Cirencester returned to Southern League action and recorded an emphatic 5-0 win over Mangotsfield to leapfrog their opponents in the table.

It was a day to remember for debutant Jay Malshanskyj who scored twice and provided an assist to help Ciren on their way to a handsome home win.

After a positive opening Jack Freeman scored when his shot clipped a defender en-route to the top left corner and despite plenty of home possession, it was the only goal of the first half.

The goal brought Mangotsfield out and they certainly looked dangerous on the counter but the home defence stood firm.

After the interval, the game started more evenly as each side pressed but it was Cirencester that made the breakthrough when Jay Malshanskyj unselfishly slipped the ball to an unmarked John Dennis, who finished inside the right post.

Three minutes later Malshanskyj scored himself when he was in the right place to tap home from a couple of yards after Alan Griffin’s back post header had been parried by the visiting goalkeeper.

Almost immediately, Mangotsfield had the chance to pull one back when Dan Demkiv’s shot was parried but Harry Simons fired the loose ball into the side netting.

Cirencester continued to press and Griffin shot narrowly wide of the left post but as the game entered the final five minutes neat work on the right flank created room for Jack Freeman to shoot into the top left corner and this was soon followed by Malshanskyj being presented with an open goal when the goalkeeper failed to clear on the edge of his box.

The three points moved Cirencester above their opponents in the Southern League Division 1 South standings.