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The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON

Steele double ensures City progress

By David Gladwin - Saturday, 10 October, 2009

Oxford City defeat Cirencester Town 2-0 in FA Cup.

Oxford City 2-0 Cirencester Town
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 10 October 2009
Court Place Farm, Oxford City FC
 Winning clubs will receive £7500 from The FA prize fund
Click here for all the Third Round Qualifying fixtures

A double strike from Lee Steele inspired Oxford City to a two-goal victory over Cirencester at Court Place Farm, despite a spirited performance from the visitors.

The hosts were given a stern examination by an in form Cirencester side who were left to rue a string of missed chances.

 Ultimately is was the class of former Brighton and Leyton Orient striker Steele that proved the difference, as he fired goals either side of half-time to ensure Oxford’s progress to the Fourth Round Qualifying.

 Manager Mike Ford conceded his side’s performance was below par but has none-the-less set his sights on reaching the First Round Proper.

 “We’re very pleased with the result but by no means the performance - we were nowhere near our best today,” he admitted.

 “But we have made it through and now we have a chance at making it to the First Round Proper.”

 Steele opened the scoring for the hosts in the 18th minute and sealed victory for the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division side midway through the second-half.

 Cirencester, who sit third in the Zamaretto Divison One South and West, enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to convert their pressure into goals.

 Ford struggled to single out individuals for praise but was pleased by the resilience shown by his team.

 “Lee Steele and Andy Ballard put in good performances but there were too many six out of tens today,” he said.

 “Cirencester created far too many chances for our liking but in the end our little bit of quality saw us through.”