Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
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Cirencester were hosting Sholing FC at the Corinium Stadium for this Evostik division one game, looking for the double after beating Sholing at their place earlier in the season 3-2.
Sholing, however, had other ideas and from the whistle were straight out of the blocks, gaining two corners in the first 5 minutes. Their next assault was to bring the first goal. as Lee Wort played a one-two with Marvin McLean who fired the ball low and hard into the far corner of the net giving Glyn Garner little chance.
Ciren were without the suspended Jamie Reid and the captain's armband went to Shayne Anson, Chris Thompson was still injured and Josh Morse was called up to play for the British school boys. Leigh Henry was back after injury.
Cirencester had several opportunities, with Aiden Bennett and Ben Wells both going close. No more so than in the 26th min, when a through ball from Wells to Bennett who controlled the ball well, and, as he was about to turn towards goal, he was brought down. Although there were great shouts for a penalty, the referee waved play on.
However, with half time looming, a through ball found Sam Collier who held the ball up and laid the perfect ball into Wells who smashed it past Matt Brown into the far corner giving a half time score of 1-1
At the start of the second half, Ciren made a substitution with Jon Beedon, who had been ill before the game, being replaced by Shane Bumphrey. Shayne Anson moved into the middle alongside Leigh Henry and James Mortimer-Jones dropped into right back.
Bumphrey made an immediate impact on the game, causing the Sholing defence all kinds of problems down the left side. It is fair to say that Sholing had the better of it in the first half, but whether it was the half time talk, the oranges or what, we don’t know..! but Ciren were now looking a much more determined side, with Bumphrey making penetrating runs down the left.
Bennett was doing likewise down the right and after a good run crossed a dangerous ball into the box which was cleared for a corner. From the corner, Sholing cleared the ball only as far as Brad Hooper (who was having an excellent game in midfield) and, as he advanced forward to send the ball back into the box, he was fouled by Mike Carter, Wells took the free kick and hit the ball into the goal area for Bumphrey to smash it in giving Ciren the lead.
Ciren had hardly had time to settle before Byron Mason struck a majestic shot from all of 25 yards beating Garner and nearly bursting the back of the net, 2-2.
Ben Wells went close again in the 72nd min after a good run only to see his fine shot go wide. Ciren were to retake the lead minutes later when once again Collier was to be the provider after laying the ball into the path of Aidan Bennett who took two steps and hit a thunderous shot through the wall of defenders and into the back of the net.
In the last ten minutes Hooper, Bumphrey and Collier all went close and should have made it 4 when Bumphrey made a great run to the by-line, pulling the ball back for Bennett, who drilled the ball from 10 yards straight at the keeper.
Final Score: Cirencester 3-2 Sholing
This was an all-round good performance from Ciren and in the clubhouse there was much debate as to who was man-of-the-match! It was between Henry, Hooper and Wells and, on the closest of votes. the Four Pillars Hotel Man of the Match award went to Ben Wells.
Ciren now entertain Cheltenham Town on Tuesday evening, kick off 7:30pm, in the Quarter Finals of the Gloucestershire Senior Challenge Trophy, in a tie which has been rescheduled from October and changed to a home tie at The Corinium Stadium.
On Saturday 23rd February, they then travel to Tiverton Town in a league match.
Attendance: 85
Referee: Adan Bayliss
Cirencester Town:
1. Glyn Garner
2. Shayne Anson (C)
3. Ellis Dunton
4. Jon Beedon
5. Leigh Henry
6. James Mortimer-Jones
7. Brad Hooper
8. Ben Wells
9. Sam Collier
10. Aidan Bennett
11. Sam Packer
12. Scott Griffin
14. Shane Bumphrey (on for Jon Beedon - 46 mins)
15. Joe Shepherd
Sholing:
1. Matt Brown
2. Mike Carter
3. Tyrone Powers
4. Pete Castle
5. Lee Bright
6. Lewis Fennemore
7. Barry Mason
8. Byron Mason (C)
9. Jamie Musselwhite
10. Lee Wort
11. Marvin McLean
12. Alex Sawyer
14. Craig Stanley
15. Dan Mason
16. Jamie Mansell
17. Alex Dunning