ROSS Juniors had to turn to their stable of young stars to put out a Women’s team to face high-flying Nunnery Wood at Worcester University on Sunday.

But travelling up the M5 with their youngest squad of the season — featuring four 16-year-olds and two 17-year-olds having alsoi lost their keeper on the morning of the game – they still went toe to toe with their hosts leading twice before narrowly missing out 3-2.

Mica Walker took over in goal, as Poppy Baker and Esme James made their debuts.

Ross battled hard throughout and goals from Lauren Creed and Darcy Baker twice put them in front 1-0 and 2-1.

But although both sides had plenty of chances after the break, two Nunnery goals gave the the hosts victory, leaving Juniors fifth in the Mid West Counties League, 13 points behind leaders Evesham United with three games in hand.

Juniors Women are next due to host Hereford Pegasus this Sunday (February 15) in the Herefordshire Cup.

Ross Juniors Ladies saw their game away to Penybont ruled out by the weather, alongside most of the local grassroots programme, and the Herefordshire Women’s League table toppers will have to wait until March 1 for their next scheduled game, at home to Hereford Lads Club.

One of the only local men’s game of note at the weekend was Ruardean Hill Rangers’ visit to Stoke Gifford in the Gloucestershire League, played in blustery and wet conditions.

Neither team were able to get a foothold in the game early on, although Gifford slightly edged the opening 20 minutes with Zac Morgan and Patryk Kosciolek going close but never really threatening Aaron Underwood in the Ruardean goal.

At the other end a shot from Harry Clark just cleared the Gifford bar, but the top-half hosts took the lead on the half hour, when Dave Talbot’s free-kick into the box was poked home from close range by Morgan.

Minutes later Gifford thought they had extended their lead, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

And as the break approached Gifford failed to deal with a long clearance up field and a speculative effort from 30 yards by Hill’s Bobby Walding flew over the keeper’s head and into the net for 1-1.

Clear chances in the second half were few and far between with Matt Hamer coming close for Gifford and a well struck shot from Max Telling narrowly missing the hosts’ upright, and it was honours even come the final whistle, and a vital point for Hill who stay one place above the drop zone.

Ruardean Hill’s A side also played at Gloucester side Hunts Grove in the Gloucestershire County Cup, but lost out 2-1 in a tight match.

Hopefully, there will be more match action this weekend, with Saturday’s men’s fixtures (February 14) including – Bromley Heath United v Ruardean Hill Rangers, Longhope v Soudley, Milkwall v Huntley, Lydbrook Athletic 2nds v Mushet & Coalway 2nds, Ruardean Hill Rangers 2nds v Redbrook Rovers, Ruardean United v Yorkley, Mitcheldean 2nds v Rank Outsiders, Broadwell Amateurs A v Ruardean Hill Rangers A, Staunton & Corse A v Longhope 2nds, Lydbrook Athletic A v Twigworth Green.

Newent Town Development are due to host UDA Glos Development on Tuesday, February 17, kick-off 7.45pm, while the Daffs 1sts are next in action at home to FC Stratford on Saturday, February 21.