Sherborne Town v AEK Boco - Saturday 30th October 2021

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SHERBORNE TOWN v AEK BOCO

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SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2021 | KICK OFF 3PM | TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

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FROM THE

DUGOUT WAYNE JEROME

Good afternoon and a warm welcome to you all and I extend the welcome to AEK Boco Football Club for their first-ever visit to The Consol Stadium Raleigh Grove.

Last Saturday rearranged fixture against Tytherington Rocks ended in a second draw inside a week.

The game panned out much similar to last week’s fixture although we controlled much more of the game this week, we just couldn’t find the back of the net. This was not helped by three of our four forwards missing and in the end, we only had a point to show for all our efforts as it finished 0-0.

Over the two games, I thought defensively we were sound and I can count on one hand the number of chances we gave away in both fixtures.

The problem we had was not scoring the dozen good chance we created in both games.

With everyone available this week for selection, we will look to put that right as three draws in a row has seen us lose valuable points in the race at the top.

With a busy week ahead with three hard games in eight days which will be testing, but we have the squad to cope with this and will be looking to gain as many points as possible to stay in contention with the teams around us.

I hope you all enjoy today’s game and thanks for your continued support.

Wayne

CLUB INFORMATION Sherborne Town Football Club, The Consol Stadium Raleigh Grove, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NS Tel: (01935) 816110 Lifetime President Ken Mullins, Steve Paradise & Colin Goodland Chairman - John Bowers Vice Chairman Steve Paradise Welfare Officer Gemma Tewkesbury Football Secretary Jo Reynolds Treasurer Glenn Shaw

Commercial Manager Sam Bowers 1st Team Manager Wayne Jerome Assistants Neil Waddleton | Andy Jackson | Sam Jarman Goalkeeper Coach & Physio Dean Barratt Reserves Managers Ashley Knibbs | Marc Caines Club Physio Nikki Crampton Bar Manager Aaron Brown Head Groundsmen Andy Brown #ZEBRAS

Ladies Manager Steve Phelps COVID Officers Andrew Bowers, Andy Jackson and Nicki Crampton Sherborne Town Football Club cannot accept any responsibility for accidents, injury or loss to persons or their property within the boundaries of the ground either before, during or after matches.

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FROM THE

BOARDROOM WITH CHAIRMAN JOHN BOWERS Good afternoon everyone and a warm welcome back to The Consol Stadium Raleigh Grove for today’s fixture against AEK Boco.

I hope everyone enjoys their visit to us today and I look forward to welcoming you all back again soon.

Last Saturday saw us get a no scoring draw at home to Tytherington Rocks. The first half was a very slow non-entertaining forty-five minutes. The second half was much more entertaining with the chances falling to us, but unfortunately, we could not get the ball over the line. Again player availability was not good but that is not an excuse as all teams experience these problems.

Let’s hope we can get back to winning ways this afternoon and don’t forget we are away to our close neighbours Wincanton on Tuesday night. All support is most welcome.

Over the closed season, we were able to because of Covid apply for numerous grants from the Council and The Football Foundation. I am pleased to report that we were very successful with these applications.

Consequently, we have been able to carry out muchneeded work. The bar and clubhouse have had a complete refurbishment. A new hot water and heating system have been installed plus many other smaller things. Also, there are more things planned.

Please be aware we are always on the lookout for volunteers to help on match day. From helping in the tea bar to helping on the gate. There is always plenty to do.

Let’s not forget to keep the faith COYZ.

John

M J HOOPER & SON Painter and Decorator Established 1982

Discount Available For Club Members No VAT | Free Estimates 17 Barton Gardens Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4BE 4

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OUR HISTORY

AND HONOURS The club was founded in 1894, making them one of the oldest clubs in Dorset, they played their matches in those early days at Marston Road, on the outskirts of the Town.

They played county football with occasional silverware displayed in the town pubs. Following the opening of the Terrace playing fields just before the Second World War, this became the new venue for home games.

The Club then moved across the road from the Terrace playing fields in 1985 to it’s present home called “Raleigh Grove” fittingly using Sir Walter Raleigh’s historical connection with the town.

The Raleigh Grove site was built in 1985 on a grazing field, at the level of the raised banking that exists today on the north west side of the ground, this had to be leveled, to create a playing area, a task made all the more difficult as there was a pond in the far right corner of the ground.

