Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division

Cirencester Town   3 – 2  Redditch United

Match Report by Dave Pyzer

Cirencester returned to league action following their mid-week County Cup victory over Bristol City U21’s (albeit after a penalty shoot-out) against high flying Redditch United.

Redditch currently occupy 4th position in both the League Table and the ‘6-Match Form Guide’ - having obtained 13 points from the 18 available – so a particularly tough match was anticipated.

The Centurions Manager, Brian Hughes, had to shuffle his pack due to the continued absence of Leigh Henry and the injury sustained by Mark Pritchett in the mid-week victory. With both his usual centre backs unavailable Matt Liddiard and Gethin Jones took their positions with Ellis Dunton and Ian Herring the full back berths. Ben Wells returned to midfield - for his first start in a league fixture since the previous match against Redditch in September - alongside James Mortimer-Jones and Brad Hooper. Josh Parsons was in the ‘hole’ supporting Aidan Bennett and Nat Jarvis. The experienced Ian Herring was awarded the Captains armband.

The visitors kicked off, in perfect conditions for football, playing towards the Arena end of the ground and within two minutes it was the home side who nearly opened the scoring following a throw from Ian Herring on the right flank to Aidan Bennett that he laid off to a supporting Nat Jarvis just outside the right edge of the penalty area. Without hesitation Jarvis fired a left-footed thunderbolt towards the right post. Visiting ‘keeper Sam Hornby did well to tip the ball around the post for a corner kick.

The next attack from the Centurions, as they began to settle, came down the left flank as James Mortimer-Jones fed Ellis Dunton, he in turn moved the ball on to Jarvis who flicked it through the gap between his marker and the right fullback for Bennett to collect on the run. As he neared the bye-line Bennett whipped a dangerous ball across the front edge of the 6 yard box with a rapidly closing Josh Parsons just failing to get the required touch to force it into the net.

Cirencester were playing some fast passing football whilst Redditch were defending with determination and launching long ball counter attacks.

Just before the match reached the quarter hour point Cirencester started a move down the centre of the pitch as Ben Wells played the ball forward to Gethin Jones who moved it on to Parsons in space outside the front left edge of the area. Parsons took the shot on but it was blocked and cleared to their right flank where Dunton immediately attempted to lob the advanced Hornby who caught it on the edge of his 6 yard box.

A few minutes later Brad Hooper collected a ball in the centre circle and charged forward as the visitors retreated, his resulting shot was blocked, but landed at the feet of Wells who shot wide of the left post from the centre front edge of the penalty area.

The pressure was mounting on the visitors and it was no surprise when the Centurions finally broke the deadlock.

Mid-way through the half Wells fed Bennett, in the right channel of the Redditch penalty area, and as he battled with two defenders the ball broke loose to NAT JARVIS, on the edge of the area, and he struck a low left footed drive inside the far left post with Hornby unable to get across to it.  1 – 0.

Cirencester were worthy of the lead but it was short lived as on the 30 minute mark the Redditch Captain ASHLEY SAMMONS converted a penalty.  Simeon Maye had charged forward chasing a long ball down the right channel but his progress was halted as Glyn Garner dashed out of his goalmouth intent on diving on the ball - in the process knocking Maye to the ground. Referee Mark Derrien, some 25 yards away, immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Sammons sent his kick to the right as Garner dived to his right.  1 – 1.   

Six minutes later Gethin Jones carried the ball out of defence to the centre circle before passing it forward to Parsons who released Bennett on the left wing. Bennett crossed the ball to Jarvis, near the penalty spot, and he laid it back to Wells who sent a firm right footed shot wide of the left post.

The visitors took the lead in rather fortunate circumstances, with five minutes of the half remaining, as they repelled pressure from the Centurions and counter attacked down their left flank producing a corner kick. Ashley Sammons sent his kick towards the front post where Brad Hooper in attempting to clear sliced the ball and it looped over his head and his defence to land at the back post where LUKE SHEARER headed home from a couple of yards.  1 – 2. 

Half Time:   1 - 2

Cirencester began the second half very positively as within four minutes they had already launched two throws into the Redditch penalty area and restricted them to their half of the pitch.   

Thirteen minutes into the half Manager Brian Hughes changed his formation slightly as he called Parsons alongside Jarvis and moved Bennett to the flank. This enabled both fullbacks to push forward down their respective flanks.

Within minutes Herring had advanced down the right, cut back and sent a left footed cross-cum-shot towards the back post that Hornby tipped wide for a left wing corner. When the kick came in Dunton, near the penalty spot, rose to head powerfully towards goal but his effort was cleared on the line. Gethin Jones latched onto the clearance and immediately sent it back into the box for NAT JARVIS to head home.  2 – 2.

GAME ON.

Midway through the half the tiring Wells was replaced by Ed Williams and Redditch took the opportunity to replace Ashley Sammons and the busy Luke Shearer with Zac Sirrell and Leigh Phillips.

Ed Williams was immediately in the action as following a throw on the left and an exchange of passes he curled a shot towards the far right post that was caught by Hornby. 

Despite Cirencester enjoying plenty of possession Redditch were certainly not out of the game and a break down their right flank resulted in a powerful shot from Zac Sirrell, in the right channel, that Garner managed to push wide of the right post for a corner kick. The corner reached Calvin Dinsley near the penalty spot and his header was caught by Garner.

As the game entered the final quarter Hooper switched play to the left wing where Jarvis struck a deep cross to the back post. It was initially cleared for Parsons and Williams to have shots blocked and then Bennett on the ground near the 6 yard box had a go but was ruled offside.  

Redditch then countered as Leigh Phillips broke down their right flank but his cross was blocked and came out to George Carline who also had his shot blocked. The rebound was collected by the home side enabling Bennett to move the ball on to Hooper in the left corner where the ball was retained to run down the clock. Eventually Williams sent a cross to the back post that reached ELLIS DUNTON who stabbed it home from just outside the 6 yard box, whilst falling, much to his and his team-mates delight.  3 – 2.     

Shortly afterwards the game was delayed as a spectator, who had fallen, needed assistance and both Club’s physios dashed to his aid.

On resumption Redditch replaced Simeon Maye with Kyle Turner and in ‘time-added-on’ young Oliver Knight, a member of the Forest Green Rovers Academy and son of Keith, came on for his first taste of senior football.

There was still time for an unsuccessful penalty appeal from the Centurions as Hooper was bundled to the ground four minutes into added-time.

Final Score: 3 - 2

This was a pulsating game, especially in the first half, as the two teams with contrasting styles tried to get the upper hand.

Redditch took full advantage of the opportunities afforded them to take the lead but Cirencester showed commendable character and work rate to overcome formidable opponents.

A fantastic result against one of the form sides and one that is likely to be in the mix at the end of the season.

Attendance: 167                                

Referee:      Mark Derrien