Worrall Hill 1, Aylburton 2
WORRALL Hill left themselves with just a little too much to do against Aylburton and paid dearly for conceding two first-half goals.
Aylburton, leaders of North Gloucester League division one, saw off Worrall Hill who play a division above them and are themselves strong promotion candidates, with goals by Spike Howells and John Stenner.
"Credit to them, Aylburton are a good side. They have few weaknesses and played particularly well in the first-half," reflected Worrall Hill's long-serving secretary Bryn Wadley.
"They built up a two goal advantage and though I thought we had the better of the second-half we could not get the goals back," he said.
But it was a valiant effort. Worrall Hill pressed time and again but against a resolute defence the only goal came from Duncan Grindle.
Both teams are chasing promotion from their respective divisions and if Worrall Hill achieve their ambition they could be back in Northern Senior League Football next season.
And for two of their long-serving officials it will be a well trodden path for both secretary Bryn Wadley and treasurer John Hagger have see it all before.
Bryn has been secretary for 41 years.
"John started about the same time as me," reflected Bryn who has seen Worrall Hill's fortunes swing as dramatically as the weather. Since reforming in 1955 the club has enjoyed the heady heights of Hellenic and County League football as well as seasons in the basement of the North Gloucester League.
Now it looks as though the Hillmen are on the way back. Coached by chairman Brian Taylor they are running two teams and both are doing well.
"We would like to play in the Senior League again and we are doing well at the moment ," said Bryn.