When the site was built the club noted the regulations laid down for promotion from the Dorset Premier league at the time, so a covered section on the south west side of the ground was erected for supporters, also the pitch had four drains laid to aid the playing surface.

Dorset Senior Cup Runners-up - 1973/74, 2006/07 Dorset Combination Winners - 1981/82, 1984/85 Dorset Combination Cup Winners - 1981/82, 1984/85 Dorset Combination Cup Runners-up - 1982/83, 1993/94 Dorset Senior Cup Winners - 1982/83, 2003/04, 2007/08 Dorset Youth Shield Winners - 1989/90, 1990/91 Dorset Combination Runners-up - 1992/93, 2001/02 Dorset Premier League Runners-up - 2005/06 FA Carlsberg Vase Forth Round - 2006/07 FA Carlsberg Vase ‘Team of the Round’ - 2007/08 Toolstation First Division Runners-up - 2007/08

The clubhouse and stadium was a project due to the forethought of the then Chairman of the club, Mr. Ken Mullins, this spacious facility also incorporates the dressing rooms, bar, function room, kitchen, storeroom and toilets, including disabled facilities.

The record attendance at the ground is 1,000 versus Eastliegh (featuring ex-Southampton and England international Matthew Le Tissier), in the Andy Shephard Memorial match on July 27th 2003.

Four Football League clubs have played at Raleigh Grove, Plymouth Argyle, Torquay United, Swindon Town and Yeovil Town.

In 2001 the committee of Sherborne Town outlined a 3-phase, 5-year plan for the future development of the ground, the plans included a hard standing path on all sides of the pitch for spectators, a 150-seater stand to be erected, relocating the dugouts, improvements to the clubhouse, and the installation of floodlights. Expansion and upgrading the stadium has been ongoing every year.

The club joined the Toolstation Western League in 2006 after gaining runners up spot in the Dorset Premier League, exciting FA Cup and Vase runs have seen the club play from Cornwall to Suffolk.

Dorset Reserve League Winners - 2007/08 Toolstation First Division ‘Manager of the Year’ 2007/8 Kevin Leigh, 2012/13 Jamie Manley Toolstation ‘Hospitality Award’ Winners - 2009/10 FA Cup Second Qualifying Round - 2010/11 Somerset Floodlit Youth League South Division Winners - 2010/11 Toolstation First Division Winners - 2012/13 Dorset Senior Trophy Runners-up - 2012/13 Dorset County Youth League Division 1 Winners 2012/13

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RESERVE TEAM

ROUND-UP It has been a while since we have last had a chance to put some notes in the programme. But unfortunately, our fortunes haven’t changed that much from previous games.

We travelled to local neighbours Westlands Sports a few weeks ago, and in a very closely contested game, we were unlucky to come away with a 1 nil loss.

It was played in front of over 200 people and the majority would have said a draw would have been the fair result. We had some great individual performances but Cal Gundry was the standout player from both sides.

Unfortunately, this was a game that was spoilt by a ref who thought the afternoon was dedicated to him.

We then faced league leaders Ham Rec in a mid-week game under the lights, after another battling performance from our guys, Ham Rec showed why they should be playing a league above, by taking their chances when they arrived and secured a 3-0 win.

This was still an encouraging display from our lads and on another night with a bit of luck, we could have least shared the spoils.

Bridport then travelled to The Consol Stadium, and with us desperate for a win and buoyed by a couple of good displays, we really felt we could take the three points that we needed.

All was going well and after a brace from Cian Cabell and a few good saves from Josh Attwood we went into the 89th minute 2-1 up. However, with the last kick of the game we conceded a goal and the game finished 2-2, this really felt like a defeat, but again credit must go to our guys for a battling performance.

This brings us to last week which saw us go down to Holt with a rather depleted side, Spencer Crampton going from Kit Man to making his full debut for the reserves and a few other players coming back to help us out which was needed with four players away.

Again the story of our season continued, we battled hard and matched our opponents, the difference being that Holt took their chances when they came. And this saw us go down 2 goals to nil.

This afternoon, we travel to fellow strugglers Wareham Rangers in what is already a six-point game. We know we have the talent and ability to mix it with the teams at the top of the table, we just need to start digging in more, making our own luck and when we get into winning positions keep them. All things that are very easy to say.

Hopefully, we can come back with three points which might just change our fortunes for the season.

Good Luck to Wayne and his team this afternoon.

