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Confident Matt Williams' Hat Trick Sets Up Win At Wootton Bassett
31 July 2008 at 00:00
Wootton Bassett 2 - 4 Cirencester Town
A controlled first half display, watched by an appreciative crowd of over 100, against a competitive Wootton Bassett of Hellenic West enabled Cirencester Town to go in at half time 3-1 up.
Wootton Bassett took the lead on 3 minutes when Scott Ward took advantage of a defensive mixup in coping with a straightforward long ball and rounded Adam Millar to net with ease.
Within a minute Matt Williams scored the first of his three goals, timing his run into space to collect a well placed cross from Ben Pugh, calmly controlling and then converting with aplomb.
With a Ciren triallist from the Welsh League finding his feet and starting to influence the game with some close control and astute passes, Matt got his second goal on 10 minutes.
Sent in on the burst at the defence, he committed the defender and it was an easy decision for referee Mr Alan Bird. Yes - Our Birdy, a favourite Ciren player from a few years ago, had been allocated this friendly.
Matt Williams calmly converted from the penalty spot and Ciren played some neat, speedy football on a good pitch as they took control. Scott Ward had the sniff of a chance for 'Bassett on 30 minutes but was snuffed out by a quick thinking Craig Curtis getting in a sturdy, winning block.
Steve Davies, who had been dangerous all game, was sent away off a clever Andy Minturn pass to place a superb 20 yard shot beyond the diving Stewart Thompson only for the ball to hit the base of the post. With the keeper scrambling Matt Williams was quickest to react and netted on 43 minutes for his hat trick.
The second half saw Adi make several changes, with influential players Julian Alsop, Gary Thorne, Kes Metitiri and Tom King rested for the game, so that he could give all his triallists extended pitch time.
One of the replacements, a forward triallist who scored for Highworth against us last week, set up Josh Digby in the clear, 18 yards out. He placed his shot unerringly just inside the post with Thompson wrongfooted for 1-4 on 48 minutes.
Digby unfortunately went off soon afterwards after with an injured knee. The match then fizzled out in usual pre-season style and Wootton Bassett scored a consolation goal shortly before the end.
Adam Millar, who had played a commanding game between the sticks, was very annoyed to let a cross from Scott Ward drop and fall behind the line to make the final score 2-4 to Ciren..
Next up is 3pm on Saturday 2nd August against Haverfordwest County from the Welsh Premier League, part of the Club Family Day at The Corinium.
Bring your family along to watch the game and meet the players at a BBQ after the match.
Robert Saunders
