Sod's Law as Daffs drop into drop zone after 1-0 loss

IT was Sod's Law, but Newent Town slipped into the drop zone after a 1-0 loss at basement rivals Chipping Sodbury on Saturday.

The managerless Daffs conceded the winner on 65 minutes when Sammy Allen side-footed home for The Sods, leaving the visitors second from bottom of Hellenic League One, only ahead of Shortwood United on goal difference.

But Ruardean Hill eased their own worries with a 4-1 comeback home win over lowly Wick in the Gloucestershire County League.

Wick took the lead after just five minutes when a snap shot was clawed off the line by keeper Aaron Underwood only for Bayley Rudge to tap in at the far post.

Hill almost found an equaliser when Max Telling got the ball through to Jordan Barrett whose shot fizzed narrowly over.

But on 18 minutes the equaliser came when a through ball from Telling found Ollie Mason who squared to Luke Brown, with his first shot charged down but the rebound netted.

And 10 minutes later, a corner was headed in by Max Telling for a 2-1 lead to Hill.

Five minutes before the break, Brown made a great run from his own half and found Telling, but Hayden Williams made a great save.

A cross by Wick’s Tyler Lane then found Rudge whose header clipped the top of the crossbar, leaving it 2-1 to Ruardean at half-time.

And seven minutes into the second half a great ball by the hosts’ Charlie Mason found Brown at the front post to make it 3-1.

Ruardean were now in control and on 68 minutes a flick on landed in Alex Stephens’ path, who buried it into the bottom corner for 4-1.

There was still drama though, as five minutes from time Underwood made a great penalty save to his right from Rudge who blazed the rebound over.

But Lydbrook Athletic went down 3-0 away to Gloucestershire Northern 2 leaders Harrow Hill, while table-mates Huntley also missed out 2-0 away to Tuffley 2nds.

Newent Town 2nds also endured a tough day at the office losing 5-0 at home to Leominster 1sts in Herefordshire League Division One.

But unbeaten Fownhope marched on at the top of Herefordshire 2, securing an eighth win from eight games with a 4-0 home victory over table-top rivals Burghill Rangers to go five points clear.

Having beaten Burghill 3-0 three weeks earlier in the Ross Cup, this time Alex Hunt, Brandon Jennings, Jack Marlow and Jamie Price hit the target to keep their winning league run going.

Meanwhile, Newent Town’s search for a 1st team manager goes on.

A club post says: “Newent Town FC, a proud and long-standing part of the local community, are seeking an experienced and motivated 1st Team Manager to lead our senior squad into the next chapter of the club’s journey.

“With a loyal fanbase, a committed committee, and a strong identity rooted in hard work and togetherness, this is an opportunity to shape the future of football in Newent.”

The club can be contacted via their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NewentTownFC

Fixtures this Saturday (November 7) include – Newent Town v Ludlow Town, Totterdown United v Ruardean Hill Rangers, Frampton United 2nds v Lydbrook Athletic, Huntley v Painswick, Fownhope v Westfields 2nds.