Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division

Cirencester Town   2 – 3  Hitchin Town

Match Report by Dave Pyzer

Hitchin Town, who are three points and three places below Cirencester in the League Table, were the visitors to the Corinium Stadium for this opening fixture of 2015.

‘The Canaries’ are one of the ‘in-form’ sides as they are unbeaten in their last eight games and sit 4th in the ‘6 match form guide’ table- having obtained 14 of the 18 points available. The Centurions are 9th in this table following their defeat at the hands of Banbury United on Boxing Day.

The starting eleven for the Centurions had a different look about it as it included Leigh Henry - who missed the last two games, Gethin Jones - returning after serving his three match suspension, Kyle Pitts - replacing the suspended Ellis Dunton. As a result Gethin Jones started at right back with Matt Liddiard moving back into midfield at the expense of Brad Hooper who took a seat on the bench alongside Nat Jarvis, Jacob Davidge and Ben Wells.

The visitors played towards the Arena End in the first half and four minutes into the match showed their intent when Matt Lench received a ball on the left and fired in a powerful strike that Glyn Garner managed to parry. Callum Donnelly collected the loose ball on the right side of the 6 yard box but his effort was blocked and smothered by the ‘keeper.

Five minutes later Cirencester created an opening when Josh Parsons fed Ed Williams who made ground down the left side edge of the penalty area before crossing from the bye-line. The cross was cleared out to a lurking Ian Herring who immediately shot towards goal from just outside the left front edge of the area but his effort was headed away by Matt Lench on the goal line.

Shortly afterwards Williams was again in the action when he sent a low ball across the 6 yard box from the right corner that his team-mates were unable to reach.

Two minutes later the lively Jonny McNamara showed a glimpse of things to come when he made a strong run down the right touchline that ended in a corner kick for the visitors.

Callum Donnelly then latched onto a ball down the left flank – that the home support thought was from an offside position – and his cross from the bye-line was cut out by the dependable Mark Pritchett for a left wing corner kick.  The kick was headed out by the home defence to the edge of the penalty area where Alasan Ann, with his back to goal, attempted to pivot and shoot in one move but his effort was well over the bar.

Just after the mid-point of the half Herring fed Aidan Bennett on the left flank who returned the favour and Herring’s well struck shot from the left front edge of the area was caught by Charlie Horlock in the visitor’s goal.

The Canaries then produced a similar move down their right flank as Donnelly and McNamara exchanged passes for the ball to break to an unmarked Lench on the left side of the area. Lench, moving to his right, took a touch and fired a right footed shot that struck the bottom of the left post and rebounded across the goalmouth to be cleared.

As the half hour mark approached Parsons nearly had his head taken off in a high challenge from Ann and presumably incensed that he did not get a decision in his favour he made a strong challenge on the right touchline that referee Adam Matthews decided was worthy of a Yellow Card.

The game was end-to-end with Cirencester moving the ball around the pitch well and the visitors counter attacking very quickly.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 29th minute by a quality goal as Herring collected the ball on the right side of the centre circle and played a superb ball out to Bennett on the left flank.

Bennett immediately made ground and drove down the left side edge of the penalty area before sending a fierce cross to the back post where a rapidly closing JOSH PARSONS volleyed it into the back of the net from 5 yards.  1 – 0.

Hitchin’s response was another move involving McNamara who fed Donnelly, to the right of the penalty spot, and the resulting shot once again struck the left post. This time it rebounded to Lench who fired it across the 6 yard box.

As the half came to a close the irrepressible McNamara took the ball into the box and slipped it to Simon Martin who tried a clever back heel that went wide of the goal.

Half Time:   1 - 0

Hitchin made a substitution at half time with Michael Noone replacing Matt Lench and five minutes after the re-start Cirencester had to replace Leigh Henry who was suffering from stomach pains. This meant a re-organisation of the back four with Gethin Jones moving to centre back and Matt Liddiard to right back. Brad Hooper coming on in midfield.

As the home defence were getting to grips with the changes Hitchin levelled the score as a long clearance from deep inside their half, on the left flank, cleared the Centurions backline and the speedy JONNY McNAMARA was bursting through the centre to collect and lob Garner in the home goal from 25 yards.  1 – 1.  

Twelve minutes into the half referee Matthews awarded a free kick to Cirencester, on halfway, and whilst retrieving the ball it led to a melee involving several players that eventually resulted in a Red Card being awarded to Callum Donnelly.

Midway through the half Nat Jarvis replaced Parsons and was immediately in the action as he made a clever flick that released Bennett on the left flank. Bennett cut back and moved the ball on to Brad Hooper, on the burst, and his effort was cut off.

Shortly afterwards Cirencester were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area, right of centre. Mark Pritchett took the kick and sent a fierce left footed drive towards goal that Horlock managed to parry.

Despite being a man down Hitchin still looked very dangerous as they worked very hard to cover any gaps and released early balls forward.

In the 73rd minute their efforts were rewarded as the home defence twice failed to clear another long ball down the centre. The ball was initially headed high into the air and then an attempted back header failed to reach Garner and substitute BRETT DONNELLY nipped in to collect and fire into the net from near the penalty spot.  1 – 2.   

Cirencester pushed forward to get the equaliser and were somewhat fortunate when Ed Williams cut in from the left and sent a cross towards the right post but a covering ALASAN ANN deflected his effort onto the near post and into the net.   2 – 2.

The game was enthralling as both sides looked to get a result. To their credit Hitchin were not settling for what they had and parking the proverbial bus as they counter attacked with pace through the busy McNamara and he deservedly scored the winner to cap a superb individual performance.

Cirencester lost the ball in midfield, inside the Hitchin half, and once again it was played down the centre for JONNY McNAMARA to chase. As he approached the penalty area he calmly tucked the ball inside the right post.  2 – 3.

The visitors nearly increased their lead when another cross-field pass in midfield was intercepted and fed to Brett Donnelly. Donnelly carried the ball down the left before pulling it back for a supporting Sam Barker but Barker’s pass was over-hit for a goal kick.

In the closing minutes of the game Cirencester had a couple of efforts to level as Bennett fired a shot over the bar and a glancing header from Jones was wide of the target.

Final Score: 2 - 3

The first half was fairly balanced as Cirencester played up the slope a lot better than they did in the match against Banbury United on Boxing Day.

The defence looked more solid with the returning Leigh Henry in it and after the first few minutes they began moving the ball well, taking the game to Hitchin who were forced to counter attack – which they did very well. They could have been in the lead at half time having struck the woodwork twice. 

The re-organisation required after Henry left the field undoubtedly unsettled the Centurions and Hitchin took full advantage.

The work-rate of the Canaries when they were down to ten was excellent and in McNamara they had a match winner as no-one in the Cirencester side could cope with his pace and energy.

This was a terrific game for the neutrals who attended - with plenty of incident and four superb goals.

Cirencester were made to pay for their mistakes.

Attendance: 137                                

Referee:      Adam Matthews