Cinderford Town FC v Nailsea & Tickenham FC
The 2024/25 football season kicked off for Cinderford Town with high expectations after finishing last season with promotion after being written off. 2022/23 season saw Cinderford relegated, but last season saw a new manager, Matt Driscoll who put together a team that took them straight back up into the Southern League, winning a promotion spot after making it through to the playoff finals.
First game of this season was a FA Cup Preliminary round clash with Western League Premier side Nailsea & Tickenham FC, but it was back to earth with a bang!
After all the rain we have endured the pitch looked great, Ian Prichard & his team had worked hard on it during the off season.
Cinderford started off well with some sustained attacks, an offside, one over the bar & another taken comfortably by Nailsea’s keeper kept the score 0-0.
Fifteen mins into the game and it was end to end play, Nailsea made a break, ball was crossed in and Nailsea’s number 8, Charlie Saunders’ free header looped over Cinderford’s keeper into the far corner.
Cinderford were back on the attack and a shot by their number 6 Dale Evans was pushed away by Nailsea’s keeper. A quick paced game with attacks from both sides saw a very bizarre decision from the referee just as half time was upon us. An attack by Cinderford into Nailsea’s box and a handball from a Nailsea player. Ref blew for a direct freekick with the penalty appeal being waved away! Nailsea cram the goal line and the freekick shot is blocked and cleared.
Second half and end to end again from both sides, Cinderford did have one in the net, but the ref had blown for a freekick. 65 mins into the game and a long throw by Cinderford into Nailsea’s penalty area was scrambled away to the side line; a kick up to the halfway line, was controlled and brought down with a precision pass onto Nailsea’s number 9 Luck Osgood. His first shot was blocked by Cinderford’s keeper James Smallcombe, but his second attempt was nicely slotted by James and into the net making it two goals for Nailsea.
Cinderford had plenty of chances, but they just could not get the ball over the line. With 2 minutes of normal time remaining and a shot at goal from Cinderford’s number 7 Marley Thomas hit the arm of a Nailsea player, but this time a penalty was given. Once all the appeals were finished, Cinderford’s number 10 Andy Lewis cooly slotted the penalty away.
Sadly, it was all too late and a final score of Cinderford Town 1 – Nailsea & Tickenham 2. Cinderford had their chances, but they just could not score so a swift exit out of the FA Cup.
After the match manager Matt Driscoll said that Nailsea were a good team, they underestimated them, but he was disappointed. He felt they worked harder than Cinderford but were gifted two goals.
Next game for Cinderford is their first league match since returning to the Southern League against Cribbs FC at the Causeway, Saturday 3pm kick off.
Cinderford Team: James Smallcombe, Adam Davies, Jake White, Ben Vine, Drew Heffernan, Dale Evans, Marley Thomas, Ben Watkins, Craig Norman, Andy Lewis, Miles Corson
Subs: Charlie Davies, Josh Aldridge, Sam Franklin, Will Cape
