Stroud League Div 1 - Saturday 19th April

Leonard Stanley 0 Matson 0

Stanley were held at home to a completely different Matson team that they beat in the opposite fixture two weeks ago.
The home team enjoyed the opening exchanges with Bradley Brinkworth and Joe Yemm wasting glorious chances, the visitors also had a couple of chances but their goalkeepeer was kept busy. Stanley went into the break not having played their best but should have been in front

The second half was very similar to the first and keeper Jon Summers did not have anything to do untill in the dying moments where he had to come out to meet crosses. Skipper Phil Fanstone had the best chance with 5 minutes to go when he failed to beat the keeper having burst through to a one on one situation.
Stanley will count themselves unlucky not to have won but now only need a few more points to secure third place as they have now their midweek fixtures to wrap up.

Leonard Stanley Reserves 3 ..Matchplay Reeves 1

Leonard stanley Reserves beat Matchplay Reeves to secure their division 5 status for next season, goals came from Carl ??, Paul Walker and Neil Sims.

Leonard Stanley Reserves secured a place in the Stroud Charity Cup Final with a convincing 3-1 victory over .... The final is to be held at Slimbridge on the 7th May.

Stroud League Div 1 - Saturday 12th April

Shurdington Rovers 1-4 Leonard Stanley 4

Stanley came into the game with several players missing.But having kicked off with the wind in their favour it only took them 10 minutesto go ahead. Rob Harkins long free kick found Joe Yemm who thundered a header against the bar, Tom Williams following up slotted home the rebound. After this Stanley found it difficult to play football and after Jake Woods gave the ball away, the opposing left winger found himself in space to cross for his striker to head home from close range.
This woke Stanley up and went up the other end to force the hosts under long periods of pressure. Another great ball by Harkins saw Dave Broadley beat the off-side trap to cooly chip the advancing keeper. The score stayed the same until half time with Stanley knowing they had their work cut out after the break kicking up the slope and against the strong wind.

In the second half Stanley came out like a different side that ended the first half . The impressive Bradley Brinkworth controlling the game in the centre of the park. Stanley battled well with Rog Merrett winning everything in the air and after the defence of stand-in skipper Roberts, Yemm and debutant Adrian someone stood firm with keeper Summers only having to deal with balls running through to him. With 25 mintues to go Williams again came up with a decisive finish - an excellent solo goal that capped this young lads capability. This allowed the visitors to settle and enjoy the remainder of the game as Shurdington threw everything at Stanley's defence. They stood firm and Woods went on a maizy run and was fouled by a defender, this time the referee pointed to the spot. Woods stepped up to slot cooly home the spot kick with 5 mintues remaining, this allowed Roberts senior to grace the pitch replacing Harkins to sure up the midfield, ensuring Stanley returned with all 3 points from Shurdington for the first time in 5 years!

Stroud League Div 1 - Saturday 5th April

Matson FC ,,0... Leonard Stanley .4

Stanley went into this tricky fixture with one eye on the County cup final on Tuesday worrying what they would be in for and trying to remain fit for Tueday.
The conditions were not the best with a small and very bobbly pitch this stopped Stanley's flowing football and created a very scrappy game. In the first 15 mintues honours were very much even until Tony D'allesandro's long ball decieved the keeper to fall under the bar to give Stanley a suprising lead. The hosts came straight back into the game with Roberts having to make a last ditch tackle and Summers saving well twice from free kicks.
As Brinkworth continued to terrorise the hosts defence he saw a great cross helped on by D'allesandro for Roberts to cheekily flick the ball in for 2-0. Minutes later the same player beat the offside trap to fire home from 18 yards.
Stanley were in cruise control at the break without having played the football they are capable of.

