Cirencester put six past Thatcham

Cirencester Town avenged their FA Trophy defeat to Thatcham by putting six past them to close in on the play-off places writes Dave Pyzer.

The early exchanges were fairly even as the visitors attacked quickly on the counter to the home sides more measured approach but it was Cirencester that opened the scoring when the ball was worked to Henry Spalding who drove it home from just inside the box.

Thatcham pressed hard in response and Cirencester had to defend a number of corner kicks before George Jeacock equalised from the penalty spot.

Cirencester regained the lead a couple of minutes before the interval when Ben Whitehead struck a fierce shot inside the right post after a free kick had been tapped to him.

Within two minutes of the re-start Whitehead struck again with the most delicate of touches to deflect a cross from the right inside the near post.

The home side were moving the ball about with speed and precision to produce many flowing moves whilst Thatcham looked dangerous on the counter but at the mid-point of the half Cirencester scored two goals in two minutes as Whitehead completed his hat-trick and Spalding scored his second following good approach play.

With seven minutes of normal time remaining Thatcham scored their second when Jeacock intercepted and crossed for James Tennant to finish from the edge of the home box.

Three minutes later Aidan Bennett completed the scoring with a firm header at the near post following good work from Tommy Anderson in the right corner.