Atherstone worries mount after a loss at Town FC (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Atherstone worries mount after a loss at Town FC

A WIN for relegation-threatened Swindon Supermarine, who continue to defy all the odds, suddenly puts Atherstone's place in the Western Division in jeopardy after a 1-3 defeat at Cirencester on Saturday.

It was always going to be a difficult game for the visitors against a Corinium Stadium side intent on bettering their best points tally since joining the Dr Martens League.

However, the outcome was vital for Atherstone who have lately been slipping down the league table at an alarming rate.

And when news filtered through at half-time that Swindon Supermarine were two goals up, the visitors had to roll up their sleeves in a serious attempt to get something out of this encounter.

For long periods, though, both sides cancelled each other out and the only real chance in the first half-an-hour fell to Ben Fitch who hit the side netting with an angled shot.

Nonetheless, the game came to life ten minutes before the break. First Keith Knight found Andy McCabe in space and he just missed the target when well positioned.

Then, from a goal kick for the visitors, the ball found its way to Richard Kay breaking into the box who was upended by Andy Minturn.

Kay stepped up to take the spot-kick and his low shot was well saved by Town keeper Sean Purcell, but Kevin Charley was the first for Atherstone to react to slot home the rebound.

The visitors' elation lasted only four minutes for, on the stroke of half-time, Cirencester hit back with an equaliser.

England schoolboy international Lee Stevens, who had looked outstanding on his debut, found Mike Davis in space and his run finished with a perfect cross for Fitch to fire home.

The second half continued with Cirencester having the majority of possession.

Even so, as the game progressed Atherstone did look dangerous on the counter-attack and Charley twice got behind the Town defence.

On the first occasion, he was brought down by Minturn, but Atherstone could not take advantage of the free kick and, on the second, his powerful shot was just wide of the target.

It was 20 minutes from the end when the Centurions got their second goal when Davis again cleverly worked his way to the by-line before laying the ball back for McCabe to blast home.

Ten minutes later, the local side put the game beyond doubt when a Davis through ball bounced just right for Gareth Hopkins to head over the advancing keeper Dale Belford.

Despite fielding a very young side, the visitors did not give up and battled tirelessly in the closing stages to try to get something from the fixture. Cirencester Town: Purcell, Davis, McEntegart, Hughes, Stevens (Beaver-stock 50), Minturn, Knight (Blastland 82), Robison, Hopkins, McCabe, Fitch (Hunt 72). Subs: Lee, Hervin G/K.