Southern League

South & West Division

Cinderford Town 1

Shortwood United 2

THIS was one of Cinderford's better performances at The Causeway this season.

However, Shortwood keeper Tom King made a string of superb saves, while a howler from Town goalie Alex Harris gifted the visitors their unlikely win.

Cinderford played some excellent one-touch football at times with Jack Camm and Dave Bird dominating the centre of midfield. Lee Smith, used in a central role just in front of them, also linked up nicely with Scott Wilson, particularly in the first half.

Shortwood played some enterprising stuff too, particularly in the first period. They took the lead in the 18th minute through Matt Bennett, who was given too much room on the edge of the box to pick his spot and curl a shot into the top right corner.

Jake Parrott flicked a free-kick over the bar and Bennett also forced a good save from Harris at the near post. Tim Haddock side-footed over when well placed.

Cinderford settled down to dominate the rest of an entertaining first half.

A downward header from Lee Smith was pushed clear by King, but the equaliser was not long coming.

Scott Wilson showed good strength to keep possession after a probing run into the box. He slipped a pass to Lee Smith, who turned inside his marker and fired home.

In the second half Cinderford did most of the pressing with man of the match Camm in the thick of the action. Barnes slid a shot over the bar from an acute angle, then Wilson's effort hit the post and rolled along the line before being cleared.

King made an excellent save from a Camm half-volley.

Shortwood's winner came out of nothing, against the run of play. A speculative shot from James Baldwin from just outside the box didn't look threatening, but it bounced in front of keeper Harris as he went to ground and leapt over his body into the net. The embarrassed keeper kicked the post in frustration.

Late in the game, Cinderford sub Sam O'Sullivan went close with a low drive, but the agile King turned it away for a corner.

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

CINDERFORD Town will host Bristol City in the County Senior Challenge Cup on Monday December 10. The match will kick-off at 7.45pm.