Town set for crunch game against Merthyr Tydfil (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Town set for crunch game against Merthyr Tydfil

HAVING gained just a point in a goal-less draw at Hitchin on Saturday, Cirencester Town hopes of making the Souther Premier play-offs could well depend on the results of this weekend's 'double header'.

On Easter Saturday, Town are set to face one-time title favour-ites Merthyr Tydfil for the first time this season when a large crowd is expected for this clash at the Corinium Stadium which starts at the earlier time of 1pm.

And having been mauled 3-0 by visitors Histon last Saturday, Merthyr will doubtless want to salvage some wounded pride.

Then for Easter Monday's local derby, the Centurions will be paying their old adversaries, Gloucester City, a visit (3pm).

Last Saturday, Cirencester had to travel to Hitchin without a number of key players for a game that finished in a goal-less draw.

Missing from their line-up were Neil Arndale, side-lined with a serious ankle injury sustained in training, Kevin Halliday still recovering from a knee injury, Adi Viveash was unavailable, as was new signing, former Swindon Town player Paul Hunt, due to last-minute registration problems.

In the end, Cirencester had only 14 fit men available for this outing. However, on the bright side, Academy player Craig Curtis, who was making his first team debut, was in commanding form and, playing alongside the experienced Darren Robison and Alan Bird, they snuffed out any Hitchin challenge.

In fact, Mark Bryant did not have one serious save to make during the entire 90 minutes.

The visitors were the first to create a serious opening and, from a free kick, Shaun Wimble's cross found Jody Bevan and his volley was cleared off the line by Stephen Blower.

For long periods in the first half, both sides cancelled themselves out in midfield.

But when Cirencester did finally put the ball into the back of the net mid-way through the half with a powerful Wimble header, it was adjudged offside.

Shortly after, they were unlucky when, from a Wimble corner, Robison's powerful header was only just over the bar.

Coming up to the break, the Centurions should have taken the lead when a long clearance from defence found Gareth Hopkins who cleverly got himself past two defenders.

Frustratingly, his powerful shot was brilliantly saved by Richard Wilmot and, from the rebound, Hopkins' effort was cleared off the line by Blower.

Virtually on half-time, Ciren-cester created another clear-cut opening when a fine Michael Jackson run finished with a great cross into the box and Hopkins' first-time shot was well saved by Wilmot.

The home side started the second half in a much more positive fashion. Bilal Hassan turned his defender, but his final effort was just wide of the target.

The Glo'shire side countered with two quick breaks. From a Wimble cross on the first, a Hopkins' header sailed over the bar and, from another Wimble cross, Nick Stanley's fierce drive was parried by Wilmot.

In the closing stages, it was Cirencester creating the better openings. Wimble's angled shot found the side netting while, at the other end, Bird and Curtis had to be on their toes when Josh Sozzo and Hassan got forward, resulting in Curtis having to made two telling clearances.

Right on the stroke of 90 minutes, the home side did break forward and Sozzo's shot was deflected for a corner

And from Aaron Cavill's flag- kick, Glen Lamacraft's volley was only just over the bar.

Cirencester: Bryant, Curtis, Fraser, Jackson, Richards, Bird, Robison, Wimble, Bevan, Hopkins, Stanley (Fitch 84.) Subs: Boucher. Ref Roger Burton (Kettering); attendance 238.