Cirencester Town FC
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Match Report by Dave Pyzer
The latest Premier Division match took Cirencester to The Midlands to meet Bedworth United who were promoted via the ‘play-offs’ last season from the Central Division of the Southern League. The home side currently sit in 22nd place in the league table and 13th in the ‘6 Match Form Guide’ table – Cirencester are in 19th position in both tables.
The Cirencester eleven included Mark Pritchett for his first start since mid November enabling Shayne Anson to return to right back. As a result James Mortimer-Jones took his usual place in midfield for his 250th start for the Club (well done Jonah – a fantastic achievement).
Cirencester kicked off proceedings on the 3G pitch in overcast conditions that resulted in the floodlights being switched on early in the match and attacked down their left flank but the move came to an end with an ‘offside’ decision.
The home side replied with a break of their own, down their left flank, as Daniel Dubidat sped down the wing and cut inside onto his right foot and shot over the bar from 20 yards.
Shortly afterwards when Cirencester lost the ball in the Bedworth half it was quickly moved forward to Andy Westwood and he carried it into the left corner before laying it back to Luke Rowe who crossed towards the penalty spot where Jordan Archer headed over the bar.
In response Cirencester mounted an attack down their right flank that took them into the right corner where Matt Liddiard won a corner kick. Zack Kotwica sent the kick into the home penalty area and when it was cleared he collected it 25 yards out (10 yards inside the right touchline), moved left towards the centre of the pitch, and unleashed a left footed drive that ‘keeper Raajan Gill fumbled for the ball to break loose. Mark Pritchett was still in the area from the corner kick and he reacted quickly to challenge for the ball, playing it under a diving Gill and back towards the centre of the goal where CHARLIE GRIFFIN was on hand to finish from two yards. 0-1.
This setback spurred the home side on during the next ten minutes as Justin Marsden carried the ball down the right flank and crossed to the back post where Dubidat headed over the bar. Dubidat was involved again a couple of minutes later as he took the ball into the left corner, played it inside to Westwood who crossed towards the right side edge of the 6 yard box where Daniel Creaney headed back to Marsden who struck a right footed shot over the bar from the front edge of the Cirencester penalty area.
Quarter of an hour into the match a long ball towards their right flank by Bedworth was intercepted by Ellis Dunton who immediately sent a left footed volley behind the home defence towards the left corner for Aidan Bennett to chase. As the ball bounced high Bennett went into an aerial challenge with Jamie Ashmore and Gill on the left front corner edge of the area. The ‘keeper punched the ball out of play and landed on top of Ashmore and Bennett. As Bennett and Gill got back to their feet there was a tangle and Bennett fell to the ground but Referee Andrew Hendley was on hand to calm things down and call the Physio to attend to the stricken Ashmore who had been underneath the other two.
After treatment play resumed with a throw-in to Cirencester and Dunton launched the ball towards Griffin at the near post. The striker produced a back-header that went across the goalmouth and past the far post.
Midway into the half Bedworth produced a series of passes on their left flank involving Elliot Parrott, Rowe, back to Parrot, inside to Creaney but his cross-field pass went out of play on the right flank.
The home supporters were then treated to a surging run from the recovered Ashmore as he charged some 40 yards down the pitch into the Cirencester half and passed the ball on to Dubidat near the left corner but the resulting cross was cleared at the back post.
On the half hour mark Marsden took the ball to the bye-line on the right side edge of the Cirencester penalty area and pulled it back towards a supporting Westwood who struck a powerful shot, from the front edge of the box - right channel, that was blocked. The ball rebounded to Rowe who fired over the bar.
As the half entered the last ten minutes Dunton produced another left footed volley pass to Bennett on the left flank and ran forward to support his team-mate, exchanging passes as he ran round Bennett into the corner. Once at the bye-line he crossed into the 6 yard box where Gill could only parry the ball for a team-mate to clear.
On the stroke of half time Bedworth were awarded a free kick on their right flank that resulted in a right wing corner kick that was cleared out of the area to Archer who attempted a speculative overhead kick that Glyn Garner caught comfortably.
Half Time: 0 – 1
On the re-start Brad Hooper had replaced Adam Connolly and the home side had switched their wide players with Creaney moving to the left and Dubidat to the right flank.
The two sides cancelled one another out for the first ten minutes resulting in little goalmouth action until Westwood struck a right footed shot from the edge of the Cirencester area that Garner saved at the second attempt, low to right.
Cirencester countered a couple of minutes later when Brad Hooper carried the ball for 20 yards down the right channel before slipping it to his right to Kotwica who struck a right footed shot that was blocked.
Almost immediately Liddiard collected the ball in the Cirencester defensive left corner, played it to his right to James Mortimer-Jones who moved it on to Hooper on the left. Hooper then cleverly switched play into space on the right flank for a galloping Shayne Anson to collect. Anson took the ball to the corner and played it towards the penalty spot where Griffin shot wide of the left post.
By this stage the weather had changed dramatically and the rain was bucketing down making the playing surface extremely slippery and as a result players were struggling to keep their balance when changing direction at pace.
Midway through the half Archer collected a loose ball just outside the Cirencester area and fired a right footed shot wide of the right post.
As the game was about to enter the last 15 minutes Leigh Henry sent a superb 40 yard pass from defence to Bennett on the right flank and he in turn crossed to the back post where Griffin, under pressure, headed wide of the target.
A few minutes later Anson produced a fantastic, brave block inside his area as a Bedworth player fired a powerful shot at the Cirencester goal.
With five minutes of normal time remaining Bennett broke down the right and passed the ball to substitute Ollie Knight in the left channel and he quickly moved it on to Griffin, in space on the right front edge of the home penalty area. The striker lined up his shot but struck it too well as it flew just over the bar.
With a last throw of the dice Bedworth mounted an attack down their left and when the cross came in Dubidat headed wide of the left post from the left side edge of the 6 yard box.
In added time Cirencester had a final opportunity to seal the game when substitute Ross Langworthy charged down an attempted clearance 15 yards inside the home half and broke down the right channel. As he neared the front edge of the penalty area he fired a right footed shot wide of the left post.
Final Score: 0 - 1
Whilst this was not the most exciting game of football from the viewpoint of goal-mouth incidents or quality it was one full of endeavour and determined defending.
The three points were of huge importance to both sides but it was Cirencester who scored the all important goal and managed to defend it.
The victory moves Cirencester up 3 places in the Premier Division table to 16th.
Attendance: 182
Referee: Andrew Hendley
Bedworth United:
1. Raajan Gill
2. Jamie Ashmore
3. Luke Rowe
4. Andy Westwood
5. Kyle Cartwright (C)
6. Richard Bryan
7. Daniel Creaney
8. Elliot Parrott
9. Justin Marsden
10. Jordan Archer
11. Daniel Dubidat
12. Aron Wint (Jordan Archer-67mins)
14. Richard Wesley (Justin Marsden-67mins)
15. Nathan McGarrity
16. Lewis Chester
Cirencester Town:
1. Glyn Garner
2. Shayne Anson
3. Ellis Dunton
4. Mark Pritchett
5. Matt Liddiard
6. Leigh Henry (C)
7. Adam Connolly
8. James Mortimer-Jones
9. Charlie Griffin 5
10. Zack Kotwica
11. Aidan Bennett
12. Brad Hooper (Adam Connolly-46mins)
14. Ollie Knight (Zack Kotwica-81mins)
15. Jamie Reid
16. Ross Langworthy (Charlie Griffin-88mins)