Report by Jools Thomas

Two first half goals were enough to snatch the victory and although a late away goal caused a few flutters, Davis Haule’s men did enough to grab the prize money and a chance to advance their FA Cup dream.

As with Tuesday’s defeat against Cambridge, there was a very early goal but this time it fell to the FC. An attempt on goal by Aston Goss was only parried as far as Davis Haule and after steadying himself, the player manager crashed the ball into the Cirencester net. Alan Griffin was unlucky with the away team’s first attack heading just over whilst under pressure from the aerial threat of Jordan Jenkins. A similar move at the other end saw Jeanmal Prosper head just over whilst in an excellent position.

The game was ticking over nicely by now. Town’s Adam Connolly met a corner from the right with a misplaced diving header before Griffin forced FC keeper James Weatherill into a low save to his left. Harry Scott increased his side’ lead in the 24th minute and what a goal it was. The young winger turned his marker this way and that, before guiding a low effort past a bamboozled keeper and into the net. Aston Goss could have extended the margin in a one on one with keeper Mateusz Wieczorek and then Goss turned provider with a pinpoint cross to Prosper who was unlucky to see his powerful volley fly wide of the target.

FC had the aid of the wind in the second half but the first few attempts of the half fell to the visitors. Substitute Henry Spalding and striker Alan Griffin both had fair chances to seize a goal back. Spalding hit a shot that fortunately hit his own man before training away for a harmless goal kick before FC’s first attack of note.

A wonderful Harry Scott through ball was met by Prosper however; the energetic midfielder could not quite dig the ball from under his feet and was only able to attempt a weak shot. A series of both enforced and tactical changes followed with Ty Deacon replacing Harry Scott and then a few minutes later, Matt Cruse replaced Ben Stevens. This involved a little defensive reshuffle but the protection offered by Kieron Schmidt and Johnny Montgomery remained.

Griffin should have done better with a diving header at the back post after a Weatherill mistake. This was the precursor to Cirencester reducing the arrears. A sweeping breakaway from right to left ended with Ben Whitehead smashing the ball past Weatherill and into the FC net.

A Griffin header from a flicked header caused a few murmurs but that was the sum of Town’s labours and after an extended injury time of over five minutes, the referee was able to blow his whistle to signal FC’s first win of the season and a continuation of their cup adventure.