Ash and Marc

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NON-LEAGUE

NEWS

Stourbridge did something a little unusual last week. The Southern League Premier Central club appointed Leon Broadhurst and Stuart Pierpoint as joint-managers – something seldom seen in English football.

The pair are no strangers at the War Memorial Athletic ground. Broadhurst is the Glassboys’ leading appearance holder with 780 in total while Pierpoint has four fruitful seasons at the club.

They’ve been playing Non-League football for 20 years and were both still turning out this season – Broadhurst with Bromsgrove Sporting and Pierpoint at Coalville Town.

The popular duo had always said they would go into management together and once Stourbridge approached them it was near impossible to turn down.

Their return to the club has brought excitement added to by a 3-0 victory over Lowestoft Town last weekend in their first game in charge, but how will the uncommon approach of being jointmanagers work in the long-term?

“We’ve been close friends and played together for many years so we know our skillsets,” Broadhurst told The NLP. “The first training session it fell into place without our different skills. It was brilliant to see how Stu concentrated on one area and I concentrated on another.”

Pierpoint added: “We didn’t really verbalise how it was going to work because it’s a learning curve for both of us. There will be different elements we’re probably not aware of at the moment that will come up.

“But, as Leon said, we do have different skillsets

which will benefit us. We have a very similar outlook and similar approach with regards to our expectations and how we see the future.

“However, in terms of how we undertake the role we have different traits that we can bounce off each other. It’s all about open communication.

We’re not going to agree on everything but that’s great as well.”

In the Premier League and Football League there aren’t any managerial partnerships with only Danny and Nicky Cowley coming closest, having worked their way through Non-League, although older brother Danny is officially ‘manager’.

Doug Livermore and Ray Clemence were once first-team bosses at Tottenham Hotspur but both were soon axed before Gerard Houlier and Roy Evans took charge of Liverpool in 1998, and Evans quickly resigned.

There are plenty of successful examples outside of the EFL. Chester bosses Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley have won five promotions together at Ramsbottom United and Salford City while Neil Baker and Jon Underwood have taken Slough Town from Step 4 to National League South.

Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg led Binfield to last season’s FA Vase final and promotion from Step 5. Rick Andrews and Angelo Harrop, in their short time in charge of AFC Sudbury this year, reached the FA Cup first round proper and are going well in the Isthmian League North.

Broadhurst and Pierpoint have the makings of another successful duo as more Non-League clubs will be asking themselves, is two better than one?

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SHERBORNE TOWN VS AEK BOCO

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SHERBORNE TOWN Manager: Wayne Jerome

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TO SPONSOR A MATCH AT SHERBORNE TOWN PLEASE CONTACT SAM BOWERS ON 07970 838314

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TODAY’S

VISITORS AEK BOCO

AEK-BOCO F.C. was formed during the summer of 2003 as the result of a merger between two long-established clubs (AEK Rangers and Boco Juniors).

Today we have almost 500 children on our books playing in the Hanham Minor League, Avon Youth League U18 Bristol Combination League and Bristol Girls League. As well as three men’s teams and our ladies teams.

We are proud to be one of the first Clubs in the Gloucestershire area to achieve the FA Charter Standard Community Club status.

Our home ground is Greenbank Rd Playing Fields, Greenbank Road ,Hanham, Bristol. Where through hard work and determination , funded along with the Football Foundation our New Clubhouse in 2011.

History of Boco Juniors Boco Juniors was formed in 1978 by Bob Boyd, a former director of Bristol City FC, and John Cummins.

Named after the 1978 Argentinean Champions Boca Juniors as it corresponded with the year that Argentina first became World Champions.

Bob Boyd`s son Robert is now one of the Marcliff Glos County League main sponsors ”Boca Teamwear” while John Cummins Grandson Tom recently finished playing for our Junior section.

Famous players that have emerged through Boco Juniors are Mark Cooper ( former Forest Green Rovers Manager ) who is the son of Terry Cooper Ex England international. Julian

Dicks who played for Liverpool and West Ham United. Paul Mardon played for Bristol City & West Brom & was a Welsh International.Darren Lloyd played for West Brom & Darren Carr who played for Chesterfield in the 1997 FA Cup semifinal versus Middlesbrough. Martin Willmott for Bristol City & Darren Harvey for Watford were also former players that played professionally.

