City deny Cirencester hopes of highest points tally (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

City deny Cirencester hopes of highest points tally

CIRENCESTER Town hopes of bettering their best points tally since joining the Dr Martens League were dashed in Saturday's close defeat at Gloucester City.

After losing by the odd goal in nine, manager Brian Hughes' Town side finished with a total of 52 points, just three of an all-time record.

Unfortunately, this local derby was dominated by a gale-force wind which favoured the hosts in the first half.

And City showed their intentions early on when Jimmy Cox got behind defence on two occasions to test Town keeper Sean Purcell.

Mid-way through the half came a four-goal spree. First Cox beat the offside trap to slot past Purcell but, within two minutes Cirencester had equalised.

A Mike Davis through ball cleverly picked out Gareth Hopkins who forced his way past two defenders before beating keeper Matt Bath with a powerful shot from 12 yards.

From the restart, Gloucester went quickly back in front after Lee Smith's powerful header crept just inside a post.

Three minutes later, Gloucester were 3-1. Cox again beat the offside trap and, although Purcell saved his first shot, Cox was alert enough to head home the rebound.

Cirencester should have closed the scoring shortly after when Ben Fitch was brought down in the box, but Darren Robison's penalty effort was well saved by the City custodian.

Although Town did have other chances, most of them coming via dangerous runs from Fitch, they failed to capitalise on them.

In fact, it was Gloucester who increased their lead at the start of the second period when Cox beat the offside trap and cut inside before firing home an unstoppable shot from 18 yards.

The visitors' misery continued when Tom Webb worked his way past a static Cirencester defence to get round Purcell and slot into an empty net.

But the Centurions were not yet dead and buried and hit back with a fine individual goal from Andy McCabe on 70 minutes.

In their next build up, Town should have scored again when James Constable, who had just replaced Fitch, provided the perfect cross for Robison who volleyed over from five yards.

Ten minutes before the end, Cirencester got their third when Hopkins scored with a powerful header.

It now looked looked as though the Corinium Stadium team would get something from the game.

And that looked a distinct possibility when Dave Hunt's free kick was only parried by Bath and quick thinking Constable followed up to smash home.

It was all action in the closing stages, but Cirencester could not find the net once more to get a deserved share of the spoils.

Cirencester Town: Purcell, Davis, McEntegart, Stevens, Beaverstock (Hunt 65) Minturn, Hughes, Robison (Blastland 79) Hopkins, McCabe, Fitch (Constable 65) Subs: Lee, Hervin G/K. Referee C Nock (Stourbridge), attendance 388.