DRG trainsights on move up the ranks

Gloucestershire County League preview

DRG Stapleton are targeting Toolstation League football as part of a three-year plan of action.

The club appeared on their knees last term as they fought a grim relegation battle under the guidance of Justin Bishop and Simon Bloodworth.

But a major summer overhaul, which included the arrival of former Mangotsfield Reserves boss Tim Britton, his assistant Neil McKeown and virtually their entire backroom team and squad, signalled a transformation.

Tomorrow, DRG travel to Highridge United intent on retaining top spot. Chairman John McArthur said: "There's a great atmosphere here again, we have a great committee and players are turning up to training in their numbers.

"While we don't harbour ambitions of going up just yet, we do have a three-year plan in place to get into the Toolstation League."

Yate Reserves have been boosted by news that striker Justin Cattle will only have to serve a two-match suspension instead of a 35-day ban initially meted out to him following his dismissal in the Fry's summer tournament.

Cattle maintains his place in a Yate side eager for victory at home to rampant Thornbury Town following four outings without a win.

Thornbury boss Dave Lippiatt says his side's emphatic back-to-back wins – 4-1 at AXA and 5-1 against Brimscombe & Thrupp – are down to collective effort.

"Our goals in those two games were shared among our wingers (Chris Parry, James DeRosa), two strikers (Steve Thompson, Steve Alexander) and centre-half Pete Fowler," said Lippiatt.

Winger Ashley Lloyd returns from a lengthy injury lay-off to increase the Thornbury manager's options..

Chipping Sodbury chief Chris Gear has pledged to stick by the strike-force which tore Rockleaze Avonside apart in Saturday's 6-3 away thrashing, when they entertain Ellwood tomorrow.

"Lee Gardiner got a hat-trick and Danny Coombes scored and they looked the part together up front," said Gear. I had to put my leading goalscorer (Paul Harris) on the bench to accommodate them and it worked well."

Avonside boss Carmelo Micciche is seeking a "positive reaction" to the rare thumping when he takes his humbled high-fliers to play Hanham.

The home side will be without suspended keeper Ash Bryan, as they seek to build on a 2-1 victory over King's Stanley last time out.

Stapleton have presented a cheque for £1,200 to the South West Children's Heart Circle, following months of fund-raising by the Frenchay-based club.