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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Match Report by Andy Buchan
Cirencester travelled to Fairfax Park to face Bridgwater Town who had earlier in the season inflicted a 6-1 home defeat on the Centurions. Cirencester were keen to seek revenge but with five regular players out, Reid, Thompson, Dunton, Bumphrey and Packer, this was sure to be a tough challenge!
It was evident from the start that with a dry bumpy pitch playing good flowing football would prove difficult for both teams.
Bridgwater got the early goal in the 4th minute after a long ball was pumped up field, the Ciren defence seemed to freeze! and it was Ross MacNab who ran through and buried the ball with a low firm shot into the far corner of the net.
Bridgwater could have made it two after a good run down the left side from the tricky Steve Fitzpatrick he made his way into the box and fired a shot which Glyn Garner did well to clear. Goal scorer McNab had another opportunity in the 27th min with a right footed shot which flew over the bar.
Garner was the busier of the two keepers and was called upon again in the 33rd min having to make a one handed save at the far post giving Bridgwater a corner. It was all Bridgwater in this first 30 mins.
Ciren’s first real chance came in the 36th min after good work from Ben Wells through the middle. His run took him over to the left side, he then sent a inch perfect ball over the defence and into the path of Scott Griffin whose first time shot whistled past the near post.
Ciren levelled the match in the 43rd minute after Joe Shepherd from 8 yards with his left foot smashed the ball against the underside of the bar. Bradley Middleton hooked the ball out but it was obvious to all including the home fans behind the goal that the ball had crossed the line. Referee Lewis Price consulted with his linesman who also confirmed that this was the case giving a half time score of 1-1.
The second half started with Ciren playing as they had finished the first, on top and looking for goals. Griffin who was making his first full appearance for some time was battling hard up front. No more so than in the 52nd min, after he had won the ball in a tough duel, he fed the ball out to Wells who then found Sam Collier on the edge of the box with his back to goal he turned and unleashed a shot that was narrowly over the bar, minutes later Collier saw his glancing header saved by Luke Purnell.
Bridgwater themselves could have scored in the 69th min after good work from Tyne Govier on the right who continued his run into the box only to see his goal attempt go high over the bar.
Ciren made a substitution in the 75th min with Ollie Pitt replacing Joe Shepherd. Ciren had a great chance when Aidan Bennett picked out Collier in the box who seemed to loose control and his goal attempt ended up as a Ciren corner.
In the next ten minutes Ciren had two more decent opportunities which also came to nothing/ It just seemed to be one of those days, nothing at stake and coming to the end of a tough season. With minutes remaining Tom Jehu came on for Brad Hooper and the match finished in a 1-1 draw.
On reflection it was a tough game on a difficult pitch with a draw being a fair result.
Next first team game is at the Corinium Stadium Tuesday 23rd April against Wimborne Town 7.30 kick off.
Attendance: 147
Referee: Lewis Price
Bridgwater Town:
1. Luke Purnell
2. Tyne Govier
3. Zayne Simpson
4. Phil Veal
5. Bradley Middleton (C)
6. Graham Mercieca
7. Harry Nodwell
8. Tim Legg
9. Ross MacNab
10. Dave Pearse
11. Steve Fitzpatrick
12. Craig Veal
14. Andy Venning
15. Ollie Chamberlain
16. Jacob Bennett
17. Darryl Cazley
Cirencester Town:
1. Glyn Garner
2. Shayne Anson (C)
3. James Mortimer-Jones
4. Joe Shepherd
5. Leigh Henry
6. Jon Beedon
7. Brad Hooper
8. Ben Wells
9. Sam Collier
10. Scott Griffin
11. Aidan Bennett
12. Ollie Pitt (on for Joe Shepherd - 74 mins)
14. Tom Jehu (on for Brad Hooper - 81 mins)