Evo-Stik League Southern Premier

Cirencester Town 3 Redditch United 2

THE SOUND of Calvin Harris’ Bounce blaring from within the victorious Cirencester Town dressing room underlined the importance of the battling 3-2 win over fellow play-off-chasing Redditch United at the Corinium Stadium.

The dance anthem was the home side’s signature tune to accompany wins in their championship-winning season, but has certainly not been in evidence of late.

Had Town slumped to a fourth consecutive league loss any thoughts of promotion may have drifted over the horizon, but the come-from-behind victory topped off an excellent week following the defeat of Bristol City’s U21s in the county cup.

And a home victory against Paulton Rovers on Tuesday night would put them tantalisingly close to the play-off places once more.

Again boss Brian Hughes was forced to reshuffle with defender Mark Pritchett failing to recover from an ankle injury picked up in the Bristol game. Fellow centre back and captain Leigh Henry continues to be sidelined through injury.

Ian Herring therefore carried the captain’s armband with midfielder Matt Liddiard asked to partner Gethin Jones at the heart of the Ciren defence, while Brad Hooper and former Player of the Year Ben Wells, making his first league start since the 0-0 draw with Redditch at their place in September, were restored to the first XI.

Liddiard and Jones were magnificent throughout and also key was the return to form of striker Nat Jarvis, While still chipping in with the occasional goal, the club’s top scorer had lost some of his potency after the distraction of the Caribbean Cup with his national side Antigua & Barbuda.

But this was a return to the Jarvis of old – using his physical presence to make life uncomfortable for centre backs and looking deadly in front of goal.

A full-blooded first half of terrific endeavour and passion from both sides left the visitors rather harshly 2-1 ahead at the break.

Cirencester created three chances in the opening 45 minutes and converted just one, a low piercing left-footed drive by Jarvis past keeper Sam Hornby in the 23rd minute.

Josh Parsons had earlier forced the advancing Hornby into a decent block and in the 37th minute Wells put a curling shot just wide after a slick move involving Aidan Bennett and Jarvis.

In the 30th minute Redditch had cancelled out Cirencester’s lead when Simeon Maye skipped clear down the right channel only to be pulled down by Glyn Garner on the very edge of the area.

Captain Ashley Sammons comfortably sent Garner the wrong way from the spot.

Worse was to follow for Ciren five minutes before the interval. They lost possession from an attacking free kick and Redditch broke quickly to earn a corner.

Brad Hooper’s attempted clearance from the set piece skewed behind him straight to the head of Sam Mutton who gratefully nodded it home from six yards.

The second half understandably did not have the intensity of the first as Redditch chose to protect their lead which meant Ciren saw a lot of the ball.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, possession was at last turned into serious goal threat. Hornby palmed away a stinging 25-yarder from Herring, Ellis Dunton had a goal-bound effort headed off the line and, in the next phase, a cross was headed confidently home by Jarvis for the equaliser.

Redditch became a little more adventurous and substitute Zac Sirrell nearly put his side back in front in the 71st minute with an arrowed drive that Garner did well to keep out of the top right corner.

It was Hornby’s turn to save well in a 77th minute goalmouth scramble but the hosts were not to be denied. In the 83rd minute a left wing corner eventually found its way to Dunton and his firm shot from 12 yards completed a possibly season-changing comeback.

Cirencester Town: Garner, Herring (capt), Dunton, Wells Williams, 67), Liddiard, Jones, Hooper, Mortimer-Jones, Jarvis (Oliver Knight, 90), Bennett, Parsons. Unused sub: Kyle Pitts.