Centurions get their new season off to a cracking start with a 2-0 victory (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Centurions get their new season off to a cracking start with a 2-0 victory

NEWLY promoted Cirencester Town got their new season in the Southern League, Premier Division off to a cracking start on Saturday, a 2-0 home victory over Histon putting a smile on faces of the Corinium Stadium faithful.

This immediate first win in the Premier Division of the Southern League is all the more satisfying for manager Brian Hughes as his side also kept a clean sheet against a team renowned for scoring goals.

It took only three minutes for Town to stamp their authority on the game when a Paul Thompson clearance found Scott Griffin and he was hauled down 30 yards out.

And it was Shaun Wimble who stepped up to plant an unstoppable shot into the top, left-hand corner of the net. From the restart, the hosts continued to dominate proceedings.

Griffin, Michael Jackson and Wimble linked up well to stretch the visitors' defence, and Griffin finished off the move with a volley which only just sailed over the bar.

Histon countered with a through ball from Adrian Cambridge, which earned a free kick on the by-line, and Cambridge's cross found Colin Vowden in space and his header was only just over the bar.

On 15 minutes, Cirencester could have increased their lead when Jackson laid the perfect ball for Adam Mayo to set him free behind the defence, but his powerful shot brought a splendid save from keeper Paul Barber.

As an end-to-end affair continued, Nathan Edwards and Darren Robison came close for Town with powerful headers while, at the other end, Cambridge's cross from a corner picked out Louie Farrington whose header was only just wide.

On the stroke of half-time, Histon had their best chance when Cambridge and Wayne Goddard linked up well to create space for Ian Cambridge whose powerful shot was parried away by keeper Thompson before Neil Kennedy fired the rebound over the bar.

The second half started as brightly as the first half had finished. Thompson did well to save bravely at the feet of I Cambridge from another low cross by A Cambridge.

Shortly after, the home keeper was again in action, making a good stop from Kennedy's effort.

Cirencester scored their second goal on 67 minutes when sheer determination got Wimble to the by-line. His cross was met perfectly by Nick Stanley, who minutes earlier had replaced Gareth Hopkins, and he volleyed home to give Barber no chance.

Town were now looking the stronger of the two sides, although Histon were still looking dangerous on the counter.

But Cirencester's new back four of Neil Arndale, Gary Wotton, Robison and Kevin Halliday were looking so dominant that, even when Histon did get into the danger area, they created few clear-cut chances.

The visitors did win a free kick on the edge of the box, and I Cambridge's curling shot was only inches wide. In response at the other end, Stanley's header from a Michael Davis cross was only just wide.

Cirencester: Thompson, Arndale, Halliday, Mayo (Hemming 82), Jackson, Wotton, Robison, Wimble, Hopkins (Stanley 60), Griffin, Edwards (Davis 60) Subs: Bird, Bevan. Referee: C Dawes (W Midlands), attendance 175.

Away to Hemel Hempstead on Saturday, Cirencester then play hosts to last season's FA Trophy winners, Hednesford on Tuesday (7.30pm ko). Hednesford lost 1-2 to visiting Halesowen on Monday.

Formed in 1880, the Pitmen's best season came in 1996/7 when they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in 72 years, before losing out in the fourth round at Middlesbrough.

After finishing as runners-up in the Southern League Midland Division in 1991/2, they became Southern League Premier Division champions in 1994/5 to clinch promotion to the Conference.

And in the club's very first season in the top flight of non-league football, they finished third behind the champions, Stevenage Borough, and Woking.