Cirencester climb to third after Evesham victory

» CIRENCESTER Town ran out comfortable 3-1 winners over Evesham United at The Corinium Stadium to move into third place in the Southern League, Division One South.

They went into a 2-0 interval lead that they increased to three before an Evesham consolation goal in added-time.

Cirencester welcomed back striker Ben Whitehead on a month’s loan from Southern Premier Division South side Weston-super-mare.

This is the 27-year-old’s third stint with the Centurions, and he came on as a late substitute.

Evesham included Ben Prictor, the 31-year-old defender having joined from Slimbridge.

He has also played for Cirencester, Shortwood and Paulton and was on Evesham’s books five years ago without making a first team appearance.

They also had Cheltenham Town scholar Connor Jakeways on their bench after he signed on loan.

In the first half Cirencester enjoyed much of the possession whilst the visitors countered to fire two early shots over the home bar.

Cirencester opened the scoring shortly after the mid-point of the half following a corner that was fed back into the mix for Aidan Bennett to bundle over the line from close range.

As the half was drawing to a close the home side added a second when Tommy Anderson collected a loose ball in the Evesham box to cut left and confidently tuck his shot inside the right post.

Eight minutes into the second period it was 3-0 when Josh Nelmes converted a low free kick at the near post but around the hour mark Evesham began to enjoy more possession and former Centurion Toumani Sidibe cut left to fire past the left post.

Evesham pressed forward during the final quarter and a Cirencester clearance provided the opening for Levi Irving to attempt to lob Lewis Clayton but the ‘keeper managed to push it wide.

The visitors were rewarded in stoppage time when Brandon Smalley fired a firm low shot inside the left post.