggling at the bottom of the table. They found them hard to break down with the visitors 6ft 6 inch goalkeeper in fine form. Possession was not the problem but the final ball was not the best and the keeper came out and collected every cross easily. It took to the 38th minute when Andy Sherlock ran onto a good through ball and placed it past the keeper although he still managed to get a hand on it but could not stop it rolling over the line. After Gerry Oldham's half time talk the Saracens came out with more determination and increased the lead with goals by Andy Sherlock and Luke Tovey. Sherlock's 2nd goal was a delicate lob over the keeper in the 55th minute followed in the 59th minute when Luke Tovey broke down the left and beat the keeper with a low shot at the near post. The young Banbury team kept fighting and in the 61st minute were awarded a penalty for a push which Reeves scored.

Cheltenham Saracens 1 2 Winterbourne United Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Attendance 43
Sherlock

Cheltenham Saracens 4 1 Cricklade Town Saturday, 01 March 2008
Attendance 48
Finch, Griffiths, Oldham, Sherlock

Match Report: Manager Gerry Oldham showed that he was not happy with the team after losing 2-1 to Winterbourne in the week by placing his two top goalscorers Andy Sherlock and Andy Crosskey on the substitute's bench. The players that started responded and Cricklade were not allowed into the Saracens half for 30 minutes but their supremacy could not be converted into goals. Then in the 30th minutes Ben Carter broke through and was tripped by Alex Moxey in the area giving Cricklade an undeserved lead from the penalty spot.After halftime the team showed more adventurous play and in the first minute of the second half Ryan Oldham ran at the Cricklade defence and as they backed away was able to square the ball for Carl Griffiths to equalise.The inevitable substitution happened when 18 year old Fred Latchford was replaced by Andy Sherlock and in the 65th minute a good cross from the right from Carl Griffiths was headed home firmly by Sherlock.The goal of the match came two minutes later when the ball was knocked out of defence by Cricklade only to be hit first time from the edge of the penalty by Marcus Finch and it flew into the bottom corner of the net giving the keeper no chance.Cricklade tried hard to make the scoreline more respectable but were unable to break down the Saracens defence and could not stop goal number four which was curled in from the right wing by Ryan Oldham. The Saracens are now only two points away from a promotion spot with a match against close rivals Tytherington Rocks on Wednesday at home

Cheltenham Saracens 1 0 Tytherington Rocks Wednesday, 05 March 2008
Attendance 48
Finch

Match Report: Marcus Finch scored the only goal in Saracens' 1-0 win against Tytherington Rocks. The win takes Saracens into 2nd place in the table

Malmesbury Victoria 2 2 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 08 March 2008
Attendance 27
Hughes, Sherlock

Match Report: After moving themselves into 2nd spot in the league with the good 1-0 win against Tytherington Rocks in the week the Saracens slipped up again and lost two points with this draw at Malmesbury. The home side have been showing much improved form over the last two months and shocking several of the top teams.This draw has now dropped the Saracens into third place and they must move back onto the winning trail next Saturday against fourth placed Easington Sports.Two uncharacteristic defensive errors resulted in the two goals for Malmesbury and the first was by the reliable keeper Ryan Betteridge who allowed the ball to slip through his hands.By half time the Saracens had drawn level when Stuart Hughes prodded home the ball after a goalmouth scramble.Malmesbury went in front in the second half when following a mix-up between Luke Tovey and Alex Moxey it allowed a Malmesbury forward to run onto a loose ball to score.Andy Sherlock saved face when he scored with a typical individual effort just before the final whistle.This is now the eighth draw of the season and manager Gerry Oldham must try to motivate the team to gain the promotion spot.Joe Tustain will return to the squad after his 35 day after a runout with the reserves on Tuesday at home against Headington.

Almondsbury 1 0 Cheltenham Saracens Wed, 21 March 2008
League Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg

Wootton Bassett Town 1 4 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 22 March 2008
Attendance 57
Griffiths, Sherlock (2), Tustain

Match Report: In their third meeting of the season the Saracens ran out deserved winners against the Wiltshire club in their push for promotion and moved into third place following the results of the teams around them.With the forward line being well led by Joe Tustain the home defence were unable to contain the pace of Andy Sherlock,Carl Griffiths and Andy Crosskey and the half time 2-0 scoreline was well deserved by the Saracens.The first goal came from a free kick by Tee Jay Bick which was collected by Andy Sherlock and he scored with a spectacular overhead kick.For the second Sherlock become provider when his pinpoint cross was headed home by Joe Tustain. Before the break Andy Crosskey hit the crossbar with a powerful shot from outside the area.Wootton Bassett fought back at the start of the second half when they forced a corner and a poor clearance from defence by the Saracens gifted them a lifeline but it was from another of their corners when the Saracens broke away and Andy Crosskey found Andy Sherlock in full flight and he scored his second.The fourth was created by Joe Tustain whose first time pass found Carl Griffiths who gave the home goalkeeper no chance to secure a comfortable win.The next match is on Monday away at Launton Sports who are currently midtable in their first season and manager Gerry Oldham needs three more points to keep in the chase at the top.

