Cirencester Town produced their best performance of the season on the weekend with a 5-0 win against a struggling Brimscombe & Thrupp side who look destined for relegation.
Cirencester manager, James Mortimer-Jones believes the result was crucial for their survival in the Hellenic League Premier Division.
“It was really important to get the win today, to give us a bit more breathing space that we’ve worked hard to get over the past few weeks,” Mortimer-Jones said.
“I couldn’t ask for anymore to be honest, perfect performance, five goals, some good goals, some different goal scorers and a clean sheet so yeah delighted with that one.”
FT | A Five Star Performnace from Ciren!🔴⚫️
— Cirencester Town FC (@CirenTownFC) January 25, 2025
Thank you for your support!
[5-0] #Centurions pic.twitter.com/j2iXVpvKF8
Mortimer-Jones’ side are unbeaten in 2025 after four games, including three wins on the bounce, all of which have been clean sheets against Brimscombe & Thrupp, Kidlington FC Reserves and Corsham Town
Cirencester travel to Highworth Town in the third round of the Marsh (Uhl) Challenge Cup on Wednesday.
Sitting at 15th in the league table, Mortimer-Jones wants to achieve a bit of glory for the fans in the remaining cup competitions:
“Cup games are always a bit different but you know we’ve had a couple of clean sheets on the bounce as well now, everyone’s full of confidence, everyone wants to play, I’ve got a full squad to pick from, the youngsters again came on today a couple of them have been performing so it’s a good place to be at the moment.”
When asked if he was looking to focus more on cup fixtures, the manager replied.
“Yeah definitely, if we have that bit of breathing space like I said in the league then we can try and go for the cups, give the fans a bit of glory at the end of the season,” he said.
“Highworth away is a tough one on paper so you know it will be a tough test for us.”
A couple of key players were brought off early into the second half against Brimscombe to manage injuries and to make sure players were fit for Wednesdsay’s game.
63’ SUB – ON: TAYLOR OFF: BENNETT pic.twitter.com/VRIrCYiusd
— Cirencester Town FC (@CirenTownFC) January 25, 2025
“There’s been numerous players carrying little knocks but not enough to keep them out of playing.
“Ross Gabriel pulled out yesterday, tried training Thursday but couldn’t make the squad for today but a couple of them have been carrying injuries and playing through the pain barrier for the team and that’s why some of the subs were made a bit earlier because of the comfortable scoreline, we managed that a little bit.
“Hopefully they make Wednesday but if not the youngsters have proved that they’re ready to step up.”
Even with some of the players carrying an injury in the past couple of weeks, they have only made one signing this month, Kyle Pitts, who has transformed the Centurions’ performances.
✍️ NEW SIGNING!!! ✍️
— Cirencester Town FC (@CirenTownFC) January 3, 2025
Kyle Pitts has returned to the Talent Hire Stadium where he started his career! 🔴⚫️
After leaving for Briscombe and Thrupp at the start of the 15/16 season Pitts returns to the Centurions! pic.twitter.com/J0GmumUdbj
Mortimer-Jones states that his side are always looking to improve, but additions to the squad seem unlikely.
“Not necessarily, but we’re always looking to improve,” he said.
“The players that have started the season and the ones we’ve brought in, we want to work with the players that we’ve got but that’s down to them whether we look into getting more players at the moment because it would be there performances that decide whether we go looking elsewhere.
“I’d like to say to keep the same squad together but of course if someone comes available that’s the right fit then we’re always on the lookout.”
There are only nine league game remaining for Ciren who sit in 15th on 29 points.
The highest possible position they could place is fourth with 56 points, but a play-off spot would be mission impossible as Roman Glass St George sit fourth on 53 points and Highworth Town in fifth on 50 points.
After Saturday’s six pointer, Mortimer-Jones believes his side have moved on from a relegation battle.
“Ultimately, a few weeks ago it would have been to make sure we were still in the league,” he said.
“We’ve been working hard to make sure we’re comfortable so we don’t get involved in a relegation scrap that we don’t want to be involved in.
Now it’s we want to pick up as many points as we can and finish as high as we can. At the start of the season no one wants to say ‘I want to finish 14th or 13th’ but we’ve got to set little targets to keep our season alive.
“But ultimately we want to now play good football, keep drilling into them how we want to play, even if that’s looking at the start of next season. We’re not carried away it’s a three game winning streak but long may it continue.”
