Cirencester and Fairford make progress in FA Cup

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CIRENCESTER Town and Fairford Town made it through to next Tuesday night’s FA Cup first qualifying round.

The Centurions now face a long trip to Cornish side Saltash United, who beat Cirencester’s Southern League Division One South rivals Paulton Rovers on Saturday.

Fairford were 4-2 winners on penalties against Edgware Town of the Spartan South Midlands League after a 2-2 draw and now host Southern League club Sholing at Cinder Lane.

Cirencester booked their passage with a

3-0 win at Flackwell Heath of the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Within five minutes of the kick-off Town lost the influential Michael Pook to injury but by the mid-point of the half they had struck the cross-bar 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 but on the hour Jonny Dennis, pictured, inset, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. 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 Anderson completed the scoring from near the penalty spot. Fairford were leading 2-1 until four minutes into added time when Edgware levelled to take the game to a penalties decider. Nick Stanley opened the scoring before Edgware made it 1-1 through vastly experienced former Football League striker Scott Mcgleish. Then just before half-time, after Ross Langworthy was bundled over, Ian Herring stepped up to make it 2-1 from the penaty spot.

A final minute leveller from Fergus Moore sent the game into penalties – where Fairford won through. Manager Jody Bevan said on Twitter: “Over the moon to be in the hat for the next round. “Weren’t great but to concede deep in stoppage time and then keep our composure in the penalty shoot out showed we’ve got a bit about us.”