Cirencester fall at the last again

From the archive, first published Tuesday 25th Oct 2005.

WHILE neighbours Chippenham roared into the first round proper, Cirencester went out with a whimper.

The Centurions fell at the final qualification hurdle for the third time in five seasons and this was the most disappointing failure of the lot.

A 3-0 defeat at lower league Ramsgate was a hammer blow.

The reward would only have been a trip to Nuneaton or Southern Premier rivals Tiverton but that will be of scant consolation to manager Brian Hughes.

The two teams were deadlocked at the break and Ciren looked the more threatening.

Kevin Halliday's angled shot deceived everyone and was only inches over the bar.

Adi Viveash then headed Halliday's cross over and Danny Twyman diverted Lee Smith's speculative centre with his fingertips.

At the other end Paul Thompson pulled off fine saves to deny Edd Vahid and Stuart Vahid.

The hosts opened the scoring 10 minutes into the second half.

Steffan Ball had a shot blocked and his second attempt brought a great save from Thompson but the loose ball fell to Warren Schulz who obliged from close range.

Twyman proved unbeatable as Ciren pressed for an equaliser, saving well from Gareth Hopkins' powerful shot.

When Hopkins did beat the Ramsgate No 1, his header bounced back off the base of a post.

Cirencester threw extra men forward in search of a replay but Paul Hunt and Steve Cowe were again denied by Twyman.

Ciren were then hit by two late sucker punches.

Shane Suter sent a terrific shot just inside the far post and Michael Yianni added a third in stoppage time.

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