ANDRE’S LAST-GASP STUNNER
SOUTH ROUND-UP
A LAST-MINUTE penalty save from Alexis Andre Jr gave Yate Town a crucial 2-1 away win against
Cirencester Town as they closed the gap on the league leaders.
Benjamin Whitehead gave Cirencester the lead after good work from Aidan Bennett and captain Alan Griffin before David Sims-Burgess equalised with a brilliant finish from the edge of the box.
Slick passing from the visitors saw Alex Peare after being found by Joe Guest before late drama struck at The Corinium Stadium.
Guest was given his marching orders as he conceded a 90th-minute penalty before Alexis Jr saved brilliantly from 12 yards out to secure a win.
At the other end of the table, a double from Harry Stevens inspired an emphatic 4-1 victory for
Barnstaple Town in a must-win game against fellow relegation strugglers Fleet Town.
The hosts were on the front foot from the off as Fleet keeper James Stroud saved from Jed HarperPenman and Stephen Reed.
The pressure paid off as Jack Rice Lethaby finished off a move with a strike from the edge of the box before Harry Stevens latched onto a subtle flick from Saddam Bello to double Barnstaple’s lead.
Bello then turned scorer after he took advantage of a defensive mix-up to round Stroud and finish into an empty net.
Ronan Silver’s header appeared to give Fleet a chance with half an hour to go, but Stevens’ closerange finish ensured a valuable three points.
Fellow relegation battlers Mangotsfield United matched their rivals with a solid 3-1 victory over Larkhall Athletic.
After Tom Hillman gave United the lead with a clever flick from a free kick, Daniel Demkiv took full advantage of a defensive error to finish in an empty net. Substitute Sam Hill headed in Mangotsfield’s third before Mike Baker’s consolation.
A delicate lob from Craig Feeney exemplified a robust away performance
for AFC Totton as they ran out 2-1 winners against Bristol Manor Farm.
Feeney’s goal settled the visitors in an uneventful first half before Justin Bennett converted a penalty to double Totton’s advantage.
It took a moment of magic from Farm to reduce the deficit as Owen Howe’s sweet half-volley found the top corner following a cross from Jay Adams before Shane Murphy kept out a further three efforts from a rejuvenated home side.
A sumptuous volley from centre-half Sam Pearce was the highlight of Moneyfields FC’s 2-1 victory over Bideford.
Pearce’s strike on the half hour mark was cancelled out by a neat strike from Sean Downing as Bideford looked to the playoff positions.
However, Nathan Paxton restored Moneyfields’ lead as he finished off a clever headed assist from Pearce.
A strong defensive effort from Street FC held league leaders Blackfield
and Langley to a goal-less draw at The Tannery Ground.
Liam Kingston put in a couple of smart saves to secure his clean sheet in a game of few chances, with the only controversy resulting in a disallowed goal for the hosts, who remain in mid-table.
A long-range effort from Adam Page gave Evesham
United the lead in their 2-0 win at Paulton Rovers as the visitors consolidated their play-off position.
This was followed by an unfortunate own goal from Joseph Hillard as the home team were dragged back into the relegation battle.
In a game postponed due to weather, Cinderford Town were unable to match the results of their fellow playoff chasers as their game against
Thatcham Town was put on hold.
The visitors will be grateful that the four sides below them all recorded losses so they have not lost a great deal of ground in the run-in to the end of the season.