FLYING the flag for the Forest in the tough-as-teak County League, Ellwood turned in a steady performance to account for Berkeley.
Having received a 5-2 thrashing in Bristol the previous week, this victory was warmly received by manager Nick Ranford.
"I want to forget the Bristol game. We scored two cracking goals but defended really badly. In the County League defensive mistakes are always punished," he reflected.
Third last season, Ranford says he would be delighted with a top five place and believes his squad is sufficiently strong to achieve that target.
With two of the Addis brothers opting to play at a higher level this term, Ranford moved quickly to sign a number of experienced players. Mike Baldwin and Darren Weyman have joined from Viney Hill and Martin Reid from Lydbrook while the emergence of the highly promising Alex Brown, who has stepped up from the Second XI, has been a bonus.
"We are still feeling our way but I think we have a stronger squad this time and that is important. When we took a 2-1 lead I thought we would win comfortably but our second half performance was stuttering. We can certainly improve on that," said Ranford.
Ellwood found themselves a goal down to their cross-Severn opponents but were soon on level terms. Assistant manager Clayton Hook, who had come on to replace the injured Alex Brown, snatched the vital equaliser and two minutes from the interval Gary Wildin scored number two.
"Once we settle down I'm sure there will be better things to come," said Ranford.