Cirencester book home play-off semi-final tie

CIRENCESTER Town will be at home in their Southern League Division One South promotion play-off semi-final after Monday’s 1-0 win over Highworth Town at the Cornimium Stadium.

The win means John Brough’s side will finish second or third in the table, and they will take runners-up spot on the final day if they win at Paulton Rovers and Frome fail to beat Lymington Town.

After a tough battle a Jake Lee penalty secured the win.

Cirencester kicked off in positive fashion and a Tom Handley free kick was brilliantly pushed over his crossbar by ‘keeper Connor Johns.

Shortly after the mid-point Ashley Edenborough latched onto a ball over the Cirencester back-line but his hurried effort was wide of the left post and won the decisive penalty, Lee smashed it into the net after Tommy Anderson had been brought down.

A few minutes after the break Levi Irving’s shot was deflected over Johns to strike the bar, then Lee headed a corner over from close range and Johns instinctively saved an Aidan Bennett shot from close range.

On Saturday, Cirencester won 2-0 at Bideford in their penultimate away game as they scored a goal in each half.

As the interval approached, Shayne Anson broke up another home attack and sent the ball downfield before embarking on an overlapping run that saw the ball returned to him and his cross-cum-shot was met at the far post by Irving who stretched to tuck it into the net.

On the hour, Cirencester doubled their tally when Ellis Dunton cleared the ball down the left channel for Bennett to press the last defender and win the ball before striking a superb curling shot into the top right corner.

Evesham United secured their safety on Monday as they beat Cinderford Town 2-1 at The Causeway.

Kyle Belmonte scored the winning goal in stoppage time. Belmonte had put Evesham in front after 17 minutes, but substitute Ben Brooks levelled, seconds after coming on.

But Belmonte scored the winner to ensure safety for Evesham, with Bideford’s 2-1 win at Willand Rovers meaning Cinderford finish third-from-bottom, with Mangotsfield and Barnstaple relegated.

Evesham lost 5-1 at home to Winchester on Saturday with Ollie Balmer scoring a hat-trick.

Jamie Barron put them ahead but Toumani Sidibe quickly equalised, before Lorcan Sheehan was sent off.

Henry Brooks put Winchester ahead in the second half, before Balmer’s hattrick sealed the victory.