Civil Service secure third win in a row with hard fought victory over Chalford

Cheltenham Civil Service struck late to make it three league wins in a row, edging out Chalford 2-1 to move up to 14th in the Gloucestershire County League table.

Sam Jackson’s 12th minute effort had the hosts ahead, before Chalford’s Travis Cooke curled in a stunning leveller right on half time.

And with the visitors in the ascendancy in the second half, the hosts, who were a constant threat on the counter, struck through Alin Neantu with just under ten minutes remaining.

The game was one that saw both goalkeepers, Jon Dix & Sam Neale, put in outstanding performances and on another day it could have ended 4-4 with the amount of chances either side created.

Chalford find themselves in sixth place in the table, following their third defeat of the season – all of which have come on the road.

Both sides started bright, with Riley Greenwood setting up Micolaj Rewczuk, but Neale spread himself to block.

Dix was called into action for the first time moments later, saving from Travis Cooke after the Chalford man initially won the bouncing ball against the keeper.

Civvy found room on the right hand side on the counter and Sam Jackson found himself in a great position – latching onto a through ball inside the box and he drilled in off the far post to break the deadlock.

A couple of full-blooded challenges brought with it yellow cards for Civvy duo Adonis Georgiou and Harvey White, whilst Cooke was cautioned for chopping down White to stop a counter attack.

Both benches appealed everything and in reality, it was quite refreshing to see two fully committed sides giving as good as they could get.

And just when Civvy would have started to think about half time, Cooke turned and curled an effort into the very top corner from 25 yards.

After the game, Dix said he felt he could have got to it, but if he had kept the effort out it would have been world class.

The second half saw both sides continue to be equally matched, with Cooke going close for the visitors and then Rewczuk fired wide for the hosts.

It didn’t take long for the big, big chances to come. Ben Minnican’s free kick was headed over at the back post by Nathan Wilcox, before Neale saved from Greenwood as Civvy countered.

Greenwood was then played in one on one moments later, but once again Neale spread himself to save well.

Within seconds Andy Maryon flicked the ball into the Civil Service box and Wilcox’s overhead kick was hacked off the line.

The hosts did a great job at breaking the game up for the next twenty minutes, with both sides making changes in their bids for a winner.

Mani Singh came off the bench for the hosts and after shaking off Adam Foster, would have fancied himself – but once again Neale got just enough on it to turn it away, whilst Dix stood tall to keep out Maryon.

And the game deciding 90 seconds came with ten minutes to go.

Ben Minnican’s free kick was palmed away by Dix, with the former Cheltenham Saracens man then producing a stunning stop to keep out a header from the recycled cross back into the box.

And from there, Civil Service would go down the other end with Neamtu taking the ball into his stride and firing into the bottom corner.

Chalford appealed for a handball from Neamtu, but the goal was awarded.

The final ten minutes saw Chalford pepper the Civvy box, but the hosts defended well to seal a memorable victory.

Next up for Cheltenham Civil Service is a trip to Sharpness, whilst Chalford host Filton Athletic – both games taking place next weekend.

Cheltenham Civil Service: Dix, Gyde, Illie, Duff, Georgiou, Turksen, White, Blacker, Rewczuk, Greenwood, Neamtu

Subs: Jackson, Whitmarsh, Twyning, Singh

Chalford: Neale, Minnican, Outram, Benneyworth, Lock, Foster, Keylock, Roberts, Cooke, Maryon, Wilcox

Subs: Loftus, Bond, Brunsdon, Day, Swales

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Jon Dix (Cheltenham Civil Service) & Sam Neale (Chalford)

READ MORE: Check out Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here