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Jamie Reid took less than 20 minutes to pick up his first yellow card of the new season, yet before the half was over he had scored a goal that may not be bettered by a Cirencester player before the prizes are given out at the end of April.
It was enough to provide Ciren with a deserved three points in the seasonal opener at Mangotsfield.
Reid is the Town player opposing fans (and benches) love to hate and, while no pussycat, his reputation precedes him.
After clashing with Mangos’ left back Tom Parrinello in an off-the-ball incident that had the home dugout protesting en masse, Reid was cautioned.
The Field had started brightly and though not fashioning any clear chances, a number of teasing crosses demanded telling clearances from Reid, new captain Matt Sysum and, at least twice, from Ellis Dunton, while Town did escape from an almighty goalmouth scramble in the 23rd minute.
But it was Ciren who carved out the gilt-edged opportunities.
Sam Collier, who worked tirelessly up front throughout, timed his run superbly to beat the Field defence to an Alex Allard through ball in the 27th minute, only to lob tamely over the bar.
Soon after, Collier showed his confidence was not rattled when hitting a sweet left-footed volley straight at Greaves, but the flag had gone up for offside.
Then, in the 38th minute, he spun on a clever Reid throw into the box and volleyed sharply with his right foot, his goalbound effort denied only by a brilliant save from the keeper.
Greaves, however, could do nothing with Reid’s world class finish three minutes before the interval.
Ciren, for whom the back four, particularly Sysum and Chris Thompson, had been commanding throughout, did switch off in added time and Marcus Duharty was gifted two excellent chances, one prompting Matt Bath’s only meaningful save of the game.
In warm second half sunshine, the Mangos never looked like finding the quality or the work rate to unlock Ciren, who settled early for a game of comfortable containment.
Inevitably, a flurry of late corners and free kicks pushed the visitors back, but still Mangotsfield failed to create one decent chance in the box.
Ciren should have sealed victory in the 93rd minute when substitute Aidan Bennett broke clear with the Mangos pressing forward, however, he was suckered into shooting early by Greaves, who safely smothered the effort.
Standard MoM: Jamie Reid.
Attendance: 155
Referee: Iain Pasons
Mangotsfield United:
1. Danny Greaves
2. Neil Arndale (C)
3. Tom Parrinello
4. Todd Winter
5. Sam Teale
6. Clayton Fortune
7. Kyle Thomas
8. Nick Dunn
9. Marcus Duharty
10. Josh Klein-Davies
11. Charlie Rich
12. Mike Whittington (on for Josh Klein-Davies - 65 mins)
14. Joe Turley (on for Nick Dunn - 54 mins)
15. Lyham Douglas
16. Ryan Bath (on for Tom Parrinello - 80 mins)
17. Matt Thorne
Cirencester Town:
01. Matt Bath
02. Sean Bailey
03. Ellis Dunton
04. Matt Sysum (C)
05. Ben Wells
06. Chris Thompson
07. Jamie Reid
08. James Mortimer-Jones
09. Sam Collier
10. Alex Allard
11. Sam Packer
12. Scott Griffin (on for Sam Collier - 84 mins)
14. Aiden Bennett (on for Sam Packer - 67 mins)
15. Joe Sheppard
16. Nathan Hawkins
17. Danny Hale
Match Report by Danny Hall reproduced from the Wilts & Glos Standard's website
which contains regular articles on Cirencester Town FC