Calor League – Division One South & West

Cinderford Town   1 – 3  Cirencester Town

Match Report by Dave Pyzer

Following the weekends successful FA Cup exploits Cirencester travelled to the Forest of Dean to renew their rivalry with Cinderford Town for this midweek league fixture.

Cirencester were without their usual left backs who were injured in recent cup matches - Jon Beeden  (back) and Ellis Dunton (shoulder) - so Manager Brian Hughes drafted in Brimscombe & Thrupp left back Ben Pricter for his debut.   

Cinderford kicked off and within the first minute Clayton Green took a shot at the visitors goal from 25 yards, in line with left edge of the penalty area, which Glyn Garner parried just under the bar and collected by his right post.

Brad Hooper replied with a similar effort, following a lay-off from Lee Smith on the left edge of the box, that Alex Harris also parried and before any of his team-mates could latch onto the loose ball it was put behind for a right wing corner that was cleared.

The game was end to end with incidents at both ends and in the 17th minute Cinderford created a good opportunity to open the scoring with a well-worked free kick on their right flank. Mike Whittington dummied to take the kick just outside the penalty area by running over the ball whilst Simon Prangley played it across the box to a team-mate who passed in behind the visiting defenders for Whittington, who had continued his run, to collect. As he reached the ball nearing the bye-line he squared it into the 6 yard box where Greg Lewis scuffed his shot and the ball was cleared.

Cirencester responded a minute later with a move down their left when Sam Collier headed the ball on for Lee Smith to run onto.  Smith then crossed the ball for the supporting Joe Shepherd around the penalty spot but the home defence put it behind for a right wing corner. Steve Davies drove the corner kick towards the back post and as Shepherd went in for the header with Andy Lewis it was the defender who got to it first but could only head into his own net.

 0-1

Just before the mid-point of the half Leigh Henry left the pitch with what appeared to be a groin strain and was replaced by Tim Bond. The back line was then shuffled with Shayne Anson moving into the centre and James Mortimer-Jones to right back. Tim Bond taking up his customary position in midfield.

Five minutes before the interval Cirencester increased their lead with a move that involved several players. Steve Davies collected the ball in the right back position and played it down the line to Sam Collier. With his marker in close attendance Collier played it back to James Mortimer-Jones who spotted Joe Shepherd on a run down the centre. Mortimer-Jones struck a well weighted pass in front of him and as he advanced to the heart of the home defence he slipped the ball to Lee Smith on the left edge of the penalty area.  Smith who is in confident form took one touch and placed the ball inside the far right post.

0-2

A couple of minutes later Tim Bond headed a Cinderford cross-field ball from just outside his penalty area into the path of Lee Smith who immediately ran down the centre of the pitch before unleashing a left footed shot from the edge of the penalty area that cleared the bar.

On the stroke of half time Lewis Sommers had a chance to reduce the deficit when a cross from the right reached him at the back post but his header missed the target.

Half Time:   0 - 2

Five minutes after the re-start Shayne Anson headed a cross to Lee Smith who ran at Cinderford but as he neared their penalty area he over-ran the ball which was collected and launched deep into the centre of the Ciren defence where the attempted back pass was under-hit. Lewis Sommers latched onto it and was forced wide to his right as Glyn Garner came out to clear and as a result his shot from a narrow angle hit the side netting of the right post.

Cinderford had certainly got the bit between their teeth and looked the more purposeful after the break putting Ciren under pressure with balls into the sizeable Sommers who supplied his lively co-strikers.

The home side were rewarded for their efforts when a high ball into the penalty area in the 70th minute wasn’t dealt with and bounced between centre back and goal keeper.  Sam Hunt, who had replaced Mike Whittington 13 minutes earlier, was quick to the ball and calmly slotted it inside the left post with his left foot from around the penalty spot.

1-2

This success encouraged the Foresters even more and shortly afterwards a corner from the right was met at the back post by Andy Lewis’s head. None of his team-mates could reach the header back across goal and the danger was cleared.

At this point of the game Cinderford were giving it all they could to get an equaliser and Cirencester were under the cosh – defending resolutely – and relying on breakaways. Joe Shepherd won the ball on the right, just outside his penalty area, and drove a 30 yard cross-field pass to Lee Smith on the left flank, just inside his own half. Smith sped down the wing and cut into the penalty area where full back Jon Newall brought him down for a penalty to be awarded.

Lee Smith stepped up to take the kick himself, with a couple of minutes of normal time remaining, and planted it firmly into the net, right of centre, with Harris diving to his right.

1-3

Final Score: 1 - 3

Cirencester played quite well in the first half creating some good scoring opportunities and deserved the lead due to their better passing although it has to be said Cinderford looked dangerous.

The second half was messy with the ball in the air far too much, probably due to the pressure Cinderford put them under, but once again the clinical finishing of Lee Smith got them the three points.

Attendance: 109                                

Referee:      C Kidd

1.   Alex Harris
2.   Jon Newall
3.   Danny Haines
4.   Andy Lewis         (C)
5.   Greg Lewis
6.   Clayton Green    
7.   Dave Bird                
8.   Dale Evans
9.   Lewis Sommers
10.  Simon Prangley
11.  Mike Whittington

12.  Mitchell Walsh                            
14.  Sam Hunt            (Mike Whittington-57mins)  
15.  Lloyd George       (Andy Lewis-83mins)  
16.  Dan Harrison      (Dave Bird-46mins)