Stroud League Division Two

Charfield 1 Dursley Town Res 2

CHARFIELD’S promotion bid suffered a surprise setback as Dursley won away for the first time all season to inflict just a second defeat of the hosts’ campaign so far.

Billed as something of a grudge match with more than half of the Charfield team having previously turned out for Town, the home side appeared to allow the occasion get to them.

Simon Miles and Nathan Vines both spurned early opportunities for the hosts, going for goal from tight angles with better positioned team-mates waiting for a cross.

Instead, the visitors took the lead on the half-hour when Ian Lyon’s poor touch at the back presented possession to Martin Booth and he drove the ball into the top corner.

Just short of the hour mark, the hosts’ Zach McAllister saw his corner kick headed off the line and Dursley promptly went down the other end to double their advantage.

Again it came from a Charfield blunder, goalkeeper Craig Bond defeated by a bobble from Paul Lyon’s harmless back pass, allowing Matt Humphrey to nip in and score.

The home side got back into the match when Vines slipped the ball into the bottom corner and the same player was then denied a well-taken equaliser by the linesman.

Charfield gave it everything late on, but Ed Fuller volleyed over from six yards and Keith Watson made two double saves from Keiran Austin and Shaun Bath.

Charfield: C Bond; C Glynn, L Bendall (S Bath 65), I Lyon, P Lyon; R Richards (E Fuller 50), P Miles, Z McAllister, S Miles; N Vines, J Stoneman (K Austin 50).

Goals: Vines (70).

Dursley: K Watson; J Bartman, D French, J Aldridge, C Wilkins; M Sims, A Baker; Antony Nash (T Clark 80), Matt Humphrey, M Booth; M Meta (J Mears 75). Not Used: Craig Bailey.

Goals: Booth (30), Humphrey (60).