Viney Hill 2,
Old Georgians 1
PLAYER defections saw Viney Hill on the rack last August – but how times have changed.
Hard work and gritty determination by players and officials have put the club back on course and they are now optimistic about retaining their County League status for another season.
Saturday's home match against Old Georgians typified the spirit in the club – they fielded four 16 year-olds in the line-up and snatched a vital victory with 10 minutes to go.
The winner was netted by the experienced Carl Woodruffe, now a veteran of the local soccer scene and a player who knows all there is to know about football at County League level.
"Carl and players like Alan Berrow have worked hard with the youngsters and we can now look forward with a lot more confidence," said longtime official Alec Thomas.
Viney had scored first when a Woodruffe cross was netted by one of the 16 year-olds, Adam Hemming. OG's hit a penalty to level before Woodruffe hit the winner.
Thomas bemoans the changing face of the Forest and the fall-off in numbers of local football players brought about by fewer youngsters living in the Viney Hill area.
Last season's team, he says, was decimated by defections as many players opted to play for local teams in lower divisions.
"Fortunately we have turned the corner and we are doing quite well now. Manager Neil Walding and his assistant Kim Pritchard have worked hard with the team," he explained.
After a couple of seasons without a reserve team Steve Chivers has taken on that responsibility and his charges are doing well towards the top of the North Gloucester League division four. They are also looking forward to a tilt at the Pope Cup in which they have won a semi-final place.
Viney face a considerable test away to Brockworth this Saturday but in the run-in to the end of the season they have the advantage of eight home fixtures from 11 games.