RUARDEAN Hill Rangers secured their Gloucestershire County League status with a 3-1 midweek win over top-five visitors Quedgeley Wanderers thanks to goals from Fin Jones, Steve Clark and Luke Brown.

Broadwell managed to do the Forest double over them 2-1 at the Hawthorns on Saturday in a closely contested game, but Hill are now safe with three games left.

Ruardean went in front at the weekend after a long Aaron Underwood goal kick was left by Aidan Creighton for Jack Watkins, but Alex Stephens gambled in behind and with Watkins in no man’s land, he knocked it over him for 1-0.

Broadwell hit back after the break, when Jordi Locke’s angled ball over the top left Dan Brain to deftly lob the ball over Underwood for 1-1.

And a ball into the box then saw Brain again fire a sweeping first time volley into the net to give the hosts all three points.

Elsewhere, Lydbrook lost their Gloucestershire Northern 2 local derby 1-0 at Mushet & Coalway in midweek, but drew 1-1 at top-four Barnwood on Saturday, Jason Heaphy with the goal.

But the agony goes on for already relegated Mitcheldean, walloped 9-1 at home by Harrow Hill at the weekend.

They could be swapping places with Huntley, who can overhaul North Gloucestershire Premier table toppers Blakeney if they take at least four points from their last two games, their rivals having finished their fixtures on Saturday with a 4-1 win at Longhope, for whom Dwane Morris fired the consolation.

A Lee James hat-trick, a Josh Jeffrey brace, and strikes from Brad Taylor and Dan Hall kept Huntley in the hunt with a 7-0 home win over Westbury at the weekend.

Howle Hill, who visit Huntley on Saturday (May 2), look nailed on for third as well, after two wins in two days.

Firstly they saw off hosts Soudley 3-2 thanks to goals from Ben Fletcher, Joe Thomas and Conner Watkins.

Then on Saturday, the Weston-based outfit travelled to Woolaston where Thomas, Watkins, Sam Thorne and Joe Griffiths goals secured a 4-0 win.

A Chad Burrows hat-trick also fired NG1 basement boys Ruardean Hill 2nds to a 3-3 draw at home to mid-table Redmarley & Tibberton, while second-to-bottom neighbours Ruardean United fought back to draw 1-1 at home to Mushet & Coalway 2nds, although neither side can avoid the drop.

Lydbrook 2nds were leapfrogged to fourth by hosts Yorkley, who lashed them 6-0 in their final game.

Ruardean Hill A have one hand firmly on the NG3 title after a 3-0 midweek home win over Rank 2nds though, Aaron Barnett, Luke Johnson and Jack Knight on target, followed by a 2-1 Saturday home win over English Bicknor 2nds, Johnson and Ryan Shinners the marksmen.

Lydbrook A in second are also guaranteed promotion after a 3-2 midweek win away to Redbrook Rovers, Toby Holden, Carl Stevens and Jordan Young with the goals, and a 1-1 draw at the weekend away to Broadwell A, Benedict Harris securing the point.

Bottom side Longhope 2nds also celebrated a second win of the season 4-3 away to Alvington Star 2nds, Sam Venn firing a brace, backed by goals from Ben Meloscia and Oliver Austin.

Lydbrook visit Viney St Swithins on Wednesday night (April 29), while Saturday’s fixtures (May 2) include – Sharpness v Ruardean Hill, Lydbrook v Wickwar, Painwick v Mitcheldean, Huntley v Howle Hill, Longhope 2nds v Redbrook 2nds, Ruardean Hill A v Lydbrook A.