TIME was when the exploits of Lydbrook's football club were the talking point round the tables of many local sporting families. Famed cup fighters, the Wyeside team enjoyed years of success.
But nothing last forever. Lydbrook's crown slipped and for a decade or more they have been out of the top flight.
But now there is strong opinion the club is on the way to regaining its former status. This season they are challenging strongly for promotion to the County League – and they are making no secret of the fact that climbing the football ladder is the club's number one aim.
Club official Wayne Lewis points out the way to top spot will not be easy.
"We have to sustain the challenge. There are other clubs with the same ambition as us but we are close to top and we are going to give it our best shot," said Lewis.
In November Lydbrook topped the division but a series of injuries disrupted the team and they had to settle for a number of drawn games.
"Now we have 15 games to play and we are in third spot. We have a strong squad of players keen to do well and we know there is not a team we cannot compete against," he said.
Lydbrook's player manager Russell Wilton is back in action after injury and is working enthusiastically with Lewis and Cliff Davis as his assistants.
Dave Elias and Carl Smith are top scorers will 11 goals each while the in form player in Stuart Smith.
It was Stuart Smith who prised open the St Marks defence for Lydbrook's first goal on Saturday. He beat three defenders before scoring to give his team a 1 - 0 half-time lead.
In the second-half Carl Smith was quick to take advantage of a rebound off the visitors' keeper to net the second goal.
Lewis predicts a tougher game this Saturday when Lydbrook make the short trip across the Forest to Lydney.
"They are always difficult. They haven't had the best of seasons but they are a better team than their league position suggests," he says.