Town finishes Southern League campaign on a high (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Town finishes Southern League campaign on a high

DESPITE the first team just missing out on the play-offs, it has been a very uplifting season for everyone involved with Cirencester Town FC.

Following on from promotion last season, manager Brian Hughes took his 1st XV squad to within one point of the play-off places on the final day of the season while Histon beat Chippenham to win the title and automatic promotion.

Having recently clinched the league title, by easily beating Stoke Lane, the Town ladies felt disappointed to then lose 5-3 to the same opposition in Sunday's League Cup final at Slimbridge.

The Academy, under coach Steve Lowndes, have enjoyed another excellent season, admirably demonstrated by reaching the ESFA U18 Colleges Trophy Final for a record fifth time.

In a competition in which they have never lost, they are to share the trophy after the final against Middlesbrough finished in a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Brian Hughes must be proud of his small squad, which has been depleted for the past few weeks with Neil Arndale, Adi Viveash and Kevin Halliday all missing for long periods.

Nonetheless, they still managed to finish only one point off the play-offs, taking seventh spot after beating Hemel Hempstead 3-1 at the Corinium Stadium on Saturday.

Hemel Hempstead, despite being relegated, made it clear from the outset they were not going to lie down and this game, far from being an end-of-season formality, was fiercely contested for the whole 90 minutes.

It was the visitors who came close early on. From a free kick, Stuart Beevor's cross found Mat Corbould in space and his header was only just wide of the target.

At the other end, Paul Hunt found Gareth Hopkins in space and his first attempt was cleared off the line by Brendan Gallen.

From the rebound, Hunt's shot was blocked and in their next build-up, Cirencester opened the scoring when a superb cross from Craig Curtis.

With Curtis breaking from defence, Corbould had no option but to try and make contact with Jody Bevan in close quarters and, unfortunately, put the ball into his own net.

The Centurions were now looking the superior side. Bevan's header from a Michael Jackson free kick was only just over the bar and a fierce shot from Hopkins brought a great save from Ricky Millard.

Ten minutes before half-time, Tony Fontenelle broke from defence for the visitors and found Bryan Hammatt in space and he drilled home an unstoppably shot from 18 yards.

Just before the break, Town regained their lead when a Curtis cross found Hopkins who cleverly turned two defenders before planting a fierce drive into the top of the net.

The second half was only three minutes old when the hosts increased their lead. After Hunt split the Hemel defence to lay off a perfect ball for Hopkins, the latter made no mistake with an angled shot from six yards.

Hemel still kept pushing forward and Fontenelle was unlucky when his terrific shot cannoned back off the bar.

In the end, Town quelled the visitors. In fact, it took a great save by Millard to stop a 25-yard shot from Halliday, but praise must go to Alan Bird who is set to take up a referee's role.

Playing in his last game for the club, he and Curtis were outstanding at the back, breaking down any attacks by the visitors.

Cirencester: Bryant, Bird, Halliday, Jackson, Richards (Wimble 28) Curtis, Robison, Stanley (Fitch 72) Hopkins, Bevan (Griffin 65) Hunt. Subs: Fraser, Cook. Referee C Henry (Northampton), attendance 246.

Other results. SW Counties (April 27): U17s 4, New College 0; (Sat) U17s 0, Weymouth 0. Cirencester Youth League: U16s 0, Purton 9; CYFL Cup Final: U12s 1, Leckhampton Rovers 2.

In what was a fitting finale to one of their most successful seasons, Cirencester Town FC held its end-of-season prizegiving night at the Corinium Stadium on Saturday.

A well-attended event, which saw a splendid turn-out, was enjoyed by all. Prizewinners for the 2004/5 season are as follows:

Clubman of the Year, Alan Lloyd (groundsman).

Ladies. Manager's Player of the Year, Becky Elson; Most Improved Player, Philippa Dunn; Players' Player, Leah Davis.

Academy. Players' Player of the Year: U17s Tom Valentine, U18s Kevin Dadd; Most Improved Player U17s Lee Salter, U18s Robert Hodge; Player of the Season U17s Dean Stow, U18s Matt Green.

Away Supporters of the Year: The Muppets - Nick, Malcolm, Pete and John.

First team. Away Player of the Year, Darren Robison; Players' Player of the Year, Michael Jackson; Supporters' Player of the Year, Neil Arndale.