Mark Johnston- Allen the ex snooker professional started his career at right back for Boco Juniors.

Even Manchester United’s’ Alex Ferguson spotted a young Ross Millard playing for Boco Juniors and Ross was signed as full time professional only to see his dubbing career cut short by injury.

History of AEK Rangers In 1977 the club was formed, named after someone who had just holidayed in Greece and an original player being Scottish wanted Rangers in the name, mainly from a group of workmates from DRG, they played at Dundridge Playing fields, the first team won The Senior District League in 1995, the team also played at BAWA club.

2011-2012 Runners up Bristol Prem Combination Div 1 Promotion to Prem Div 2013-2014 Senior Amateur Cup Winners 2013-2014 Runners Up Bristol Prem Comb & Promotion to Gloucestershire County Lge 2014-2015 Runners Up Gloucestershire County League 2015-2016 Champions Gloucestershire County League 2016-2017 Winners Les James Cup 2018-2019 Runners Up Les James Cup 2020-2021 Promotion Toolstation Western League

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TOOLSTATION LEAGUE

ROUND-UP

BY TOM HISCOTT

The league action got underway in front of a bumper crowd on Friday night, with 567 fans in attendance to enjoy the 1-1 draw between Bridgwater and Tavistock at Fairfax Park.

United have been in excellent form over the last couple of weeks, and it was them who went ahead when Jordan Greenwood smashed the ball home from close range midway through the first half.

The league leaders looked to the bench for impact, and found it in the form of Dan Koita, who scored his first goal for the club to rescue a point 14 minutes from time.

The following day, Exmouth handed Saltash a rare home defeat, coming from behind to win by two goals to one at the Kimberley Stadium.

The Ashes flew out of the blocks at three o’clock, taking just two minutes to go ahead when Alex Cairo’s driven effort deflected in off a defender. A terrific lobbed finish from Morgan Cullen drew the visitors level after 33 minutes, with Mark Lever then completing the turnaround early in the second half.

Saltash keeper Ryan Rickard kept his side in the game when saving an Aaron Denny penalty 20 minutes from time, but it proved not to be costly to the relief of the away side. Another side to win on their travels was Brislington, where George Jones played a starring role in their 4-3 triumph over Shepton Mallet.

It was Jones who broke the deadlock on Saturday afternoon, finishing well in the 19th minute after he received a cross from former Mallet forward Asa White.

A headed effort from Jack Fillingham drew the hosts level, before Lewis Dunn struck to restore Brislington’s advantage after half an hour.

Mallet started the second half on top, forcing home an equaliser through Tyrone Tucker-Dixon, before Jones increased his influence on the game.

A foul on Jones in the area saw the reliable Simon Prangley put Bris 3-2 up from the spot, and then less than two minutes later, Jones added his second goal of the afternoon to extend the lead.

That fourth Brislington goal proved crucial in the overall outcome, after Finn Haines pulled a goal back in stoppage time, with Brislington holding on to end the month on a high.

It was also a positive afternoon in Clevedon, where Archie Ferris struck a hat-trick to lead the home side to a 5-0 win over Bridport.

After scoring twice in the first half, Ferris completed his treble on the hour mark, making it 3-0 after turning home Jack Goodall’s cross. There were further goals from Freddie King and Alex Camm for Clevedon in what was just their fourth league win of the season.

First Division: Longwell Green Sports made it back-toback 2-0 wins on Friday night after securing victory at home to Bristol Telephones.

James Horrocks scored for the second consecutive match, putting them ahead from the spot, before Zac Cheetham doubled their lead, helping them to leapfrog their visitors in the table.

Saturday’s highest scorers were Cheddar, with a pair of Callum Laird penalties helping them to secure a 4-0 win at home to Devizes.

The two spot kicks gave Devizes a massive hill to climb, and they weren’t capable, with Jamie Laird and then Harry Taylor adding further goals during a one-sided second half display.

Hengrove produced another impressive showing to win 2-0 away at Gillingham Town, with Pete Sheppard and Jack Cousins notching the all-important goals.

Portishead Town were another bottom half side to register three points after they won 2-1 away at Bishops Lydeard, while the fixture between Sherborne and Tytherington ended goalless.

There was late drama at Lebeq, where they scored five minutes from time to secure a 3-2 win at home to Bishop Sutton, while a pair of quickfire goals early in the second half from Joe White and Andy Williams saw Almondsbury hold on to beat Odd Down 2-1.

