North Gloucestershire Premier League

Worrall Hill 3 Blakeney 3

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A SUPERB penalty save by Worrall Hill’s Lewis Sheppard and a late goal by Dan James helped the hosts share the honours in a hard fought 3-3 battle with visitors Blakeney.

Sheppard was put on the spot in the first half when a Blakeney player was tugged in the box.

Up stepped Andrew Rowles to take the kick, but the keeper acrobatically dived to keep the ball out of the top-left hand corner.

Ryan Smith put the visitors in front courtesy of a right-footed curler from the edge of the box, before goals from Luke Brazil and Ricky Jones saw Worrall hit back to go 2-1 up.

It swang the other way again as Smith smashed in a free-kick over the Worrall wall to make it 2-2.

And then Antony Wildin connected with a cross from 12 yards out to put Blakeney 3-2 up.

It was end-to-end-stuff with Blakeney keeper Wes James also making some fine saves.

But with just five minutes left he couldn’t deny James from close range as the spoils were shared.

The result means Worrall Hill leapfrog Viney St Swithins to go second on 12 points, three points behind league leaders Mushet and Coalway, who didn’t play and have a game in hand.

The Hill’s John Brain said: “It was a really hard fought battle and a fair result.

“Both teams are going to be pushing for the top of the table come the end of the season.”

Viney St Swithins suffered a 1-0 reverse at home to Westbury United thanks to a strike from Emmanuel Adeboyo, leaving the hosts on 11 points, while the visitors stay sixth on eight points.

Despite their point, Blakeney drop from fourth to fifth, as Bream Amateurs leapfrogged them by winning 3-0 at Redmarley to reach 10 points.

At the other of the table, Harrow Hill Reserves enjoyed their first win of the season in style, thumping four at home past Ruardean Hill Rangers Reserves, who stay rooted to the bottom.

Howle Hill moved up to seventh thanks to goals from Jonathon Aitkinson, Rory Jackson and Chris Baverstock, as the 3-0 win kept visitors Redbrook Rovers winless this campaign.