MANGOTSFIELD United have started the year with a new manager, after Glyn Ashton stood down from the role following three years in charge.
Ashton, who had managed the first team twice before, including through the Pandemic in 2020-21, remains with the club in a coaching and business role.
The club is grateful for all he did for the Mangos, taking over in 2022 after the club had dropped into the Hellenic League – something that had previously been “unknown territory”.
He oversaw triumphs in the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup, the club’s first silverware in a decade, and GFA Challenge Trophy, as well as a promotion push last season that ended in the play-offs.
Within a couple of hours of Ashton’s resignation on December 31 it was announced that former player and manager Ollie Price was returning to Cossham Street to take over as manager.
He has outlined plans for the future, which centre on returning to the Southern League as soon as possible.
On the pitch, the last game before Christmas saw bogey side and play-off hopefuls Cirencester Town visit Cossham Street, and take all three points in a 3-1 victory.
Cirencester’s Harlie Price bagged a hat-trick on 9, 22 and 58 minutes. The Mangos did at least equalise his first goal, through Spike Weaver, on 17 minutes, but once the Romans regained their lead, they proved to be a much tougher nut to crack.
The Mangos, who also saw the return of Kyle Tooze to the club after a number of years away, battled hard all through the game, but the Romans stood firm.
Mangotsfield then drew 1-1 away over Christmas against struggling near-neighbours Hallen.
A good holiday crowd of 227 saw Aaron Parsons give the Mangos the lead on 25 minutes, but Hallen levelled on 69 minutes to share the points.
Price’s first game as manager saw the Mangos make the perfect start to 2026, with a 3-0 away win at Pershore Town.
All three goals came in the final half-hour. Kyrese Morrison bagged the first one on 64 minutes, with a strike across goal through a crowded penalty area.
Two minutes later, it was 2-0. More good work from Morrison down the left side saw the ball go to James White, who slotted it home.
That sprung Pershore into action, but the Mangos kept them out before adding a third goal in the 90th minute, Spike Weaver netting after good work from Mike Barry.
One week later, amid freezing weather around the country, the Mangos’ all-weather pitch allowed the home game with promotion hopefuls and first-time visitors Droitwich Spa to go ahead.
Droitwich scored the only goal on 32 minutes, but it was still a strong performance by the Mangos, who did everything they could in front of an excellent crowd of 355.
A 2-0 home win over Fairford Town on January 17 saw the Mangos climb three places into 8th, three places but 14 points behind the final play-off place occupied by Cirencester Town.
Archie Morris scored Mangotsfield’s first goal on the hour, heading in a James White free kick.
Then in the 90th minute Lewis Powell, playing his first match since returning to the Mangos for a third time, scored from a free kick on the edge of the D.
Powell, who scored 100 goals in the Southern League during his first spell at the club and added another 13 in the 2024/25 season, has rejoined from Cinderford Town.
The team now has 13 league matches left to play, nine of them at home, with three of the leading teams – Roman Glass, Slimbridge and Corsham – all yet to visit Cossham Street.
The club are also still in two cup competitions.
Although even reaching the play-offs looks a very tall order right now, Price will want the team to keep going and string as many wins as possible together to see where it all takes them, especially if some of the top teams start dropping points.
David Smale
Forthcoming fixtures:
January 24: Roman Glass St George (home)
January 31: Cinderford Town (H)
February 7: Longlevens (away)
February 14: Worcester
Raiders (H – League Challenge Cup)
February 21: Cribbs (A)
February 24: Bitton (H – GFA Challenge Trophy)