Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division

Cirencester Town   0 – 1  Paulton Rovers

Match Report by Dave Pyzer

Paulton Rovers, who were promoted to the Premier Division via the play-offs at the end of last season along with Champions Cirencester, were the visitors to the Corinium Stadium for this mid-week league fixture. In the reverse fixture, which was the first match of the season, Paulton were the victors 2 – 1. They have won their last two games - which included a victory at Weymouth - and as is traditional between the Clubs a tough encounter was anticipated. Within the Paulton ranks is Shayne Anson, last season’s Cirencester Captain, who transferred to them earlier in the season.  

Mark Pritchett had recovered from the injury he sustained in last Tuesday’s fixture against Bristol City U21’s and returned in the centre of defence alongside Matt Liddiard. Gethin Jones who has been playing there in recent matches has joined long term absentee Leigh Henry on the injured list.  Nat Jarvis was unavailable – also thought to have a slight injury.

Cirencester kicked off playing towards the Arena End of the ground and the early play was restricted to the area between the penalty areas. It was the visitors who had the first pot at goal when Sam Teale fired over from 25 yards after 9 minutes.

Within a couple of minutes Cirencester showed the first signs that they were settling into the game as a move down the right led to Aidan Bennett making a cross from the bye-line that was intercepted near the penalty spot.  Bennett was in the action again a few minutes later when he was released down the left flank by Josh Parsons and he cut back to fire a shot towards the far post that visiting ‘keeper Kyle Phillips caught.

The action was frenetic as Paulton were quick to close down their opponents restricting the more controlled passing football normally produced by the home side and play became very scrappy with neither side able to maintain possession of the ball for long.

Just after the mid-point of the half Dean Evans, in the centre circle, produced an incredible volley pass to Mitchell Page from a ball coming down out of orbit (following a high clearance from Mark Pritchett). Page made ground down the left channel to the penalty area before shooting. His effort was comfortably saved by Glyn Garner.

Cirencester responded down the left flank and obtained a corner kick that reached Bennett at the far post – his shot was cleared but reclaimed by Ed Williams who took it back into the left corner producing a free kick. Ian Herring collected the loose ball and carried it along the front edge of the penalty area before firing a fierce shot wide of the right post.

Just after the half hour mark Nick McCootie ran on to a long ball over the home defence and made ground down the left channel and as he neared the penalty area he shot wide of the left post.

Shortly afterwards McCootie blocked Ellis Dunton as he attempted a clearance and the ball fell to Scott Wilson who immediately charged into the box. His shot was saved low down by Garner at the near post.  

The game had become very tetchy as a result of the tight, strong marking of the visitors and three of their players were Yellow Carded during a ten minute period around the last two positive actions described above.

With five minutes of the half remaining Cirencester produced a good move down their right flank involving several players that led to a cross from the bye-line by Brad Hooper. Ed Williams latched onto the cross and his shot was blocked but fell to Bennett darting across the front of the 6 yard box (left to right) and from the tightest of angles at the right post he fired wide of the target.

The final action of the half was with Paulton who were awarded a free kick on the left flank, just inside their half, that was cleared to their right flank where Wilson collected it and crossed to the left post for Patrick Keary to head into the grateful arms of Garner.

Half Time:   0 - 0

Immediately from the re-start Mark Pritchett was awarded a Yellow Card as he attempted a solid clearance that stopped McCootie in his tracks.

Almost immediately Wilson cut in from the left to send a low right footed shot that Garner saved at the near post. 

Cirencester had an opportunity to open their account shortly afterwards as Matt Liddiard chested the ball into the path of Parsons but his low shot was saved by Phillips inside the left post.

Paulton opened the scoring following the failure of the home defence to clear a ball that bounced around their penalty area until SHAYNE ANSON despatched it into the back of the net from just inside the penalty area, right of centre.  0 – 1.

The reaction from the Centurions was a strong run down the pitch from Williams that started in the right channel and ended with a shot that whizzed past the far post from the left side of the penalty area. 

The home side were increasing the tempo as they pushed forward to get an equaliser and a break down the centre reached Parsons who carried it into the area. His cross was cut out by Phillips near the left post, initially by his feet and then gathered in. This was followed by a superb move involving several players down the left flank before being switched to the right for Williams to cut into the box and shoot but once again Phillips was well positioned to catch the attempt.

The pressure was mounting and following a free kick Pritchett collected a clearance and struck a powerful shot wide of the right post from 25 yards, left of centre.

With Cirencester pushing forward Paulton were relying on quick counter attacks and just after the midpoint of the half Anson reached the right corner but his cross was cut off before any of his team-mates could get to it.

The ball was cleared to Bennett who carried it downfield before crossing to an unmarked Williams, right of the penalty spot, and as Williams pulled the trigger a determined challenge blocked his effort.

This was immediately followed by a move involving Dunton, Parsons and Wells that led to a measured shot by Wells from the edge of the penalty area that Phillips did well to stop inside his right post. The ball broke free and Shane Bumphrey quickly latched onto it, wide of the left post, and fired it goal-wards only to see Phillips pull off an amazing save again.

As the game was drawing to a close Williams played the ball up to Bumphrey who laid it back to Parsons but again his resulting shot was saved by Phillips.

Final Score: 0 - 1

A disappointing result for the Centurions in a scrappy and occasionally feisty game.

Plenty of effort, with glimpses of the football they are capable of, but unfortunately the Centurions had left their shooting boots at home and were confronted by a determined team with an ‘in-form’ goal-keeper.

Attendance: 78                                 

Referee:      Lee Sheridan