Sholing sail off with the points as Cirencester’s unbeaten start is ended

CIRENCESTER Town’s unbeaten start to the Southern League Division One South season was brought to a shuddering halt with a 2-0 home defeat by Sholing on Saturday.

The Boatmen scored a couple of goals in the final quarter - the first goals Cirencester had conceded - to sail away with the three points.

Almost from the kick-off Dan Mason tested Cirencester keeper Dan Lawrence and at the other end Josh Parsons made a jinking run to the by-line.

But in a match dominated by the defences there were few chances and little of the fluid football that has been on display in recent weeks.

Ciren worked the ball forward down both flanks with Parsons often involved whilst Sholing countered with a more direct approach,

A neat move from Ciren created an opening for Tommy Anderson to shoot past the far left post, and the second period also started promisingly as Ellis Dunton headed over the bar .

Sholing countering immediately for Mason to fire over the top right corner and just after the mid-point he unleashed a fierce strike that Lawrence fingertipped onto his bar.

Shortly after Ryan Gosney pulled off a tremendous reflex save, to keep-out Parsons close range header, they opened the scoring as Brad Targett got in behind the home defence to tuck his shot inside the far post.

Cirencester responded as Aidan Bennett fired wide, and Josh Nelmes and Parsons had header and shot respectively, but a cross-cum-shot from the left flank by Marvin Mclean drifted over Lawrence to seal the result.

Evesham United broke their win duck in the league with a fine 1-0 win at previously unbeaten Winchester City.

Early on Mlambo shot over for Winchester, while Rob Carr and Ollie Balmer combined to set up Jamie Barron whose effort was saved.

However, Winchester came closer to scoring when Carr provided an opportunity for Tyrell Mitford whose effort hit the top of the bar.

Winchester fell behind in the 21st minute when Kieran Douglas miskicked and presented Josh Hunt with an opportunity to score from close range, which he took.

Before half time Jamie Barron had an effort saved by Lewis Clayton (inset) in the Evesham goal, but the visitors were resilient at the back and looked dangerous going forward.

Winchester started the second half brightly and it required a goal line clearance by Evesham captain Matt Williams to keep out Rob Carr.

The second half was more end to end with Winchester applying a lot of pressure and Evesham looking dangerous on the break.

Jamie Lucas was clean through looking for a second, but he found it difficult to control the ball and the Winchester defenders were able to clear the danger.

Both goalkeepers made good saves with Philpott doing well to keep out Calvin Dinsley and Clayton in the visitor’s goal saving well from Balmer.

Philpott made another important save, but Winchester were creating a lot of attacking movements without being able to break down a determined Evesham team.

Purdy, Kieran Douglas and Josh Davies all had headers that were off target during Winchester’s spell of pressure and right at the death Philpott went up for a set piece, but in the end it was Evesham who took the points. IN Hellenic League Division One West, Jordan Bryan scored two late goals to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 Cheltenham Saracens win over The Moreton Rangers.

Ian Sercombe gave Saracens the lead before Jason Tillcock levelled.

Josh Goodall restored the lead but Dougie Wallace and Will Bridgewater put Moreton 3-2 up before Bryan struck after 88 and 90+3 minutes. Danny Way’s double was not enough for Bourton Rovers as they went down to Newent Town, while Cirencester Town Development made leaders Malvern Town work hard for their a 6-2 victory.

Harry Clark and Joe Billingham put Malvern 2-0 up before Cirencester reduced the arrears on 25 minutes when a foul on Tom Phillips gave them a free-kick on the edge of the area which was well-worked as Jack Rockett found Max Lloyd, who made no mistake.

Chowns Higgs added a third before half-time before former Bishop’s cleeve striker Joe Bates lashed home the fourth.

Despite being under pressure for much of the half, Cirencester broke and won a penalty as Phillips was adjudged to have been fouled.

Lloyd stepped up and found the net to make it 4-2.

Bates added the fifth goal on 86 minutes and completed his hat-trick in stoppage time

On Tuesday night, Bishop’s Cleeve went through in the Hellenic League’s Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup with a 5-1 win at Stonehouse Town.

Blaine Waugh opened the scoring in the 18th minute and an Aaron Lowe own goal made it 2-0.

Ieuan Crowe added a third for Cleeve in the 36th minute and Ash Caldwell got the fourth before half-time.

Crowe added the fifth before Alex Kibble got a consolation goal.