RUARDEAN Hill Rangers joint manager Paul Williams praised his young side after they gained promotion to the County League for the first time in the club’s history.

Rangers wrapped up the Northern Senior One title with three games left thanks to a 5-1 home win against Sharpness.

The game was played at Ellwood as Rangers’ home gets a facelift ready for County League football, with new changing facilities being installed.

Brian Burke opened the scoring, before Kane Fellows and then Steve Belfitt trebled the lead.

Captain Luke Brown then added a brace to put the gloss on a historic day for Rangers.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” Williams said.

“They deserve all of the success, the team have worked so hard all year. They train twice a week and they get out what they put in. That shows with winning the league with three games left.

“The performance on Saturday was unbelievable. We’ve got a good young side and are aided by two experienced players in Nick Jayne and Steve Belfitt.

“They’ve blossomed into good footballers who can improve again and again.

“It’s been a great season and an I’ve been honoured to work with my joint manager Adrian Cole.”

The title win secures a third promotion for Rangers in five years, having won the North Gloucestershire League Premier Division in 2012 and then earning back-to-back championships in Northern Senior Two the following season.