CHIPPING Sodbury's relegation fears worsened on Saturday as they were beaten by fellow strugglers Cheltenham Saracens at The Big Local Stadium.

It was a cagey start as both sides got to grips with the boggy pitch but it was the hosts who settled quickest, taking the lead in the sixth minute of the game when a long ball over the top allowed the striker to run clear and fire past George Hayle.

The home side should have gone further ahead on 14 minutes with two quick-fire chances, the last of which clipped the post.

A quick counter-attack from Saracens saw Hayle again called into action, making a good save to keep Sodbury in the game going into half-time.


Sodbury began the second-half well and created two very good chances but still no equaliser.

But any hope of a comeback was squashed in the 70th minute as a penalty was converted by Stuart Midwinter.

It got worse for the visitors a couple of minutes later when Liam Towler was sent-off for leading with his elbow into a challenge. 

The result sees Sodbury remain deep in relegation trouble, four points off safety and having played a game more than Moreton Rangers just outside the drop zone in 16th. Saracens remain in 14th.