Evo-Stik Southern League Premier

Cambridge City 1 Cirencester Town 2

CIRENCESTER moved into second place in the table ahead of their Bank Holiday clash with high-flying Merthyr Town thanks to a solid victory at in-form Cambridge City, who had conceded just one goal in their previous five league matches this season.

The Lilywhites, who now ground share with St Ives Town, were again tight in defence but they were unlocked twice by second half by sub Charlie Griffin and Zack Kotwica as Cirencester put in a trademark display on the road to make it three wins in as many away games this campaign.

After the two Cirencester goals the visitors had to withstand some Cambridge pressure but the back five, along with James Mortimer-Jones just in front of them, were magnificent.

The Cirencester starting XI had a number of changes as Gethin Jones returned at right back following his recent injury (dead leg) and Ian Herring moved into midfield.

Aidan Bennett was unavailable due to a family wedding and Ross Langworthy started in place of Charlie Griffin up front.

With manager Brian Hughes also unavailable due to a (separate) family wedding, his two assistants, Keith Knight and Jody Bevan, took charge of affairs.

Cirencester enjoyed plenty of possession and took the game to their hosts. Cambridge soaked up the pressure and were keen to launch long balls forward for their lively strikers, Adam Murray and Michael Malcolm.

It was Malcolm who had the best chance of the opening half when he took advantage of a Leigh Henry stumble to go through on goal, but Glyn Garner was up to the task and deflected the shot wide with his heel.

Cirencester responded with a Kotwica corner to the near post which resulted in a Josh Parsons header that was cleared off the line.

Herring had a shot palmed away for a corner by keeper Zac Barrett and Kotwica had another effort cleared off the line as Ciren continued to press.

On the stroke of half-time Malcolm and Dawkin exchanged passes inside the left channel of the Cirencester area but when Malcolm shot it was easily saved by Garner.

Charlie Griffin took to the field at the start of the second period for injured defender Ellis Dunton who had jarred his knee during the first half.

Griffin had an immediate impact, opening the scoring in the 48th minute with a powerful header from a Kotwica corner.

Griffin was involved in the action a few minutes later when he intelligently switched play from right to left. As the home side were drawn across to cover the ball was crossed back to Langworthy but his header was saved comfortably by Barrett.

City were still dangerous and Garner had to produce another fine save from a fierce Malcolm drive to keep his goal intact.

With Cambridge pressing for an equaliser Kotwica capitalised on a quick Centurions break in the 55th minute, cutting in from the left and emerging from a double challenge in space before firing the ball past Barrett and into the net.

By the mid-point of the half the game had changed with Cambridge now enjoying more possession and Cirencester soaking up pressure and counter-attacking.

With eight minutes of normal time remaining Cambridge pulled a goal back. A long ball down the centre of the pitch reached Murray whose attempted chip was palmed skywards by Garner before Malcolm reacted quickest to bundle the ball over the line.

A resolute Cirencester restricted Cambridge to shots from distance as they held on for all three points after a competitive end-to-end game.

Cirencester Town: Garner, Jones, Dunton (Griffin, 46) Brown, Hooper, Henry (capt), Herring, Mortimer-Jones, Langworthy (Knight, 75), Parsons, Kotwica. Unused sub: Sam Farr.