RUARDEAN Hill's reserve team offered no excuses after this good hiding. "We were beaten by a better side," said assistant manager Brian Taylor.

However, he points out, Ellwood were without a First team game and had strengthened their team. "That's not an excuse. No-one likes to be demoted and they took the chance to bring in some strong players. But that's football," he said.

Ruardean's Reserve team are safely positioned in midtable – the comfort zone. A handful of players short of their best squad, they were up against it throughout this match at the end of which the Ellwood team squeezed a couple of point above them.

Ellwood's goals were scored by Mark Weyman and Gary Wildin who netted two apiece.

The Hill's reserves, managed by Rob Kibble, also their top scorer, have enjoyed a recent run of successes.

"It's a very young side. We have gained promotion in the last two seasons but started poorly this time picking up only one point in our first seven games," explained Taylor.

The introduction of some experienced defenders, notably Richard Beech and Paul Frowen, steadied the ship and since then the weekly improvement in the team has been measurable.

Rob Kibble, he says, has also been important, taking over as leading scorer from Jack Knight who has gone on the First team. Among the young players of note he says Steve Coombs and Jack Giles have frequently caught the eye.

Off the field the Hill's soccer club has rarely been stronger.

Taylor says it is hoped the senior side will play in the Northern Senior League next season while talks are taking place about prospect of fielding a Third X1 and a youth team

"The whole club is doing very well at the moment," he said.