AFTER a promising start to the season, Lydney Town have stumbled in their last two outings. 

The first setback came in a league clash at Hartpury University, where Lydney, missing key defenders Hartshorn and Davies, were overwhelmed by a 7-0 defeat. 

Their second match was last Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup tie against Southern League side Bishops Cleeve, where Lydney suffered a 4-0 loss. Bishops Cleeve took the lead with an incredible strike from Jay Malshanksyj, who curled the ball into the top right corner from outside the box. Despite trailing by just one goal at halftime, Lydney couldn’t mount a comeback in the second half. 

Matt Bower doubled Bishops Cleeve’s advantage with a header, and Ethan Dunbar added a third after a one-two with Malshanksyj. Substitute Ed Scott then scored the fourth with a header in the 89th minute, securing Bishops Cleeve’s progression in the FA Cup. 

With no game on Saturday, Lydney will next travel to Slimbridge on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 August.