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Rugby
Town 1-2 Cirencester Town
Southern
League Premier Division
Saturday,
25th February 2006
Attendance
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| Entertainment |
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Photo
Gallery |
Robbie Beard tussles for a second half ball
Relegation-battling
Cirencester Town recorded a vital win over a subdued
Rugby Town at Butlin Road by the odd goal in three.
Gareth
Hopkins, a former hat-trick hero against Rugby in 2002,
netted the winning goal with fifteen minutes remaining
as Cowe benefited from Andy Peaks poor defensive header
as he ran clear and squared the ball for Hopkins to
net via the underside of the bar.
Valley
had taken an early lead as David Stone broke down the
right-hand side and crossed for Steve Evans who nodded
the ball down for Robbie Beard who finished superbly
into the corner.
The
lead was to only last 10 minutes though as a glanced
header from Lee Smith rebounded off the post only for
defender Marc Richards to power the ball into the top
corner.
Both
sides had a lucky escape, as Cirencester goalkeeper
Paul Thompson made a superb triple save, first denying
Evans before saving a certain goal from Stone while
at the other end Cirencester saw a goal controversially
ruled out for offside.
Rugby
started the second half better as they looked to regain
an advantage in the game. A surprising turning
point arrived with about half an hour to go as Stone
was put through on goal, but as the striker failed to
round goalkeeper Thompson, a collision occurred causing
injury to both players. Thompson came off worse
and was stretchered off forcing left winger Shaun Wimble
to don the gloves while Stone received lengthy treatment
before limping on.
After
this though, Rugby never really troubled the stand-in
goalkeeper and the Centurions were to get a deserved
winner through Hopkins.
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