Town team defeats local rivals in an FA Cup qualifier (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Town team defeats local rivals in an FA Cup qualifier

CIRENCESTER Town will be relieved to have achieved a close but well deserved 2-1 win over local rivals Swindon Supermarine in Saturday's FA Cup match at the Corinium Stadium - although the margin of victory could so easily have been greater.

Town were immediately on the attack with a run from Gareth Hopkins gaining a corner.

From Richard Kear's cross, Hopkins' header caused a scramble on the goal-line and, when keeper Tom King blocked, Jody Bevan's back-heel, the ball fell to Kear whose shot was tipped over the bar.

Swindon countered with a couple of dangerous runs from Dave Gee. From one, his powerful shot was blocked and, from the rebound, Giles Harris' shot was well saved by Town keeper Paul Thompson.

With the game 21 minutes old, the visitors, now managed by former Town boss Ray Baverstock, took the lead via a goalmouth melee after Chris Copp's shot was blocked.

When Dave Toomey's shot was parried by Thompson, the ball fell to Barry Matthews who coolly fired home through a crowded six-yard box.

From the restart, the Corinium Stadium team pushed forward.

From a free kick, Gary Wotton's powerful header was only just wide and a couple of runs from Ben Fitch put the visitors under pressure.

From a quick break, Swindon could have gone two up after Justin Miller fired over when well positioned.

The Centurions struck back right on the stroke of half-time. From a Mike Davis cross, Hopkins laid the ball back and Bevan cleverly found the net at the far post.

The second half started with Town pushing forward. A Davis run from defence finished with a fierce shot which was only just over.

The home side's next build- up saw a clever through ball from Matthew McEntegart.

When Bevan dummied, it left Wotton clear on goal and King spread himself to save with his legs.

On 63 minutes, Cirencester got their noses in front. From a Wotton free kick, Davis' header fell to Bevan who hit the back of the net with a tremendous volley.

From the restart, Cirencester now had their tails up. Hopkins came close with a low drive after he got behind the defence and Adam Mayo, picking up a loose ball from a Kear free kick, saw his shot flash the wrong side of a post.

With Swindon pushing extra men forward trying to get back into the game, gaps began to open up in their defence and it was only the heroics of keeper King that came to their rescue.

First he pulled off a great save from Bevan who was through on goal and then saved from Kear at point-blank range.

Just before the end, he saved a snap-shot from Andy McCabe at the near post.

In a last desperate effort in the closing stages, Swindon threw everything at their rivals.

From a series of corners, crosses by Gee caused problems, but Thompson twice did well to clear the danger to ensure that Town's name went into the hat.

Cirencester Town: Thompson, Bird, McEntegart, Richards, Mayo (Hughes 85) Wotton, Davis, Kear (McCabe 80) Hopkins, Bevan (Griffin 80) Fitch. Subs: Minturn.

Swindon Supermarine: King, Copp, Gee (Futcher 87) Bennett, McCluskey (Hodgson 86) Davies, Harris, Matthews, Toomey, Miller, Blastland (Grange 75). Subs: Buntin, Gill G/K. Referee T Curtis (Bath); attendance 188.

For their FA Cup 2nd rd qualifier, Cirencester Town are home to Andover on Satur-day, September 27, 3pm ko.