Uhlsport Hellenic League
Division One West
Bicester 3
Lydney Town 1
THIS was the first meeting between these two clubs this season and Lydney were found wanting.
With Ross Lindsay unavailable, Jarred Liddington made the starting XI and Steve Jones came back into the squad as a sub.
The game was fairly even, but on 15 minutes a long through-ball caught the Lydney defence out and Bicester centre-forward Dan Green ran on to slot the ball home.
Lydney tried to get back into the game but could not find their normal rhythm. The match turned into a midfield battle, but Lydney levelled before the break when a Ricky Elliott (pictured) corner on the stroke of half-time deceived the home defence and the Bicester keeper could only palm the ball into the back of his net.
Lydney had to shuffle their pack when influential midfielder Jonny Kear, who struggled through the first-half with an injury, had to be replaced by Steve Jones. Glenn Stallard pushed into midfield.
On 55 minutes, Dan Green ran through the middle of the pitch again to rifle home and put Bicester 2-1 up.
In the final 15 minutes Lydney pushed forward in an attempt to get something from the game and they missed a glorious chance with only a couple of minutes to go. A Ricky Elliott free-kick found the head of Matty Timmins, but the striker could only direct it straight at the keeper.
The game was settled in the dying seconds when Lydney were caught on the break and Bicester's Ashley Johnson scored.
This was Lydney's third away defeat on the trot and they now find themselves seven points behind leaders Headington Amateurs and only four points in front of the chasing pack.
One of the teams able to jump above Lydney is Purton, who visit the Recreation Ground this Saturday (3pm).