Red Insure Southern League Cup

Third Round

North Leigh 2

Cinderford Town 4

DALE Evans, the forgotten man at Cinderford Town, scored all four goals in this hard fought cup success on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Evans, who captained Town last season, has struggled with injuries and form, but there was no doubting his quality at North Leigh.

Boss Steve Peters gave starts to Josh Emery, Ashley Malcolm and the fit again Matt Smith, as well as Evans. The game began at a fast pace with Sam O'Sullivan causing the North Leigh defence plenty of problems.

Evans found the net for the first time in the seventh minute, but the home side equalised through Mills 12 minutes later.

Evans regained the lead for Cinderford just a minute before half-time with a stunning 30-yarder.

Cinderford also had a Sam O'Sullivan goal disallowed for offside, but North Leigh put Town's goal under pressure on several occasions, particularly on the counter-attack, forcing the visitors to clear off the line.

Matt Barnes replaced the injured Lee Smith at half-time as Town restarted up the slope. They conceded a penalty within a minute of the kick-off, but keeper Alex Harris pulled off a fine save.

North Leigh enjoyed most of the possession and the better chances as Matt Smith made way for Alex Evans.

Dale Evans's third goal in the 67th minute eased the pressure and gave the visitors a new lease of life.

Yet again, it was another incredible long distance strike, this time from 35-yards, straight into the top corner of the net.

Hopkins pulled one back for the hosts 10 minutes from time, but a mere 20-yarder from man of the match Evans a minute later killed off all thoughts of a late comeback and put Town into the last eight of the competition.

Cinderford Town: Alex Harris, Warren Archer (capt), Andy Lewis, Dan Harrison, Matt Smith, Josh Emery, Ashley Malcolm, Jack Camm, Dale Evans, Sam O'Sullivan, Lee Smith. Subs: Dave Bird, Lewis Sommers, Greg Lewis, Alex Evans, Matt Barnes.

Southern League

South & West Division

Cinderford Town 2

Taunton Town 1

MATT Barnes was sent off 20 minutes from time but spirited Cinderford held on for their first league win since November 6.

Taunton Town provided stubborn opposition and their confidence was high after victories over Hungerford and Evesham.

Cliff-Brown wasted a glorious chance for the visitors, firing wide tamely after beating the offside trap.

On 28 minutes, Taunton took the lead when Herrod strolled through the centre of Cinderford's defence and slotted past Harris.

Pepperall forced a decent save out of Harris, but Cinderford rallied and finished the first half on top.

Lee Smith saw his shot kept out by a diving Thompson, then Alex Evans headed over the bar.

The equaliser came five minutes before the break, Dale Evans powerfully driving home with the help of a deflection.

Cinderford dominated the second half and went in front on 57 minutes through defender Alex Evans, who rose highest to head in a free-kick.

Bird and Barnes had chances to increase the lead, while sub Sam O'Sullivan hit the post.

The sending off of Matt Barnes, following a second yellow card, left Cinderford with a battle on their hands to preserve their lead. However, they defended for their lives.

Alex Harris made a couple of excellent stops and Greg Lewis and Alex Evans threw themselves into tackles as Taunton had a penalty appeal turned down and another effort hacked off the line.

Cinderford Town: Alex Harris, Alex Evans, Warren Archer (capt), Greg Lewis, Andy Lewis, Dave Bird, Matt Barnes, Dale Evans, Lewis Sommers (Sam O'Sullivan 72), Jack Camm, Lee Smith ( Josh Emery 81). Subs not used: Ashley Malcolm, Dan Harrison, Matt Smith.