10-man Cheddar got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win at Bishops Lydeard on Boxing Day.
This was a hugely morale boosting performance for the visitors, winning by a single Tom Davies goal on 53 minutes.
The visitors, who secured their sixth win of the season, appeared to be up against it from the 20th minute, however, as they suffered the ignominy of the red card offence for Toby Hucker who was adjudged to make a reckless challenge.
The Cheddar defender was promptly dismissed by match official Bailey Walker.
Resolute defending and some top drawer goalkeeping from Cheddar captain Kieran Webster kept the scores level at half-time.
Webster was called upon to make three quality saves in the first half as the Cheesemen re-organised themselves following Hucker’s dismissal, but at the turn round the visitors appeared to gain fresh impetus.
They went ahead through Davies’ goal after the central defender connected with an excellent Ethan Reed corner just eight minutes into the restart.
A late rally from the hosts failed to produce dividends as again the astonishing positioning and athleticism of goalkeeper Webster.
He thwarted efforts from Luke Bryant, Adam Willis and a thunderous Mason Raymond volley that was acrobatically finger-tipped over the bar by the Cheddar custodian with seven minutes remaining.
On 86 minutes, Lydeard substitute Mark Jones was fortunate to remain on the field of play following a cynical foul on Lewis Chappell, but the hosts player was let off lightly with being shown just a yellow card.
In injury time Willis did beat Webster but his close-range effort was rightly disallowed for offside.
The only disappointment however from this full-on counter was the paltry looking attendance of just 42 for this game of full-on combat between these two bottom six sides.
With 24 games played, Cheddar sit in 17th position at the season’s halfway point and they travel to near neighbours – and league leaders – Wells City in a New Year’s derby match at the Athletic Ground.
The match takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, January 2 and kicks-off at 3pm.
Following Monday’s derby game, Cheddar return to home soil when they welcome eighth placed Wincanton Town on Saturday January 7, with kick-off at the earlier time of 2pm.
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