Bromyard's nine-goal afternoon stands out in a week of Hellenic cup ties
The week's defining result in the Hellenic League came at Delahay Meadow, where Bromyard Town beat Clanfield (85) 9–4 in Division One on Saturday 10 October. The club described it as the highest-scoring game at Step 6 in the country, and a press release said it was reportedly the highest-scoring of the weekend across Steps 1 to 6.
Rich Smith scored four, taking his season's tally to five, with Dan Olaloko adding two from the bench and Ollie Taylor-Bradley, Danny Barnes and Jack Griffiths-Perry also on the scoresheet. Griffiths-Perry, who reached six goals for the season, also supplied three assists. Substitute Louis Humphries set up two goals in five minutes. Bromyard led 3–1 at the break, and Clanfield scored four in all, including a long-range free kick that the club said appeared to cross the line in questionable circumstances.
Manager Jamie Wall said the squad had worked on finishing and combinations on the Thursday. "To score nine goals in a game of football at this level is an incredible achievement," he said, though he conceded that four goals against was something to examine. The result made it five league games unbeaten for Bromyard, 13 points from 15, and left them seventh, two points off the play-offs. They followed it on Tuesday 13 October with a 5–0 win at Kington Town in the HFA Challenge Cup, reaching the quarter-finals, and travel to second-placed Wantage Town on Saturday 17 October.
The midweek Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup supplied much of the rest. Chipping Sodbury Town won 2–1 at Shortwood United, with goals from Jacob Shipp and Lewis Hitchman. Carterton beat Bourton Rovers 5–1, Kyle Chester scoring three alongside Fin Baker and Zach Scott. Sharpness and Cheltenham Saracens ties both went to penalties: Sharpness won 5–4 after a 1–1 draw, and Stonehouse Town reported that Saracens won their shoot-out after a 2–2 draw. Sharpness have since been drawn away to Mangotsfield United in round three on 3 November.
In the league, Alcester Town came from behind to beat Lydney Town 3–2, with 18-year-old Josh Flynn scoring a hat-trick. Stonehouse Town beat Newent 5–1, and Shortwood United won 3–2 against Swindon Supermarine Reserves, Asamoah Afriyie scoring twice.