GFA Senior Challenge Cup

Cirencester Town 2 – 1 Yate Town

IN a cup-tie full of energy and fast-flowing football, Aidan Bennett scored two goals in three minutes in response to Yate's opener and it was enough to take Cirencester through to the next round – against Bristol City U23s, writes Dave Pyzer.

Cirencester bounced back from their 3-1 league defeat against Sholing and took the initiative from the start as they pressed down their flanks, with a different formation and personnel to recent games, and created three good chances in the first ten minutes and by the mid-point Bennett had been denied by keeper Adam Forster and fired narrowly wide of the right post.

In reply, home keeper Lewis Clayton produced a spectacular diving save to keep-out Albert Hopkins’ free-kick and several more chances went begging for Cirencester - with Jack Freeman coming closest when his fierce strike crashed against the post on the stroke of half-time.

After the interval, Yate began to test the home defence with Hopkins also striking the crossbar and Joe Twyman bringing another fine save from Clayton as they pushed forward and just after the hour they opened the scoring when Luke Spokes drove the ball inside the right post.

Cirencester responded to the setback as Tommy Ouldridge fired just over the crossbar from the edge of the Yate box and as the game entered the final 15 minutes he made a strong run down the right channel into the box for Bennett to apply the finish touch. Three minutes later Bennett scored again with a cushioned header over the keeper.

Cirencester welcome National League South Chippenham Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday, 3pm.