Cirencester Town FC move up to third in the table after beating Gresley (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester Town FC move up to third in the table after beating Gresley

A TWO-NIL win over Gresley Rovers on Saturday has elevated Cirencester Town to third place in the Dr Martens Leage Western Division table and their highest position in the current campaign.

aThe Centurions extended an unbeaten run to 15 games against hard battling visitors who were down to ten men after Gareth Holmes was red carded early on for violent conduct.

Although Gresley got the game under way, it was Town who were first to mount a serious attack when Ben Fitch broke down the right to get to the by-line and Jamie Hood did well to clear the danger.

The same player finished off a move involving Andy McCabe and Gareth Hopkins, but Fitch's first-time shot was saved by keeper Dale Belford.

Gresley countered with a quick break down the right which finished with a powerful shot from Steve Lenagh which was well saved by Paul Thompson while, at the other end, Hopkins saw his powerful drive fly just over the bar.

But after losing Holmes on 16 minutes, after he retaliated to a challenge from Hopkins, meant an uphill task for the visitors.

Taking advantage of the extra man, Town began to string their passes together and a fine move, instigated by Mike Davis, finished with Adam Mayo's powerful shot going just over the bar.

In their next build-up, it was Davis again the provider when he found Jody Bevan in space in the box and his powerful shot cannoned back off the bar and McCabe shot wide from the rebound.

On 39 minutes, the pressure finally when a great cross from Davis picked out Hopkins free in the box, and he made no mistake from eight yards.

The second half started with Gresley having their best period of the game, Lawrence Hall hitting a powerful shot just wide.

In their next move, a cross from Leigh Everitt was only half- cleared and Jamie Barrett latched on to the loose ball before unleashing a terrific shot which was only inches wide.

Despite an awkward, swirling wind, Cirencester soon got into a rhythm. After McCabe nicked the ball off Everitt on the left, his low cross was well saved by Belford at the feet of Hopkins.

In the last quarter, Town stamped their authority on the game. Hopkins tried his luck with a powerful angled shot and Bevan then laid the ball to Fitch whose low shot was just wide.

Five minutes from the end, Cirencester put the game beyond doubt when an in-swinging corner from McCabe was flicked on by Bevan and Mark Richards was well positioned at the far post to head home.

In the final stages, Town in-troduced their new signings with Michael Jackson, who has re-signed for the club from Weston-Super-Mare, and Shaun Wimble, a recent signing from Oxford City, seeing out the last few minutes for the Centurions to take maximum points.

Cirencester: Thompson, Bird, Mc-Entegart, Richards, Mayo Jackson 86), Wotton, Davis, McCabe, Hopkins, Bevan (Wimble 88), Fitch. Subs: Fraser. Referee S P Smartt (Bristol), attendance 182.