Cirencester Town beat Bishops Cleeve to win Severn Sports Shield

Cirencester's Aidan Bennett scored a brace in the first-half to give the hosts a 2-0 half-time advantage before Luca Robinson scored from close range to seal the win. 

Aidan Bennett puts Cirencester ahead (Image: Graham Hill)

The Centurions lifted the Shield after the win to continue their build-up to the new football season that is now just a couple of weeks away. 

Having beaten Stonehouse Town on penalties in the semi-final after a 2-2 draw, Cirencester reached the final at Corinium Stadium. They faced a Cleeve side that thrashed Longlevens 5-1 in the other semi. 

The hosts made a strong start and found themselves ahead early on when Nick Peare's cross found the head of Bennett, who nodded the ball into the net off the post. 

Ten minutes later, the combination of Peare and Bennett once more worked it's magic as the former found his way to the by-line before cutting it back to the latter, who could not miss from a matter of yards at the back post. 

Robinson came close to making it three before the break but Cleeve keeper Greg Lannon tipped his fierce strike over the bar. 

Cirencester Town and Bishops Cleeve contested the Severn Sport Shield final (Image: Graham Hill)

Into the second-half and both managers made a number of changes in typical pre-season fashion. 

Josh Nelmes' overhead effort landed on the roof of the net as Cirencester looked for the third goal, which eventually came mid-way through the second period. 

Charlie McCrae's trickery in the box helped him work some room for a low cross and Robinson was there to capitalise and force the ball over the line. 

There was little to report for the remainder of the game and it was Cirencester who lifted the Shield.