Launton Sports 2 6 Cheltenham Saracens Monday, 24 March 2008
Attendance 34
Bick, Sherlock (3), Tustain

Pewsey Vale 1 0 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 29 March 2008
Attendance 32

Match Report: The Saracens promotion hopes took a set back with this loss at Pewsey in terrible conditions. On arrival the referee called both managers together and was willing to call the match off but it was agreed to at least start and see how the weather developed. As it happened the rained continued and good football from either side was limited.Joe Tustain and Andy Crosskey worked tirelessly up front trying to open up the home defence but the scoreline remained stalemate at half time.With Andy Sherlock and Carl Griffiths not available Gerry Oldham's attacking options were limited and the best chances came from midfield where Marcus Finch broke through twice,once he hit the post and the other the keeper just touched round for a corner.Knowing that they had to keep winning to stay in the promotion race Gerry Oldham changed to 3-4-3 which in the end was probably their downfall although they created more chances.With just three minutes remaining Pewsey broke down the left and the cross into the penalty area was scrambled home at the second attempt by Ritchie.

Cheltenham Saracens 2 2 Malmesbury Victoria Saturday, 12 April 2008
Attendance 26
Sherlock, Tustain

Match Report: The Saracens threw away two points in this match and any chance of winning the division.With nine points separating the top six teams in the division there is still a chance of finishing in the top three and gaining promotion to the Premier division but as well as winning the last two matches results from the other contenders need to go their way.Although Trowbridge lost 1-0 to Pewsey Vale they are still favourites to finish in the top three with Old Woodstock and Winterbourne but the Saracens must still win the last two matches on Wednesday Home to Easington and Saturday away to Purton to keep on the pressure.
Throughout the match the Saracens were dominant and camped in the Malmesbury half but could only go in at half time 1-1 with a penalty by Andy Sherlock following a trip on Carl Griffiths after 19 minutes.Poor marking allowed Malmesbury to equalise on 37 minutes with a on one situation by goalkeeper Ryan Betteridge..Just on half time a lob by Andy Sherlock hit the post but their dominance did not produce more goals.The second half was a repeat of the first when the Saracens hit the woodwork three time before substitute Joe Tustin headed home a corner in the 75th minute. In the 88th minute Marcus Finch broke clear and slipped as he was about to cross to an unmarked Andy Sherlock which would have sealed the three points but from this attack Malmesbury pushed forward and the Saracens failed to clear their lines which gave them an underserved second goal from a tap in.

Cheltenham Saracens 3 0 Easington
Wednesday 16, April 2008
Attendance 35
Sherlock, Tovey (2)

Match Report: Saracens moved into 3rd spot with this win, keeping their slim hopes of promotion alive. Easington's keeper made a couple of good saves in the 1st half to keep the scores level. But Saracens made the early breakthrough in the 2nd half when Luke Tovey scored from close range, following good work from Teejay Bick. He added the second when Joe Tustain turned the defender and Tovey smashed the ball into the net. Matt Masling put Andy Sherlock through and he added the 3rd late on.

Purton 0 7 Cheltenham Saracens Saturday, 19 April 2008
Attendance 28
Finch, Griffiths, Sherlock (2), Tustain (3)

Match Report: The Saracens finished the season on a high note in their last match with seven goals without reply.It took just 22 minutes to break down the home defence when a through ball by Luke Tovey was picked up by Andy Sherlock to score from close range.Joe Tustain added number two when a similar move allowed him to slip the ball under the advancing keeper on 32 minutes.Tustain added his second when a good through ball by Marcus Finch caught the home defence square which made the scoreline 3-0 at half time.Purton came out more determined in the second half and it took another 25 minutes before substitute Carl Griffiths scored on the far post from a corner with his first touch.6 minutes later Marcus Finch robbed a home defender of the ball and ran through to score and Joe Tustain completed his hattrick on 86 minutes when he headed home from a corner.The best goal of the match was scored by Andy Sherlock when he received a ball which he flicked over his marker to score with a first time volley from the edge of the penalty area.