Josh Griffiths kept a clean sheet for Bristol Rovers as they claimed a crucial 0-1 win at Cambridge United in the opening weekend of 2025.
The goalkeeper - who was named in The Football League Paper’s Sky Bet League One Team of the Day - secured his eighth shutout so far this season, and helped earn new manager Inigo Calderon a first victory since taking charge on Boxing Day.
Griffiths’ Gas were beaten by Exeter, Stevenage and Leyton Orient during a difficult festive period, but Saturday’s triumph puts them five points above the drop zone.
Elsewhere, Academy duo Ronnie Hollingshead and Matt Richards endured a mixed time from their two fixtures over Christmas and New Year for Alvechurch.
Both started in their Southern League Premier Division Central 1-1 draw at Biggleswade Town on December 28, before their matches on January 1 and January 4 were postponed.
They were also beaten 2-0 by Stratford on Boxing Day. Hollingshead completed 90 minutes that afternoon, and Richards featured as a second-half substitute.
The pair will remain with the Church - who currently sit 20th after 21 games - for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign.
In the same division, Souleyman Mandey was given three starts from four games at Stourbridge throughout a very busy festive spell.
He played just over an hour every game against Bromsgove (2-0 defeat), Stamford (2-0 defeat) and Redditch (1-1 draw) between December 26 and January 1, and then featured during the final 15 minutes of Saturday’s 3-1 loss to St Ives Town.
Meanwhile Caleb Taylor and Reyes Cleary have returned following their loan spells with Wycombe and Walsall respectively.
