Bitton 3 Bridlington Town 2

Bitton staged a remarkable recovery from being 2-0 down in three minutes to set up a last gasp winner and take the Toolstation Charity Cup at a sunny Fairfax Park, Bridgwater on Saturday afternoon writes Kerry Miller.

A Matt Groves strike seconds from the end sent Yorkshire side Bridlington Town home empty handed after an excellent match, which was a credit to both the Western and the Northern Counties East Leagues.

Bridlington arrived at Fairfax Park having ended last season in third place behind champions Worksop Town and Penistone Church, who won the cup last year, and it soon became obvious why as Matt Broadley slung in an inch perfect cross for Joe McFadyen to volley past Bitton keeper Sam Burgess via a slight deflection with a minute on the clock. With their next attack the square defence was rooted as McFadyen latched onto a through ball and lobbed Burgess from 25 yards out to make it 2-0 inside three minutes and when seconds later McFadyen was free in the box with the defence struggling, only a last ditch tackle robbed the striker of one of the quickest ever hat-tricks.

Remarkably for the visitors, who made the journey down that morning, that was as good as it got, for Dan Langdon’s men regrouped and began to claim a toe hold on the game and five minutes later the lead was halved as Alex Grimshaw found room on the left and Groves nodded home his cross. Happily for the supporters this was anything but a pre-season friendly stroll and with Dean Griffiths’ strength causing problems up front and some incisive passing fotball from both sides more goals were on the cards. Burgess tipped over a free-kick on the half hour and Griffiths had a drive well saved by James Hitchcock then Groves’ superb first touch allowed him to set up Josh Egan but he volleyed over from 12 yards.

Just on half-time Bitton levelled when Groves’ curled in a corner which somehow ended up in the net via a defender’s head and from a seemingly disastrous opening Bitton were playing some great stuff and were right back in the game.

Right from the restart Bitton went at Bridlington and Griffiths had another drive saved by Hitchcock before the Yorkshiremen showed they were still in there pitching as Ben Lewis was just wide with a left foot drive. Bitton substitute Mitch Tipping then had an effort of his own held before Egan hit the bar with a shot and with both sides going for the win and penalties looming Fraser Papprill was close with a free-kick for Town. McFadyen was inches away from a match-winning hat-trick five minutes from time but it wasn’t to be and soon after Groves drove in the winner to make sure the Toolstation Cup resides in Bristol for the next 12 months as Bitton prepared in style for another tilt at the Western League title.

Our thanks to James Healey for his excellent photos which you can view BY CLICKING HERE

We are pleased to announce that James Healey joins the Western League as our Social Media Manager. James has a wealth of experience having worked within football media for a number of years. James will be looking at working closely with all teams in the Western League and is welcome to any ideas clubs have to help drive engagement on social media.

James said: "As a lifelong follower and supporter of Western League football, I am looking forward to working alongside all of the clubs this season.

If any clubs have any ideas to drive engagement and interest in the league, please don't hesitate to contact me at james.healey@toolstationleague.com

Toolstation side Almondsbury FC are looking for a Reserve team manager to run our Suburban Premier Division team and work closely with the first team Manager.

The successful candidate will also be required to take a strong interest in overseeing/developing and progression of his side, whilst promoting younger talent into the first team. He will have a good knowledge of the game and assist with coaching sessions when required and have the ability to attract playing staff to strengthen the club. Coupled with an appetite for the game and looking to develop ones future in management at a senior level. Coaching badges are preferred; however FA coaching badges are made available to the successful candidates.

All interested parties please forward your interest in writing to club secretary Mr Doug Coles >> Doug2004.coles@blueyonder.co.uk

Due to the resignation of our current manager, Chipping Sodbury Town FC are seeking to appoint a new manager for the First Team who are in the Toolstation Premier Division. We are looking for a suitable person to take CSTFC football club to the next level.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right person to make their own mark at Chipping Sodbury Town FC . We are seeking someone with the capability to not only develop the players in the First team but to share a vision for the whole football club.

The new manager must form good relationships with the managers of the Reserves, A Team and Under 18's. It is desirable for the manager to have/be working towards an FA coaching qualification. CSTFC want someone who has the desire and the commitment to take this club/team forward.

Please contact me on the number below if you think you are the right person for this role.

Les Theobald (CSTFC General Secretary) 07745299351

Applications for the vacancy must be made via the email. Please email your CV to leslietheobald@btinternet.com. Your application will be strictly confidential.

If you would be interested in taking part in this study, please email: Dr Ross Watkins

The Somerset FA are now recruiting for the 2019/2020 Youth Council.

We are looking to build a team of 12 young people between the ages of 16-24 from across Somerset to represent children and young people and help shape and develop football in this county.

The newly appointed team of young people will build on the success of last year’s team. The structure and roles have changed to reflect the priorities of the group moving forwards. Somerset FA Youth Council will have an impact on the children and young people network playing and supporting the game, the Youth Council have a vision of inspiring and empowering all people in football to have a positive impact on and within the game. The Youth Council will aim to achieve this by delivering specific projects and engaging within grassroots football.

The Somerset FA Youth Council not only looks to develop and represent football within the county, but to also develop its members, professional skills and offer a unique opportunity to be a part of Somerset FA, create and deliver projects and gain support from those already working within the game.

