Cirencester Town beat Malmesbury Victoria 4-0 in pre-season friendly

The Centurions held a 1-0 lead at the break thanks to Harry Burns, who headed home at the back post after Josh Nelmes' deep cross. 

It would take until after the break for the visitors to double their lead through Luca Robinson but they were then able to open up and score a couple more as the half wore on. 

Jake Lee converted from the penalty spot minutes later to make it three before Aidan Bennett managed to score a fourth, despite the best efforts from the Vics' keeper to pull him down outside of the box. 

Malmesbury keeper Josh Langley managed to bring Aidan bennett down, but the striker still got to his feet and scored (Image: Graham Hill)

Aidan Bennett still manages to put the ball in the back of the net, even if he was rugby tackled just before (Image: Graham Hill)

Fresh on the back of winning the Severn Sports Shield the weekend before, Cirencester stepped up their pre-season preparations further on Saturday with the trip to Step 6 side Malmesbury.

A number of development players were included but it was the usual suspects who would go on to score the goals. 

The visitors had plenty of ball against their lower-level opponents and after being denied an opener on a couple of occasions, Cirencester did eventually break the deadlock mid-way through the half when Nelmes turned and dropped a brilliant back-post cross for the arriving Burns to head home. 

Harry Burns celebrates his goal in the first-half (Image: Graham Hill)

Kyle Pitts did have the ball in the back of the net for Vics from a corner but it was ruled out by the referee and the scores remained a 1-0 heading into the break. 

It was a much better second-half from Cirencester, who put their hosts to the sword. 

Charlie McCrae, who has been confirmed as a new signing prior to kick-off, was the provider for goal number two as his cross from the by-line was forced home by Robinson.

It was soon 3-0 when Robinson was fouled in the box and Lee stepped up to convert from the penalty spot. 

There was time for one more as the game wore on and Bennett was able to resist the best efforts of the Vics keeper, who attempted a rugby tackle on the striker outside of the box off the ball, to regain his footing and tap into the empty net.

Cirencester continue their pre-season schedule on Tuesday night when they welcome Westbury United to The Corinium Stadium.