CRIBBS FC (The Lawns)

WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, CRIBBS 3-2 WELLS CITY,
ATTENDANCE: 76

It was an international weekend so I was heading south to watch Wales v Austria in Cardiff but, after scanning the fixture lists, I decided to take a slight diversion and take in a Western League game.

Cribbs were taking on Wells City at their immaculate home, The Lawns, which has been their base since 1978. Bristol Rovers also use the facilities for their training base.

Cribbs were actually founded in 1958, in London, as the works team for Sun Life Assurance. When Sun Life relocated to Bristol in 1976 the club joined the Bristol and Avon League but when The Lawns was opened they immediately joined the Avon Premier Combination League.

The club were promoted to the Gloucester League, as champions, in 2000. In 2012 the club won the Gloucester League, and cup for good measure, and were promoted to the Western League. In 2015 the club finished 3rd in Division One and were promoted to the Premier Division where they remain to this day.

In the meantime AXA had merged with Sun Life and the club changed their name to reflect this. In 2002 the Sun Life was dropped and the club was simply known as AXA FC. Following another company merger in 2011 the club became known as Cribbs Friends Life FC but in 2013 the company closed and the club renamed itself Cribbs Football Club.

This was the second time these two teams had met this season with Wells winning 2-1 in the FA Cup on the opening weekend of the season. This afternoon the conditions were perfect for football, with the sun shining and the pitch looking like a bowling green.

It was an very open first half but it was Cribbs who created the better of the many chances. However, after taking the lead after 13 minutes through Jacob Hodgson, they found themselves behind after goals from Darren Maynard (22) and Harry Davidson (37). It was all square at half time thanks to an equaliser from Charlie Aldom (41).

As is the case in games like this, the respective mangers made sure things were tightened up during the break so the second half was not as open. The game was decided eight minutes from the end when Cribbs were awarded a penalty and it was Hodgson who duly converted to seal the victory.

A superb day of football was completed in Cardiff as Wales beat Austria 1-0 to keep alive hopes of World Cup qualification.