ROSS Juniors Ladies are keeping up the pressure on their table-topping Women's team and second-placed Penybont after an 8-1 midweek win and a 3-3 draw with the latter on Sunday.
On Wednesday, they walloped hosts Westfields with Jess Brain firing a magnificent five goals, backed by a Danie Ward brace and a goal for Ellen Phillips.
Then missing several players on Sunday, they put in a terrific performance at title challengers Penybont after a long journey to mid-Wales to draw 3-3.
The 10-aside game was played in scorching heat, and the first half saw the talented home side with more possession, but strong defending restricted them to long range shots until right on half-time when the hosts took the lead.
Undeterred, Ross took control after the break with goals from Jess Brain and two from Danie Ward., but with five substitutions to use and fresh legs, Penybont hit back to make the score 3-3 with just four minutes left.
Ross – sponsored by Scaffolding 2000 Ltd, Ross Health and Fitness and Kings Accountancy Ltd – still pushed forward for the winner but the home goalie was in exceptional form to deny them.
Ross Juniors' men's season, which promised so much at the half way stage, ended in midweek with a 5-1 loss away to Woolaston 2nds, leaving them sixth in North Gloucestershire One.
Lydbrook Athletic also finished sixth in Gloucestershire Northern Two, but signed off with a more positive 2-2 draw away to Gala Wilton 2nds, Henry McAllister firing a brace.
Meanwhile Ross Juniors' ‘Friday Football’ returns on May 31, and as it's the start of the club's 20th anniversary celebrations they have an extra special coach joining Mark Derricott, Arsenal title winner David Hillier.
A Juniors spokesperson said: "David made over 143 appearances winning every domestic English honour and was part of the European Cup Winners Cup squad too.
"Booking for this will be limited to 24 players per session, from 6-7pm for 5-11 year olds and 7-8pm for 12-14 year olds. The booking link will go up on the week of the event.
"The clubhouse will be open that evening, with takeaway pizza and bbq on offer plus music, a quiz and band and England Lionesses vs France in the clubhouse.
"So it's going to be a great and busy evening and a chance for our young players to be coached by a title winner."
This Friday, May 24, also sees the return of ‘Match of the Dads’ with a last chance for veteran players to get in some practice before the reunion tournament on June 1.
Meanwhile, Ross Juniors U13s made it three years in a row as they successfully defended their title at the Bartestree 6v6 tournament on Sunday.
Juniors then beat Bartestree Bulls 3-0 in the semi-finals to set up a 2023 final repeat with Wellington, which they won 2-0 to retain the title.