Town buoyant after two much needed wins (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Town buoyant after two much needed wins

CIRENCESTER Town have shrugged off a run of disappointing losses by clinching two close Southern Premier victories in just four days.

In last Saturday's 1-0 home win against Banbury , there was a determined performance from Cirencester on an afternoon when a strong wind played a major part in the pattern of play.

The hosts kicked off with the elements in their favour and were soon taking full advantage.

Scott Griffin saw his shot on the turn flash the wrong side of a post and, shortly after, a Shaun Wimble fierce free kick from 25 yards out was well saved by keeper Simon Tricker.

It was Tricker again in the action when saving well from another Gareth Hopkins' effort.

The Centurions opened the scoring on 23 minutes. A Mark Bryant clearance was cleverly flicked on by Neil Arndale to find Jody Bevan in space and he delivered a pinpoint cross that Griffin made no mistake with from five yards.

Town continued to push forward and Mark Richards was unlucky not to get a foot on a great cross from Hopkins.

Hopkins was again the provider when jinking his way to the byline before firing over a dangerous cross which Mark Essex did well to head clear.

Against the wind after the break, Cirencester could have increased their lead early on.

An Arndale corner went uncleared and Griffin's snap-shot was only just wide of the target before the same player saw his cross-shot well saved by Tricker.

The local side were still dominating proceedings and Wimble created space down the left to cross the ball, the half-clearance falling to Griffin whose volley was only just over the bar.

With time running out, the Oxfordshire side's Ady Fuller tried his luck from way out and was only just wide.

Just after, Bryant had to pull off a fantastic save when George Redknap let loose from 30 yards.

In the closing stages, Banbury pushed harder and, with the lively Howard Forinton up front, they always looked dangerous.

Town could have gone further ahead in the dying stages. A fine run from Nick Stanley finished with a great cross into the box, only for Griffin's diving header to sail inches over the bar.

Cirencester: Bryant, Arndale, Bird, Jackson, Richards, Viveash, Robison, Wimble, Hopkins (Fitch 80) Bevan (Stanley 75) Griffin. Subs: Howarth, Fraser, Mayo. Referee M Mackreth (Bristol),attendance 255.

Town returned from Stamford on Tuesday night with another three well deserved points in a 2-1 win.

However, it was the basement boys who took a first-minute lead through Carl Holmes.

Just three minutes later, Adie Viveash smacked a 35-yard drive past keeper Darren Watts for the visitors' equaliser.

Later in the half, Town goalie Mark Bryant dealt with well- struck shots from Butterworth and Slinn. At the other end, substitute Richard Thompson shot over from close range.

Late on in the game, Michael Jackson and Nick Stanley set up Jody Bevan for Town's winner.