Cirencester Town sink their Yate hosts with two first-half goals (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester Town sink their Yate hosts with two first-half goals

CIRENCESTER Town FC wrapped up the points in Tuesday evening's thrilling local derby at Yate with two clinical first-half goals in a 2-0 win.

Yate were first to threaten when a Paul Methringham effort was well saved by Thompson and soon after Town's goalie did well to keep out Tony Bennett's effort.

Gradually, the visitors settled into a rhythm and took the lead mid-way through the first half.

From a free kick 30 yards out, Shaun Wimble's pinpoint cross found Darren Robison whose glancing header flew into the top corner of the net.

Virtually from the restart, Wimble came close with a powerful header before Town got their second goal 15 minutes before the break.

A Marc Richards through ball found an unmarked Scott Griffin who unleashed an unstoppable shot from 18 yards.

In an entertaining second half, Adam Mayo volleyed just over the bar and, from a Michael Jackson cross, Gareth Hopkins' header brought a fine save from Court.

After Yate had rung the chances, Thompson had to be at his best twice to deny Jason Woods and it took a miraculous header off the line by Robison to clear Woods' volley.

In the closing stages home keeper pulled off two brilliant saves to deny both Andy McCabe and Jackson.

Cirencester: Thompson, Davis, McEntegart, Richards, Mayo, Wotton, Robison, Wimble (McCabe 45) Hopkins' (Bevan 85) Griffin, Jackson. Subs Bird, Fraser. Ref, T Curtis (Bristol,) attend 175.

It proved a frustrating afternoon for Cirencester who, with more than enough chances to have won Saturday's league game at Evesham at a canter, had to settle for a share of the points in a goal-less draw.

And after scoring in every one of Town's last ten games, the usually prolific Gareth Hopkins' failed to add to his mounting tally on this occasion.

The hosts started the brighter and, after Daniel Williams cut into the box, his shot was well saved by Town keeper Paul Thompson.

Evesham's next build-up saw Williams breaking to the byline to find Craig Pountney in space who volleyed wide from six yards.

As time wore on, Cirencester were enjoying more possession and, from a good Hopkins'' run, his final low cross was only inches in front of Fitch to get a touch for a certain goal.

With half-time looming, Williams, who had been a thorn in Cirencester's side, put in a great run to get past two defenders, but Thompson did well to punch away final the cross.

The Centurions started the second half on attack. From a Wimble through ball, Hopkins' cut inside and his final shot was only just wide.

From another Wimble through ball, it took a vital tackle from Andrew Smith to clear the danger with Bevan charging in.

Mid-way through the half, Cirencester were unlucky not to take the lead when a Darren Robison through ball was laid off by Hopkins' and Bevan's terrific shot was only just wide.

In their next build-up, Bevan broke free into the box and his powerful shot was parried by keeper Timothy Clarke.

It was Clarke again to the rescue when he kept out a powerful drive from Hopkins.

In the last frantic minutes, Wimble broke free to get himself in space, but his powerful shot flew into the side netting.

In the very last attack of the game, Adam Mayo found Bevan who laid a perfect ball to Hopkins' whose low shot was saved.

Cirencester: Thompson, Bird, McEnte-gart, Richards, Mayo, Davis, Robison, Wimble, Hopkins', Bevan, Fitch. Subs: Wotton, Jackson, Griffin, McCabe, Fraser. Ref: K Ingram (Kingswinford), attend 185.