Hill go top of table with 11-goal win at Harrow

HOWLE Hill were in 11th heaven on Saturday as they brought hosts Harrow Hill 2nds down to earth to go top of the North Gloucestershire Premier table with an 11-0 hammering .

It was 5-0 at half-time to the Weston-based outfit, and there was no let up in the second period despite the wind and rain, Toby Alexander, Joe Thomas and James Blackwell firing braces backed by goals from Ben Fletcher, Kristian Milnes, Alfie Williams, Youness Ouardi and Conner Watkins.

But it proved unlucky 13 for table-mates Longhope, who were lashed 13-0 at home to Woolaston in an even more one-sided walloping, leaving them marooned at the bottom still searching for a first point.

Previously winless Mitcheldean secured a first victory 2-0 at home to Lydney Town A though, Charlie Meek and James York on target.

Elsewhere in midweek, Newent Town won 2-0 at home to Ludlow in the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup.

Jack Knott opened the scoring for the Daffs with a powerful first half header, and Luke Firkin doubled the lead after the break blasting home from the edge of the box.

They also looked to be on course for victory at home to high-flying Sharpness in Hellenic League One on Saturday, Firkin and Hubert Zatorski putting them 2-0 up only for the visitors to fight back late on to lead 3-2.

At least the Daffs got something from the game, Elliot Vanstone rescuing a point five minutes from time, and the 3-3 draw lifting them a place to two above the drop zone.

But Ruardean Hill Rangers lost 2-0 at home to Tewkesbury Town in terrible conditions in the Gloucestershire County League, with a suspicion of handball for the 67th-minute opener and Steve Clark rattling the cross bar moments later from 40 yards before the visitors added a late second.

But Huntley won 2-1 at home to Tewkesbury 2nds in Gloucestershire Northern 2, Kain Goodall and Lee James their marksmen.

And table-mates Lydbrook Athletic won 2-0 at home to Painswick, both goals coming in the second half from subs Benedict Harris and Jason Heaphey.

Their 2nds lost 4-1 at their Wyeside ground at home to Cheltenham United 1sts in the Gloucestershire Intermediate Cup however, Jonathan Griffiths with the consolation.

But Ruardean United won through, fighting back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 draw at Siddington Athletic in normal time thanks to goals from Dylan Fury, Alex Rowles and Oliver Pearson, before winning 4-3 on penalties.

Rowles went in goal for the shoot out, saving Siddington's second penalty, before watching the third go wide.

Josh Street, Leighton Beach and Sam Humble had already scored, and Rowles duly then converted to send Ruardean through.

Mitcheldean 2nds fought out a 4-4 NG2 draw away to Woolaston 2nds, Connor Dix, Freddie Martin, Joe Stephens and William Martin their scorers, but table-mates Lydbrook A fell to a 3-0 defeat away to Rank Outsiders.

Ruardean United 2nds were 4-1 winners at home to Longhope 2nds in NG3 though, Oliver Moir, Oliver Swan, Liam Wilkins and Owen Williams firing them to victory.