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Manager: Brian Hughes

Last season: 13th

Top scorer: Jody Beavan (18)

Cirencester Town provide the opposition in St Albans City’s first taste of Southern League football.

The Gloucestershire side finished comfortably in mid-table in 13th in last season’s Premier Division just a season after earning promotion to the Southern League’s top flight.

Players

Jody Beavan was Ciren’s main source of goals last season contributing 18 to ensure they stayed well clear of the relegation zone and boss Brian Hughes will be hoping for more of the same this season.

Town were dealt a blow with the news that captain Lyndon Tomkins has retired from football but Hughes has moved quickly to snap up former Oxford United defender Andy Gunn to fill the void left by Tomkins’ retirement.

Also heading out the exit door this summer was goalkeeper Matt Bulman, who has earned a two-year deal with Forest Green Rovers, and strikers Mark Draycott and Carl Brown who have linked up with Hungerford Town and Cleeve respectively.

To replace them, Hughes has brought in ex-Mangotsfield pair Danny Greaves, a goalkeeper, and Neil Arndale while David Stone joins from Banbury United.

Town have also managed to hold onto last season’s Player of the Year Tom Etheridge and defenders Zak Westlake and Matt Sysum.

Pre-season

Cirencester rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 3-0 win over Abingdon on Saturday.

Despite not enjoying a fluent performance from his side boss Hughes was happy with the victory secured courtesy of goals from Sysum, Stone and Paul Banks.

Prior to Abingdon, Ciren had enjoyed friendlies with Swindon Town, Forest Green and Cheltenham Town, earning themselves a draw from the Cheltenham game.

Boss Hughes has reverted to a 4-3-3 formation during pre-season so don’t be surprised to see the Gloucestershire side adopt the same approach at the Park.