Filton Athletic FC

After almost a month of away games we finally get to another game at home, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone cheer the lads on. In that time, we have advanced to the next round of the cup but have only picked up two points in the league. We do love a draw!!

This weekend we welcome Ruardean Hill Rangers to BBS Park North @ Elm Park who currently sit in eleventh place in the league having only played three games so far. In those three games they have picked up four points with a win, a draw and a loss to their name so far this season. I am sure they will be hoping to double their wins tally against us this weekend.

We currently sit in fourth place on nine points having picked up two wins and three draws so far. Last season the points were shared between the teams with each taking three points home in the away fixtures, so we are expecting a tough game this time around as well. A win this weekend would help us keep up with the top of the table teams and help with some teams around us having played a game less.

Our next game is away and sees us travel up the M5 again to Quedgeley, but the rest of October sees us stay closer to home as in the league Hanham visit BBS Park North and we take the quick trip over to the Lawns to play Cribbs. The other clash in October sees us kick off our GFA cup campaign on the Downs to Saints Old Boys.

We hope to see all the fans as well as all the Ruardean players and coaches back at the feast after the game for some food, some beer and a bit of a disco.

Firstly, welcome to the management, players, and supporters of Ruardean. It is the first time we have played a home fixture since the 30th of August, which was our abandoned game against Tiv Rocks.

Six games into the season now and still undefeated. Five in the league and through to the next round in the cup. It has been a positive start given new management, new style of play and a new home ground. Lots to build and work on. Draws against Henbury, Broadwell and Tewkesbury in the league. Similar to last season, we need to start turning some of the draws into wins. Although after a really poor first half performance against Tewkesbury, we had a positive reaction second half and should have won the game in the end. Credit to Tewkesbury though, it will be a tough place to go for teams during the season.

There is no easy game in the league this year. Unlike last season where you had the bottom two adrift, this year will be tough from the bottom to the top. Ruardean have had a mixed bag of results, beating Gifford away in the cup and four points from three games in the league. We lost 4-1 at home in the league last season where I thought they were clinical going forwards. I am expecting a tough physical game like last season, from an honest bunch who will work hard for each other. It would be great to finish September still unbeaten, but we need to be at it from the first whistle.

Ruardean Hill Rangers play their football on the highest point in the Forest of Dean, 920 feet above sea level.

Formed in 1919, Ruardean Hill played in the old Forest of Dean league until its termination in the late 1950's, where they moved into the North Gloucestershire League and have remained there in some capacity ever since.

Ruardean Hill gained their first promotion to the Northern Senior League in 1994/95 and competed there for several seasons before being relegated in 2001. They immediately gained promotion the following year, only to be relegated again in 2004. In the 2011/12 season they gained a last-day promotion back to the senior league and also reached the final of the 'Amateur Cup'. The 2012/13 season brought the club its first promotion to the Northern Senior League Division 1 for back-to-back titles.

The 'Hill' finished in the top eight for each of the next three seasons before finally winning the Division 1 title last season, scoring an incredible 125 goals and conceding just 34 in 35 games. Ruardean Hill's current first team has a good mixture of youth and experience.

The club's promotions owe a lot to the depth of its other senior teams and the junior ranks. Ruardean Hill now field 3 senior teams and an Under 14's team who became Champions of their league and gained promotion to Division 1 of the Cheltenham Youth League last season with an undefeated season.

The club are this season competing in their 9th season in the Marcliff County League and are hoping for a strong showing again this year having established themselves.