Southern League

South & West Division

Cinderford Town 2

Clevedon Town 1

THIS win lifted Cinderford into the top six of the league on Saturday evening, but the Foresters were made to work hard by a gutsy Clevedon side who recently beat them at The Causeway in the League Cup.

Cinderford took the lead in the second minute when Kingdon, under pressure, turned the ball into his own net.

The lead lasted just a couple of minutes – Brimson spotting Ben John off his line and embarrassing the home keeper from long range.

Both sides created some decent chances with Whitington and Egan going closest for Town.

It was man of the match Nick McCootie who restored their advantage six minutes before half-time, showing skill and speed to race away from the Clevedon defence and finish with aplomb.

In the second half Kingdon should have equalised for the visitors, but skewed his shot wide of the post. Cinderford defended well and continued to threaten on the break. Dean Lee and the lively Josh Egan both forced good saves from Clevedon keeper Matthews, while Ashley Malcolm's lobbed effort just missed the target. Cinderford still needed Ben John to pull off a fantastic save to preserve their slender advantage and secure the points. He made a superb one-handed save late in the game to keep out an effort from Kingdon.

Cinderford Town: Ben John, Ashley Malcolm, Danny Haines, Andy Lewis, Greg Lewis, Craig Tait (capt), Josh Egan, Nick McCootie (Matt Barnes 77), Nick Hancock, Mike Whittington (Lewis Sommers 70), Dean Lee. Subs not used: Alex Harris, Matt Smith, Dale Evans.