Tuffley Rovers 4 Cirencester Town 3

WARREN EVANS, the former Cirencester Town coach, secured some bragging rights when his Hellenic Premier side beat the visiting Centurions 4-3.

It came at a cost, however, as Evans lost two players – Kieran Tracey and Kieran Squires – with broken ankles in a game that was never dirty.

For Cirencester, striker Josh Parsons proved his sharpness ahead of the season’s start in a fortnight with a hat-trick and midfielder Ben Wells' set piece delivery was at times sublime.

Town boss Brian Hughes picked a combination of first team and development players, along with a triallist (Josh Jones) and he had to borrow a goalkeeper from Tuffley with Glyn Garner not yet available. It wasn't Cirencester's best display of pre-season against a young, eager and committed team.

Parsons opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 15th minute and the home side were level within six minutes when a mis-hit clearance kick by the guest keeper was immediately sent back over his head by Jordan Dowdeswell.

Five minutes later Tuffley took the lead when Tracey outstripped the Cirencester back line to a long ball over the top and calmly tucked the ball away.

It was 2-2 before half-time when poacher Parsons finished off tidily after an Ellis Dunton header came back off the post.

With 20 minutes remaining Tuffley led again when Stu Griffith headed home a corner at the near post.

Four minutes later the home side made it 4-2 when Ryan Williams latched on to another long ball over the top before finishing well inside the right post.

Cirencester pulled one back when Parsons buried a fine low cross by Dunton into the roof of the net in the 76th minute.

Ciren boss Brian Hughes said: "It was a competitive game but both broken ankles came from innocuous challenges, neither of which were fouls.

"I've texted Warren to say how sorry we are and that our facilities are available to both players for their rehab."

CIRENCESTER TOWN: Guest, Josh Jones, Dunton, Pritchett, James, Henry (capt), Wells (Arnold, 58), Herring, Parsons, Gudger (Lloyd, 58), Bennett.

Longlevens 0 Cirencester Town 1

CIRENCESTER sent another mixed team for the annual Saturday friendly against Hellenic League Division One West champions Longlevens, who are guided by Cirencester Arena manager James French.

The result was a 1-0 victory for Cirencester in an attractive match with Jordan Ricketts scoring the only goal of the game.

CIRENCESTER TOWN: Josh Langley, Sam Farr, Angus Brereton, Gethin Jones (capt), George Peare, Dan Roberts, Brad Hooper, Jordan Ricketts, Charlie Griffin, Ross Langworthy, Ollie Knight.

Subs: Tom Glass, Charlie Buse, Harry Hillerby, Callum Henry.