Gloucestershire County League preview

THORNBURY Town face another blank weekend on Saturday after losing their appeal for reinstatement to the Gloucestershire FA Challenge Trophy before Christmas.

Town were looking to have their place back in the competition after they lost on penalties to Winterbourne United in the third round only for Winterbourne’s first team to fold days later.

Thornbury were hoping to return to Gloucestershire County League action last Saturday but their clash with Henbury was called off due to the bad weather.

The Thorns now have to wait until January 16 for their next league clash which is against Hanham Athletic before they face leaders AEK Boco at the end of the month.

Frampton United are also not in action this Saturday but Yate Town Reserves, whose game at AEK Boco was also called off last weekend, are back in action and have a chance to grab their fourth win of the season with a home clash against basement battlers Southmead CS Athletic who can climb over the Reserves if they win.

Yate Town Reserves, who have drawn three matches as well as their three wins from 14 league matches, are in a big battle at the bottom of the table not just with Southmead but also alongside Hanham Athletic and the reigning champions Cheltenham Civil Service.