Dursley Town AFC round-up

BRISTOL Rovers Development will most likely win Division Two of the Gloucestershire County Women's League - but they will seldom face a battle like they did at Dursley on Sunday.

The newly-formed Rovers second-string ran out 3-0 winners at the Rec, but they needed a large slice of luck before securing the three points.

Town looked nervous in the first 20 minutes of this top-of-the-table clash, during which they fell behind, but they fought for everything thereafter.

The hosts needed centre-backs Stacey Drew, Jasmin Gillingham and Georgina Macey to be at their best, as well as goalkeeper Jodie Turl.

A pivotal 60 seconds came ten minutes after the break when Louise Pegler's header was adjudged not to have crossed the line, and Rovers instantly broke away to double their lead at the other end.

Dursley kept pressing, but the collective tank ultimately emptied, and relieved Rovers were able to add a third goal two minutes from time.

* Strike partners Joel Stoneman and Will Gosling both hit hat-tricks as Dursley Town Reserves eased into the second round of the GFA Minor Cup.

Hapless Ruardean Hill 3rds were swept aside 7-0 at the Rec with Stoneman scoring a first-half hat-trick after Gosling had made the breakthrough.

Gosling went on to complete his own treble after the break, while Tristan Franklin surged through from midfield to get his name on the scoresheet.

* Dursley Town 3rds were out of luck as they went out of the Primary Cup at the first hurdle with a 4-3 home defeat against Leonard Stanley Reserves.

Stanley went two goals up, and later led 3-1, but the home side remained in contention thanks to goals from Chris Hyam and Sam Fitzgibbon.

Hyam then equalised five minutes from time, only for Stanley to retake the lead, and there was still time for a Fitzgibbon effort to be ruled out.

* Dursley Town firsts, who were without a game at the weekend, return to action with a double-header this coming weekend, visiting Ramblers in Stroud League Division One on Saturday, and hosting derby rivals Cam Bulldogs in the Stroud Presidents' Cup on Sunday.

Dursley Reserves host their Randwick counterparts, Dursley 3rds visit Stonehouse 4ths, and Dursley Ladies go to Cotswold Rangers.