Hopkins on target for Centurions (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Hopkins on target for Centurions

Cheshunt 1 ( Lloyd Opara 59), Cirencester Town 2 (Hopkins 19 & 58)

CIRENCESTER came away with a satisfying win against another club battling at the bottom of the league.

Moving the ball accurately through midfield, with Neil Arndale and the impressive Michael Wylde supporting intelligently from wing-back, Gareth Hopkins and Mark Danks were soon giving Cheshunt's defence all sorts of problems as the crosses flew in from Lee Smith and Steve Cowe.

Michael Kalli was kept busy fending off shots from Smith, Hopkins and the irrepressible Danks, with Michael Jackson keeping the pressure on by being first to every loose ball in midfield.

The keeper was caught out on 19 minutes when Adie Viveash met a perfect far-post corner from Smith.

Viveash's nod back was met at the other post by unmarked Gareth Hopkins, who made it 1-0 to Cirencester.

Repeatedly conceding yellow cards, Cheshunt just about kept Cirencester out, though Smith should have scored when Danks burst onto a Hopkins pass, drew keeper Kalli and squared the ball to the unmarked winger.

Danks, subjected to heavy tackling, again got through on 43 minutes.

A superb recovery tackle, by Michael Wylde, was followed by a perfect through-pass to Hopkins roaring into the left channel.

His dink inside was met by Danks' instant shot from 20 yards that cannoned off the far post with Kalli well beaten.

With Jackson pulling the strings, the second half saw Cheshunt pull Danny Jones back to try and block off Danks' runs.

That left the home defence with no outlet pass to lift the siege and Cirencester dominated.

From yet another chance created by the Danks/Jackson combination, Hopkins scored again on 58 minutes.

Dancing inside and then outside Gyoury, he steadied himself before rocketing a left footer home from 15 yards.

Moments later, Lloyd Opara shot beyond Paul Thompson from the edge of the box after Viveash slipped on the greasy turf while trying to cut out a reverse pass from lively George Gregoriou.

Cirencester's defence conceded no more openings, whereas Kevin Halliday and Danks blasted just over from openings created by the lively Smith.

Kalli also produced an instinctive full-stretch tip-round from another Hopkins rocket after Gary Horgan had reverse-passed him around Anthony Fenton.

Cirencester finished well in control, with young Steve Cook and the returning Scott Griffin being given a go at Cheshunt's defence in the closing stages.

Man of the match: Michael Jackson (Cirencester).

Cheshunt: Michaell Kalli, Dean Fenton, Michael Deane Glen Parry 84, Nick Gyoury (c - Y 33), Dave Reddington (Y 43), Anthony Fenton (Y 14), Steve Obeng Mitchell Linger 79, Danny Jones, George Gregorio, Lloyd Opara, Dewayne Clark. Other substitutes: Ryan Bernard, Chris O'Dell, Justin Mossley Cirencester: Paul Thompson, Neil Arndale (c), Michael Wylde, Michael Jackson, Gary Horgan (Y 69), Adie Viveash, Scott Fuller, Lee Smith, Gareth Hopkins Steve Cook 84, Mark Danks Scott Griffin 80, Steve Cowe Kevin Halliday 70 - Y 80. Other substitutes: Craig Fullam, Scott Musgrove. Referee Mr R Whitton (Chelmsford). Attendance 110.