FOOTBALL: Cirencester eventually get their reward with three late goals at Chesham

Chesham United 1 Cirencester Town 3

CIRENCESTER TOWN recaptured their early-season form – when they were second in the table – with an excellent all-round display which saw them score three second-half goals against in-form Chesham.

The hosts had enjoyed a good FA Cup run, beating Bristol Rovers on their journey, and had put five past fourth-placed Dunstable Town earlier in the week, but Ciren ran out deserved and convincing winners.

The visitors switched from their regular 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation with Ross Langworthy enjoying his new role playing off Charlie Griffin up top after being restored to the starting line-up.

The Cirencester starting XI saw the inclusion of former Academy and current Development Team goalkeeper Josh Langley between the sticks – his competitive debut for the first team.

With Zack Kotwica dropped to the bench, Matt Liddiard and Ollie Knight took the wide midfield berths. With the wind at their backs Cirencester dominated the opening exchanges, restricting Chesham to attacks on the counter.

Just before the half-hour mark a Knight cross from the left flank cleared Shaun Gore in the Chesham goal and looked destined for the net until Toby Little intervened and headed clear.

Ciren went even closer soon after when a neat shot on the turn by Griffin was pushed round his left post for a corner kick by Gore.

Aidan Bennett then tried his luck from 25 yards after driving forward but his shot was wide of the left post, before Knight saw another effort beat Gore only to be cleared near the goal-line.

Ciren had their best chance of the game in the early moments of the second half when Gore palmed a close-range header back to Griffin who this time headed it against the post, with Liddiard's follow-up blocked a yard from the line.

It was looking like one of those days for the visitors when Langworthy then had a shot from two yards blocked for a corner.

But it was Langworthy who finally broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, cutting inside George Fenton before launching a shot into the top right corner.

In the 80th minute, Kotwica, who had just come on to replace Griffin, charged into the home penalty area and his cleverly disguised ball to Knight was coolly finished by the young winger.

In the 89th minute a Matt Taylor free kick was swept into the six-yard box and the ball, along with ‘keeper Langley, were bundled into the back of the net, with Curtis Ujah being awarded the last touch.

Almost immediately from the re-start, clever play from Kotwica saw him break into the area until taken out by Joe Gater; sub Brad Hooper, who had replaced the hard-working Knight a few minutes earlier, calmly placed the spot kick inside the left post to complete an excellent afternoon for the visitors.

Cirencester Town: Langley, Anson, Bennett, Pritchett, Liddiard, Henry (capt), Connolly, Mortimer-Jones, Griffin (Kotwica, 75), Langworthy, Knight (Hooper, 87).

Unused subs: Brown, Farr.