KIERAN Young fired a hat-trick for Ross Juniors men away to Lydney Town A on Saturday (May 4), but they went down 7-4 in a goal fest.

Having challenged for promotion for much of the season in North Gloucestershire One, their hopes were effectively ended in mid-week when they lost 3-0 at Whitecroft having slipped up 5-2 at home to Blakeney the previous Saturday.

And sixth is now the best they can hope for with one game left to play away to Woolaston 2nds on Tuesday, May 14, kick-off 6.30pm.

Similarly, villagers Howle Hill have seen their NG Premier title challenge fall away after topping the table earlier, with a 6-3 away final game loss to Huntley on Saturday leaving them fifth, and the victors leapfrogging them to third.

Champions Bream also added the JO Roberts Cup for good measure on Sunday with a 4-1 win over Ellwood.

Ruardean Hill lost 3-1 at Hanham in their final game on Monday, to finish ninth in the Gloucestershire County League, Steve Clarke with the consolation.

But it was high fives all round for Lydbrook Athletic on Saturday after a thumping 5-0 home win over Frampton 2nds, backing up a 1-0 midweek win at high-flying Harrow Hill, leaving them sixth in Gloucestershire Northern 2 with three games left.

Mitcheldean 2nds were in seventh heaven battering Bream 2nds 7-1 away in their final NG 2 match, where they are sixth.

Goals from Liam James and Henry Daunter secured a point for Longhope in a 2-2 draw away to Ellwood 2nds, leaving their promotion hopes still mathematically alive with one game to play.

Sling one above in second also have a match left away to Ellwood 2nds, but Longhope, who visit Lydney B on Saturday (May 11), have a better goal difference.

Ruardean Hill A followed up a 2-1 midweek win over Sling 2nds in NG3 with a 3-3 draw away to Lydbrook A, Cameron Peacey with a brace and Brandon Barnett also on target.

And Ross Women closed to three points with three games in hand on leaders Penybont in the Herefordshire Women’s League after a 2-0 midweek win away to Welland 2nds, Bea Zuka and Lauren Creed on target.