The second half saw Stanley go through the motions and as both defences stood firm the game was petering away. Then substitute Tom Williams flicked the ball through for Brinkworth to cross towards Fanstone and the opposing defender headed spectacularly into his own net.
Kev Watkins fouled on the edge of the box with 7 minutes remaining but the hosts could not beat Summers and as Fanstone went clear he was brought down and injured in the process only for the official to not have spotted
it. With 1 minute left the hosts has a thuderous shot from 25 yards smash against the post as Summers could only watch.
The game came to an end and now Stanley must wait on the fitness of the Fanstone brothers, as both picked up knocks that could rule them out for Tuesdays final, which would be a huge blow for Acklands men who are looking to put last years disapointments behind them

KO 7-30 - Slimbridge Tuesday, We'd love to see you all there!!!!

Stroud League Div 1 - Sat. 29th March

Frampton Utd 1 ....Leonard Stanley 1

After a disappointing performance at home to Frampton the previous week, the league leaders found Stanley in a much more resolute mood in the return fixture. Stanley were missing key players but could at least be
thankful for the return of Rob Winfield who excelled in the centre of defence. Frampton found it difficult to get their game together and it was the visitors who at times played the best football. At half time it was goal less.

Five minutes into the second half Stanley were ahead - Tom Williams who was partnering Matt Fanstone in attack slotted the ball home from close range. Unfortunatley the lead was shortlived for Stanley and Frampton came back and equalised 5 minutes later. As the game went on Stanley looked like they could be the most likely winners. However, in helping to achieve a valuable point Jon Summers in the Stanley goal pulled off a couple of stunning saves and Jake Woods performed superbly in midfield along with Bradley Brinkworth.

Stroud League Div 5

ROBERTS ROLLS BACK THE YEARS TO HIT HAT TRICK

Leonard Stanley Reserves 5... Glevum Utd 8

Should a man of 50+ still be donning the boots and turning out to play? well, on this eveidence. yes he certainly should! . . . Ken Roberts got the call very late for this match, infact he had travelled with the first team to Frampton before making the dash back to Stanley Park to star in this relegation battle.
Neil Sims put Stanley ahead on 12 minutes and Stanley were two up midway through the half when Dave Walker found the back of the net. Glevum came back and were soon level, but Roberts twice arrived in the area from the centre of defence to restore and then increase Stanley's lead before, firstly with the left and then with head. Glevum reduced the deficit before half time making the score 4 - 3 at the break.
The Gloucester visitors were faster out of the traps for the second period and went on a scoring spree to gain a comfortable 6 - 4 lead. But Stanley were not to be easily turned over and Ken Roberts found the net with his right foot to complete his 'perfect' hat trick having scored with the left, right and head. Sadly for Stanley Glevum finished off by scoring two more goald making the final score 5 - 8.
Rob Harkins had played well for Stanley along with Dave Hoskins who gave an solid performance at right back.

Stroud League Div 1 - Sat. 22nd March

Leonard Stanley 1....Frampton United 2

Stanleys promotion hopes suffered a major, if not fatal setback with a home defeat to the league leaders.
The visitors started brightly and caused Stanley problems with their pace and after only ten mintues they were in front with a drive past the less than 100% fit Jon Summers.
Stanley came back into the game with a couple of half chances but a mix up with their defence saw them fall even further behind to a second sloppy goal. Stanley battled after this and with the game becomming very scruffy and a sequence of bad challenges by the visitors. Their were some ugly tackles, a stamping incident and a major show of handbags in the centre circle, but the referee chose to let things go unpunished which saw the game become even more physical and threatened to get out of hand. Order was restored and the man in black eventually got back the rerspect of the teams
Stanley went into the break teo down and deservingly so, with the lack of optimism that we have come to expect from the team.
The second half was scrappy but Stanley were competing now, but more bad challenges followed. The visitors looked good going forward and missed a couple of clean cut chances to seal the game.
Brinkworth brought Stanley back in the game with 5 mintues to go with a cross that rebounded off the Frampton defender into the back of the net.
Stanley piled forward for an unlikely point but it was not to be.
Stanley now travel to the league leaders next week looking to gain revenge but with this performance has to be improved as this young Stanley side looks to mature.
Results elsewherewent in Stanley's favour so they still find themselves in thrid place but have got to produce better football and more maturity if they want to maintain this position.

