Match Review
Tuesday 27th October 2026
Pitching In Southern League
Division 1 (South)
Shaftesbury vs Weymouth
By Avril Lancaster
Andy Struthers took charge of team matters on Saturday.
📸 Photo- Simon Eckley.
Saturday saw the ‘Rockies’ return to form dented with a crushing defeat at home to Westbury United just before welcoming title favourites Weymouth to Cockrams in a game played in appalling weather and without the guidance of manager Jim Milligan it was one of those days.
Visitors Weymouth were putting Sholing out of the Isuzu FA Trophy at the Bob Lucas Stadium 3-2 with former ‘Rockies’ star Toby Holmes particularly enjoying another goal with much zest as here Westbury United ended our hundred per cent record against them to be fair with conviction.
As the rain lashed down on the hilltop town and with the turnstiles flooding steward Pete spending most of the first half trying to unblock flooding drains the signs of one of those days were ominous.
The rain continued and we could not set up the merchandise stall and the news on skipper Charlie Rayfields injury was a bit worse than it was to tell at the time. Everything and everyone was soaked and the rain didn’t stop
Mind you being directly in line behind the goal at Bristol Manor Farm it was extremely unlucky as he collided with the opponents knee and was bandaged up on the spot to see Sonny Pike ironically make his return as substitute. I don’t think lady luck is particularly on our side this season and after a miserable weekend the prospect of the Weymouth juggernaut coming over the hill is going to see them arrive buoyant.
At least goalkeeper Alex Rutter and the creative Tom Jarvis are on the way back with the latter now out of his support boot on an injury sustained in the win at Larkhall Athletic in late September.
Charlie Rayfield was a consistent performer last season after returning to the club from Bemerton Heath Harlequins in July 2025.
Paul Collicut’s side have had a similar pre season run into us in that they have faced a mixture of sides and focused more on plsyer developments and trialist opportunities. Of course we are fresh from defeating Chippenham Town 2-1 and the ‘Mitres ‘ had a stunning 2-0 win over Hereford FC in their pre season schdule.
Jamal Lawerence was on target in the 1-1 draw at Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South Evesham United last Friday. The former Melksham Town striker certainly is known to us having scored twice against us. Ross Langworthy as ever is the talisman up front and players such as Matt Liddiard have also been key in the clubs recent success since returning to the Southern League from the Hellenic League as Premier Division Champions in 2021/22.
Shaftesbury manager Josh Staunton and assistant Steve Rutter will be pleased with the progress of Dawid Regula since arriving at the club in the summer to replace Toby Holmes who left for Weymouth FC. The former Larkhall Athletic poacher will be known to the Cleeve backline much in the same fashion Lawerence is to us.
Louis Sweeten signing from Bath City and Cameron Murray from Dorchester Town are signings that Staunton identified to support the talents of Alefe Santos DAbadia, the work ethic of Jack Hoey and creativity of Harry Baker, Tom Hewlett and Harry Morgan. Brandon Mundy is another mainstay though a nasty fall against Chippenham Town saw him stretchered of and no doubt very familiar with ice packs this week. Jim Ward as ever remains consistent in his performances.
Blake Watts from Yeovil Town is a young man who at this time in his career needs the challenge of Step 4 football and to foster a partnership with Sonny Pike and Charlie Rayfield. Staunton looking at the goals we conceeded ratio last season as rather concerning despite being runners up in the play off final. Both Staunton and Rutter both experienced National League/Conference defenders in their careers certainly know about defending.
So, you have two great progressive teams ready to go at it on Saturday with both clubs looking to continue to stay around the top places despite four big clubs all being relegated into the division with Winchester City moved out to the Isthmian League South Central Division 1 and Didcot Town over to the Pitching In Southern League Division 1 (Central).
Whatever happens (you know what the first day of the season is like) it sure will be a great game and hopefully another great season for both clubs on and off the field.
Previous Meetings vs Bishops Cleeve
2024/25
Home L 0-3
Away L 1-3 Holmes
25/26
A L 2-3 Holmes, Hewlett
H W 3-0 Bradbury (2), Morgan
Pld 4 Won 1 Drawn 0 Lost 3 F 6 A 9
Pts aggregate (3/12) GD – 3