Awful weather gives Cirencester Town players an afternoon off (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Awful weather gives Cirencester Town players an afternoon off

LAST Saturday's awful weather gave Cirencester Town an afternoon off from Southern Premier duty as their match away to Hednesford had to be cancelled.

As it proved, they didn't lose too much ground as only two of the top eight teams recorded victories with Chippenham, who sneaked a 1-0 mid-week victory last week at Corinium Stadium, moving to the head of the table - despite losing 0-1 to visiting Aylesbury United.

Aylesbury's win will, though, have given Cirencester manager Brian Hughes food for thought as his team are set to play there this Saturday.

Having climbed up to tenth place, Aylesbury will be looking to give their Corinium Stadium opponents a good run for their money, especially with Cirences-ter needing the points to stay in touch with the front runners.

Even so, Hughes will doubtless have the outcome of another game, being played just up the road on the same day - Thame United versus Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round - on his mind.

Having beaten Weymouth in the previous round, Thame, who play in Southern League Division One East, will be attempting to overthrow the Nationwide Conference side based in Nailsworth.

And the significance of this clash won't be lost on Hughes as his team are set to entertain Thame in the first round of the FA Trophy, in a tie being sponsored by the Standard, on Saturday, November 6.

Before then, and in what is a particularly hectic schedule, Thame are away to Evesham United on Tuesday, November 2, for a mid-week league fixture.

Town have no mid-week fixture pencilled in on that day and should be at full-strength for this vital FA Trophy tie which is likely to draw in a good crowd.

Another big fixture at the Corinium Stadium comes just a week later when, on Saturday, November 13, Cirencester plays host to promotion-chasing Chesham in what should prove a classic six-pointer.

Some encouraging news to emerge for Cirencester Town FC on Saturday was the success of their Academy side who play in the Football League Youth Alliance Away to the previously unbeaten league leaders Luton, the Academy pulled off a sensational 2-0 victory to go level on points with Northampton Town who they are set to entertain this Saturday (11am ko).

And in the South West Counties League Cup, the U17s did well to get a 1-1 draw away to Forest Green Rovers.

On Sunday, Cirencester ladies enjoyed a lie-in as their scheduled game at Stoke Lane Ath was cancelled.

Next Wednesday, November 3, the U18s, who had such a splendid run in last year's competition, are home to Oxford United in the first round proper of the FA Youth Cup, 7.30pm ko.