Southern League

South & West Division

Cinderford Town 1

Halesowen Town 0

ANDY Lewis side-footed Cinderford's 58th minute winner to complete the double over Halesowen in front of the biggest Causeway crowd of the season.

The game was littered with seven yellow cards and two red ones, but it was hardly a dirty match.

The names of Josh Egan and Mike Whittington went into the ref's notebook, with Dan Harrison getting sent off for collecting two bookings, the second in the 68th minute.

Halesowen's Anthony Bruce also went for an early shower nine minutes from time after being shown a second yellow card for a foul on Nick Hancock.

Yet again, Cinderford's success was a built on a rock solid defensive display.

No team in the league has conceded fewer goals than the Foresters, who have only let in five goals in their last nine matches.

By contrast, scoring can be a problem – and only Bishop's Cleeve, Abingdon, Didcot, Wimborne and Stourport have managed fewer than Town's tally of 28 goals in 22 matches.

Halesowen shaded a first half that never came to life with Smith and Bruce going close.

Cinderford's best effort fell to Nick McCootie, who forced a fingertip save from Jackson.

Just before half-time, Mike Whittington shot over the bar and Loney did well to clear an Egan cross.

Cinderford improved in the second half and the only goal of the game was created by the dangerous McCootie, who forced his way down the right flank and squared the ball for Andy Lewis to side-foot home.

The sending off of Harrison threatened to spoil Cinderford's afternoon, but Halesowen never posed a serious threat against 10 men.

When Bruce followed Harrison to the dressing rooms the game was all but up for The Yeltz.

Cinderford Town: Alex Harris, Ashley Malcolm, Matt Smith, Dan Harrison, Greg Lewis, Nick Hancock, Josh Egan (Matt Barnes 78), Andy Lewis, Nick McCootie, Mike Whittington (Lewis Sommers 70), Dean Lee. Subs not used: Warren Archer, Brad Andrews, Ben John.