BetVictor Southern League

Division 1 South

Cirencester Town 5

Cinderford Town 3

A BREATHLESS second-half saw in-form Cirencester Town edge an eight-goal thriller to maintain their resurgent form under boss John Brough, writes Dave Pyzer. 

Earlier, Bradley Gray made his debut on the right wing following his switch from Swindon Supermarine with Tommy Anderson given a free role behind Levi Irving and it proved to be a masterstroke.

Cirencester opened the scoring when a Will Wellon header dropped inside the right post. Two early goals after the break proved to be an indication of what was to follow as Cinderford equalised through a Craig Norman header and Cirencester regained the lead when the persistent Anderson followed up his own shot.

Just after the hour a delicate header from Irving doubled the lead for Cirencester and shortly afterwards a firm strike from Jonny Dennis provided a three-goal cushion.

Cinderford pushed forward during the final 15 minutes and Norman headed home from close range.

The scoring was not over however and in added-time an own goal gave Cirencester their fifth. However three minutes later Cinderford were awarded a penalty that Norman converted to complete the scoring and his hat-trick.

CIRENCESTER TOWN: Lewis Clayton, Jordan Morris, Will Tunnicliff, Michael Pook (C), Josh Nelmes, Will Wellon, Tommy Anderson (Jack Freeman 90+2), Nick Hancock, Levi Irving, Bradley Gray (Jordan Murray 77), John Dennis (Toumani Sidibe 71).

Unused subs: James Mortimer-Jones, Scott Rose.

Star Man: Tommy Anderson.