There was plenty of footballing action across Gloucestershire this weekend, from the EFL down to non-league. Here’s a brief rundown of the key results.
Southend United 0-2 Cheltenham Town
The Robins bounced back from Tuesday’s home defeat to Grimsby Town with a comfortable win on the road at Southend.
George Lloyd and Liam Sercombe netted for Duff’s side, who climbed to third in Sky Bet League 2 as a result.
A fifth league away win in a row, and a first at Roots Hall for over seven years, means Cheltenham are only one point adrift from top of the table Cambridge United.
Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Stevenage
It was a good day on the green side of Gloucestershire too, as Forest Green narrowly beat Stevenage at home.
Jake Young’s first half strike was enough to topple the visitors in a quiet affair.
Mark Cooper’s team sit level on points with Cheltenham Town, but occupy fourth place, behind the Robins, on goal difference.
Gloucester City 6-1 Blyth Spartans
Gloucester City produced a fantastic performance at Meadow Park, hitting Blyth for six.
Matt McClure had a hattrick within half an hour, with Bernard Mensah, Akwasi Asante and Tommy O’Sullivan wrapping up the emphatic victory.
Paul Blackett had put the visitors ahead after only three minutes, but the Tigers retained their spot at the top of the National League North table after a clinical show of attacking football.
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Evesham United 2-0 Carlton Town
Evesham progressed in The Buildbase FA Trophy with an entertaining 2-0 win over Nottingham-based Carlton Town.
Ryan Paddock’s scrambled finish and Jordan Lymn’s fierce strike sunk the visitors, but it was Robins goalkeeper Lewis Clayton who stole the show with a number of eye-catching stops.
Mangotsfield United 1-2 Cinderford Town
Cinderford Town toppled Mangotsfield in a Gloucestershire derby on Saturday.
The Buildbase FA Trophy Second Qualifying match was hotly contested, but first-half goals from Will Gibbons and Matt MacDonald were enough to hold off the second-half challenge of the hosts.
Ardley United 0-1 Bishops Cleeve
Archie Haskayne’s second-half winner saw Bishops Cleeve climb to fifth in the Hellenic Premier Division.
After two victories in the cup within the space of a week, The Mitres’ first league game in almost two weeks was a cagey affair but ultimately ended positively for the Gloucestershire side.