Minety Reserves produce five star display to bring curtain down on Stroud League season

Minety Reserves secured promotion in the last game of the Stroud League season, beating Barnwood United 3rds 5-0 in the Division Five Play-off final at Tuffley Rovers on Friday night.

Both sides finished runners up in the North/South divisions respectively, but it was the Division Five South side who settled quickest and showed the quality to get over the line.

Beau Hicks scored a hattrick, including two first half efforts to leave his side 2-0 up at half time. As Barnwood pushed for a route back in the game during the second half, Minety were clinical in seeing the game out.

Martin Rice and Ryan Driscoll added their names to the score sheet as Minety secured promotion in comfortable fashion.

The game concludes another great season for the Stroud League, with a shake up set to happen in the leagues above – the Stroud League remains as strong and competitive as ever, with a number of new teams registering interest in joining the league for the 2026/27 season.

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Minety settled into a good rhythm on Friday night and took an early lead when Beau Hicks was found on the right side of the box and he drilled across goal and into the bottom corner.

Barnwood Captain Wes Clarke cleared off the line on 14 minutes, as his side had to weather a minor storm.

Alex Hale drilled wide from 18 yards for Barnwood, after Darren Brown went down in the box, with appeals for a penalty dismissed.

Minety and Hicks added their second when a long ball from keeper Andy Baker bounced through for the young forward, who’s early effort caught Barnwood keeper Jake Clark on his heels slightly and trickled in.

Going into the second half, Barnwood needed to score the next goal – but it was Hicks who had the first chance, firing wide after a cross was flicked down to him.

Hicks played a neat one two into the path of Ryan Driscoll on 65 minutes, but he fired straight at Clark – but the third goal was inevitable.

Substitute Martin Rice had only been on the pitch a matter of moments when he went forward for a Minety corner and after his initial header was saved by Clark, Rice forced the ball over the line and it felt like a huge moment in the game.

Barnwood’s heads dropped and conceded a fourth within moments as Driscoll worked his way into the box and smashed past Clark to make it 4-0.

Hicks wasn’t to be denied his hattrick though, and for Barnwood it was in disappointing circumstances.

After the ball struck the referee on half way, Minety were allowed to send a diagonal through to Hicks in space on the edge of the box and he tucked home easily enough.

Minety Reserves add the Division Five play-offs to their League Cup success last week to cap off a wonderful season, whilst Barnwood United 3rds could still end up being promoted anyway depending on the reshuffle that could impact the Stroud League – for them, they will have to wait and see.

Minety Reserves: Baker, Lees, Clement, Bailey, Cook, Redford, Wilson, Topping, Hicks, Bond, Driscoll

Subs: Williams, Pike; Wands, Rice, Needham

Barnwood United 3rds: Clark, Clarke, Salter, Stroe, Robinson, Davis, Hancock, Giles, Bennett, Brown, Hale

Subs: Griffin, Hilton, Clift, Henry, Carter

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Beau Hicks (Minety Reserves)