Southern League Division One S&W

Bridgwater Town 0 Cindeford Town 1

CINDERFORD Town went four points clear at the top of the Southern League Div One S&W on Tuesday, but only after having to batter the Robins’ defensive door down for an hour, before clinching what turned out to be the winning goal, writes Kerry Miller.

Bridgwater were under the cosh for almost the entire match and had just two long range shots to their name, but incredibly were still in it to the end and, with the visitors seemingly content with the one goal, had the better of the final period of a bizarre game on a bitter night.

Having beaten North Leigh three days before Bridgy were not in awe of the leaders, but were soon aware that it was going to be a long night as the twin threat of Ethan Moore and Lee Smith caused chaos from the outset.

Both wasted good chances in the first ten minutes as the home defence came to terms with the tricky conditions, and home keeper Jake Viney had a couple of let offs from poor clearances before going on to pull off a string of superb saves, including a one on one with top scorer Moore.

It took 35 minutes before the beleaguered side could escape and mount an attack – Jamie Adams’ 30 yard grubber causing Alex Harris no problems, but with nothing happening up front it was a miracle the scoresheet was blank at half-time.

Moore and Smith again both had efforts saved by the excellent Viney, before Isaac Reid again gave the ball away in midfield and Smith went clear but scuffed his shot, with only Viney to beat.

It was a brief respite as when Moore escaped on the left, his fierce cross shot was bundled in on the line by Smith on the hour.

Ibrahim Diallo’s night was over immediately as he was replaced by George Sinnott and Isaac Reid joined him soon after, the new signing sadly not looking remotely match fit or interested from the start.

Substitutes Charlie White and Sean Anthony added some spring to the last 15 minutes, as Bridgwater sensed that the visitors had taken their feet off the gas, but James Byrne’s mishit shot was all they could muster.

It was left to Viney to pull off the save of the match to deny Moore from point bank range, as Cinderford went back up the M5 wondering how they did not score a hatful, as well as breathing a sigh of relief that the home side had ot somehow snatch an equaliser.

Town: Jake Viney, Jamie Adams, Connor O’Sullivan, Sam Towler, Ben Palmer, Josh White, Reeko Best, James Byrne, Isaac Reid, Ibrahima Diallo, Josh Wadham. Subs: Charlie White, Tom Hopkins, George Sinnott, Sean Anthony.