Zamaretto Southern League
South & West Division
Cinderford Town 4
Clevedon 1
CINDERFORD had too much firepower for lowly Clevedon at The Causeway on Saturday.
Town created a host of good chances throughout the game and were good value for their 10th league win of the campaign.
Following the midweek defeat at Gosport Borough, strikers Tom Billing and Lewis Sommers dropped to the bench with Max Etheridge and Leon Jeanne returning to the starting XI. Both were excellent, with Etheridge grabbing two goals.
Etheridge went close early in the game after following up a superb Jeanne free-kick that struck the post. He was denied by Clevedon keeper Mellor.
McCootie failed to convert an Evans cross from close range, then had a header brilliantly kept out by the in-form Mellor.
When McCootie finally found the net, the effort was disallowed for offside.
Cinderford deservedly took a lead into the interval when more great work from the classy Jeanne set up Etheridge, who found the net with aplomb.
In the second half Cinderford continued to dominate.
Mellor made another fine stop to deny McCootie, but Town skipper Peter Macklin doubled the lead on 49 minutes after good work from Etheridge.
Clevedon midfielder Hemmings was unlucky to see his powerful free-kick strike the bar, but the visitors generally struggled to get the ball off Cinderford and were often chasing shadows.
Best out-muscled Josh Brown, on as a sub for Dan Harrison, to pull a goal back, but Etheridge settled the nerves by heading home a 75th minute Sommers cross.
Etheridge should have completed his hat-trick, but he dragged his shot wide after being set up by Sommers and Brown.
Dale Evans wrapped things up with a great strike past Mellor in injury-time.
Cinderford Town: Ben John, Warren Archer, Danny Haines, Dan Harrison (rep Josh Brown 45mins), Greg Lewis, Dale Evans, Leon Jeanne, Peter Macklin (capt), Nick McCootie (rep Lewis Sommers 66mins), Max Etheridge, Brad Andrews (rep Nick Hancock 72mins). Subs not used: Sam O'Sullivan, Tom Billing.