Cirencester 4 Larkhall 1

Ben Whitehead scored a brace as Cirencester produced a solid performance against a very competitive Larkhall Athletic to take the points and move up to fourth place writes Dave Pyzer.

The game started at a frantic pace with both sides shooting wide of the target but when Alan Griffin chased a long ball to the corner to press a defender the ball broke for Ben Whitehead to collect and finish inside the far left post.

Eight minutes later, as Cirencester won a corner from the right and Whitehead was quick to dart forward to flick the ball inside the near post.

The visitors created a couple of openings during the next ten minutes whilst Cirencester had a number of corner kicks but it was Larkhall that scored when Lewis Powell pounced on a loose ball following a recycled corner.

On the stroke of half time a Larkhall free kick cleared the home defence but Louis Spalding managed to recover to clear from near his goal-line.

Within a few minutes of the restart, Cirencester restored their two goal lead as Jack Freeman slipped the ball to Aidan Bennett who struck a ferocious shot inside the right post.

Shortly afterwards Larkhall were reduced to ten men following a rash challenge but despite having plenty of possession it took another 22 minutes for Cirencester to score again as Alan Griffin finished from the edge of the six yard box.

Cirencester travel to Thatcham Town this weekend.