Injury-hit Cheddar took 13 fit players to Corsham, but returned with a 4-1 defeat.

CORSHAM TOWN 4

CHEDDAR 1

Manager Jared Greenhalgh, forced to take just 13 fit players to Laycock Road, Corsham, and came away with a 4-1 defeat.

In spite of enterprising forays into the home final third in the opening exchanges, it was a generally uncharacteristic performance from the Cheddar side on the night as they conceded three goals in a 20-minute period inside the first half-hour.

The normally solid Cheddar defence and cohesive midfield play that has been a custom of Cheddar’s play this season was unusually missing, as Corsham rattled in three goals.

Manager Greenhalgh reshuffled his pack at half-time and reshaped his side for the second half, but it was Corsham again who stretched their lead, despite a desperate save on the line by keeper Dangerfield.

Cheddar lost Sam Jones to injury, before Cheddar found their feet.

Callum Ham went close with two snap shots before Cheddar pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute when Robbi Maggs hit a sweet drive to reduce the scoreline to 4-1, but it was all too little too late.

Cheddar manager Jared Greenhalgh said: “To be honest we forgot our basic principles and we did not stick to our game plan and there was no way back for us after they got their third goal.”

In spite of this result, Cheddar remain in fifth position and face Warminster away in the Les Phillips Cup on Saturday, before the visit of Chippenham Town on Tuesday.