Cirencester Town FC suffer a frustrating defeat (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester Town FC suffer a frustrating defeat

WITH a majority of the front-runners failing to record wins on Saturday, Cirencester Town's 1-3 Southern League loss at King's Lynn is more frustrating than it is worrying.

For whatever, reason, the visitors couldn't get into the game, although they started brightly enough with Jody Bevan getting himself into dangerous positions in the opening exchanges.

But the Centurions went a goal down as early as the tenth minute from a free kick on the edge of the box, Mark Angel planting his low shot around the wall to find the back of the net.

From the restart, Cirencester fought back and Gareth Hopkins was unlucky when, from a Ben Fitch through ball, his attempted lob was only just wide.

Shortly after, Fitch was unlucky when his powerful shot was deflected for a throw-in.

On 18 minutes, the home side increased their lead after an Angel shot was deflected for a corner.

From his cross, the ball went uncleared and Mark Camm played it back to find Jack Defty who found the back of the net with a low shot.

This second goal jolted the Glo'shire side into action and, for the rest of the first half, they were on top.

While they created few clear-cut chances, Bevan had a first-time shot flash the wrong side of a post.

Just before half-time, Town's hard work was rewarded when, from a Shaun Wimble through ball, Bevan found himself in space to fire home from 15 yards.

The Norfolk hosts still kept coming forward and, on the stroke of half-time, it took a great challenge by Adam Howarth when Danny Bloom-field got clear on goal.

Nonetheless, the second half started with Cirencester looking as though they were going to get back into the game, Bevan's angled shot going just wide of the target.

Fitch was causing problems with his raids down the flank and, from one of these runs, the ball was only half-cleared and Adi Viveash's attempted lob flew just over the bar.

On 66 minutes, and slightly against the run of play, the home side, put the game beyond doubt.

Having gained another free kick on the edge of the box, Angel's shot was tipped on to the bar by Mark Bryant but Danny Hammond, who was following up, found the back of the net from five yards.

For the remainder of the game, Town pushed everything at their opponents.

Nick Stanley went close with a powerful low shot and Fitch, latching on to a Bevan cross, saw his shot sail over the bar.

Although Bevan forced a couple of corners, home keeper Stevie Wilson was in fine form in cutting out any crosses into the danger area.

Cirencester Town: Bryant, Wotton, Halliday, Wimble, Jackson, Howarth (Corcoran 83) Viveash, Stanley, Hopkins, Bevan, Fitch. Subs: Richards, Mayo, Bird, Fraser. Referee T P Howes (Norwich); attendance 698.

Cirencester will be looking to redeem themselves at home to Tiverton on Saturday, 3pm ko.