All positions within the Somerset FA Youth Council are voluntary; however we are able to pay expenses to cover part of travel costs to monthly meetings being at Somerset FA HQ, in Glastonbury.

For further details and to apply please follow THIS LINK

The FA have issued the regulations for the operation of the National League System.

You can read the regulations and download a copy BY CLICKING HERE

The draw for the preliminary round of the Les Phillips Cup was made during the AGM last night and was as follows:
Hengrove Athletic v Bristol Telephones
Brislington v Bishop Sutton
Cadbury Heath v Tavistock
Wellington v Roman Glass St George
Oldland Abbotonians v Portishead Town
Wincanton Town v Street
Odd Down (Bath) v Lebeq United
Almondsbury v Exmouth Town
Sherborne Town v Radstock Town

Matches to be played on 17th & 18th September.

The 133rd AGM of The International FA Board (The IFAB) in Aberdeen, Scotland on 2 March 2019 approved a number of amendments to, and clarifications of, the Laws of the Game for 2019/20. Three changes were approved following 2 years of worldwide experiments:
• The introduction of yellow and red cards for misconduct by team officials
• A player being substituted leaving the field at the nearest point on the boundary line
• At a goal kick and a free kick for the defending team in their own penalty area, the ball is in play as soon as the kick is taken (it can be played before it leaves the penalty area).

Other changes include: clearer wording for 'handball', attacking team players must be at least 1m away from a defensive ‘wall’, the goalkeeper only has to have one foot on the goal line at a penalty kick, and a new dropped ball procedure (including a dropped being awarded if the ball hits a match official and goes into the goal, team possession changes or a promising attack starts).

You can download the full document of changes BY CLICKING HERE

The League's Annual Convention took place between Friday 10th May and Sunday 12th May at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth.

It has been a great season and our congratulations to all the award winners.

Photos from the awards dinner can be viewed BY CLICKING HERE

Plymouth Parkway ran out 2-1 winners against league champions Willand Rovers to lift the Les Phillips Cup.

Our thanks to Sherborne Town for hosting the final. And thanks also to Ian Nockolds and Ray Johnston for providing live match commentary.

Thanks also to John Cuthbertson for his excellent photos which you can view BY CLICKING HERE

More photos of the final can be viewed BY CLICKING HERE

The Photo of the Season was won by John Newport and was judged by last year's winner, Debbie Gould. Congratulations to John.

Our thanks to all the photographers who take the time and trouble to record our matches. Over the past season there have been some outstanding shots.

You can view all the entries to the competition BY CLICKING HERE

After a thrilling three-way battle, Willand Rovers were crowned Western League champions on Saturday after their 1-1 draw away to Bitton. Their tally of 95 points proved to be enough, with Plymouth Parkway and Bitton falling just short despite each passing the 90-point barrier.

Keynsham Town were crowned First Division Champions on Easter Monday after their 2-1 home win against Ashton & Backwell United.

Director Julian French presents the First Division Team of the Month award for February to Longwell Green Sports.

Pictured are Tom Smallman (Captain) and Mitch Hodge.

The Grant Application Service has been in place for three years now and in that time it has helped a number of clubs in the Western League to achieve successful grant awards totalling £500k

The Service provides advice and guidance to clubs who are looking to update their infrastructure as well as hands on management where required.

The Service can provide advice on all aspeces of grant funding, including planning, finding suppliers and completion of all necessary documents to run your project or prepare documents for the Football Association or other lottery funds.

There is no cost at the initial stage and where a more hands on approach is required in general the costs are low, as costs can be claimed back from the grant received.

Clubs we have assisted so far include Barnstaple, Gillingham, Oldland Abbotonians, Keynsham, Street, Cheddar, Plymouth Parkway.

If you would like to discuss your club's infrastructure needs and funding, please call Steve Nicholls on 07454320934 or Martin on 07754543719

Keep up to date with all the latest fixtures and results for the Toolstation Western Football League. Follow your favourite Western League club with the 'Clubhouse' giving you their last result and their next fixture. Get directions to the match at the touch of a button using your devices maps app. Find information about all the Western League clubs including admission prices, kick off times and contact details.

Our thanks to Cocoon Development for writing and developing both our apps.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP

The new Toolstation Legaue App for iPhone and iPad is now available to download.

Keep up to date with all the latest fixtures and results for the Toolstation Western Football League. Follow your favourite Western League club with the 'CLUB HOUSE' giving you their last result and their next fixture. Get directions to the match at the touch of a button using your devices maps app. Find information about all the Western League clubs including admission prices, kick off times and contact details and more...

Click on the image to download the our new App now!

Information is available on how to recognise concussion and on how concussion should be managed from the time of injury through to safe return to football. At all levels in football, if a player is suspected of having a concussion, they must be immediately removed from the pitch, whether in training or match play.

You can dowload a copy of the FA's Booklet by following this link

The current men and women of Her Majesty's Armed Forces are doing such an exceptional job both at home and abroad during these difficult times.

The Toolstation Western Football League is proud to offer all current serving members of HM Forces FREE ADMISSION to all League matches.

Proof of ID will be all that is required at the turnstile.