A BLAZING volley deep in stoppage time from Joseph Richards almost kept Newent Town's season alive in the semi-final of the Marsh Supplementary Challenge Cup.

But the Stonehouse keeper proved equal to it in the last chance of the game as the visitors held on for a 1-0 midweek win at Wildsmith Meadow.

Stonehouse's Nicholas Humphreys put the away side in front on eight minutes, but the Daffs pushed back creating several chances to level before half-time.

Newent keeper Nicholas Jones safely clutched a free-kick on 17 minutes before an opening in the box at the other end two minutes later from a fantastic Riley Stokes pass, saw David Reynolds fire a curling effort that just cleared the bar.

Approaching half-time, Reynolds twice had the ball in dangerous positions, only for the Stonehouse keeper to gather safely.

But ten minutes into the second period, Daffs keeper Jones had to get down brilliantly to foil a Stonehouse header, and another chance went begging for the visitors when their striker failed to convert a great ball across the box.

Minutes later, two Essa Sabally blocks and another brilliant Jones stop again kept the hosts in it as Stonehouse pushed to double their lead.

But the Daffs finally lifted the siege, Reynolds again firing over the bar after a flowing attack with 14 minutes to play.

Great play almost opened up the Stonehouse defence with the final pass just going astray as the minutes ticked down, before at the other end Newent needed a Jacob Rogers block and a Sabally clearance from a dangerous cross.

It was still a one-goal game going into injury time, and the Daffs momentarily thought they were back in it when the ball fell to Richards, but it wasn't to be.

Ruardean Hill drew 0-0 with Gloucestershire County high-flyers Sharpness in midweek, but lost 1-0 at mid-table Chalford on Saturday, leaving them 10th.

Lydbrook also lost 3-2 at King's Stanley in Gloucestershire Northern Two, with the hosts leapfrogging them to fifth.

Huntley sprang a midweek shock beating North Gloucestershire Premier leaders Mitcheldean 3-1 thanks to a Lee James brace and one from Callum Leek, Charlie Meek with the consolation, while Howle Hill hammered Ruardean Hill 2nds 5-0 away – Chris Baverstock, Callum Hall, Jack Lewis, Kristian Milnes and Liam Williams the scorers.

And Ruardean were again the whipping boys on Saturday, when Huntley hammered their hosts 14-0, while Howle Hill shared a 1-1 draw at home to Ellwood, Ben Fletcher with their goal.

Ross Juniors suffered a 4-0 midweek reverse at home to Longhope in midweek, the goals from Harry Tuffley (2), Richard May and Nathan Whittaker securing the Gloucestershire Northern 1 title and back-to-back promotions for the villagers.

But Juniors bounced back with 3-2 home win over Tidenham at the weekend, Vasyl Bernyk, Tom Evans and Conner Watkins the marksmen, while Longhope shared a 0-0 draw at Redbrook.

Ruardean United meanwhile secured promotion from GN2 as runners up with a 1-0 midweek win at Soudley, Josh Street on target, and an 8-0 weekend win at Rank Outsiders, Street with a hat-trick, Alex Rowles with a brace and goals for James Burford, Gavin Kyte and Ollie Rocke.