Sam’s Section: Hartpury in cup double-header action and Hellenic Premier rivalries return in Gloucestershire

Another action packed weekend of football awaits us all and to everybody’s luck it’s all kicks off on Thursday night.

Forecasted weather doesn’t look promising over the next couple of days but that shouldn’t stop some cup action, Hellenic League Premier match-ups and a solo Stroud Leagues Division One clash.

So let’s take a look at some of the action from across Gloucestershire starting at Hartpury University who have two cup fixtures in the space of three days.

Hartpury University v Shortwood United (Challenge Trophy, Hartpury University Stadium, Thursday December 5^th, KO 19:45)

Hartpury University v Wells City (FA Vase, Hartpury University Stadium Saturday December 7^th, KO 15:00)

It’s a cup double-header at Hartpury this week following Hartpury University opening a comfortable six point lead at the top of the Hellenic Premier.

Hartpury came out 1-0 winners against their chasers Roman Glass St George on Tuesday night and now get set to take on Shortwood United on Thursday for a spot in the Challenge Trophy Quarter-Finals.

A win on Thursday night would see Hartpury equal last season’s Challenge Trophy run where they did make the quarter finals but came unstuck against Cinderford Town.

But the big day comes on Saturday when the university side bid to make the Fourth Round of the FA Vase for the third straight season when they take on Western League Division One side, Wells City.

Hartpury will be carrying some impressive form into these cup fixtures currently enjoying a 16 game unbeaten streak, a run that dates back to early September.

Slimbridge v Longlevens (Hellenic League Premier, Thornhill Park, Friday December 6^th, KO 19:45)

A tasty game awaits Thornhill Park as Slimbridge welcome rivals Longlevens for some Friday night action, hoping that the weather plays on their side.

The Swans are currently not enjoying their best period of the season coming off the back of successive defeats leaving them 12^th in the Hellenic Premier and winless in their last three games.

Levens are also on a three game winless run but have struggled for large portions of the season which sees them sit 17^th and five points off the drop zone.

Revenge might be wanted by the visiting Levens who suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Swans at Saw Mills back in September and have since won just twice since.

Tuffley Rovers v Fairford Town (Hellenic League Premier, Glevum Park, Saturday December 7^th, KO 15:00)

Probably the standout game in the Hellenic League on Saturday is a 10^th v 7^th clash which could see a complete switch in positions.

Tuffley Rovers (10^th) host Fairford Town (7^th) with a single point separating the two sides heading into Saturday’s clash.

A win for Tuffley would see them leapfrog their opponents but a Fairford will be hunting all three points to continue their push back towards the play-off spots.

Both sides enjoyed Challenge Trophy victories in midweek with Tuffley defeating Cheltenham Saracens 2-0 and Fairford overcoming Newent Town 3-1.

But in the league both sides are looking to get back to winning ways as Tuffley were well beaten 4-0 by Royal Wootton Bassett and Fairford lost out 3-1 at home to Hartpury last Saturday.

Follow Sam Yapp on Twitter (X) @SJY_Journo for more

READ MORE: Check out Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here

READ MORE: Check out Sunday’s Women’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here

Cover photo taken by and copyright to Brian Rossiter. Check out his Flickr account for all of his pictures by clicking here