Cirencester Town FC
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Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
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Match Report by Dave Pyzer
Cirencester completed the third of three home matches on the bounce against Bedworth United who were in 23rd place in both the Premier Division and the ‘6 Match Form Guide’ tables prior to the match. Cirencester was in 14th and 11th place respectively.
Bedworth are fighting for survival in the Premier Division so another difficult match was expected.
The Cirencester starting eleven had one change from the team that started against Biggleswade as Ollie Knight was unavailable and as a result Aidan Bennett came into the starting line-up.
The visitors kicked off playing into a strong wind towards the Arena end of the ground and within the first minute Iyesden Christie took a snap shot on the turn, near the left channel front edge of the home penalty area, but missed the target.
As the two sides sought to get the upper hand Zack Kotwica sent a ball from the right flank towards the Bedworth penalty spot where James Martin was unable to catch cleanly in the strong wind. As the ball dropped Charlie Griffin stabbed at it but Martin blocked. Matt Liddiard had a go at the loose ball but his effort was also blocked
Jordan Archer was in the action a couple of times for the visitors during the next ten minutes as his cross from the left bye-line was headed out by Matt Bower followed by a driving run into the box that required Josh Langley to dive at his feet to block.
In response Aidan Bennett carried the ball to the left corner and won a corner kick that Kotwica played short to him and his subsequent cross was headed over the Bedworth cross-bar by Bower.
Just after the half hour mark Bedworth were awarded a couple of free kicks that were sent into the Cirencester penalty area but the home side defended comfortably.
As the half entered the final ten minutes Cirencester were beginning to produce some passing football as they realised it was better to keep the ball on the deck with the strong wind behind them and as a result they produced some flowing football, moving the ball from left to right and back, with several players involved but the visitors defence dealt with the threat well.
Having just enjoyed a period of possession it was the home side that went behind as Bedworth’s Justin Marsden made a break down the right channel before sending the ball out to Jonathan Gould on the left flank. Gould drove forward and took the ball to the bye-line, evading a couple of challenges en-route before sending a low cross towards the front post that was deflected by MATT BOWER into his own net. 0-1.
Encouraged by the break-through Bedworth pushed forward and when Elliot Parrott sent a cross from the right towards the penalty spot Langley was unable to catch cleanly in the wind but eventually managed to bravely gather at the 3rd attempt on the ground at the feet of Archer.
As the half drew to a close Cirencester produced more possession football but were unable to break down their opponents defence
Half Time: 0 – 1
Shortly after the re-start Bedworth mounted a break down their left flank that led to Gould crossing from just outside of the left front corner of the Cirencester penalty area towards the far post where Archer made a glancing header that was well wide of the right post.
Ten minutes into the half Brad Hooper charged down the right channel before releasing Bennett to his right who carried the ball to the front edge of the Bedworth penalty area before chipping the ball over Martin towards the left post. Griffin darted forward and struck the post from close range but he was ruled offside.
Whilst Cirencester had the advantage of the slope Bedworth had the following wind so the game was quite balanced and when Bedworth launched a ball down their right flank Langley had to dart out of his box to clear but they were soon back again down the left flank.
Quarter of an hour into the half Matt Bower was penalised just outside the penalty area on the Bedworth right flank for what appeared to be shirt pulling (based on the gestures of the Assistant Referee) and awarded a Yellow Card. Luke Rowe took the kick and curled the ball towards the far post with his left foot, striking it near the base, but before any of his team-mates could get to it the home defence completed the clearance.
Cirencester then attacked down their left flank as Kotwica was found in space but when his path was blocked near the corner he laid it back to Hooper and the point of attack changed to the right. Anthony Brown moved the ball to Bennett who collected near the corner and a throw-in followed. Brown to Liddiard, back to Brown and a cross into the Bedworth area that was cleared to Bennett on the right channel front edge of the area. Bennett struck a fierce left footed effort that was blocked by a defender at some cost to himself.
A minute later Bedworth scored their second after a break on the left resulted in a corner kick followed by two from the right which were taken by the left foot of Lowe. The second kick reached DANIEL CREANEY to the left of the penalty spot and he placed his header inside the left post. 0-2.
The Cirencester management then decided to throw caution to the wind by adding Ross Langworthy to the front line, taking Ben Prictor off, and playing with 3 at the back in a 3-5-2 formation.
This had the desired effect as Cirencester pushed forward with increased momentum forcing Bedworth to rely on counter attacks.
The home side nearly created a problem for themselves when Christie latched onto a loose pass, in the Bedworth right channel, but he attempted to strike the ball with his left foot (instead of his right) whilst Langley was out of position and the ball sailed well wide of the target.
A few minutes later a series of passes took the ball down the Cirencester right flank to the corner where Liddiard sent a dangerous cross through the front edge of the 6 yard box and out the other side without contact.
Within minutes Cirencester had pulled a goal back after Bennett charged down the right and fired a powerful, low cross to the near post. Martin was unable to hold the cross and ROSS LANGWORTHY was quickest to the loose ball and smashed it into the roof of the net from 10 yards, just outside the line of the right post. 1-2.
Encouraged Cirencester pushed forward but once again nearly came unstuck when Archer collected a weak back pass near the right front corner of the Cirencester penalty area and charged towards goal but Langley again proved his worth in a 1 v 1 as he dived at the forwards feet to push the ball clear.
With ten minutes remaining Cirencester levelled the score after Bennett drove into the right channel of the Bedworth area and slipped the ball to Langworthy to his right. Langworthy took it to the bye-line and crossed towards the penalty spot where CHARLIE GRIFFIN darted forward to powerfully head inside the right post. 2-2.
Four minutes later Griffin had the ball in the net again after good work from Brown and Bennett on the right flank but he was adjudged to be offside.
With two minutes of normal time remaining Bedworth won a corner kick on their right flank and there followed a delay as two Bedworth players, Creaney and Nathan Haines, started arguing with one another leading to both players being awarded Yellow Cards.
When the corner kick was eventually taken KYLE CARTWRIGHT darted forward and produced a diving header from right of the penalty spot that finished in the back of the net, just inside the right post. 2-3.
Despite Cirencester pressure during the remaining minutes Bedworth held out to secure a much needed three points in their fight to stay in the Premier Division.
Final Score: 2 - 3
Both teams should be commended for their effort and commitment in the appalling weather, especially in the second half when the ‘heavens’ opened.
Bedworth proved to be stubborn opposition and Cirencester didn’t shoot enough when they had the wind behind them but it was disappointing to lose so late in proceedings after pulling back the two goal deficit.
Attendance: 125
Referee: Ellis Clark
Cirencester Town:
1. Josh Langley
2. Anthony Brown
3. Ben Prictor
4. Shayne Anson
5. Matt Liddiard (C)
6. Matt Bower 36og
7. Brad Hooper
8. James Mortimer-Jones
9. Charlie Griffin 80
10. Zak Kotwica
11. Aidan Bennett
12. Adam Connolly
14. Ross Langworthy (Ben Prictor-66mins) 75
15. Sam Farr
16. Alex Dinsmore
Bedworth United:
1. James Martin
2. Iyesden Christie
3. Luke Rowe (C)
4. Andrew Westwood
5. Kyle Cartwright 90+1
6. Nathan Haines
7. Justin Marsden
8. Elliot Parrott
9. Jordan Archer
10. Daniel Creaney 65
11. Jonathan Gould
12. Nathan McGarrity
14. Mounamaboul Fall
15. Adrian Boitas