Southern Simpson secures vital victory for play-off hopefuls Farm
BRISTOL Manor Farm stretched their unbeaten run to six matches following a 1-0 home win against Sholing FC in Division One South on Saturday, writes Jack Davies.
The visitors still had an outside chance of sneaking a play-off spot despite inconsistent recent form and started on the front foot. Their first chance came via a Ryan Cluett free kick but striker Dan Mason could only head over. Mason then turned provider as his clever pass set Fatah Makhloufi away but he was denied by Ben John.
Farm created a few half-chances before being gifted the lead. A wayward pass by Brad Targett found the space between his two centre backs and Kye Simpson pounced and passed the ball into the net.
Farm had the first chance of the second half and beautifully crafted it was, too. Simpson and Ben Bament exchanged neat flicks before the former smashed over from just inside the area.
Sholing were struggling to break down a stubborn home defence with most of their chances coming from set-peices. Another deep free kick was headed over by Bryon Mason.
The game’s two final chances really ought to have been taken. Sholing broke down the right and Brad Targett’s cross found Mason for what looked a certain goal. Home stopper John made a superb close-range save.
Farm’s final chance fell to the eventual match winner but it wasn’t one he’ll want to see back. Jake Gosling picked out Simpson just seven yards out, but the forward fired wide.
Victory keeps fourth-placed Manor Farm in with an excellent chance of making the play-offs.
Ninth-placed Paulton Rovers dented the play-off hopes of sixthplaced AFC Totton by holding them to a goalless draw at Winterfield Road.
Ed Butcher came close on a few occasions to scoring for Paulton.
Mangotsfield United’s relegation fears deepened with a 5-1 defeat to promotion-chasing Cirencester Town at Cossham Street. Two Jake Lee goals, the second a penalty, gave Cirencester a 2-0 half-time lead.
Joshua Grace-Parsons added two more before Dawid Regula, who has joined Mangotsfield following the conclusion of Hallen’s season, scored with a low drive in the 73rd minute. Tom Anderson, though, added a fifth for Cirencester in the 84th minute.
In Premier South, Yate Town boosted their play-off bid with a superb 2-0 success at Poole Town.
Luke Hopper set up Ricardo Rees for the opening goal on 11 minutes.
Olly Mehew scored a brilliant second in the 67th minute with a curling 20-yard shot which found the top corner of the net.
Weston-super-Mare were edged out 3-2 at fellow play-off hopefuls Taunton Town.
A header from Gethyn Hill gave Taunton an 11th-minute lead, and Joe Budd made it 2-0 in the 28th minute.
Jordan Bastin pulled a goal back just before the break, and a great strike from Kieran Thomas brought Weston level early in the second half. Taunton, though, took the three points after Ben Adelsbury curled home a free-kick in the 89th minute.