Cirencester’s heavy home defeat is huge blow to play-off hopes
CIRENCESTER Town saw their Southern League Division One Central playoff hopes hit by a 4-1 loss to secondplaced Biggleswade Town.
The defeat leaves them seventh in the table, three points adrift of the playoff spots having played more games than many of their top-five rivals.
Manager John Brough, made one change to last weeks back four as Jordan Morris remained at left back, with Charlie Johnson continuing alongside Jake Lee at centre back due to the continued absence of Nick Peare.
Joe Turley returned to his centre midfield role alongside Willem Pooley with Felix Miles and Charlie Mccrae providing support on the flanks.
Harry Burns and Ben Whitehead both returned from injury to take up more adventurous roles.
Despite a promising start, the Centurions were two goals down at the interval, but an early reply promised much before the visitors added two more to take the three points on offer.
The Waders sit in second place in the table for good reason and after weathering a bright start from The Centurions they opened the scoring when a lurking Jack Morrell tucked a deflected free kick into the net from close range.
They added a second when Rhys Hoenes collected a long ball down the centre and evaded an incoming challenge before finishing.
The visitors had been on the receiving end of a lot of pressure but were proving difficult to break down and hopes were raised for the home support when Burns reduced the deficit five minutes after the re-start.
But those hopes disappeared again when Morrell added his second following a corner.
Just after the mid-point of the half Biggleswade completed the scoring when Harry Draper was on hand for a tap-in after goalkeeper Stuart Nelson had parried a fierce drive from Damani Hunter.
The Centurions continued to battle but were unable to penetrate the resolute, well organised defence of their opponents who also countered to good effect.
In Division One South, a late winner from Elliot Haffenden on his debut gave Melksham Town all three points in a 1-0 win against Bishop’s Cleeve, who also had Steve Davies sent off.
That loss all but ends Cleeve’s slim play-off chances as they sit 13th in the table, five points off the top five.
Evesham United stay fourth after they were held 0-0 by bottom side Paulton Rovers at the Jubilee Stadium.
Their squad included new signing Ashley Sammons, who has returned to the club from Bedworth United.
Sammons, 32, has also played for Birmingham City, Hereford United, Worcester City, Redditch United (three spells), Corby Town and Hednesford Town, Solihull Moor, Redditch for a fourth time, Rushall Olympic, Stratford Town and Halesowen Town.
He joined Evesham last March for the play-off push making eight appearances.