Evo-Stik League South Division One South

Cirencester Town 4

Fleet Town 0

CIRENCESTER cemented their place in the promotion places with a comfortable victory over struggling Fleet Town.

Two goals in each half from Aidan Bennett and Ben Whitehead and a second-half howitzer from Jack Freeman and an Alan Griffin strike.

On a dreary day, boss Charlie Griffin included new signing Baboucca Jarra, captured 24 hours earlier from Swindon Supermarine. Luke Merchant returned in goal and Jack Freeman was afforded a rare start.

A baby-faced Fleet Town, sitting one off the foot of the table started brightly enough – forcing Luke Merchant into an early save from Meshach Williams. However, Town were quickly into their stride – a sublime move saw Tommy Anderson pick out Aidan Bennett, who finished with aplomb on nine minutes.

Griffin’s side remained in the ascendancy – hot-shot striker Whitehead watching his shot deflected wide.

Cirencester continued to knock on the Fleet door – Whitehead spanking the post just before the half-hour mark and Anderson drawing a fine save from Brendon Norris.

The goal was coming, but Leigh Spalding was left frustrated when his chip clipped the bar. However, it was 2-0 on 39 minutes. That man Whitehead picked his spot with a sumptuous strike, netting his 14th goal of another prolific season.

Cirencester took their foot off the gas and Fleet had the ball in the net on the cusp of the break, but an offside flag saved Charlie Griffin’s side.

Cirencester were at it from the second-half get-go – Bennett swivelling and forcing Norris into a stunning save.

Just before the hour, Alan Griffin nodded wide as Cirencester hunted a third.

And they grabbed their third with a blast from Freeman who pinged in from 20 yards with 20 minutes to go, his first for the club since arriving from Shortwood United in the summer.

It was raining goals. A minute later, veteran Alan Griffin pulled the trigger to make it 4-0.

Bossing it, Alan Griffin almost grabbed his second a minute after his first, but this time the striker planted his header against the post from an inviting Ellis Dunton cross.

Whitehead was a whisker from a fifth, but he missed the opportunity to turn in a stinging Freeman assist.

With five minutes to go Cirencester cleared the ball off the line as Fleet looked for consolation.

At the death, Bennett showed sublime skill but his strike brought out a stunning save from Norris on 90 minutes, and in added time Whitehead was agonisingly close to his second and Michael Pook saw his free-kick rocket tipped over.

Cirencester: Merchant; Dunton, Spalding, Pook, Albert, Jarra, Anderson, Freeman (Ouldridge 81), Griffin ( Morris 79 ), Whitehead, Bennett

Subs not used: Mortimer-Jones, Connolly, Rose ( GK)

Next up: Cirencester welcome lowly Paulton Rovers next Saturday, 3pm.