Cinderford Town 0 Wimborne Town 0

Southern League

Division One South & West

CINDERFORD Town were the architects of their own stagnation in this goalless draw which will have frustrated the home support in mid-week.

The match was rearranged having been abandoned earlier this month with Cinderford winning 2-1 after an hour, but the free-flowing passing that gave them the lead then was nowhere to be seen until 60 minutes into this occasion.

A stifling midfield made of converted defenders James Fawke and Nick Rhodes also seemed to stunt the Foresters’ creative outlay, with any production coming from wing-backs Kyle Knott and captain Keiran Thomas.

Any meaningful attacks bypassed the engine room for the first half, the best of which came when Thomas’ excellent cross was headed over the bar by forward Lee Smith.

Wimborne had their own chances; Mark Ford was often dangerous on the break and looked certain to score until Matt Williams made an important challenge. Goalkeeper Alex Harris turned the follow-up around the near post.

Smith headed once more at goal, this time crossed by Sheehan, but the effort was saved by O’Flaherty in the away goal.

Whatever Cinderford manager John Brough said in the changing rooms seemed to have worked initially, as the hosts began to pass the ball around with a little more fluidity. But Ford should have capitalised on Williams’ mistake when the Gloucester City loanee let a pass from midfield through his legs. Only the covering Niall Rowe could get over with Ford clean through to put the striker off his stride and finish wide of the post.

Ten minutes in, and Brough had seen enough. Off came Knott and Williams, replaced by new man Ben Snook and forward George Lloyd, and Cinderford reverted to their more comfortable 4-3-3. The change in system allowed for a much smoother passing game and Lloyd was often a spark on the right-hand wing.

But Cinderford’s final ball was lacking against a stubborn Wimborne defence, until Smith headed again at O’Flaherty, who had to pull off a double save against Lloyd’s follow-up.

The visiting ’keeper proved to be the hero late on, too, as Smith volleyed with acrobatic ease, only to see the custodian pull off an incredible save to claw the ball away from the top far corner.

Honours had to be shared, and it will feel like two points dropped for the Foresters, but credit must go to Wimborne for their endeavour in defence.