BETVICTOR Southern League 2019/20

Division 1 South

Highworth Town 0 – 1 Cirencester Town

A superb Jonny Dennis strike from the edge of the area handed Cirencester a late win against Highworth on a blisteringly hot Bank Holiday Monday.

The Centurions travelled to their near neighbours on one of the hottest days of the year, but on a challenging pitch, neither side was able to keep the ball long enough to produce flowing football or create any openings to test their opponents defence.

After back-to-back 5-0 victories,Cirencester manager Charlie Griffin named an unchanged starting eleven for the third match in a row and they started positively, playing down the slope, as Oliver Artwell laid the ball off to Aidan Bennett who shot wide from the edge of the area.

During the game there were individual glimpses of skill from the players, occasional three or four pass moves but generally it was dominated by the long ball and free kicks and once the penalty area was approached there was not enough guile to create an opening.

Ten minutes before the interval a Josh Parsons free kick struck the bottom of the right post and minutes before the break Alan Griffin clipped a near post effort over the bar.

The game continued in similar fashion in the second half with Cirencester now playing up the slope, as the half became littered with more long balls and stoppages – and occasional pot shots at goal.

As the game moved into the final minutes Cirencester worked the ball down the right flank and played it towards Levi Irving near the centre of the penalty area.

With his back to goal he allowed it to run across his body, drawing a defender in the process, and on to Jonny Dennis, who collected and moved right to strike a right - shot inside the right post to put Cirencester ahead.

Another Highworth free kick on the stroke of full time was punched clear by Clayton and some Dennis wizardry in the left corner enabled Cirencester to obtain a clean sheet and victory.

It was not a game that will linger long in the memory but credit to the players for putting in so much effort on such a hot day.