2pm 17 January 2026
Gloucestershire County League
Ruardean Hill Rangers 1 Hanham Athletic 4 (att 34)
I had various options for an afternoon game, but on a day of many postponements I settled on this once the club confirmed, via social media, that their grass pitch was playable.
The Gloucestershire County League is one of the better competitions to have 'regional feeder league' status from the FA, and clubs based in the Forest of Dean are always interesting to visit.
Ruardean Hill is apparently the highest point in the forest, and there are good views from the the village recreation ground. It caters for football and cricket, and the adjacent Ruardean Hill Sports Club provides changing rooms and clubhouse facilities.
The sloping football pitch is beyond the cricket square. It's railed off, and on the far side a pair of dugouts are positioned either side of a small covered area for spectators. A few advertising boards complete a neat football ground.
This was a crucial fixture between relegation rivals. How Hanham went into the game bottom of the table I don't know, as they won comfortably and have some talented players.
An overheard conversation in the clubhouse at half time suggests they've signed additional players with experience higher up the non-league pyramid, presumably to save them from the drop.
They were 2-0 up before Ruardean thought they'd got back into the game with a goal just before half time. But in stoppage time ahead of the break the visitors hit back with a third goal. Hanham's win was confirmed with a fourth just five minutes into the second period.
Comments
Post a Comment