CINDERFORD TOWN | PIECES OF EIGHT

Division One South strugglers cash in with big away win, we speak to the five-goal hero

It takes a special kind of commitment to do a near 450-mile round trip on a Tuesday evening, even more so when you are bottom of the table.

But to then chalk up a resounding 8-2 away win makes it extra special.

That was the case for Cinderford Town as they secured a morale-boosting victory at Helston Athletic, with leading scorer, Alex Bonthron, helping himself to five of the goals.

The Foresters remain bottom of the Pitching In Southern League Division One South table, but with games in hand over those clubs above them and further games against teams in and around them in the table coming up, they have given themselves a lifeline with this impressive result.

“It was a long day, but the performance and three points made it all worthwhile,” Bonthron told us. “It took us over four hours to get there and then we absolutely worked our socks off for the full 90 minutes, so credit to the lads.

“It made the journey home far more pleasant, although we were exhausted as we gave everything out there!

“It’s always nice to get a few goals to help the team win, but to score five was a real bonus; I certainly enjoyed it out there and didn't want the game to end!

“The result will give us a massive boost for the run-in and fingers crossed we can build on it now. At this stage of the season it’s all about picking up points, by whatever means. We know that we’re not going to score eight every game, of course, but we have to use this to get on a run of positive results.

“Every game becomes bigger than the last and I am really looking forward to the run-in. On our day we can be more than a match for anyone in this League, so it’s about digging deep and doing all we can to keep this club at Step 4.”

Bonthron arrived 12 games into the season having swapped life in the JD Cymru South, where he was a regular on the scoresheet and a Golden Boot winner, and despite the team’s struggles at the foot of the table, he has contributed with a regular flow of goals.

“When I first arrived, I knew it was going to be a tough challenge,” he admitted. “But I settled in quickly here and the goals soon followed.

“However, it counts for very little if we can’t get the job done and move out of the relegation places.

“As I say, we know that we’re good enough, we just have to be able to put a run together and prove it on a consistent basis rather than a game here and there.

“Getting five goals on Tuesday has given me an added boost and I’ll be looking to take that into Saturday’s game, which is another massive one away at a Tavistock AFC outfit who are down there battling with us and have also seen a bit of an upturn in their recent fortunes.

“After that we’re at home to Thatcham Town, who are currently one place above us, so these next couple of matches are going to have a big say in the direction we are heading.”

IMAGE: Cinderford Town FC

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