BRAGGING rights went to Broadwell but this was a closely run affair as their near neighbours recovered from a two goal deficit and shaded the second half.

"It was quite a good game. At one stage we were actually three goals up but let them back in and we almost paid the price," admitted Broadwell manager Ian Drew.

Having played for Broadwell for 14 seasons, Drew knows Forest of Dean football inside-out. However this is his first season as team manager and he is happy enough to throw all he knows behind helping his club to establish a flourishing 'A' team – effectively Broadwell's third XI.

The side was reformed for this season and has had to begin life in the lowest of the Gloucestershire leagues. But the quality of the football played in Division Four should not be underestimated, says Drew.

"Teams like Aylburton and Ruardean Hill are excellent and could easily hold their own in higher leagues. As this is our first season I would be happy to finish in the top six. I think that would be quite an achievement but it is a possibility," he said.

He accepts his team has to feel the pinch when players are required by the Reserve team.

"Four were called up on Saturday but we still had a squad of 15 players. There are times when we are stretched but there has only been one match this season when we had only 12 players," he said.

Rob Merry, the 'A' team's leading scorer this season, was one of those called up to the Reserves, but it was, said Drew, an indication of the strength in depth now available to the club. " From top to bottom there's a really good atmosphere at Broadwell," he says.

"The 'A' team includes a good mix of youth and experience. Older heads such as Dean Morris offer a lot to some of the younger players and there are several to watch out for such as Matt Whittington."

Broadwell's goals were scored by Rhys Evans, Luke Foxwell, Rob Simms and Liam Sargent.