Cirencester Town's FA Trophy hopes dashed at first hurdle (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester Town's FA Trophy hopes dashed at first hurdle

AFTER their brilliant run in the FA Cup, Cirencester Town were unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Trophy 6-2 at the first hurdle by high-flying Redditch.

But Saturday's first round tie might have ended quite differently had Scott Griffin converted a penalty when Town were just 1-0 down.

Redditch set out their stall early on with Matthew Hall making two dangerous runs at the Cirencester defence.

The visitors countered and, from a Paul Thompson free kick, Darren Robison's back-header crossed the area and Ben Fitch's first-time effort went just over.

On 13 minutes, the home side opened the scoring when Robert Sawyer set Richard Burgess free behind the defence and he made no mistake with an angled shot from ten yards.

Shortly after, Cirencester were awarded a penalty when, from an Andy McCabe cross, Gareth Hopkins' volley was handled by Gary Knight.

Frustratingly, Griffin's low shot from the spot was well saved by Redditch keeper Richard Amstiss and, to rub salt into Town wounds, Redditch scored a second virtually from the restart.

A great run by James Quiggin stretched Centurion defences and the cross fell to Burgess who swiftly slotted home.

Mid-way through the half, Town looked to be getting back into the game with a fine goal themselves.

When a Robison cross was headed back by Gary Wotton, Hopkins' initial header came back off a post, but he was alert enough to volley in the rebound.

Frustratingly, the hosts exten-ded their lead minutes before the break. When Town failed to clear another cross by Hall, the loose ball fell to Sawyer who made no mistake from eight yards.

It was just before half-time that Town enjoyed their best period of the game.

Fitch came close with a first- time shot and the same player was also close with a glancing header before Hopkins' low shot was well saved by the home custodian.

The second half was only ten minutes old, though, when the home side put the game beyond doubt with Burgess latching on to a through ball from Sawyer to fire home.

Ten minutes later, he headed their fifth goal when another cross from Hall found Burgess totally unmarked to find the back of the net.

Within minutes, United got a sixth when Richard Leadbeater volleyed in a half-clearance which flew into the back of the Town net from 20 yards.

The Gloucestershire side did get a consolation goal via a free kick from the edge of the box.

For when a McCabe cross found Robison at the near post, he forced the ball over the line.

Cirencester did not give up and, in the closing stages, could well have scored a couple more.

Hopkins was close with a volley and Jody Bevan's header brought a brilliant save from the home keeper.

Cirencester Town: Thompson, Bird, McEntegart, Richards, Mayo, Wotton, Robison, McCabe (Davis 85) Hopkins, Griffin (Bevan 59) Fitch. Subs - Minturn, Constable, Last. Referee C J Miller (Kettering). Attendance 213.

After Town's mammoth success in the Dr Martens Western League last month, Brian Hughes has won the manager of the month award for October.