Zamaretto Southern League

South & West Division

Cinderford Town 4

Bishop's Cleeve 0

IMPROVING Cinderford made it three league wins on the bounce with this deserved rout of their Cheltenham rivals on Tuesday night.

The Cleeve side included former Town players Lee Davies, Tim Haddock, Mark Pritchett and Jon Crowford, alongside ex-Cheltenham Town skipper John Finnigan and former Gloucester City striker Alex Sykes. None of them had any real impact on the game.

"We knew what to expect from them," said Town boss Paul Weeks.

"We weathered the storm for 25 minutes but I knew we'd be fitter and going stronger at the end. They weren't going to hurt us down the flanks."

Cleeve settled the better, but gave the ball away too cheaply.

There were few chances, until a piece of magic from Sam O'Sullivan broke the deadlock on 37 minutes. O'Sullivan, who has just lost the captain's armband to Pete Macklin, turned and shot from the edge of the box in one movement after Cleeve failed to deal with a ball in from the left flank.

Cleeve came out of the blocks quickly for the second-half – Alex Sykes hitting the bar with an excellent free-kick.

The visitors had the stuffing knocked out of them when Dan Harrison – a tower of strength at the back – rose to head home a 47th minute corner.

From then on, it was all Cinderford.

They increased their lead in the 64th minute from another corner. Cleeve keeper Tom King flapped at the ball twice and Lewis Sommers rolled the ball back for Peter Macklin to pass into the net. Midfielder Andy Lewis – arguably the find of the season – deservedly scored Cinderford's fourth three minutes from time. The energetic teenager popped up in the right place at the right time to side-foot an effort into an empty net after Town again carved their opponents open down the right.

Weeks said: "We've beaten a good Cleeve side with Sean Seavill, Matt Smith and Craig Tait in the stand, Matt Barnes on the way back from a broken leg, and Nick McCootie, Dale Evans and Brad Andrews not available. Happy days!"

Cinderford also look set to sign another striker in Max Etheridge.

The England Colleges striker has been playing for Frome Town this season.

Cinderford Town: Ben John, Warren Archer, Danny Haines, Dan Harrison, James Baldwin, Nick Hancock, Peter Macklin (capt), Andy Lewis, Sam O'Sullivan, Lewis Sommers, Lee O'Connor. Subs: Tom Billing, Alex Harris, Josh Brown, Kris Miller, Greg Lewis.

Bishop's Cleeve: Tom King, Jon Crowford, Mark Pritchett, John Finnigan, Lee Smith, Adam Avery, Lee Davies, Alex Sykes, Jake Lee, Tim Haddock, Richard Mansell (capt). Subs: Steve Jones, Ashley Caldwell, Elliot Kennedy.