FOREST sports sides are no strangers to the unique problems faced by competing near the Forest of Dean wildlife.

And although the wildlife itself are often on the run from poachers, deer at Viney Hill got caught up in a different kind of net.

A stag almost wrecked Viney St Swithins’ plans for a home friendly against Harrow Hill Reserves when it got tangled up in the goalmouth.

Thankfully, as secretary Simon James explained, no harm was caused to either the deer or the North Gloucestershire League side’s pre-season schedule.

“The lads from Harrow Hill brought a net up with them so that was rescued thankfully,” he said.

“The deer got stuck up in the net on Thursday morning. We were going to buy new nets anyway but this wasn’t quite what we had in mind!

“I wasn’t up there but apparently the Forestry Commission and the RSPCA got along to do their bit.

“We also got the win too so no harm was done in the end.

“But if there are any sponsors out there who want to donate a net to a damsel in distress it’d be greatly appreciated!”

Bizarrely, it’s not the first time a deer has been dumbfounded by Viney’s nets – another of the Dean’s most famous wildlife was snagged in the Viney goal in 2010.

The news made national media, as James heard one commentator on TalkSport radio ponder if Viney were the club ex-England defender Berry Venison played for...