IT has not been a good season for the young Outsiders squad. Seventeen goals from 17 games sums up their North Gloucester Division 3 league form. However they had hoped for better things in the Pope Cup.

A valiant effort came to nought at Newnham on Saturday where they failed to overturn the Allstars' first-half superiority.

"We left ourselves with too much to do. Mitcheldean had shaded the first-half and I thought we had slightly the better of the second-half. But, just like in the league, we found scoring difficult," said Outsiders official Paul Williams.

Outsiders, he said, missed the edge usually provided by top scorer Shaun Carpenter who was cup-tied and unable to play.

Though the young Outsiders squad have a mountain to climb to avoid the drop, Williams is upbeat about the future.

"As a club we are doing quite well. The First team is challenging for a top four place in Division 2 and though we are bottom of our league I'm positive things will improve as we get more experience," he said.

Saturday's cup game included sound performances by captain Tyler Strange, winger Brett Pollock and centre-half Nick Howells, probably, said Williams, Outsiders' man-of-the-match.

The Allstars, top of Division 4, played with the confidence of a side used to winning. They opened with a cracking strike from outside the box and scored twice more following goalmouth tussles. The scorers were Harris, Jones and Smith.

"It's amazing how a side struggling for form never seems to get the run of the ball, but there are no complaints, Allstars were better on the day," said Williams.

Off the pitch, the Outsiders are making real progress and officials and players are presently refurbishing and improving the dressing rooms at Steam Mills.

"We were victims of two break-ins last year. Thieves broke in and took all the copper piping. Now we have tightened up on security and replaced the copper with plastic," said Williams.

Outsiders were formed in 1977 and in those days played in the booming Gloucester Sunday League. Many of the team were Rank Xerox employees, hence the name. Initially they played at Harrow Hill and then at Soudley before putting down roots at Steam Mills.

The Sunday League travelling eventually took its toll and the club decided on league football as the way ahead.

"These days most of our players come from the Cinderford area. We are happy at Steam Mills and hope to continue to playing there for many years to come," said Williams.