Cirencester Town finally break their Cossham Street voodoo (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester Town finally break their Cossham Street voodoo

CIRENCESTER Town finally dispelled their long-time Cossham Street voodoo in no uncertain manner on Saturday, crushing their Mangotsfield United hosts by five goals to one.

For Town turned in a stunning performance to win in great style at a ground that they have never won since gaining promotion to the Dr Martens League.

The visitors started the brighter and early on Mark Richards went close with a powerful header. From a Mike Davis cross, Scott Griffin's header was only just wide.

Shortly after, keeper Mark Bryant had to come quickly off his line to deny Andy McCabe who had beaten the offside trap.

On the half-hour and against the run of play, the home side took the lead. A good ball from Danny Haines set Richard Pears free and his powerful low cross cannoned off Matthew McEntegart into his own net.

From the restart, Cirencester thought they had equalised when Griffin and Davis combined down the right and Davis final cross was met perfectly by Gareth Hopkins.

Bryant got a hand on the ball, but there were strong Town appeals that it had crossed the line.

After Griffin had brought another fine save from Bryant, it was no surprise when Town equalised just before the break.

After a fine run, McCabe's shot was deflected into the back of the net by Scott Hendy.

Inside, three minutes, Town were in the lead. In a neat move, Davis provided a perfect ball for Hopkins to set up Ben Fitch who made no mistake from eight yards.

The second half started with the Centurions on attack, but Darren Robison's headed goal at the far post was disallowed.

Meanwhile, Fitch's pace was causing the home side all sorts of problems and, from one great run, is final shot from 18 yards was only just wide of the target.

Town's next build-up, involving, Griffin, McCabe and Adam Mayo, finished with a lay-off to Davis whose accurate shot was deflected for a corner.

It was 30 minutes from the end when Shaun Wimble replaced an injured McCabe who had earlier taken a knock on the ankle.

Wimble was soon in the action, firing over two fine crosses which Bryant did well to clear.

With 20 minutes to go, Cirencester put the game beyond doubt.

Wimble picked up a Robison clearance on the left and cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot. Within two minutes, they had made it four when Marc Richards finished off a great move involving Davis, Fitch and Griffin, and Richards.

The demolition of the home side was completed seven minutes from the end.

From a free kick by the corner flag, Wimble fired over a pinpoint cross for Richards to find the back of the net with a tremendous header.

Cirencester: Thompson, Bird, Mc-Entegart, Richards, Mayo (Jackson 75), Davis, Robison, McCabe (Wimble 60), Hopkins, Griffin (Bevan 75), Fitch. Ref: M I Blatchford (Yeovil), attendance 240.

Cirencester picked up a second full haul of points in just three days by beating a battling Taunton on Tuesday evening.

Early on, Ben Fitch went close with a tremendous shot and, shortly after, Scott Griffin had strong appeals for a penalty turned down.

Mid-way through the half, Town took the lead from a fine move.

Shaun Wimble's cross enabled Griffin to lay the ball to Marc Richards who made no mistake from just yards out.

For the rest of the first half Cirencester were on top. But after the break, Taunton came back into it and, when the Centurions failed to clear 15 minutes from the end, Adrian Foster picked his spot from close in.

Taunton celebrations were short lived as their rivals took just minutes to get back in front.

Via a Davis through ball, Griffin set up Fitch who hit the back of the visitors' net for a 2-1 win.

Cirencester: Thompson, Bird, McEntegart, Richards, Mayo, Davis, Robison, Wimble, Hopkins, Griffin (Bevan 78) Fitch. Subs: Jackson, Fraser, Tomkins, Stevens. Ref: J. Cox (Evesham). Attend: 116.