Cirencester bounce back after FA Trophy defeat (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester bounce back after FA Trophy defeat

AFTER losing out in the FA Trophy just one week earlier, Cirencester Town bounced back to take maximum league points from Saturday's trip to Racing Club Warwick.

However, Town's 2-1 victory against their lowly rivals proved a scrappy affair on heavy pitch which did nothing to help either side's cause.

The visitors got the game under way, but it was the home side who threatened first.

An attempted lob by Adam Kinder saw Cirencester keeper Sean Purcell just doing enough to deflect it before the custodian was then forced to save bravely at the feet of Darren Weston.

This early scare jolted Cirencester into achieving some rhythm into their play and they had the home defence under pressure for long periods.

Ben Fitch had a low shot well saved by Racing Club keeper Gary Hateley, who also pulled off two fine saves.

In the first of them, a Keith Knight cross found Gareth Hopkins whose first-time shot was parried by the keeper.

In following up, Adam Mayo had his volley blocked by the goalie before G Hopkins latched on to the loose ball, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Daniel Hollywood.

It was now all Cirencester as Fitch came close on two occasions. Dave Hunt got forward for a corner, but saw his shot flash the wrong side of a post.

Nonetheless, it came as no surprise when Cirencester opened their account just before the interval.

From a Fitch through ball, G Hopkins force himself past Kim Green and cleverly slotted his effort inside the near post and wide of the advancing Hateley.

The second half started in similar vein with the Centurions dominating proceedings.

Hateley again came to the rescue when saving from James Hughes before the visitors increased their lead on the hour.

Michael Jackson and Mayo linked up down the right to stretch the home defence and, from Mayo's final cross, Fitch did well to slot the ball home from the narrowest of angles.

Just when it looked as though Cirencester would go on to add to their tally, they were caught napping five minutes later.

In failing to clear a Weston long throw, Steve Cooper was left unmarked to fire home from eight yards.

From the restart, Cirencester went looking to add to their score but, with the pitch cutting up, they were finding it difficult in keeping their footing.

Try as Cirencester did, Fitch was unlucky with a powerful angled shot, which crashed into the side netting, and G Hopkins twice came close with powerful drives.