Evo-Stik Southern League

Division One South & West

Cirencester Town 0-1 Cinderford

CIRENCESTER'S first home match of the 2018/19 season ended in defeat, with the Centurions losing 1-0 in a Gloucestershire derby against Cinderford Town, writes Dave Pyzer.

The Foresters struck in added time to take all three points and end the 100% start made by Charlie Griffin's men.

The game was played at a quick pace from the off,. with both sides moving the ball from side to side and probing for gaps in their opponent.

Cirencester were awarded the first corner of the match, but it was Cinderford who had the first shot at goal when Lewis Binns fired over from the edge of the box.

Just after the mid-point of the half, a neat move from the home side created an opening for the prolific Ben Whitehead to fire into the net, but his joy was short-lived as he was adjudged to be offside.

The action then moved to the other end as Matt Wieczorek pushed a Dan McDonald effort round his left post, and a period of pressure followed from the visitors as Craig Norman, Lorcan Sheehan and Richard Greaves came close.

Cirencester began the second half with a bit more urgency as Whitehead and Aidan Bennett fired wide of the target before the hour mark and by the mid-point Greaves and Dan McDonald had responded for Cinderford.

The action was end-to-end, and as the game was drawing to a close Cirencester were pressing strongly.

But in added-time, Cinderford won the ball on half way and fed it to Ben Watkins who confidently scored a late winner to take the points.

It was a deserved for Cinderford and leaves Cirencester seventh in Division One South & West.