Cinderford hold on to claim crucial win at Pershore
Cinderford Town picked up a big three points on the road as they defeated Pershore Town 2-1 at the Community Stadium, writes Jake Williams.
Both teams hadn’t been in action for a couple of weeks, with Pershore suffering a 2-0 defeat to Tuffley Rovers last time out, whilst Cinderford were 1-0 victors away to Longlevens.
The first chance of the game went to the home side, but Josh Willis saw his shot go wide of the mark.
13 minutes in, some pinball in the box eventually led to new signing Tom Stokes getting an effort away, but it was weak and off target.
A few minutes later, Foresters captain Dan Barnard went into the book after bringing down his man, but the free-kick in a dangerous area was sent straight into the wall by Petar Tonchev.
Shortly after, Dylan Parker created some space and let one fly from distance, but it went narrowly over the bar.
In the 23rd minute, Jack Davies became the first Pershore player to pick up a yellow card.
The foul proved costly, as it led to Cinderford taking the lead. The free-kick was hit powerfully from around 35 yards out by Kerry Morgan, evading everyone and arrowing into the bottom corner.
Just three minutes after taking the lead, it was a second for the visitors, and one that Pershore goalkeeper Ryan Young will want to forget. A ball into the box by Adam Davies seemed a simple enough catch for Young, but it went straight through his hands and into the back of his own net.
It was almost immediately a third as Stokes shot from inside the area, but this time Young got down well and held.
The chances continued, with Pershore almost getting one back on this occasion. Parker struck his effort well, but an outstretched James Smallcombe denied him.
With 10 minutes to play in the first half, Cinderford went down to 10 men. Barnard picked up a second yellow after another late challenge, and the visiting side would have to play the best part of an hour without their captain. As a result, the goalscorer Morgan was subbed for Ismail Yakubu for some defensive solidity.
Willis had the last chance of the first 45, but his shot went over the woodwork, and while one team had two more goals, the other had an extra player on the pitch, meaning it was all to play for after the break.
The Plums had the first good chance coming out of the changing rooms, with some nice play between Tonchev and Parker allowing the latter to set up Scott Hammond, and if forced a good save out of Smallcombe.
With 55 minutes gone, Tonchev controlled the ball well and hit it on the volley, but he couldn’t keep it down and it sailed over.
In the 64th minute, Pershore did get a goal back. It was once again a long-range effort, with Willis hitting it from nearly 30 yards and finding the bottom corner at the near post.
Tonchev had two more attempts, with the first being another volley that again flew over, and the second taking a slight deflection out for a corner, which came to nothing.
Cinderford substitute Dan Brain did well down the right-hand side and tried to pick out Craig Norman, but the blocked cross came back to the taker who’s curling effort went wide.
Willis cut in from the right down the other end, and went for the shot straight away, and he too saw the effort go the wrong side of the post.
Despite pushing for an equaliser, Pershore were unable to capitalise on, for the last few minutes, having two extra men after Brain went off injured with no subs left, and Cinderford picked up a massive three points.
Next up for the Foresters is another tough test, with Royal Wotton Bassett Town heading to the Causeway on Tuesday night.
Pershore Town: Young (G/K), Baldwin (Cooke 69’), Bloomer (Savciuc 81’), Davies, Bojang, Nutt (C), Willis, Black, Parker, Hammomd (Clarke 69’), Tonchev
Cinderford Town: Smallcombe (G/K), Davies, Heffernan, Vine, Barnard (C), Evans (Lewis 83’), Hayes (Brain 72’), Watkins, Stokes (Jones 65’), Norman, Morgan (Yakubu 37’)
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ben Vine (Cinderford Town)
READ MORE: Check out the full list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