Stroud League Div 1 - Sat. 15th March

Longlevens 0..... Leonard Stanley 2

It was back to league duties this week as Stanley took on a strong Longlevens outfit in difficult conditions and with the pitch getting wetter by the minute. Stanley found it hard to get to grips with the conditions but in a very scrappy first half stanley created the better of the chances. The hosts looked dangerous on  the break and following a spot of confusion between Roberts and Danny Leach a Longlevens striker found himself in a one on one but found his shot superbly saved by Jon Summers in the Stanley goal. This was the only real opportunity they had in the first half. Stanley came back into the game and with a new strike partnership - as manager Ackland plays the squad rotation system - Brothers Phil and Matt Fanstone up front caused the hosts defence trouble. They linked up on the half hour mark Phil rounded the advancing keeper only for the covering defender to bring him down. Brother Matt stepped up but blasted wide from the spot, much to the travelling supporters amazement.

Stanley started the second half brightly with Matt Fanstone linking up with Roberts only to be brought down as he closed in on goal. The resultant free kick by Roberts saw the keeper save well.
The hosts came back into the game and forced Stanley onto the back foot applying considerable pressure, Summers had to be on his toes again as he came out to stop the striker having a goal bound effort on goal where summer had to put his body on the line to clear.
Rog Merrett and Jack Lish continued to battle in the middle of the park and this gave Michael Trench the licence to roam. He did so with 23 mintues to go and set off on a maizey run after recieving the ball from substitute Brinkworth, he rounded the defence only to be brought down for the second penalty of the game. This time Roberts stepped up to rifle home to give Stanley a tender lead. This knocked the stuffing out of the hosts and Matt Fanstone could have made the result look a lot easier but he squandered a couple of chances.
With ten mintues to go Stanley scored a second when the hosts failed to clear from a corner and Lish was on hand to head the ball home. Stanley then took their foot off the gas and in the dying moments Summers again had to be quick off his line to save from the advancing striker.
Stanley could have played better and could have made it easier for themselves, but another 3 points sees them rise to dizzy heights of 3rd in the Stroud League division 1 table.

County Cup Semi-Final - Sat. 1st March

Ebley Omega 1 ....Leonard Stanley 2

Leonard Stanley came into the game full of confidence on the back of their recent good league form.
In the opening exchanges both teams were cautious the hosts forced Stanley on to the back foot on several occasions with their direct football which made use of Uppingtons long throws. Stanley dealt with these well with the excellent Jon Summers coming off his line well and Rog Merrett winning the aerial battles. Stanley did however look good on the break and after Jake Woods was brought down on the right handside he lofted a cross in, Andrew Roberts rose well infront of his man to head the ball goal bound, as the home keeper hesitated up popped Dave Broadley to prod the ball into the net to give Stanley the lead on 28 minutes. Ebley came right back, attacking down both flanks with their long balls being used very effectively. On 40 minutes a long ball found Uppington who went on a run on the right, as he cut into the box Stanley full back Dan Leach clipped the frontman and down he went, the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Uppington stepped up and sent Summers the wrong way to make honours even. Stanley found the narrow pitch and surface difficult to play controlled football on and Ebley continued to have the upper hand and Stanleys' attacks were few and far between. At the interval a fair reflection of a scrappy first half was the 1 - 1 score line.

With Stanley against the wind, they came out in the second half in a more determined frame of mind, and managed to get the ball down and play some football, this gave Stanley belief that they could win the game Roberts linked up with Fanstone and as Fanstone played a superb ball for Roberts he advanced one on one only for the goal keeper to save superbly on two occasions to deny Roberts. Ebley continued to threaten with the long throw tactic but Merrett was still winning the aerial battles.
On 67 minutes manager Dean Ackland acted quickly to change the game and introduced Michael Trench who replaced Tony D'allesandro . Trench's first touch was to set up Matt Fanstone who produced his magic by turning to rifle a left foot volley past the diving keeper to put Stanley 2-1 up. After this Stanley dug in and defended brilliantly with Phil Fanstone and Joe Yemm on guard with Summers dealing with long balls into the box. Stanley's second substitution was less successful, Kurt Doyle replaced Dan Leach but was sent off soon after for abusive comments to a linesman. On only one occasion Stanley's defence failed to deal with the long throw but Roberts blocked on the line. Fanstone thought he had made it safe on 84 minutes but he was adjudged to have handled as he tore the Ebley defence apart before rounding the keeper to tap home. Stanley were not to be denied there return to the final as of last year as the 10 men hung on to claim the win.

