Cirencester Town manager John Brough expects a tough battle in this weekend’s local derby at Slimbridge AFC, despite the 14-place difference in the league table.
The Centurions are currently Non League Division One Southern South leaders by five points, and have not lost a match in 12 fixtures, amassing a total of 10 wins and two draws in their last 12 meetings.
With Cirencester’s recent form, many will be doubting this match could be anything other than a repeat of history, as the last time these two squads met, it went 6-0 in favour of the Centurions.
When speaking to a Park-Life sports reporter, Brough explained why his side has seen such success.
“For the size of the club and the league we’re in, we’ve got a sizeable squad,” said Brough, “I’ve been able to call upon the whole squad to contribute.
“If someone is lacking a bit of sharpness or looking a bit tired I’ve been able to take them out and give them a rest, and it’s working.

“When you’ve got the opportunity to give someone a rest and when the players coming in are doing very well, it all bodes well to have a good squad.”
Despite his side giving Slimbridge a thrashing back in October, Brough is wary of the threat this weekend’s opposition poses.
“They’re a good side, they’ve got strengths, certainly going forward they are very dangerous.”
“It’ll be very tight on their pitch, they’ll be confident having just beat Evesham at their place and a tight game against Melksham.”
In Cirencester’s win against Winchester last Saturday, the squad saw dreadful conditions on the pitch, with strong winds making it nigh impossible to keep the ball still.
Comical scenes here, the wind is too strong…..ref keeps blowing up when the ball moves slightly before Philpott kicks it…… @wincityfc @CirenTownFC #commonsense
— Phil (@pww8afcb) February 5, 2022
More importantly Winch lead 1-0 to a comical own goal! 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/MCuW38qIMV
Brough says it’s all to be expected: “It’s the time of year now that pitches aren’t going to be great, wind, rain, we’re going to cope with all of it, but that’s football.
“But hopefully we can cope with anything that’s thrown at us, including the weather.”
Cirencester won’t have any roster shortages according to Brough, and will be taking on Slimbridge in full force.
The Centurions face Slimbridge at 3pm this Saturday, at Thornhill Park in what should be an exciting derby with a packed crowd expected.