Plymouth Argyle all at sea as Town run them ragged with a 3-1 victory (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Plymouth Argyle all at sea as Town run them ragged with a 3-1 victory

CIRENCESTER Town FC turned it on in style on Monday night, defeating Plymouth Argyle 3-1 in the Centurion's penultimate pre-season friendly.

Back on his old stamping ground at the Corinium Stadium was former Academy player Chris Zebroski, who signed for Plymouth at the end of last season, and he started up front.

It was Plymouth that looked the brighter of the two sides in the opening exchanges.

From a Ryan Dickson through ball, Dean Evans found himself in the clear, but his attempted lob sailed over the bar.

Shortly after, the same player brought a fine save from Town keeper Paul Thompson with a low shot.

Gradually, the hosts got into the game and Plymouth goalkeeper Kenny Schofield suddenly found himself rather busy.

In fact, he was forced into producing a fine save from a Gareth Hopkins shot on the turn and, shortly after, saved well from Scott Griffin.

While both teams were playing some attractive football, it was the local side who were creating the best chances.

From a Nick Stanley cross, Hopkins' header was just wide of the target and then Schofield pulled off another two fine saves to deny Stanley and Hopkins.

Mid-way through the half, Cirencester could have taken the lead when Kevin Halladay found Hopkins in space.

Although Hopkins rounded the keeper, his final effort was cleared off the line by Liam Drew. On 34 minutes, Cirencester finally opened their account.

When Halladay found Hop-kins, he neatly laid the ball to Griffin to fire home from 18 yards. Within three minutes, Town had increased their lead.

From another Halladay cross, Nathan Edwards headed back into the area for Hopkins to blast home. The second half was only ten minutes old when Town went further ahead.

This time, Halla-day was the provider when his deep cross found Griffin who fired home with a terrific volley.

From the restart, Zebroski went close with a powerful header and, in a thoroughly entertaining game, chances were being created both ends.

Ben Fitch's shot was tipped over the bar by Schofield, and just after Jody Bevan's low shot came back off a post. Ten minutes from the end, Plymouth got one back.

A terrific run from Zebroski finished with a powerful shot which cannoned back off the bar and Clay Bond was well positioned to slot home.

Cirencester: Thompson, Armland, Halladay, Jackson, Wimble, Wotton, Robison, Stanley, Hopkins, Griffin, Edwards, Fitch, Davis, Bevan, Bird, Fraser, Doulton. Plymouth: Schofield, Drew, Dickson, Makel, Routledge, Nute, Reski, Bond, Zebroski, Evans, Robotham, Fowler, Summerfield, Mason, Fowler G/K. Ref K Hawkes (Gloucester), attendance 348.

Town manager Brian Hughes' reaction to the victory was, "Although it wasn't their first team, as we had expected, I thought we put in a thoroughly good performance and played some entertaining football."