FOUR goals from Keiran Young put the seal on promotion for Ross Juniors’ Colts in the side’s first ever season.

But the 1st XI saw their title and promotion hopes hit by two narrow losses to high-flying opposition.

Defeats to second-placed Worcester United and sixth-placed Kington 2nds dented the senior side’s momentum, making last night’s (Tuesday, May 3) home clash at Holme Lacey 2nds (after the Gazette went to print) crucial in keeping their Herefordshire League One promotion hopes alive.

But local rivals and table toppers Fownhope, seeking the league title in their 50th year, secured a 5-2 win over Worcester in their final game on Saturday to give Juniors a chink of light to finish in the top two if they can win their last three games.

The Colts are already celebrating, though, after Young blasted four goals in a 4-1 win away to Broadwell B on Saturday to confirm second place and promotion in North Gloucestershire League 3, three points behind champions Lydney Town B having overhauled Lydbrook Athletic A in their penultimate match.

A goal fest of a first half saw Juniors 1st XI trail 3-2 at half-time in the midweek match at home to Worcester following strikes from Florin Crainic and Derek Roberts.

But despite second-half pressure from the home team, it was the city side who found the net again after the break to score a 4-2 win, Joshua Weatherby their hitman with a hat-trick.

Saturday’s reverse at the Sports Ground to Kington 2nds was a big blow, as a Mike Donaldson strike was bettered by two from the visitors before the break, with the score then remaining 2-1 to the final whistle.

Fownhope stay three points ahead having finished their programme by bouncing back from a 2-0 midweek reverse at Hinton to beat Worcester 5-2, Richard Bufton, Joe Harwood, Joe Speake, Harvey Vaughan and Chris Honey firing the goals.

But the city side remain favourites for the title on 49 points with three games still to play, while fourth-placed Juniors can overhaul Fownhope if they win all three of their last games, having a better goal difference.

Tenbury United in third are also in the mix, one point ahead of Juniors, with three games to play before last night, and host Ross this Saturday (May 7).

Fownhope 2nds saw their hopes of promotion from Division 2 of the Herefordshire League hit by a 3-1 loss at home to Leominster Town 1sts on Saturday, a result which leaves them third seven points adrift of second-placed Worcester United 2nds, who have finished their programme, with three games to play.

Hellenic League One outfit Newent crashed out of the Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup semi-final 5-1 at home to Premier outfit Roman Glass, Jordan Cooper firing their second half consolation.

But Ruardean Hill Rangers warmed up for Saturday’s (May 7) Les James Gloucestershire League Cup final with Little Stoke at Stonehouse (kick-off 3pm) with a 2-1 midweek league win at sixth-placed Broadwell Amateurs, Joel Beeston and Steve Clark hitting the target.

Gloucestershire Northern Division 2 basement boys Lydbrook Athletic sprang a shock at home to sixth-placed Tewkesbury Town, winning 3-2 for only their fourth victory of the season.

Staunton & Corse lost out 3-1 at home to Bibury in the same division after Ben Troughton had given them an eighth-minute lead, but are safe in 10th with one game left to play.

Village outfit Howle Hill suffered two losses in the JO Roberts Cup, missing out 3-2 at Blakeney in midweek after a Keiran James brace before a 5-1 reverse to Harrow Hill 2nds at Weston playing fields on Saturday, Chris Baverstock with the consolation.

But Huntley enjoyed two wins in the same competition, a Will Freeman brace firing them to a 2-0 win at home to Bream in midweek before a 3-1 triumph away to Ruardean Hill 2nds on Saturday.

Lydbrook Athletic 2nds lost 3-1 at home to Newnham in the George Sandoe Cup group stages, Ed Hayes with the goal, while Mitcheldean missed out 1-0 away to Viney St Swithins 2nds.

But an 80th-minute Joshua Vaughan strike earned Staunton & Corse 2nds a 1-1 draw away to Mushet & Coalway 2nds in the same competition.

Staunton & Corse A went one better in the FJ Pope Cup, beating hosts Redbrook Rovers 2nds 2-1, while Anthony Hull, Alfie Jayne and Alex Stephens fired Ruardean Hill A to a 3-0 win away to Rank Outsiders 2nds.

Lydbrook Athletic travel to play Broadwell Amateurs 2nds tonight (Wednesday, May 4, ko 6.30pm).

Fixtures this Saturday include – Tenbury United v Ross Juniors, Fownhope 2nds v Ewyas Harold 2nds, Little Stoke v Ruardean Hill Rangers (Les James Cup final, at Stonehouse FC, kick-off 3pm), Lydbrook Athletic v Kings Stanley, Mushet & Coalway v Huntley, Staunton & Corse A v Mitcheldean 2nds,

Fownhope 2nds are also in action at home to Tenbury United Colts next Tuesday (May 10 (ko 7pm).