16/08/2026
Roundel 4️⃣ - 2️⃣Cleveland FC Sundays
Who decided to start the league in mid-August, when it’s the busiest time of the year? Ridiculous.
Pep Coates ended up out until 5 in the morning last night trying to numb the pain of the low numbers on the poll — 10/12 missing 💀
Anyway, in true Roundel fashion, we knitted together a squad. Del legend TJ Bishop returned, tanned as ever, making it all about himself again: “Why am I doing this?”
One of the first-ever Roundel signings also came back to help us, Tom Mason, and finally Jimmy Atto made his long-awaited debut after not getting out of bed last Sunday.
The game started edgy, with both teams having half chances. We held strong and firm, with lots of positive energy and communication. Half an hour gone, Jimmy, playing centre-half, floated a lovely ball over the Clevo defence to the onrushing Jordan, who brilliantly slotted it into the corner. Great goal. 1-0.
Roundel were playing brilliantly and you couldn’t fault them. Jimmy took one for the team and gave away a free kick, apologising to the ref about 20 times: “Ooo, sorry! Ooo, sorry!” Anyway, their free kick came in, TJ didn’t meet it, and it fell to their winger, who had come on minutes before and slotted home. 1-1.
Half time.
Hands down, one of the easiest team talks Pep will ever have to do. He told the boys they were all doing brilliantly and to stick with it, don’t be disheartened by them equalising.
The second half started and Clevo got on the front foot. Jimmy, looking to see how many of his fans had turned up, had a mishap on the ball which allowed their striker through. Brilliantly saved by TJ, but the rebound was passed across goal for their substitute to slice home. 2-1.
Then this is when things usually get silly and we go on to lose our heads. But this time was different. We stopped feeling sorry for ourselves, cracked on, and Ste Powell decided to take matters into his own hands, lashing a volley from 30 yards into the goal. Unbelievable. 2-2.
We made some attacking subs that we had at our disposal and brought Tom on for his second Roundel debut. Immediately, we were getting joy down the left-hand side. Tom battled hard, skipped past challenges and got a shot away, bringing out a good save from the keeper.
Down at the other end, TJ made a great save, tipping the ball onto the bar to keep it level. Tom again found room to run, delivered a perfect cross for our Uncle Long to arrive late into the box and head home into the bottom corner. Brilliant move, top finish. 3-2.
Ben rattles the post then has a one on one saved brilliantly all in the space of 5 minutes, this was great pressure from us.
We made another change on the wing, bringing Szymon on for his debut. Like Tom, he made an instant impact. A big kick upfield from TJ put the defender under pressure. Szymon battled hard, won possession in the corner, back-heeled it through the defender’s legs and crossed it in. The keeper missed it, and Tom was there at the back post to head home. 4-2.
A very satisfying win for us today to kick-start our league campaign. We controlled the game from the first whistle and showed great character when things could easily have gone the other way.
Good luck for the rest of the season, lads. 👍🏻
Jordan Harding ⚽️ - Fascialift
Ste Powell ⚽️ - Prime Windows & Doors - Prime Group Ltd
Dan Longley ⚽️ - Discount Tiles & Stone
Tom Mason ⚽️
Jimmy Atterton 🅰️ - Bins and Beyond Ltd
Tom Mason 🅰️
Szymon Chloewicki 🅰️
POTM - ⭐️ Jordan Harding
If i was woke I’d of picked the full 14 lads in today’s squad, but Jordan goal to start things off, his work rate and desire to get us forward and to win just edged it for him today, outstanding
As always

