Bristol Athletic continued their outstanding run of form with an emphatic 4–1 away victory over Cotham Old Boys Firsts at The Downs in Clifton, securing progression to the GFA Cup Primary South semi-finals.
The afternoon began with unexpected pre-match disruption, as a kit clash forced Athletic into a last-minute shirt change. Thanks to the generosity of a neighbouring team, alternative colours were sourced and the game was able to go ahead—setting the tone for an afternoon that required adaptability and focus.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both sides assessing conditions on a boggy surface that made fluent football difficult. Athletic soon found their rhythm, however, and took the lead in the 8th minute. New recruit Makinde Kondwani, who delivered a composed and disciplined midfield performance, found himself clean through down the left and finished confidently into the far corner.
Despite enjoying spells of control, Athletic struggled at times to impose their usual tempo, and Cotham capitalised on a brief drop in intensity. On 35 minutes, a scrappy goal from close range followed a failure to clear lines, bringing the hosts back into the contest.
The response was immediate. Athletic raised the intensity and finished the first half strongly, creating a flurry of chances. Just before the break, on 43 minutes, Raphael Waugh slid a perfectly weighted pass down the right for Emile Hunter, who smashed his effort home to restore the two-goal cushion.
The second half followed a similar pattern—scrappy, physical, and lacking fluency—but Athletic controlled possession and territory, even if they rarely moved out of second gear. A tactical attacking switch proved decisive, with Maleke Brown introduced on the left wing and Waugh moving into a central attacking role.
The change paid dividends on 65 minutes, as Brown played Waugh in one-on-one with the keeper, and the league’s top scorer showed his quality by lifting a superb finish into the top corner. Athletic continued to battle and manage the game professionally, and Waugh struck again on 83 minutes. This time, Captain Shah Bhakerd released him through the middle, and despite still having work to do, Waugh beat his defender and powered the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 4–1.
Cotham showed spirit late on, but Athletic’s physicality and game management ensured there were no further scares. While there were several strong individual performances across the pitch, Joel DaCosta stood out at centre-back with a brave and commanding display, showing clear development in his communication and leadership.
The result extends Bristol Athletic’s winning streak and sets up an exciting semi-final clash against Mangotsfield Reserves on Valentine’s Day weekend.
Momentum is building.
Come on Bristol Athletic.