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INSIDE

THE BOX WITH COLIN GOODLAND

Hi everyone and welcome to Raleigh Grove, this week I have searched the computer box to bring you another football story.

WHEN SOUTHAMPTON SIGNED THE TWO-TIME BALLON D’OR WINNER KEVIN KEEGAN – AND NO-ONE KNEW ABOUT IT! Reporters flocked to the Potters Heron hotel in Romsey.

Bemused, they spoke amongst themselves, questioning the purpose of the gathering, which had been unexpectedly arranged by legendary Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy on Monday, 11 February 1980.

The journalists were somewhat reluctant to attend the spontaneous press conference, called by McMenemy on the back of a thumping 5–1 win over Brighton just two days before.

Monday was the day off for many, and although a sense of intrigue developed in the small room at the Potters Heron, few were enthused by the prospect of sitting through what appeared likely to be merely a brief update from the manager – the topic, however, was unclear. McMenemy would not take no for an answer.

He called retired journalist Alan Montgomery and was insistent that he and his colleagues within the industry headed to Romsey. The Saints manager, who led the club to their first and only major honour in 1976 as they lifted the FA Cup, was tight-lipped, and only disclosed that the meeting would revolve around “someone who was going to play a big part in Southampton’s future”.

The room settled and McMenemy prepared to reveal just why he had summoned the media in such a peculiarly hurried manner. Not one member of the press was aware of what would unfold before their eyes. “I’ve got a bit of a surprise for you, lads,” the manager recalls telling them. Sure enough, the reporters were left stunned when the reigning two-time European Footballer of the Year, Kevin Keegan, strolled through the door, with a wide smile greeting the dumbfounded onlookers and not a hair of his iconic perm out of place.

He wore a full suit and was accompanied by his wife, Jean, and their new-born daughter, Laura. The press let out a collective gasp, pausing for a moment in a futile attempt to comprehend the incomprehensible.

McMenemy didn’t need to say a word – it soon became obvious. Southampton had signed the current holder of the

Ballon d’Or award, nearly 29 and at the peak of his powers, and no-one knew about it. Reporters recovered from the initial shock to swiftly rise to their feet, showering Keegan with adulation while he nonchalantly made his way over and shook his manager’s hand, with every person in the Potters Heron room joined in a standing ovation.

Transfers of such privacy are seldom observed in today’s game, but they were hardly prominent during the 1980s, either. A coup of logarithmic proportions was taking place underneath everyone in football’s noses, and not a single soul suspected that Keegan would be leaving HSV to come to lowly Southampton.

The first – and only – sniff that there would even be a remote possibility of the England international plying his trade at The Dell for the foreseeable future came on that historic Monday afternoon, in which shockwaves were sent through the footballing world.

Enjoy the game Goody

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FIXTURES &

RESULTS JULY SAT 31 HENGROVE ATH AUGUST SAT 07 DEVIZES TOWN SAT 14 WELLS WED 18 WARMINSTER TOWN SAT 21 LEBEQ MON 30 RADSTOCK TOWN

W 6-1 W 5-1 D 0-0 W 4-2 L 3-2

SEPTEMBER SAT 04 AEK BOCO SAT 11 VERWOOD TOWN WED 15 WINCANTON TOWN SAT 18 CHEDDAR SAT 25 BEMERTON HEATH

W 3-0 W 5-3 W 4-2 W 3-1 L 6-3

W 6-1

OCTOBER SAT 02 ALMONDSBURY L 4-3 SAT 09 BISHOP SUTTON D 1-1 SAT 16 TYTHERINGTON ROCKS D 1-1 SAT 23 TYTHERINGTON ROCKS D 0-0 SAT 30 AEK BOCO H NOVEMBER TUE 2 WINCANTON TOWN SAT 06 ODD DOWN (BATH) SAT 13 BRISTOL TELEPHONES SAT 20 HENGROVE ATHLETIC SAT 27 LEBEQ

