Southern League
South & West Division
AFC Totton 3
Cinderford Town 1
THERE was a plenty to admire about Cinderford's performance in Southampton, but the league leaders showed why they are the number one side in the division.
This was Cinderford's first visit to Totton's impressive new Testwood Stadium and for much of the first half they were the better team.
They were without their first choice strike force of Nick McCootie and Leon Jeanne too.
McCootie is serving a two match suspension, while Jeanne was not available.
That meant starts for Sam O'Sullivan and Lewis Sommers.
Warren Archer returned in defence, enabling Andy Lewis to play further up the field.
The visitors suffered an early loss, Brad Andrews having to make way for Nick Hancock in just the 17th minute.
However, Town took the lead midway through the half when Lewis Sommers headed home an excellent Sam O'Sullivan cross.
Totton equalised in the 55th minute from the penalty-spot, Mike Gosney slotting past Alex Harris.
Cinderford – playing their fourth game in a week – continued to match the hosts in most departments, but weariness told as Totton scored twice in the final half-hour.
Osman raced through on goal and although his first effort was stopped by Harris, he gathered the loose ball and put it in the net.
The same player wrapped things up for his side with an injury-time strike, his 100th goal in Totton colours.
Cinderford Town: Alex Harris, Warren Archer, Greg Lewis,Tom Billing, Danny Haines, Dale Evans, Peter Macklin (capt), Brad Andrews, Andy Lewis, Sam O'Sullivan, Lewis Sommers. Subs: Nick Hancock for Brad Andrews 17mins, Max Etheridge for Peter Macklin 83mins. Not used: Ben John, Dan Harrison, Matt Barnes.