Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One

Dursley Town 2 FC Barometrics 1

TWO goals from Martin Booth and a heroic rearguard action earned Dursley their first league win of the season at the 19th time of asking at the Rec on Saturday.

And it was sweet revenge for Dursley as Barometrics, lying third in the table, beat Town 6-2 in October.

The victory takes Dursley to just two points adrift of Southside Star at the bottom ahead of the local derby against second-placed Sharpness on Saturday.

This time, they began by creating several chances, although it was the hosts that seized the initiative on 20 minutes.

Visiting goalkeeper Ryan Betteridge saved from Booth, but the veteran striker blocked Ryan Paddock’s attempted clearance and the ball ricocheted into the net.

After the break, Tom Deakin hit the post when rounding Betteridge, while Paddock struck the bar and Nick Hill the post in an incredible scramble at the other end.

How the hosts did not concede at times was a mystery, but goalkeeper Matt Turl showed some assured handling on his debut and his defenders were magnificent.

Dursley grabbed a crucial second goal midway through the half when Karl Nash played a superb pass through to Booth and he slid the ball past Betteridge.

Baros’ James Bayliffe pulled a goal back from a corner with a little over ten minutes to go, but Town clung on by their fingertips to record a first league win since March.

“This has been coming,” said Town boss Lee Thomas, who had seen his side lose only 2-1 to both leaders Stonehouse and derby rivals Cam in their last two games.

Dursley: M Turl; S Pearson, C Wilkins, B Matthews, M Workman; T Deakin, J Minett (A Baker 70), J Dolbear, C Mills (B Deakin 70); K Nash, M Booth. Not Used: J Redbond.

Goals: Booth (20 and 65).

* Dursley thirds’ Stroud League Division Five game at Berkeley Reserves was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Station Road.

Gloucestershire County Women’s League Division One

Longlevens Ladies 7 Dursley Town Ladies 2

UNDER-strength Dursley’s second-half rally ultimately came up short as Longlevens ran out comfortable winners of a fixture switched from Gloucester to the Rec.

Trailing by three goals following a poor first half, Town hit back early in the second period when Michelle Watson turned in the box and scored with curling left-foot shot.

Ten minutes later, midfielder Watson turned provider with a measured through-ball that Charlotte Warren ran on to and slid beyond the advancing goalkeeper.

Longlevens rode out the storm, however, and their superior fitness showed in the end as they scored four goals inside the last 15 minutes to run out easy winners.

Dursley: V Mansell; S Drew, C Gabb, R Allen, R Daglish; S Stanley, K Turl, N Richards, Z Gabb; A Gwyther, C Warren. Rolling substitutes: C Trinder, M Watson.

Goals: Watson (50), Warren (60).