The Emirates FA Cup 2019/20 Preliminary Round

Flackwell Heath 0

Cirencester Town 3

Cirencester Town opened their FA Cup 2019-20 campaign with 3-0 victory in the Preliminary Round over lower-ranked Flackwell Heath, writes Dave Pyzer.

After a lacklustre start to the game, The Centurions struck three times in the second half to secure their spot in the draw for the first qualifying round.

A very youthful looking home side kicked off on a fairly warm afternoon.

Within five minutes, the Centurions lost the influential Mike Pook to injury but by the mid-point of the half they had struck the crossbar and had several close-range efforts blocked.

Flackwell Heath responded to strike the bottom of the left post and during the closing stages of the half the home keeper made a couple of smart saves to prevent a Cirencester breakthrough.

The home side flashed an effort over the bar within a minute of the re-start and on the hour Jonny Dennis opened the scoring with a clinical finish from the edge of the box.

Three minutes later Josh Parsons scored from the penalty spot after Tommy Anderson had been impeded.

During the last 20 minutes Cirencester debutant keeper Dan Lawrence pulled off a couple of smart saves to deny the home side and as the game was drawing to a close Tommy Anderson completed the scoring from near the penalty spot.

Cirencester Town head into the first round qualifying, which is scheduled for Tuesday (September 22).

Cirencester Town: Dan Lawrence, Nick Hancock (Archie Brennan 72), Tom Handley, Mike Pook (Lee Llewelyn 7), Josh Nelmes, Shayne Anson, Tommy Anderson, Joe Turley, Brad Gray (Ross Gabriel 64), Josh Parsons, Jonny Dennis

Next up: Cirencester Town travel to Bristol Manor Farm in Southern League Division One South, kick-off 3pm.