Town FC make the Swindon professionals work for their win (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Town FC make the Swindon professionals work for their win

NIGH on 1000 spectators witnessed two cracking pre-season friendlies at the Corinium Stadium last week during which a dozen goals were scored.

There had been concerns that Swindon would be sending along a youth squad instead of the promised full first team for last Thursday evening's game.

Happily, on the night, Swindon manager Andy King put out quite a reasonable squad with a starting line-up that included four first teamers and a new signing.

In fact, the game turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining one with plenty of action in both goalmouths.

But it was the visitors who opened the scoring after only three minutes. In a neat move, Rory Falon broke to the byline to despatch a perfect cross for Ricky Shakes to fire home.

Not to be out-done, Cirencester created chances and Scott Griffin and Luke Corbett both having powerful shots well saved by keeper Bullman.

From a Shakes' cross towards the end of the first half, Stefan Miglioranzi's powerful header canon off the bar.

Shortly after, home keeper Paul Thompson was at full stretch to tip Shakes' low shot round a post.

Both sides made wholesale changes during the interval before the second half started in a lively fashion when Gareth Hopkins beat Bullman to the ball, but his angled shot was cleared off the line.

At the other end, Francis Kumboor and James Constable both had shots blocked by Mark Bryant and then cleared off the line by Craig Fullham.

On 58 minutes, Cirencester equalised when Bullman, under pressure from Jody Bevan, lost the ball and Bevan coolly slotted home. The home celebrations, though, did not last long.

For Swindon re-took the lead shortly after when a mix-up between Kevin Halliday and Bryant allowed ex-Cirencester Academy player Constable the simplest of chances to tap home.

Swindon were then awarded a penalty when Constable was brought down in the box.

Though the same player's spot-kick appeared to be well saved by Bryant, it was ordered to be retaken, only this time Kumboor blasted high and wide.

Within minutes, the away team were awarded yet another penalty when Dave Stroud was brought down in the box. This time, Chris Taylor made no mistake to find the back of the net.

Cirencester Town: Thompson, Fullham, Halliday, Jackson, Horgan, Viveash, Robison, Cowe, Corbett, Griffin, Smith. Replacements: Hopkins, Bryant G/K, Bevan, Stanley, Hall, Etheridge.

Swindon Town: Bullman, Lapham, Nicholais, Jenkins, Henry, Priet, Shakes, Miglioranzi, Falon, Musson, Nicolai. Replacements: Caton, Stroud, Constable, Kumboor, Pook, Wells, Taylor. Referee: R Vaughan (Somerset). Attendance: 798.

Cirencester finished as well deserving 5-3 winners over Conference South side Newport County on Saturday.

Starting strongly, the visitors opened the scoring when Ryan Sugar found the back of the net with a powerful header via a pin- point cross from Green.

Town gradually came into the game and equalised mid-way through the half when Lee Smith's darting run finished with a trip in the box by Dominic Rees. Smith stepped up to find the back of the net from the spot.

With the half coming to a close, Cirencester keeper Steve Book pulled off a fine save from a powerful shot by Green and, at the other end, Jody Bevan got on the end of a Smith cross and his header had to be scrambled away.

While both sides made several changes at half-time, it was Town who soon put their rivals under pressure.

From a free kick, Kevin Halliday's terrific shot was tipped over the bar by Sam O'Sullivan.

The Centurions took the lead on 70 minutes when, from a free kick, Nick Stanley fired over the perfect cross for Bevan who made no mistake with his far-post header.

Within a minute, Town scored a third when Bevan found Steve Cowe in space and he coolly chipped an advancing O'Sullivan from 15 yards.

The game finished in an exciting flourish. First, Jason Bowen cleverly beat Mark Bryant from eight yards, only for Newport to draw level when Lloyd Grist beat Bryant with an angled lob.

Nonetheless, the Centurions countered and, from another Smith run, they gained another penalty, Smith making no mistake from the spot.

Just before the final whistle, Smith and Cowe linked up well and Cowe's byline cross found Bevan who volleyed home from five yards. Cirencester Town: Book, Hall, Halliday, Jackson, Horgan, Viveash, Fulham, Smith, Hopkins, Bevan, Stanley. Replacements: Cowe, Griffin, Bryant.

Newport County: Delve, Hillier, Rees, Thomas, Creighton, Jones, Sugar, Davies, Belle, Green, Ampadu. Replacements: Guy, Bonner, Morgan, Grist, Bowen, Curran, Williams, O'Sullivan, Harrichs. Referee: I Hamilton (Cheltenham). Attendance 190.

The pre-season friendlies continue when Cirencester travel to Carterton next Tuesday (7.30pm) before visiting Hungerford on Saturday, July 30, 3pm ko.