North Gloucester League Division Two

St Briavels 2 Huntley Reserves 2

ST BRIAVELS boasts a castle but the village football team is down in the dungeons when it comes to league results this season.

But not for much longer. A major escape bid is on the way and before long they plan to be comfortably placed in mid-table, says manager Paul Sullivan.

"We are too good to be where we are. On paper we were on a hiding to nothing against league leaders Huntley but we managed a draw and I think it was well deserved," he reflected.

When it comes to playing matter Sullivan is chief cook and bottle washer at St Briavels.

"We have a lovely, friendly club here and a smashing headquarters. Thanks to secretary Jill Skidmore it all runs smoothly. She does all the administration so it makes my job easy," he said.

Sullivan lives in Newport and runs a business in Cinderford but really enjoys his unpaid job as manager at St Briavels.

"It means doing the lot," he says.

Saturday was a classic example as he named himself as substitute and then ended up refereeing the game.

"We have a young squad and a number of new players this season. The first six or seven games were difficult but apart from a hiding from Mushet United we have not done too badly.

"In recent games we have improved tremendously and I anticipate we will start to put together a few wins now. We are certainly not candidates to be demoted and I reckon we will finish comfortably in mid-table," he said.

Things did not start too promisingly for St Briavels as after only a couple of minutes in Saturday's downpour Huntley keep Martin Craze saved a penalty.

"We were on top for the first 15 minutes but then Huntley had the better of things. They scored a penalty through Rich Tilling and deserved to be ahead but we equalised through Elliot Morgan just before the half-time whistle.

"It the second-half Huntley were on top and went ahead again through Tilling but we had slightly the better of the final 15 minutes and equalised through Tony Horne," said Sullivan.

Injuries and illness have afflicted early season team selection but Sullivan is optimistic better times are just around the corner.

"Come back and see us later in the season. I'll guarantee you we will not be bottom then," he said.