Fans set to descend on Corinium Stadium for a battle royale (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Fans set to descend on Corinium Stadium for a battle royale

THERE will surely be standing room only when Redditch arrive at the Corinium Stadium on Saturday desperately looking for the one point they need to clinch the Dr Martens League Western Division title on the final day of the season.

But the end-of-season machinations have had the poor old statisticians working overtime.

For Gloucester City, who defeated visiting Redditch 1-0 last weekend, could lift the title themselves provided they defeat Ilkeston on Saturday and Cirencester Town beat Redditch.

And Cirencester could well have been the third team with a claim to the championship had they not lost to Rugby United last Saturday.

As it is, the best they can hope for is the runners-up spot, assuming City lose to Ilkeston and they beat Redditch.

Nonetheless, a third place and promotion brings a fantastic season to a splendid conclusion for Brian Hughes' Cirencester Town who are set to play in the Dr Martens Premier next season.

In recording a 2-1 home win over Cirencester on Saturday, Rugby United also gained promotion to the Premier Division by finishing fifth in the table.

Rugby started the brighter with Justin Marsden latching on to a long clearance from Jason Pearcey and Paul Thompson, with the help of Alan Bird, had to come a long way off his line to clear the danger.

The visitors countered with Ben Fitch and Adam Mayo linking up well to find Shaun Wimble in space, but his angled shot was well saved by Pearcey.

Mid-way through the half, the Centurions went two goals down. On the first occasion, Cirences-ter failed to clear a break down the right and Rory Squire found Marsden who fired home a terrific low shot into the far corner.

Within two minutes, Jamie Williams broke from defence to get past two defenders before unleashing a powerful low shot into the left-hand corner, giving Thompson no chance.

But as Town fought back, Jody Bevan went close with a first-time volley and, shortly after from a Michael Davis cross, the same player's header was only just wide.

With half-time approaching, Cirencester were piling on the pressure and it was no surprise when they did get one back.

After a Thompson clearance was laid off by Gareth Hopkins, Mayo scored with a terrific volley into the top corner of the net from 20 yards.

The second half began with the home side going forward and Thompson twice had to pull off fine saves to deny John Douglas and Marsden.

At the other end, Hopkins tested Pearcey with a fine, low shot after he had cut his way past two defenders.

With 30 minutes to go, Cirencester thought they had got back into the game when, from a Davis cross, the assistant referee signalled for a handball.

After the uproar from Rugby had settled, Hopkins unfortunately put his spot-kick wide of the target. But the visitors still kept plugging away and Scott Griffin forced a great save from Pearcey.

In a messy end to the game, two of the home side were cautioned for time wasting but, surprisingly, the referee added on only 30 seconds of stoppage time.

Cirencester Town: Thompson, Bird, McEntegart, Richards, Mayo, Wotton, Davis, Wimble (McCabe 60), Hopkins, Bevan (Griffin 45) Fitch. Subs: Stevens, Frasier, Jackson. Referee: R Smith (Halesowen), attendance 282.