BETVICTOR Southern League

Division 1 South

Thatcham Town 3 – 0 Cirencester Town

Cirencester's Aidan Bennet and Thatcham's Callum Willmoth were sent off before the break following an off the ball incident on a chastening night for Cirencester Town, writes Dave Pyzer.

Unbeaten Thatcham scored two goals in a three minute burst to seize the initiative and it was enough to secure victory despite a spirited second-half performance from Cirencester.

The home side came out of the blocks quickly and Cirencester were holding their own until a moment of hesitation on the edge of their penalty area enabled Joe Selman to pounce and finish inside the left post.

Three minutes later the home side scored a second when Felipe Barcelos harassed Will Wellon and forced him back towards his own goal before picking his pocket to fire into the top left corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Encouraged by their success, the home side pressed forward and keeper Lewis Clayton produced a couple of tremendous saves to deny Matt Day and Adam Kelly.

After the interval Cirencester pressed forward and whilst they had plenty of possession they were unable to break through a stubborn, well organised home defence and when Jordan Morris fired narrowly wide of the right post as the game was drawing to a close the home side completed the scoring when a delicate Day free-kick found George Jeacock as he darted to the front corner of the six-yard box to slip the ball inside the far right post.

Cirencester turn their attention to the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday with the visit of Gosport Borough, 3pm.