Hartpury FC really made a name for themselves in January, overcoming play-off pushing tests, as we climbed right up the Southern League Div One South table.
After an unbeaten end to 2025, it was an unwanted start to 2026 but the response that followed proved the intentions of the Acorns.
Ending January unbeaten in five games, the Acorns secured a seventh place position and sit just seven points of the play-off positions.
Now it’s time to revisit January and see what happened for the Acorns.
THE NUMBERS
Games: 6 | Won: 4 | Drew: 1 | Lost: 1 | Points: 13/18 | Scored: 14 | Conceded: 7 | Clean Sheets: 4
UNWANTED WELCOME TO 2026
The Acorns entered 2026 full of confidence having gone unbeaten in December but started the New Year with a disappointing defeat at Malvern Town.
Despite Billy Osborn getting the Acorns back into the game, it was the Hillsiders who ran out 4-1 winners on the opening weekend of 2026.
RESPONSE NEEDED
The Acorns needed a response, and it was a well given response during a tricky trip to Exmouth Town.
The Acorns knew a win would move them behind their opposition and that’s exactly what they did when Nathan Jenkins drove home to secure a 1-0 win.
Days later, the Acorns faced off with play-off contenders Shaftesbury AFC and found themselves 2-0 down early in the game.
But a quick fire double from Jenkins and Louis Manning levelled the game before the Rockies regained the lead before the break.
Noah Coates secured an important point during a dominant second period putting the Acorns in high spirts heading into a continued tough run.
BEST THINGS COME IN THREE
Confidence was high in the team heading into a tough test against a high flying Larkhall Athletic.
This game saw a statement made as, following goals from Coates, Osborn and a hat-trick from Jenkins, secured a 5-0 victory for the Acorns, handing Larkhall their first defeat in seven games.
Tuesday night’s under the 4ED lights returned as the Acorns welcomed Didcot Town and very quickly swept the Railwaymen aside, securing a 2-0 win in the opening 10 minutes.
Back-to-back wins became three in-a-row when the Acorns stunned Shaftesbury at Cockrams 2-0, making it five games unbeaten and three clean sheets on the spin.
This victory saw history made for the Acorns as Manning’s second half strike made it 500 league goals scored by Hartpury FC since the side formation in 2020.
It also became the first time this season that the Acorns had kept three successive clean sheets, taking the team's tally to 11 so far this campaign.
NEW MONTH, SAME TASK
The Acorns will be hoping to extend these streaks when we kick start February with a home fixture against Mousehole AFC on Saturday.
