CUT this report out and keep it for this was a day to savour for Sling's young reserve team. It was their first ever victory!

Sling manager Mark Thomas admitted: "There have been times when I thought about chucking it all in but now I hope it has all been worth it. We have come from nowhere and received a few good hidings. It has been hard but every week we have improved."

Previous to Saturday, Thomas's side had the unenviable record of being the bottom team in the lowest Saturday league in Gloucestershire. Their record was: Played 17, Won 0, Drawn 2, Lost 15.

"I can't remember how many goals we have had scored against us, but it's a lot," he said.

This was the first competitive season for the village reserve team and Thomas knew it would be a challenge.

"I had a very young side and I have been playing myself. Now I have brought in a couple of more experienced players and you can see by our results that we have been improving week on week. I'm optimistic that with a few more players we can be very competitive next season," he said.

As a pointer to the progress his team has made Thomas speaks of an early season 14 - 0 hammering at Hardwicke and the return match which ended in a 3 - 0 defeat. Likewise, only a few weeks ago Yorkley Reserves handed Sling a 6 - 0 hiding.

"I wouldn't like to pick anyone out on Saturday but Lee May's decision to play for us has been important. He has been a big asset," said Thomas.

May scored the important first-half goal which sent Sling into half-time with honours even. Justin Wainwright hit the vital second goal which insured Sling's players enjoyed a Saturday night to remember!