Centaurians through FA Cup round (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Centaurians through FA Cup round

FA Cup Second Qualifying Round

Christchurch 0, Cirencester Town 2

CIRENCESTER Town go into the lucrative third qualifying FA Cup draw on Monday, after a solid away performance against hardworking Christchurch, who were always threatening throughout the whole game, especially Matt Czastka who caused problems with his extra pace, but the experience of Adi Viveash and the pace of Craig Fullam were always in command to steer them through.

Cirencester got off to a flying start, after only three minutes they were in front when Nick Stanley found Kevin Halliday wide on the left and he broke forward to fire over a pin-point cross for Steve Cowe and he cut into the box and blasted home from 12 yards to give keeper Gareth Barfoot no chance.

From the restart Christchurch were obviously not going to lay down and twice good runs from Czastka finished with dangerous looking crosses which Paul Thompson did well to collect.

Cirencester were always looking to go forward and with Neil Arndale breaking down the right, Cowe picked him out but Arndale's final effort was too high.

Play was now end to end Fullam found Halliday in space and his dangerous cross was taken at full stretch and twice Viveash managed to get in brave headers to break down Christchurch attacks.

Just before half time Cirencester were unlucky not to go two up when a move down the right finished with a Marc Richards cross which was met on the volley by Cowe and his tremendous shot cannoned back off the base of the post.

Cirencester started the second half pushing forward and Gareth Hopkins managed to turn his defender but his powerful shot was well saved by Barfoot.

Christchurch had their best period of the game and should have equalized midway through the half when a Lee Hodder through ball found Dave Roberts in space but his shot was wide of the target.

And twice Fullam had to get in vital tackles to clear the danger from Lewis Till and Czastka.

The home side went close again shortly after with the pace of Czastka got behind the Cirencester defence and it took a fine save from Thompson to parry for a corner.

Cirencester were relying on the quick counter attack and from a free kick 30 yards out Cowe's curling shot was saved at full stretch by Barfoot.

Seven minutes before the end Cirencester put the game beyond doubt when Richards and Lee Smith linked up well and Smith's final cross found Cowe in space and he found the back of the net with a powerful header from eight yards.

Cirencester meet Havant and Waterloo in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, October 8.

Christchurch: Barfoot, Wells, Elliott (Hughes 45) Hodder, Atkins, Jenvey, Czastka, Crutchley, Roberts (Puckett 85) Sotouden (Swan 45) Till. Subs: Hollier, Atkins.

Cirencester: Thompson, Arndale, Fraser, Richards, Horgan, Viveash, Fullam, Stanley (Smith 70) Hopkins, Cowe, Halliday (Wimble 85). Subs: Jackson, Hunt, Hall.

Referee Miss Alison Chapman (Reading). Attendance 165.