Match Report: Cinderford Town 3 vs Evesham Utd 1

Evesham failed to become the first side to beat Cinderford Town at their Causeway Ground this season with the foresters easing to victory to leave United`s play-off hopes hanging by a thread. United who had Linden Dovey sent-off in the second half, can have no complaints as Cinderford gained revenge for their heaviest defeat of the campaign at the Jubilee Stadium in December. The Red and Whites gift wrapped three goals to former striker Ethan Moore who will never score an easier hat-trick. It was especially disappointing for United`s travelling supporters who made up the majority of Cinderford`s biggest crowd of the season.

From the off, the home side looked up for a fight with Lee Smith forcing Kevin Sawyer into an early save and Josh Nelmes sweeping Sammie Hick`s corner just wide at the near post. It took Cinderford until the 36th minute before finally making the breakthrough, Moore peeled clear of the United defence before slotting home past Sawyer. Within 60 seconds, however, the Robins were on level terms courtesy of Nick Stanley`s penalty-kick after Town defender Nick Rhodes had used a hand when challenging Lance Smith in the box.

The game was still in the balance at half-time but after Smith spurned a glorious opportunity to put United ahead, play immediately switched to the other end with last man Dovey bringing down Moore in the penalty area to see red and Moore confidently netting from the spot to fire the league leaders ahead on 48 minutes. Paul Collicutt`s side had a decent spell despite going down to ten but Cinderford used their extra man to devastating effect when Moore seized onto Ashley Williams` under-hit back pass to coolly round Sawyer for his fourth hat-trick of the season. By now United had lost their shape, Hicks tested Sawyer with a well struck free-kick and Matt Sysum got a foot to deflect Smith`s drive over as United struggled to make any headway. Substitute Carl Brown did force Town stopper Alex Harris to save under his crossbar but their were no further alarms for the Forest of Dean side who brought to an end United`s eight-match unbeaten run.

Robin`s boss Collicutt said, “The first half was fairly even but the turning point for me was going down to ten early in the second half and after that we faced an uphill battle. I thought the decision to send Linden off was a bit harsh and thought he got the ball first. But decisions like that win or lose you matches and today its gone against us. Had we kept eleven players on the park I felt we would have got something out of the game. It`s history now and we need to bounce back with a positive result at Bridgwater on Saturday.

UNITED:
Sawyer, Dovey, Stanley (Brown 60), Wood, Sysum, Wellon, Sloggett (Wilson 53), Williams (Green 60), Mann, Smith, Binns.
Subs not used: Harding, Modest

Referee: Mr M.Billingham (Stourbridge)

Attendance: 227