Following a difficult start to the season in the North Glos Premier Division, Howle Hill made it two home wins in a week, as they entertained Coleford United and Broadwell Reserves.

Firstly, on a crisp Tuesday evening, Coleford were the visitors to Weston Playing Fields. The first half was a tightly contested affair with 'The Hill' slightly on the front foot throughout, without troubling the keeper too much.

Efforts on goal for Tom Shotton and James O’Brien kept the watching crowd on their toes as well as keeper Tony Stevens’ athleticism and reflexes to keep the Coleford attack at bay. Fifteen minutes into the second half came a moment of brilliance from midfield maestro Joe Loftus. He picked the ball up on halfway, effortlessly glided past four Coleford players, before clinically finishing into the roof of the net. There was more to come as 'The Hill' were more confident and playing with real rhythm.

With ten minutes to go, Joe Loftus played a delicious through ball to newly signed Jon Atkinson and he finished with aplomb between the keeper’s legs. There was time for a late consolation goal for Coleford, but this was a brilliant team effort displaying real grit and determination.

The Howle Hill Nursery man of the match was awarded to Joe Loftus.

On Saturday, Broadwell Reserves were the visitors on a rainy, windy afternoon. This was a rather one-sided affair with Howle Hill taking all the confidence of their mid-week win into the game and playing some excellent football.

After 20 minutes, Howle Hill almost took a deserved lead as the ball was nodded down to Chris Baverstock, 35 yards from goal, and his speculative effort hit the crossbar.

Soon after, 'The Hill' took the lead. Joe Loftus whipped in a corner from the right and Tom Shotton rose above the Broadwell defence to head home.

The centre-back pairing of Jason Roberts and Ben Robbins kept the strong Broadwell strikers at bay aided by the full backs Ali Jones and Mike Maloney.

The all-important second goal came from a lovely Hill move. Chris Barter picked the ball up on the right wing and clipped a lovely cross to the back post, only for Tom Shotton to nod down and Joe Loftus to apply a clinical finish on the half volley.

Howle Hill should have been out of sight before Broadwell scored a consolation through a penalty kick with ten minutes to go, but they showed no nerves.

Another Joe Loftus corner did the trick as he curled it into the six-yard box for Jon Atkinson to put the result beyond doubt.

The Howle Hill Nursery man of the match was again awarded to Joe Loftus.

Overall a great week for the team and manager Andrew Stacey will be very pleased, next up is an away trip to Westbury United.