Southern Football League

South & West Division

Cinderford Town 0

SECOND-PLACED Bideford just edged out fourth-placed Cinderford at The Causeway on Tuesday night in a match that never fulfilled its early promise.

The home fans blamed referee Rodger for that, following his controversial second half sending off Town striker Lewis Sommers.

It certainly looked a harsh decision. Sommers had his eyes fixed firmly on the ball when he leapt to get his head to a cross into the six-yard-box from the left flank. He simply collided with Bideford keeper Oliver Chenoweth, who flew over the top of him and fell awkwardly.

Bideford were already 1-0 up when Sommers was shown a straight red card.

Their winner came in the 59th minute through striker Kevin Squire, who found himself unmarked in the six-yard-box to nod in a pinpoint cross from Matt Andrew, after Town full-back Matt Smith failed clear his lines. Only two minutes before, Squire had gone close with a carbon copy effort that was well saved by Ben John.

Both sides were cautious in the first half, moving the ball quickly, yet not always accurately. No one in midfield seemed able to get their foot on the ball and dictate the play or the pace of the game, but this was largely due to some excellent closing down from both sides.

Ben John made a smart stop to keep out a Ben Wood effort, while Town's best chance fell to Andy Lewis, who blazed over from a corner. Bideford were also forced to scramble the ball away from a testing Dale Evans cross to the back post.

Bideford made a strong start to the second half and deserved their goal.

However, Town responded valiantly, fuelled by the apparent injustice of Sommers' sending off.

Sub Nick McCootie proved a good target man, but Bideford got men back behind the ball to limit Town's scoring chances. Mike Whittington broke free to find himself one-on-one with the keeper, but he hit his shot straight at Chenoweth.

At the other end, Ben John did well to deny Matt Andrew.

The game petered out with a series of stoppages, leaving referee Rodger with an uncomfortable walk past the stands back to the refuge of the dressing rooms.

Cinderford Town: Ben John, Ashley Malcolm, Matt Smith, Andy Lewis, Greg Lewis, Craig Tait, Josh Egan, Dale Evans (capt), Mike Whittington, Lewis Sommers, Dean Lee. Subs: Nick McCootie, Nick Hancock, Matt Barnes, Dan Harrison, Alex Harris.