Stanley now have a week off where they will re-fuel and concentrate on the legue for the rest of the season until the final in April.
LSFC would like to thank all that supported us on Saturday away from home and cheered the boys through to the FINAL.

Stroud League Division 1 - Sat 23rd February

Leonard Stanley 1 ....Whitminster 0

Stanley welcomed back Brinkworth and Jackson who both had to settle for a place on the bench as Ackland started the same team as in the previous week in the rout over local rivals.
With Stanley kicking against a strong wind they  started well but little football was to be played as the visitors pegged back the hosts. In a somewhat quiet half Whitminster looked most dangerous on set pieces and Summers in the Stanley goal had to be on his toes on numberous occasions without having to make a save. Whitminster had a couple of penalty appeals turned down with the referee well placed on each occasion. Stanley looked at their most dangerous on the break with Whitminsters keeper making a couple of fine saves from Roberts who may had been better squaring to the advancing Broadley, Fanstone also went close on an occasion, Stanley had a couple chances with set pieces but 0-0 at the break was inevitable.

Stroud League Division 1 - Sat 16th February

Leonard Stanley 6 ....Kings Stanley 0

There have been many derby matches between Leonard and Kings Stanley II down the years, the difference between the teams is usually as narrow as the stream that separates the two parishes. So it was rare that the gap in class should be so wide. Leonard Stanley came into the match welcoming back Rog Merrett but were without Brinkworth who withdrew through illness. The home side were quick out the blocks against the struggling visitors who due to a recent dip in form have slumped towards the foot of the table. Dave Broadley had an early one on one but brought a good save out of visiting keeper Nigel Sanders.
After 15 mintues a long ball was made from Jack Lish and Broadley rose well to cause the defence problems. As they struggled to deal with it Roberts piped up to played in Broadley who hit a good shot from 18 yards only to see it parried by Sanders. Lish had stormed into the box and was on hand to follow up to give 'Leonard' the lead.
The visitors came back well and Jon Summers had to be on his toes to save from an excellent turn and shot by the visiting striker. The resulting corner was not dealt with but Yemm was on his toes to clear. Stanley came back with direct football and long balls causing the visitors all sorts of problems. Defender Dan Leach got forward well down the left hand side to beat two players before squaring to Roberts who's goalward shot benefited from a deflection to put them two up.

With the largest Crowd of the season still in the bar quenching there thirst. The visitors stuggled with another great long ball by Lish to find Matt Fanstone and after a rare quiet first half for the prolific striker he brought the

ball down well and rifled a thunderous left foot shot past Nigel Sanders into the roof of the net.
Stanley now looked to have secured the points and minutes later it was Fanstone again who shoed a majestic touch before rifling a shot on the bounce into the top corner surpassing the goal he scored moments earlier. As the hosts took their foot off the gas, Phil Fanstone handled to give away a penalty - the only thing the skipper did wrong in the afternoon . RefereeColin Ward was only a few yards away and had no hesitation awarding the kick, a decision that was proved to be correct when the replay was shown. Luke Barstow put the ball on the spot and sent Summers the wrong way only for him to save superbly with his legs and push the ball over the bar.
'Leonard' then went up the other end and Roberts spotted Broadley's superb run fed him the ball to see him finish from close range. As the half wore on Stanley introduced Tom Williams who grabbed the last goal of the game with almost his first touch. Mark Collins also came into the action only to go off on a stretcher five minutes later with a suspected career threatening injury!
But Acklands men seen out the game with a clean sheet to see their goal difference double and Kins Stanley still struggling at the foot of the table!