Cirencester defeat Gloucester City in local derby at Corinium Stadium (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester defeat Gloucester City in local derby at Corinium Stadium

AFTER giving away an early goal at home on Saturday, Cirencester held their nerve to pick up three points with a 2-1 win in a typically hard-fought local derby against promotion-chasing Gloucester City.

Right from the kick-off, Gloucester won a corner on the right, and ex-Cirencester player Keith Knight fired over a telling cross.

From the goalmouth scramble that ensued, Adie Mings managed to get a toe to the ball to stab home from five yards.

Town hit back with a powerful header from Scott Griffin via Andy McCabe's cross which was only just wide.

Shortly after, Gareth Hopkins hit a post with a crashing header, and from the rebound, Michael Jackson's volley flew over the bar.

In the hosts' next build-up, Griffin fired in a clever cross and a Garry Wotton header was cleared off the line.

The visitors countered with a quick break which finished with Ming's header coming back off a post.

Just before half-time, Town keeper Paul Thompson pulled off two great saves to deny Lee Smith and Jimmy Cox.

The second half started with the Corinium Stadium side taking the game to their rivals.

A powerful run from Griffin finished with a drive which was only just wide and, from a free kick 30 yards out, McCabe's dipping shot was well saved by Gloucester keeper Matt Bath.

The Centurions got the all- important equaliser 30 minutes from time.

From a free kick 35 yard out, McCabe sent over a perfect cross for Hopkins to score with a glancing header to take his tally to ten goals in ten consecutive games.

And it took only seven more minutes for the home side to get their noses in front.

From another set piece- Michael Davis' far-post cross was met with superb timing by Mark Richards whose powerful header hit the back of the net. Evidence as to just how much was at stake saw over-zealous tackling, frayed tempers and the referee having to order Gloucester assistant manager Mike Cook from the dug-out for consistent abuse.

Cirencester were now attacking at will, but the visitors did not give up. As it was, Thompson had to pull off another fine save from Mings's powerful header in the last minutes of the game.

Cirencester: Thompson, Davis, McEntegart, Jackson, Mayo, Wotton, Robison, McCabe, Hopkins, Griffin (Bevan 86) Richards. Subs: Fitch, Bird, Wimble, Fraser.

Gloucester: Bath, Smith, Harris (Hemming 55), Howarth, Jefferies, Burns, C Thompson, Cox, Mings, Knight, Wilkinson. Subs: Davis, M Thompson, Bayliss. Referee A Field (Chesham), attendance 422.