A H A A A

DECEMBER SAT 04 LONGWELL GREEN SAT 11 ALMONDSBURY SAT 18 CHEDDAR SUN 26 GILLINGHAM TOWN

H A H H

JANUARY SAT 01 WELTON ROVERS SAT 08 DEVIZES TOWN SAT 15 PORTISHEAD TOWN SAT 22 BISHOPS LYDEARD

A H A H

FEBRUARY SAT 05 OLDLAND ABB SAT 12 RADSTOCK TOWN SAT 19 BRISTOL TELEPHONES SAT 26 WELLS CITY

A H H A

MARCH SAT 05 BISHOPS LYDEARD SAT 12 PORTISHEAD TOWN SAT 19 WARMINSTER TOWN SAT 26 LONGWELL GREEN

A H H A

APRIL SAT 02 ODD DOWN (BATH) SAT 09 OLDLAND ABB FRI 15 GILLINGHAM TOWN MON 18 WELTON ROVERS SAT 23 BISHOP SUTTON

A H A H H

TOOLSTATION FIRST DIVISION TABLE Welton Rovers Cheddar Oldland Abbotonians Radstock Town Sherborne Town AEK Boco Warminster Town Odd Down (BATH) Tytherington Rocks Lebeq United Wells City Bishop Sutton Gillingham Town Portishead Town Wincanton Town Longwell Green Sports Hengrove Athletic Bristol Telephones Almondsbury Bishops Lydeard Devizes Town

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P 15 15 15 15 13 15 14 15 16 16 14 15 18 15 13 12 16 14 14 13 15

W 13 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 6 4 4 4 4 4 3 2

D 2 3 2 5 4 4 3 2 5 4 5 4 6 1 3 3 3 2 1 2 2

L 0 4 5 3 2 4 4 6 5 6 4 6 8 8 6 5 9 8 9 8 11

GD 24 6 7 3 21 0 10 3 2 1 7 -2 -10 -4 9 -2 -14 -7 -9 -11 -34

P 41 27 26 26 25 25 24 23 23 22 20 19 18 16 15 15 15 14 13 11 8

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SOUTH WEST

SPORTS NEWS Since I last wrote for the Zebras matchday magazine much has happened here at South West Sports News.

Most importantly we have kicked off a regular regional Friday preview of grassroots/non-League football. It’s early days but so far the feedback from across the South West and beyond has been hugely encouraging.

The old school Ross Reid would have written 600 words on the Western League or whichever league we were “previewing” at the weekend.

Not now.

Now we shoot a two-minute film, load it up to our twitter account and – hey presto! - it’s preview time.

The advantages of this are that it’s super quick from editing – thank you Mike Parrish, he of 2020’s “Round Our Way” Parkway film fame – to uploading.

The downside is that Mike has to rely on wee me!

Anyone who has ever worked with me knows that being on time is not one of my great characteristic traits and neither – 10 episodes in – is being a natural in front of camera.

It was Mike who came up with the idea of a quick turnaround from filming to passing on to our 14k sports mad following via twitter.

In my previous two articles for the programme I have championed the social media stream.

It’s free, accessible – who hasn’t got a mobile phone these days? You can count them on one hand – and above all encourages a pro-active engagement we would never have been able to engineer when I first started penning newspaper articles 40-odd seasons ago.

Newspaper articles - or dare I say matchday magazine features? - don’t encourage a two-way “conversation” let alone scores of people having their say about a given topic.

Twitter opens that door.

We are very careful to remind people we are a familyorientated sports stream.

Although specifically aimed at adults we are also careful to try and keep content as clean as mouthwash.

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We want to encourage the next generation of sports nuts to join in!

With a fifth against sixth meeting in front of you today at Raleigh Grove, I am sure it’s going to be a cracking encounter, especially as Bristol-based community club AEK Boco – who seems to run scores of teams – have made a good start to their first Western League campaign.

The visitors will also want to avenge last month’s 3-0 home defeat by the Zebras.

Just like Sherborne, as well as their men’s teams, Hanham’s Boco also run a successful women’s team.

I think it’s great that more and more community football clubs boast men and women’s teams.

Something we have noticed in 13 1/2 years at South West Sports News is the increase in women’s sports participation across the board.

Women’s football has been no different and as busy as we are on a Saturday passing on all the latest scores, we are equally busy on a Sunday carrying out a similar role for regional women’s football (and women’s rugby teams).

The growth of the women’s game has been wonderful to see and a boost for football as a whole.

Certainly in the South West the game’s development means there is plenty of support for men’s teams from their women’s counterparts on a Saturday and vice-versa on a Sunday.

Like I said: it’s great to see!

Have a cracking day, enjoy the match and as we say on all our non-league previews “keep it real!”.

#ZEBRAS

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