FA Youth Cup 1st Round Qualifying

Cirencester College Academy 1

Forest Green Rovers 0

CIRENCESTER TOWN Academy pulled off a surprise in the opening qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup when beating a strong Forest Green Rovers side at the Corinium Stadium on Tuesday night.

A young Cirencester team gained a thoroughly deserved victory against their near-neighbours. Cirencester were in the ascendency from the start, constantly putting the FGR defence under pressure.

Forest Green were limited to sporadic counter attacks as Cirencester went in search of goal. Will Thorn eventually broke the deadlock after 30 minutes, heading the ball past the onrushing Rovers keeper.

The second half saw Forest desperately trying to get back in the game while Ciren failed to convert a couple of chances which would have increased their lead.

Despite heavy pressure in the final minutes of the game, the Cirencester defence held firm to progress to the next round.

The win earns them an away tie against either Hengrove Athletic or Wells City in the next round. which will be played in the week commencing October 6.

Academy coach Steve Lowndes said, “We are delighted with this fantastic result against our neighbours who are a very good team.

"We are looking forward to the next round in a couple of weeks.”

In 2008/9 Cirencester got through five rounds of the FA Youth Cup before going down 2-1 to Sunderland at the Stdaium of Light in a memorable third round proper tie.