Nick Hill was spot on as Tewkesbury Town stretched their lead to four points at the top of the Cheltenham Football League.

They overcame Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves, who started the day as Tewksbury’s nearest rivals, 1-0.

Hill scored the only goal of the game – a penalty – but it was a bitter-sweet day for the striker as he was sent off 20 minutes from time after picking up a second yellow.

“It was a good win,” said Teejay Hoskins, who is joint manager of Tewkesbury with James Layton-Hill. “Nick Hill has now scored nine goals in four games.”

Prestbury Rovers are now Tewkesbury’s nearest challengers after their 3-2 win over Malvern Vale, leaving them four points behind the leaders but with a game in hand.

Whaddon United are another team who are going well and they maintained their unbeaten start to the league season – two wins and a draw from three games – with a 6-1 win over Bredon Reserves.

At the other end of the table Newton lost their fifth game of the season, going down 2-0 to Hanley Swan, and are still looking for their first point of the campaign.

On to Division Two and Leckhampton Rovers are one of only three teams now boasting a 100 per cent winning record after beating Welland 2-0.

Smiths Barometrics Reserves remain on top of the table, however, after ending the winning start of Windyridge Rovers, beating them 4-1.

St Paul’s United also lost their 100 per cent winning record, going down 5-2 to Prestbury Rovers Reserves in one of the big shocks of the day.

Gala Wilton Reserves are the only other to have taken maximum points in the division but they were without a match on Saturday and have played just the one league game.

At the other end of the table Pittville United opened their account for the season with a 2-1 win against Fintan.

Division Three brought some disappointing news as Cheltenham Saracens withdrew their team. Graham Roberts has done much in the last couple of years to take the club forward after the loss of Bob Attwood and it appears it is a case of two steps forward, one step back as Saracens look to re-establish themselves in the Cheltenham League.

There were just two league games in the division as eight clubs competed in the Minor Charity Cup.

One of these featured Southside Star FC Reserves who hosted Cheltenham United and it was the visitors who were smiling at the final whistle as a 3-0 win saw them climb up to third.

The other Division Three match saw Worcester City Royals beat Tewkesbury Town Reserves 3-1.

It has been a baptism of fire for AFC Renegades Reserves in their inaugural season in Division Four, including a 20-0 hammering at the hands of AFC Cheltenham.

Pointless after two league games and out of both cups they hosted Gala Wilton A and there was relief all round as they enjoyed a 5-1 success.

Tewkesbury Athletic, meanwhile, are the new leaders after a crushing 14-1 win over Andoversford III.

FC Lakeside Reserves are going well in Division Three and they took their league form into the Minor Charity Cup as they eased to a 6-1 win over Falcons Reserves.

303 Squadron are also through to the next round although they made hard work of overcoming Woodmancote United, requiring penalties after the game had finished 2-2 in normal time.

Fintan Reserves provided one of the upsets of the day when they defeated Charlton Rovers Reserves, who play a level above them in Division Three, 4-2.

Cheltenham League results
Division One
Dowty Dynamos v Kings FC, postponed.
Hanley Swan 2, Newton 0.
Prestbury Rovers 3, Malvern Vale FC 2.
Tewkesbury Town 1, Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves 0.
Whaddon United 6, Bredon Reserves 1.
Division Two
Andoversford Reserves 0, Brockworth Albion Reserves 3.
Fintan 1, Pittville United 2.
Leckhampton Rovers 2, Welland Reserves 0.
Smiths Barometrics Reserves 4, Windyridge Rovers 0.
St Pauls United 2, Prestbury Rovers Reserves 5.
Division Three
Worcester City Royals FC 3, Tewkesbury Town Reserves 1.
Southside Star FC Reserves 0, Cheltenham United 3.
Division Four
AFC Renegades Reserves 5, Gala Wilton A 1.
Tewkesbury Athletic 14, Andoversford Thirds 1.
Minor Charity Cup
Malvern Vale FC Reserves 3, Winchcombe Town Reserves 1.
Falcons Reserves 1, FC Lakeside Reserves 6.
Fintan Reserves 4, Charlton Rovers Reserves 2.
Woodmancote United 2, 303 Squadron 2 (303 Squadron won 3-1 on penalties).

The Cheltenham League is sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Cheltenham Ford.