Cinderford Town booked their place in the third round of the FA Vase at The Causeway after a dramatic 5-3 win on penalties over Cornish side Helston Athletic.
Both sides struggled to find rhythm in possession in the first minutes of the game. Helston, who had travelled with confidence after a strong run of league form, found themselves under pressure early on as Cinderford looked sharper in transition.
The home side took the lead midway through the first half with a well-worked header scored by Lewis Powell.
27’ | WHAT. A. BEAUTY.
— Cinderford Town AFC (@Cinderford_Town) November 8, 2025
Lewis Powell with the first goal of the game.
⚫️⚪️1-0🟢⚪️#TheForesters || #CTFC 🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/HtSKK3AXIA
Helston battled to respond, but manager Dan Bua admitted his side were not at their best before the interval. “We weren’t good enough in the first half,” he said after the match.
He continued, “Cinderford set up differently to what we expected, and it took us too long to adapt. We gave them too much respect and didn’t impose ourselves until later on.”
Cinderford’s manager Matt Driscoll admitted, “We didn’t really want the whistle to go at half-time to be honest because we were so on top.”
The second half saw an improvement from the visitors. They had two consecutive unlucky offside calls, which the Cornish side weren’t too pleased about.
The decisions left Bua frustrated. “It’s hard to take,” he said. “We’ve had two goals chalked off that looked onside and a clear handball on the line not given. Sometimes it feels like nothing goes your way.”
However, their persistence paid off when debutant Sebastian Tolosa scored the equaliser to level the score after a poor defensive error from Cinderford’s backline.
Cinderford had a chance to go ahead when Welsh youngster Kian Davies was brought down in Helston’s box after a high tackle. Powell stepped up to take the penalty, but rocketed the ball straight over the crossbar.
Despite their second-half dominance, Helston couldn’t find the decisive breakthrough, and the tie headed to penalties.
For The Foresters, this was their fourth consecutive FA Vase round in which the match was decided by penalties.
90’ +6 | To penalties we go…(again)
— Cinderford Town AFC (@Cinderford_Town) November 8, 2025
⚫️⚪️1-1🟢⚪️#TheForesters || #CTFC 🖤🤍
Cinderford, confident and composed, converted all five of their spot-kicks, while Helston saw one effort hit the bar, which was enough to send the Foresters through and spark celebrations among the home fans.
The winning goal ⚽️#TheForesters || #CTFC 🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/8OT5PL3gvV
— Cinderford Town AFC (@Cinderford_Town) November 8, 2025
For Helston, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, but Bua was quick to praise his players’ response after the break. “The attitude and reaction in the second half were exactly what I wanted,” he said.
“We were braver, pressed higher, and showed real desire. You can’t fault the effort. It’s just cruel to go out like that.”
Cinderford’s Driscoll commented, “I’m proud of the boys. They were excellent. They worked so hard, and it was good to have a big crowd here watching us.
“First half, we were excellent. We played a new system. Switched the play really well and stretched them and did everything right.”
Cinderford have now equalled their best FA Vase run, and look to go on further as they face Hampshire side AFC Stoneham away on the 6th December.
We have been drawn AWAY against AFC Stoneham in the #FAVase third round 🏆#TheForesters || #CTFC 🖤🤍
— Cinderford Town AFC (@Cinderford_Town) November 10, 2025
