FORMER Football League player Romayne Thomas has been appointed Newent Town 1st team manager after stepping in on an interim basis, with the immediate task of lifting them out of the Hellenic One drop zone after just one win in nine games.

The Daffs lost 2-0 at Stonehouse Town on Saturday to sit two points from safety.

And the former Stevenage player, who also had spells with Wealdstone and Hampton & Richmond, will need all his knowledge from playing, as a Premier League football agency consultant, and managing Bishops Cleeve in the Southern League to put some wins on the board, starting with Southam at home on Saturday.

A club statement said: "During his tenure as interim, Romayne has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision, and we wish him every success in this new role."

Meanwhile, the Daffs Development secured a morale-boosting 3-1 Bateman Cup win over Gloucester City Dev in midweek, Billy Osemwengie with a brace and Alfie Townsend also on target.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Ross Juniors men secured their first North Gloucestershire One point with a 1-1 home draw with Redbrook Rovers.

But Ruardean Hill were beaten 5-2 at home by Hanham in the Gloucestershire County League, Steve Clark making it 1-1 from a first half free-kick and Taylor Blaby with a second late consolation, although the former had one crossed off for offside and the visitors scored their fourth from a disputed penalty.

It was a high five for Lydbrook though, winning 5-0 at home to Winchcombe to go third in Gloucestershire Northern 2.

North Gloucestershire Premier leaders Huntley won 2-0 at home to Whitecroft, while Weston-based Howle Hill drew 1-1 at Ellwood thanks to a Kristian Milnes goal.

Division rivals Mitcheldean lost 5-2 at home to Stroud United in the GFA Junior Cup though.

While Juniors finally got off the mark in NG1, leaders Longhope marched on with a 4-0 home win over Staunton 2nds, Nathan Whittaker with a brace, and Richard May and Florin Crainic also on target.

Mid-table Lydbrook 2nds lost 5-2 at Soudley however, while in NG2 Jean Alverez and Connor Dix both fired braces for Mitcheldean 2nds away to Redbrook 2nds, but they still lost 7-4.

Leaders Ruardean United were also held 1-1 at home by lowly Rank, saved by a Josh Street equaliser.

In NG3, Lydbrook A missed out 4-2 at home to Staunton A, and that proved the same reverse in howling wind and rain for Ross Ladies at Penybont in the Herefordshire Women's League on Sunday, Jess Brain and Hannah Jenkins the scorers.

Fixtures this Saturday include – Newent Town v Southam, Ross Juniors v Bartestree, Tytherington 2nds v Newent Dev, Bromley Heath v Ruradean Hill, Stonehouse 2nds v Lydbrook, Milkwall v Huntley, Ruardean Hill 2nds v Lydney A, Wellington Reserves 2nds v Howle Hill, Tidenham v Longhope, Harrow A v Ruardean Utd, Mitcheldean 2nds v Rank, Lydbrook A v Wickwar 2nds, Ruardean Hill A v Minchinhampton Rangers.

Sunday sees Nunnery Wood v Ross Juniors Women and Belmont v Ross Ladies.