IT was high fives all round for Ross Juniors Ladies as they stormed to a terrific 5-0 win over high-flying Tuffley Rovers at the Sports Ground on Sunday.

It’s the new senior women’s team’s first ever season, and the club’s talent pathway is already reaping rewards at adult level.

Tuffley have had a good season in the Gloucester County League, but couldn’t cope with Juniors’ class in the Sunday friendly watched by a sizeable crowd in the sunshine.

A hat-trick from Millie Malsom and goals from Lily Powell and Emily Harris put the seal on a great performance, while Danie Ward, Nicola Wall and Ella Jones all impressed on debut.

A club spokesperson said: “Ross worked hard to control the match and created plenty of chances to test Tuffley’s goalkeeper.

“Emily’s finish from the edge of the box and Lily’s brilliant half-volley book-ended a hat-trick from Millie to complete the Ross scoring.

“But this was an excellent Ross team performance, with Danie, Nicola, and Ella bringing quality and experience in their first outing for the team, and Mica, who stepped up at the last minute to play in goal, keeping a well-earned clean sheet.

“There’s still plenty for the team to learn, but after only six matches, they’ve made a really exciting start in women’s football.”

But the men’s 1st XI’s promotion push fell short with two defeats last week, with fourth now the highest they can finish in Herefordshire League One.

Local rivals and league leaders Fownhope FC are still dreaming though, in their 50th year, hoping after finishing their games that second-placed Worcester United, three points behind, slip up in their two final games tomorrow night (Thursday, May 12) and on Saturday (May 14).

Juniors had pushed themselves right back into the mix last month, but four losses in the last two weeks, including to Worcester, has scuppered their challenge.

A midweek trip to play Holme Lacy 2nds last week ended in a 2-0 loss, before 1-1 at half-time at third-placed Tenbury United on Saturday ended in a 4-2 defeat, Jack Shemwell and Ryan Shemwell the Ross scorers.

Juniors will hope to at least end the season with a win on Saturday when they host Holme Lacy 2nds in the reverse fixture.

Meanwhile, there was Les James Gloucestershire League Cup final disappointment for Ruardean Hill Rangers as they lost out 2-0 to defending champions Little Stoke at Stonehouse Town.

Rangers went close to opening the scoring after eight minutes when Steve Clark’s long-range drive hit the right post after a poor clearance from goalkeeper Connolly Jarrett.

But the deadlock was broken two minutes before half-time when a corner was nodded down into the path of Little Stoke defender Jack Burgess, who applied an expert finish low into the net from 10 yards.

Clark, who has 33 goals to his name this season, nearly broke through on goal in the 64th minute to level up, but Burgess made an excellent challenge.

And Jaidon Holver added a second goal eight minutes later with a deft flick from six yards after a dangerous ball in from the left.

A Clark corner clipped the top of the bar as Rangers tried to find a way back, but that was as close as they managed.

Aaron Powell scored for basement boys Lydbrook Athletic in their Gloucestershire Northern Division 2 midweek clash away to Broadwell Amateurs 2nds, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat which means they finish bottom.

But Huntley stormed into the final of the JO Roberts Cup with a 4-1 win at Mushet & Coalway thanks to a brace from Lee James and strikes from Dan Hall and Fenn Odurny.

And they’ll be hoping to lift the silverware when they take on Soudley, 3-0 winners over Blakeney, this Sunday (May 15) at Viney Hill Recreation Ground, kick-off 2pm.

Mitcheldean 2nds will also be in cup final action on Saturday (May 14), after a nailbiting 4-3 semi-final win away to Staunton & Corse A in the FJ Pope Cup.

Two goals from Damian Jones and one each from Paul Taylor and Ross Elliott put them through to face Lydney Town B, 4-3 winners over Sling, at Lydbrook Athletic’s ground, kick-off 2pm.