Bristol Manor Farm and Cinderford Town shared the spoils in an unbelievable game that had everything but a goal.
The first half was fairly tepid as both sides struggled with the bobbly surface. A few half-chances came and went before the game’s first flashpoint. Evander Grubb did superbly to cut inside several challenges before finding Josh Bissett, who was wiped out in the penalty area. That was, sadly, the end of Bissett’s afternoon as he was forced off with an injury, and worse news was to come for Farm as Louis Britton’s penalty was saved by the legs of James Smallcombe.
The game suddenly had bite as tackles began to fly in. Seth Locke was rather strangely taken out as he went to release a drop kick on the break, before Jacob Spence marked his return with a late challenge on Joe Keeping. From the resulting Cinderford free-kick, Seth Locke had to be alert to parry the ball wide.

The second half turned out to be anything but tepid. Farm largely controlled possession, but Cinderford carried an almighty threat on the break. One such break led to a corner, and Ismael Yakubu headed narrowly over. The visitors’ best chance to steal ahead came on the hour mark. A fast counter saw Josh Jones play it across to Michael Symonds, who had the goal at his mercy. The forward made firm contact, but Locke made up the ground to not only save but also hold his close-range effort.
Farm’s next chances fell in an almighty goalmouth scramble. Dan Dodimead and Mason Winter combined to find George Dowling, who twisted and turned before seeing his cutback hit a Cinderford defender and somehow deflect into the open arms of Smallcombe. Another scramble left Farm feeling like it really wouldn’t be their day. Grubb did incredibly well to beat two players on the byline and found Jamie Adams, whose shot deflected to Dodimead. His own effort hit a combination of goalkeeper and defender before narrowly bouncing wide.
The game’s final chance fell to Farm, who went for the spectacular in the hope of snatching the points. Winter’s deep cross landed at Harry Lucas, who attempted an overhead kick, but the superb Smallcombe tipped the ball onto the outside of the post.