Southern League 2020/21 Division 1 South

Cirencester Town 3 Willand Rovers 0

After a fast and furious encounter The Centurions were victorious against their highly placed visitors from Devon and as a result move to the top of the table.

The home side opened the scoring after seven minutes when Levi Irving won the race to a through ball to lob the advancing Mike Searle from the edge of the penalty area.

By the mid-point of the half the game had become end-to-end with neither side retaining the ball for long, before Jack Rice fired over the bar after some neat play.

As the half entered the final 15 minutes, Willand pressed a couple of times and Cirencester had efforts from Aidan Bennett and Irving pass wide of the target.

The second half began at the same fast pace and some determined defending denied Willand as a couple of shots were blocked in quick succession.

As is often the case, Cirencester scored shortly afterwards when a free kick reached Joe Shepherd near the edge of the Willand box and after battling to retain the ball his shot was deflected wide of Searle but inside the left post.

A few minutes later home custodian Alex Harris prevented a low effort from Alfie Mouldon entering his net at his left post.

As Willand pressed again Cirencester dealt with the danger and launched the ball down the centre for Josh Parsons to collect and round the advancing Searle before tucking it into the net from a very narrow angle to the left of the goal.

Despite the score-line Willand continued to press forward at every opportunity and nearly reduced the deficit as Ben Griffith struck the far-left post with the ball rebounding to Harris.

As the game was drawing to a close Shepherd flashed a 35-yarder narrowly wide of the left post, had a header saved and Shayne Anson brought a reflex save from Searle from the rebound.

Next up for Cirencester Town is a trip to bottom of the table Mangotsfield United who are looking to pick up their first points of the season. Kick off is 3pm on Saturday.