Forest of Dean Select XI 0

Ellistown 1

A WINNING goal five minutes from time was all that separated these two teams in a competitive clash at the Lydney Recreation Ground.

The Forest XI was put together and managed by ex-Broadwell player Gary Hurcombe, who said: "Ellistown were a very smart outfit and not to be underestimated. A lot of their players started their football careers with the likes of Leicester City, Burton Albion, Nottingham Forest and Notts County.

"Both sides played a lot of good football. It was a very competitive match."

Hurcombe instructed his side to take the game to the opposition from the kick-off.

Despite having had only one training session together, the Forest lads gelled well.

Peter Macklin hit the post from a corner after Sam Elliott headed the ball across the box.

On the stroke of half-time, however, keeper Ricky Beckett had to be alert to make an outstanding stop.

Beckett's handling was assured all day, while central defenders Byron Ranford and Sam Elliott needed to keep their wits about them against Ellistown's lively attackers.

The visitors possessed a strong midfield, but the Foresters were also experienced in this area of the park with Jamie Addis, Craig Tait and skipper Macklin.

Arguably the best Forest player on the day was Guy Jones, who looked comfortable at right-back before switching to sweeper for the injured Mark Lee.

In the second-half Jamie Addis broke clean through on goal but was unable to find the net.

Ironically, back in 1983 Gary Hurcombe played for a Forest Select XI against a team of ex-Welsh pros. In the Forest team that day were the likes of Andy Kear, Richard Johnson, Wayne Jones, John Ward and Antony King – now the manager of Ellistown.

Forest Squad: Ricky Beckett (Whitecroft), Mark Lee (Lydney Town), Byron Ranford (Ellwood), Sam Elliott (Lydney Town), Peter Macklin (captain, Cinderford Town), Craig Tait (Cinderford Town), Jamie Addis (Westfields), Guy Jones (Broadwell), Daryl Addis (Westfields), Richard Kear (Westfields), Ricky Elliott (Lydney Town), Tom Creed (Lydbrook Athletic), Adam Price (Lydney Town), Steve Jones (Lydney Town), Dane Adams (Viney Hill).