DE CYMRU &

THE MARCHES ONE

CHELTENHAM B ........... 2 BRIDGEND ..................... 1

BRIDGEND weren’t at the races at Cheltenham and fell to a 10th league defeat of the season.

With their league position secure, the Ravens gave some twinkling stars an opportunity to shine.

However, Bridgend failed to get off to a galloping start and it was Cheltenham who set the pace – and jumped clear.

Goalkeeper Adam Hawas made a series of fine saves from short corners until the home side eventually scrambled the ball into the net.

As the half drew to an end, debutant Matt Hibbert had to perform defensive duties, but Bridgend had their moments in front of goal too.

Piercing runs from Timmy Hodges caused Cheltenham problems while on the money Gavin Pound was short-changed with a goal-bound shot.

On the restart, man for all seasons Dai Knight, captain Gareth Coleman and Timmy Hodges all had their moments.

And it was against the run of play when Cheltenham raced into a two-goal lead, and Bridgend had it all to find if they were to return to the Haywain with the points.

But at least Pound had something to put in his wallet with a debut goal that was well worth the admittance cash.

He turned on sixpence; checked for a split second before banking a goal that if it wasn’t worth its weight in gold then it was in brass.

That set up a nail-biting climax with young guns Hodges and Pound almost making Cheltenham pay the price.

This Saturday, Bridgend bring the curtain down on their league season at home to Leominster.

The Ravens will be looking towards retribution having gone down to a 5-3 defeat in the reverse fixture just before Christmas.