The J.O. Roberts Cup Final

Newent 4, Huntley 1

RARELY have two teams had their present and future plans so entwined. Through-out this season they have fought a neck and neck battle for the North Gloucester League premier title and the fight will go to the wire this Saturday.

In league encounters, Huntley lost to Newent at Newent but beat them at home before crashing rather surprisingly in the J.O. Roberts Cup final at Harrow Hill.

"They mastered the terrible conditions much better than us," explained Huntley's chairman, Geoff Peacock. "On the day they were better and deserved their win."

But the crash in the cup will be all behind them this week because the more important league title is up for grabs.

Newent are ahead by point but face a tough test to clinch the title when they play Mushet – "it's always a difficult game there, and it is still possible for Mushet to take the title with if they win both their remaining games and we slip up" reflected Peacock.

His own team will be in action at Newnham, another club in good form this season.

So the maths is simple. If Newent win they go up, but if they slip and Huntley cash in with three points then Huntley will regain the football status they long for.

"The Premier League is a really tough one to win. Everyone is seeking Senior League football and you get very little time on the ball. It is very competitive," said Peacock.

Huntley have had their high hopes of Senior League football dashed all too frequently in recent years.

But it has always been the club's ambition to cement themselves in the higher division and they reckon to have a team good enough to play – at stay – there.

But they recognise Newent's claim as the league's most consistent side this term.

"We might have won promotion if we had enjoyed a better start but we lost our opening four matches and Newent stole a march on us. But we've been close behind them ever since and next Saturday will be a nailbiter," said Peacock.

The club has yet to decide who will have the job of going to Coleford to watch Mushet play.

"We will want someone with a mobile phone there to keep in contact with us at Newnham. It is going to be very tight," he said.