Severn Tunnel NPC 5 Blakeney 3 Severn Tunnel NPC gave new signing Dougie Drummond another run-out against North Gloucestershire League Blakeney and the big Scot showed he can forge a fruitful partnership with fellow striker Tom Atkins.

Drummond, who played semi-pro football with Muirkirk in Scotland, has recently moved to Rogiet and showed some nice touches, linking with Atkins and helping to set up two of the youngster's three goals.

In return Atkins provided the pass for Drummond's goal which put Tunnel 4-2 ahead and Nathan Wheeler added the fifth after Blakeney had reduced the arrears.

First team manager/coach Ken Nurden was pleased with the victory, although disappointed that the defence shipped three goals.

"It was a good test against a team who came to play football," he said.

"They played from the back and tried to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible, as we did. I thought centre-half Luke Edwards put in an excellent performance."

The blustery wind meant the long ball hoofed up from the back would be a lottery and it played a major part in the visitors equalising Atkins' opener when a corner-kick swirled and moved in flight, before dropping in off the far post.

Tunnel keeper Neil Hughes was in good form, producing a string of saves to deny Blakeney but was left exposed three times and had little chance with any of the visitors' goals while James Price went close after a surging run through Blakeney's defence, his goalbound shot bringing out a good save by the visitors' keeper.

Atkins took his goals well, latching onto through passes, his strength and powerful shooting doing the rest, although there was a suspicion of offside with his third.

General manager Ron Atkins, who will again line up in the Tunnel's B team next season, was upbeat about the Tunnel's chances.

"Ken has a good squad and is still adding to it, not just in numbers but also in quality," he said.

"There is a lot of confidence in both teams. The A team finished fourth last season and I think they can improve on that this year, not bad for a club that's only been going three years.

"Although the B team finished bottom, our aim is to finish at least one place higher this year."

The club trains at Rogiet Sportsfield on Wednesdays at 6pm and invites any new or former players to attend.