Southern League

South & West Division

Cinderford Town 2

Yate Town 2

LEWIS Sommers netted twice in a minute to turn around a game that looked to be slipping away from the Foresters.

The Yate starting XI contained three former Cinderford players, Scott Wilson, Karim Rendall and Geraint Bater.

All three were influential – although Wilson will rue missing several gilt-edged chances to win the game for his side, whilst Bater became more subdued in the second half after Town introduced David Bird from the bench.

Yate created the better chances in the opening 20 minutes.

Wilson shot wide on the turn, then slid the ball past the post from close range after Rendall and Groves combined magnificently to carve Cinderford's defence open.

The opening Yate goal came from the penalty-spot in the 27th minute.

Town's defence was caught napping as Wilson raced onto a ball over the top. Struggling to recover, Kieran Thomas bundled over the pacy striker, who got up to convert the spot-kick himself.

Four minutes later, Rendall breezed through space to set up Groves, who side-footed past Alex Harris with ease.

Cinderford had chances, with Kieran Thomas's crossing from the right flank their main weapon. Greg Lewis headed a free-kick wide, while Jack Camm's close range effort was blocked on the line.

In the second half Cinderford made their usual rally, with Dave Bird giving Town a much needed calming influence in the centre of the park.

Dale Evans had a free-kick from the edge of the box superbly saved, but Town pulled a goal back on 59 minutes when Sommers rose highest to head home a free-kick, awarded for a hotly-contested foul on Ashley Malcolm.

Within a minute it was 2-2 as Sommers won another aerial battle with Yate keeper Ancin.

Neither side rested on their laurels, but Yate went closest to finding a winner.

Wilson blazed over the bar when it looked easier to score and Groves also missed a sitter.

Town keeper Harris, who dropped a couple of crosses while staring into a low sun, did well to keep out a Rendall drive with his legs.

The dangerous Sommers forced a scrambling save from Ancin after tricking his way past two defenders and shooting with power from outside the box.

Cinderford Town: Alex Harris, Kieran Thomas, Warren Archer (capt), Greg Lewis, Andy Lewis, Ashley Malcolm, Dale Evans, Jack Camm, Matt Barnes, Lee Smith, Lewis Sommers. Subs used: David Bird, Sam O;Sullivan. Not used: Matt Smith, Danny Haines, Josh Emery.