Hartpury FC exited the FA Cup on Friday night following a 2-0 defeat to Cirencester Town at the Talent Hire Stadium.
Hellenic League Premier side, Cirencester doubled up with two late blows to seal the Acorns fate in this extra preliminary round tie.
The Acorns had to ride an early wave of Cirencester pressure when Seth Locke was forced to divert an effort over the bar, on six minutes.
Just before the half hour mark, the Acorns almost looked like scoring when Louis Manning’s looping corner needed turning behind before Cameron Walters poking effort was blocked, moments later.
The Centurions witnessed a half chance, on 33 minutes, when Ed Scott headed over from a corner.
Manning had the first attempt on target in the 37th minute, when his low free kick flew straight into the hands of Centurion goalkeeper, Connor Johns.
And that was that for the first half action with everything still to play for in the second period.
HALF TIME – HARTPURY FC 0-0 CIRENCESTER TOWN
The Acorns came out for the second period with more control but the only opening chance they could muster was a swiped Nathan Jenkins volley.
Manning saw a distanced effort deflected behind, on 59 minutes, before Jenkins had a curling chance well held by Johns, from the resulting corner.
Straight down the other end, Locke pulled off a fantastic low save to deny Harlie Price, before the Centurions somehow placed the follow up over the bar.
The best chance of the game for the Acorns, so far, fell to Manning on 64 minutes when his volley on the turn cannoned back off the upright.
Rory Preston volleyed inches wide on 69 minutes, after a Jenkins’ close ranged effort was well blocked six yards from goal.
But it was the Centurions who took the lead when Price dispatched from the spot, on 77 minutes, after overturning his original free-kick decision after talking with his assistant.
And the Centurions doubled their lead just 10 minutes later when Sol Pryce drove down on goal before firing into the roof of the net.
The Acorns threw everything at the Centurions in the closing minutes but were unable to find a way through, seeing their FA Cup campaign come to an end.
League action returns on Tuesday night when the Acorns host newcomers, Slimbridge in the Southern League Div One South.
FULL TIME – HARTPURY FC 0-2 CIRENCESTER TOWN
STARTING XI – Locke (GK), Kent, Walters, Sims (Allen 86’), Robinson (Sanniola 78’), McGregor, Jenkins, Preston, Silva (Cherchi 54’), Manning, Osborn ©
UNUSED SUBS – Kovacevic (GK)
Written by Sam Yapp
