Cirencester entertain Leyton Orient on day too hot for soccer (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester entertain Leyton Orient on day too hot for soccer

WHILE many were cooling off in the pool or enjoying a leisurely barbecue on a hot Saturday afternoon, spare a thought for the squad of Cirencester Town manager Brian Hughes who were having to face the might of a full-strength Leyton Orient side, now managed by former Swindon Town player Martin Ling.

However, even prior to last weekend's fixture, one worrying factor for Hughes is that he is still missing two key players who were injured towards the end of last season.

For decisive and rapid attacks by the visitors were a clear indication that the Centurions' season will not get fully under way until Neil Arndale and Adi Viveash return to full fitness.

Right from the off, Orient always looked a well organised outfit with Daryl McMahon pull-ing the strings in midfield. With Jason Demetrion making several surging runs from defence, Town soon came under pressure.

On 20 minutes, the visitors opened the scoring when, from a John Mackie through ball, Efe Echanoni found the back of the net via a deflection off keeper Mark Bryant.

Ten minutes later, they increased the lead. When Town failed to clear a corner, Echanoni was again on hand to slot home, despite Bryant managing to parry the ball.

Five minutes before the break, McMahon added a third with a terrific shot from 30 yards and, seconds before the interval, Echanoni headed home the visitors' fourth.

Both sides made wholesale changes for the second half, but it took just five minutes for Aden Palmer to beat Paul Thompson from 15 yards.

The Corinium Stadium side had their chances in the second half, Jody Bevan's shot on the turn that brought a great reflex save by Glen Garner being one of the better ones.

In the last quarter, Orient put the game completely beyond doubt with their sixth goal, an unmarked Gary Alexander making no mistake from 15 yards. With the ga me coming to an end, Town got a consolation goal when Scott Griffin found the back of the net with a blistering free kick from 30 yards.

At the finish, both managers were probably well satisfied with this good work-out.

Martin Ling and his squad thoroughly enjoyed the trip to the Cotswolds and could well repeat this fixture next season.

Cirencester: Bryant, Hall, Halliday, Jackson, Horgan, Fullham, Robison, Smith, Hopkins, Cowe, Stanley. Replacements: Corbett, Thompson, Bevan, Griffin, Fraser, Etheridge.

Leyton Orient: Morris, Barnard, Demetrion, Saah, Zakuani, Mackie, Carlisle, McMahon, Russell, Echanoni, Rudor. Replacements: Garner, Glover, Alexander, Zeipe, O'Carol, Miller, Sengre, Docland, Wallace, Gourgel, Palmer, Syvester. Ref: I Hamilton (Cheltenham), attendance 278.