MITCHELDEAN'S hard-pressed footballers are hoping for a dramatic turn in their fortunes as they bid to beat off relegation from the second division of the Northern Senior League.
Having enjoyed a brilliant start to their campaign when they contested top spot for the first couple of months, the Mitcheldean boys experienced a sudden dip in form.
"It must have been too much Christmas cheer," joked club spokesman Gary Auker-Howlett.
"The reality is we were badly hit by injuries and lost a couple of players to university. Our form has dipped badly since Christmas and we are now in the relegation zone," he said.
Managed by Andre Edwards, the senior team is one of six clubs fighting to avoid the drop.
"It is very close and it could be any two of the six at the bottom of the table. But if we can regain some of our early season form we could pull clear but it will be close thing. Fortunately we do have a couple of players returning from injury," said Gary.
Nigel Whitehouse, Andrew Horlick and Dean White are the team's top scorers and midfielder Whitehouse has enjoyed an excellent season. Defenders Andrew Seabourne and Gary Ryder have also done well.
Meanwhile the club's Second Xl are doing well in North Gloucester League division three. They are in fourth place and with games in hand are chasing a promotion place.