From thisisbristol - 25-Feb-2016

HIGHRIDGE United and Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division leaders Mendip Broadwalk shared the derby spoils with a 2-2 draw at Lakemead Grove. Home side Highridge, playing into the wind in the first half, struck the opening blow when Luke Picton was brought down in a central position 18 yards out before picking himself up to fire a fierce free-kick into the net.Mendip fought back and Brendan Sheppard made a good save from Dean Maggs, while Craig Liddell lifted another attempt over the top for Highridge.Highridge doubled their lead when Eugene Kearys run and cross set up the predatory Aaron Selby to score from close range.Mendip fired another warning just before the break when Andy Talbots shot crashed against the bar, before pulling a goal back just after half-time. A cross into the Highridge box was half cleared and Joe Brimble rifled the ball home.Highridge almost restored their two-goal cushion when Kearys shot on the turn was parried away by Mendip goalkeeper George Brimble, but the visitors equalised when Maggs collected a pass from Rhys Hickery inside the box and finished with a cool lob.

From Mendip Broadwalk - 21-Feb-2016

A healthy crowd of over a couple of hundred gathered to support this anticipated fixture. The pitch at Highridge was unplayable so the game was switched to the Bridge Campus 3G. Highridge who finished 3rd last season have added to there squad with a lot of new signings. We were on a bit of a revival after having had a real inconsistent start to the season and we have put together a nice unbeaten run and have battled are way to top of the table position. The wind was terrible. We've never played with such bad conditions. And credit to both sets of players for producing a decent enough game despite this. From our point of view we got are approach wrong in the early part of the game. Of course there were going to be some meaty challenges and a physical battle was always on the cards. But we seemed to put to much enthuses on the physical part of the game rather than the football side of things. This almost was are undoing in the game. We played with the wind in our favour. But we never took advantage of it. If anything playing against the wind was working in Highridges favour as the ball was holding up for them in good areas. There was no real opportunities either way , then from nothing a misplaced pass from our defence was jumped on by Highridge , and a last ditch tackle by Gary Hancock on the edge of our box resulted in a foul. From the resulting free Kick Highridges Luke Picton thumped home the free kick 1-0. We still never got it together and apart from a few corners we never threatened. Another mix up at the back from us saw Highridge gain possession and whip in a great ball witch Arron Celbi finished from close range 2-0. Disaster.!! A few mistimed tackles from Andy Talbot and Joe Brimble saw then go into the book. However we finally got it together. And we were probably unlucky to not go into the half level. A bizarre moment saw Highridges keeper Brendan Sheppard take a goal kick. However the wind blew the ball back to him and he got it. The Reff had no choice but to award a indirect free kick to us about 8 yards out. Maggs struck the ball which took a deflection and Ben Garland who was unmarked at the back post should of done better with his strike and blazed over. A shot from Andy Talbot from 20 yards beat the keeper and crashed back off the bar. Another effort from Talbot from range forced a save and the rebound bounced up to Maggs who should of done better but he blazed over. A fair few times we got into great positions but a last ditch tackle or a deflection took it away from us. We went into the half time break with a bit of hope as we finished by far the stronger side. But we now had to play into the strong wind. As Highridge found out in the early part of the first half , it actually worked in our favour. From the kick off we immediately won the ball back. Charged forward with a a series of passes. A cross from the left was knocked down by Talbot and Joe Brimble from 20 yards hit a rocket into the top corner. 2-1. We played the better football throughout the second half. George Brimble never had a notable save to make in the second half. Another bit of decent football saw a effort by Maggs saved by the keeper. The rebound fell for Talbot who tamely hit the ball to the keeper who was on the floor. Another miss. Craig Liddell beat his man on the wing , burst into the area and should of shot , but he laid the ball off and the opportunity was gone. Moments later Craig skipped into the box and was clipped. But as honest as ever Craig stayed on his feet and the chance ran away from him. Late in the second half Rhys Hickery continued his comeback from his broken leg and he made an instant impact. Inside 5 minutes of his entry Hickery whipped in a great ball and Maggs produced a great finish to lift the ball over the keeper to equalise. 2-2. Great finish. We pushed for the winner. But it never came. A fair result ? Probably. Highridge will feel that they should never of thrown away a 2 goal lead. From our point of view , apart from the 2 goals we conceded we never gave away any other clear cut chances. So on chance for chance we clearly created more. But to come back from 2 goals down showed massive character. Something money cant buy ??MOM - Joe Brimble

Highridge 1st Team - 2015/2016 Season

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