Letcombe served up an inept first half performance that saw us three down at the break and the game all but over as we slipped to a Hellenic League Division One West defeat against Cirencester Town Development.

The starting line up saw Matt Pill earn a recall and come in for James Wright at right-back, fit again Dan Hoskin lead the line up front and Howard Hawkins replace Paul Farrell who was on the bench. We also included new signing, right-back Elliott Harper in the match day squad.

With Cirencester Town's First Team at home, the match was played on the Academy pitch and we set the tone for our bad first half when we gave away a sloppy fifth minute goal. We failed to deal with a cross from the left hand side and with Danny Joyce unable to collect the ball, Jack Smith had the easiest task of tapping the ball home from close range.

We tried to start again and put the goal behind us and managed to carve out some half chances. On 12 minutes Howard Hawkins curling free kick was cleared by the Cirencester defence with Hamblin and Merritt in close attendance.

Sam Dickens crossed from the left on 15 minutes for Dan Hoskin to head over and a minute later Tom Stone's measured free kick found Hoskin in space but his effort was saved by the keeper.

We were made to pay for not taking those chances when Cirencester doubled their lead on 19 minutes. A right wing cross was again not dealt with by our defence and the Development payer was able to head home from close range.

Calum Pryce shot over in the 22nd minute after a good touch from Dan Hoskin but our approach play wasn't good enough to carve out anything other than half chances. Two became Three when Sam Dickens was beaten on our left flank by Shane Bumphrey who crashed the ball past Joyce and into the net.

Sadly for Letcombe the second half started badly when we found ourselves 4 goals down on 48 minutes. Again a ball into our box was not cleared allowing Ciren time to pick their spot.

It was to our payers credit that they kept battling as being 4-0 down meant the game was over with more than 40 minutes left to play. We made two quick substitutions with Alex Thomas replaced by Paul Farrell and Elliott Harper take over from Matt Pill who had done really well at right-back.

We looked threatening on a couple of occasions when Tom Stone fed Calum Pryce on the right but we were also grateful to keeper Danny Joyce who made two fine saves in the last 15 minutes of the match.

Our best second half opportunity came in injury time when Pryce set up Howard Hawkins whose left foot drive was well saved.

The players were disappointed at the final whistle and there was little doubt that this was our worst display of the season so far. We need to get back to the form that saw us draw with Lydney and beat Wantage and we need to do it quickly. Morale and spirit has been high this year and this must not be allowed to change.

Letcombe: 1. Danny Joyce, 2. Matt Pill (14. Elliott Harper 63), 3. Sam Dickens, 4. Jack Hamblin, 5. Tom Broad, 6. Marc Merritt, 7. Tom Stone (c), 8. Calum Pryce, 9. Dan Hoskin, 10. Howard Hawkins, 11. Alex Thomas (12. Paul Farrell 58).