Evo-Stik League Southern Premier

Cirencester Town 1 St Neots Town 1

ST NEOTS TOWN, whose recent fine run of form has included a victory over table-topping Poole Town, had to settle for a draw at the Corinium Stadium and Cirencester almost nicked all three points with a storming finish.

The Saints created more half-chances but were wasteful in front of goal, although the hosts have to be credited with some typically resolute defending.

Cirencester made one change to their latest starting line-up with Nat Jarvis returning from his Caribbean Cup exploits and on-loan Bobbie Dale dropping down to the bench.

Ciren made the perfect start and were in front in the third minute.

Glyn Garner sent a huge punt downfield and while two defenders got into a misunderstanding as they tried to shield the ball back to keeper Paul Bastock, Ed Williams nipped in before calmly stroking the ball inside the far post. It was Williams’ fourth goal in five games.

The visitors responded with a number of quick counter attacks from their mobile forwards but their pathway back into the game was rather fortuitous.

The hard-working Lewis Hilliard slipped a ball through for Matthew Nolan down the left channel of the area and in turning inside Leigh Henry he went to the ground, was awarded a penalty and the Ciren skipper was booked.

Hilliard took the kick and placed it inside the right post with Garner diving in the opposite direction.

On the stroke of half-time Jarvis left fly from 25 yards and was only just wide of the right post.

Within seconds of the re-start Jarvis stretched to deflect a Williams cross past Bastock but was adjudged offside and a pattern of entertaining end-to-end football developed.

The lively St Neots forwards then failed to find the target on three occasions when in decent positions before Hilliard may have been lucky to stay on the field after aiming an almighty kick at Jamie Reid and picking up just a yellow.

Then a Matt Liddiard shot on the turn was parried out to Mortimer-Jones who struck a fierce drive towards goal from 25 yards that Bastock gratefully caught in his midriff.

At the other end it was Ciren’s turn to come under the cosh as they bravely blocked three efforts in quick succession.

But it was Ciren who finished the game the strongest.

As full time approached Ben Prictor made a strong run down the left wing and his cross made contact with an opponent’s hand, although the shouts for a penalty went unheeded.

In the final seconds of the game an Aidan Bennett shot was sliced towards the top corner of his own net by defender Ryan Frater but the alert Bastock produced a reflex save to turn the ball over the bar.

Cirencester Town: Garner, Jones, Prictor, Pritchett, Liddiard, Henry (capt), Reid (Hooper, 75), Mortimer-Jones, Jarvis (Dale, 83), Bennett, Williams.

Unused subs: Wells, Dunton, Anson.

CIRENCESTER TOWN’S Red Insure Cup first round home match against Shortwood United will be played on Tuesday (October 21), with the Southern League away fixture at Bideford, due for the same night, moved to October 28.