Chalford secure top eight finish with narrow win over Quedgeley Wanderers
Chalford secured their successive top eight finish in the Gloucestershire County League, with a 1-0 win away at Quedgeley Wanderers on Tuesday night.
Tyrel Roberts came off the bench to fire home the winner in a tight, closely fought game that felt like a typical end of season fixture.
Chalford finish 8th in their second Gloucestershire County League season, one place lower than last season’s debut campaign – but collecting three more points with a new look side, showing obvious signs of progress.
Beckem Foley’s side have also shown a remarkable amount of progress this season, finishing 6th in the league having finished 13th, 14th and 13th in their last three seasons.
Quedgeley now have their Les James League Cup final against Frampton United on Saturday to look forward to, with the game being played at Sharpness.
Quedgeley started well, pressing high and getting into good areas – without really creating many clear cut chances.
Chalford had the first two efforts of the evening, with Ryan Harry denied at the near post by Jon Dix, before Travis Cooke fired over from 25 yards.
Billy Osabuohien had Quedgeley’s first shot on 18 minutes, after some quick feet on the edge of the box before dragging wide.
The first half petered out from there, with Chalford flashing a couple of dangerous crosses in from the left, but no one was in the box to turn home.
The second half saw a number of substitutions in the first 15 minutes, making the game very stop start and lacking any quality.
Uriah Townsend, who impressed at centre half, carried the ball forward for Chalford and after skipping past three or four Quedgeley players, just couldn’t find the pass to Zach Marshfield on the left side of the box.
Marshfield did get on the ball on 67 minutes and picked out fellow substitute Tyrel Roberts in the box, who finished into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.
Townsend went on another run forward before finding Billy Kinder, who fizzed an effort wide from 20 yards out.
It was a great second half showing from Chalford, who were good value for their win in the end.
Full back Kieran Moore ventured forward in the final 10 minutes, but flashed his effort across the goal and wide.
Jack Lewis had two good chances late on for Chalford, with his first chance deflected wide for a corner and his second blocked by Dix at his near post.
Chalford saw the game out easily enough with Quedgeley focused on Saturday’s cup final against Frampton.
The match also marked a final appearance for Chalford keeper Duane Portlock, who announced on his social media before the game that he was hanging up his gloves after the match. And in typical fashion, he didn’t really have many saves to make.
Quedgeley Wanderers: Dix, Moroney, Clifford, Venn, Hansen, Pledger, Wells, Wilkes, Osabuohien, Amankwah, Keith
Subs: Langworthy, Jeffries, Peyton, Price, O’Shea
Chalford: Portlock, Miller, Moore, Mills, Townsend, Evans, Kinder, Keylock, Lewis, Harry, Cooke
Subs: Foster, Newell, Harris, Roberts, Marshfield
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Uriah Townsend (Chalford)
