Evo Stik Southern League 2016/17

Premier Division

Cirencester Town   1 – 4   Frome Town   

Match Report by Dave Pyzer  

The Centurions first home match of the new season was a mid-week fixture against comparative near neighbours FROME TOWN.

Last season ‘The Robins’ finished in 16^th place in the table, one below Cirencester, but obtained  4 points against them with a 3-2 victory at ‘The Blindmans Brewery Stadium’ and a 1-1 draw at The Corinium Stadium. In their opening match of the season Frome secured a home victory against promoted Hayes & Yeading 2-1.

The Cirencester starting eleven had three changes from the team that opened the season at Leamington as it included Leigh Henry at centre back, Adam Connolly in midfield and Charlie Griffin up front. 

The visitors kicked-off, in perfect conditions, playing towards The Arena end of the ground but lost the ball almost immediately enabling Cirencester to counter attack and win a corner kick within the first minute that was comfortably defended.

A few minutes later the home side made a break down their right channel as Lee Smith carried the ball to the corner before crossing to the back post where Ollie Knight took it to the by-line before playing it back to Smith but the resulting cross was intercepted and cleared.

Cirencester had started positively and soon after produced a move involving several players as they worked the ball through midfield from left to right and forward.

Jono Davies, who was to prove a thorn in Cirencester’s side all match, responded with a break down the centre and as he approached the home penalty area he fired a right footed shot from 25 yards at the target but a partial block reduced its power - enabling Harvey Rivers to gather.       

Shortly afterwards Cirencester’s Scott Bevan sent a dipping pass over the Frome back line forcing them to turn towards their own goal.  As it dropped over Connor Roberts head he did well to volley it clear before Charlie Griffin could latch on to it.  

A few minutes later Frome opened the scoring via the penalty spot. A long ball down the left channel was chased by two Frome players but Matt Liddiard had read the danger and darted between them and reached the ball first facing the by-line. The ball bounced up and Liddiard moved his shoulder as he turned to his left, towards the touchline, to clear. The referee, Matthew Rushton, some 30 yards away in a direct line behind Liddiard somehow decided it was hand-ball and much to the surprise of the home team and supporters pointed to the penalty spot. JONO DAVIES drove the spot kick inside the left post as Rivers dived in the opposite direction.  0-1.

Cirencester continued to press down their left flank as a Bevan throw-in found Knight and he produced a sharp turn and cross from the by-line that Kris Miller headed behind for a corner kick. The kick was defended but Cirencester were soon back again but to no avail.

Ollie Knight then popped up on the right flank and carried the ball along the by-line before pulling it back into the path of James Mortimer-Jones, to the right of the penalty spot, and his header towards the bottom of the right post required a diving save from Darren Chitty to keep it out.

Despite the pressure from Cirencester it was Frome who nearly increased their lead as a Davies free kick cleared the home defence and dropped at the feet of a surprised Michael Bryant but his effort struck the right post, rebounded and was gathered by Rivers.

Back came Cirencester with some passing football that moved the ball down the left flank but Bevan’s eventual cross was defended. This was soon followed by Kyle Lapham overlapping on the right and crossing to the penalty spot for Knight to head and Chitty to catch.

Cirencester midfielders James Mortimer-Jones and Chris Taylor then had efforts from 22 yards that were narrowly wide of the target. The former over the bar and the latter the right post.

With seven minutes of the half remaining Frome increased their lead when a free kick on their left flank was launched towards the penalty spot where MITCHELL PAGE managed to get between two home defenders and, despite their attentions, direct his header into the top left corner of the net.  0-2.

The home side pressed again a couple more times before the interval but the Frome defence was in determined mood and refused to be breached.

Half Time:       0 – 2

The Centurions started the second half strongly and four minutes after the break had pulled a goal back as pressure on the left flank led to Knight darting to the by-line and crossing to the centre front edge of the 6 yard box where LEE SMITH, under pressure, managed to head home.  1-2.   

Up to the mid-point of the half Cirencester enjoyed plenty of possession around the half way line and in the Frome half as they pressed forward, down the slope, but the visitors held firm and countered with two breaks from the dangerous Davies. The first produced a shot from 25 yards that was deflected for Rivers to catch and the second from a similar distance flew over the home bar.

During this period Ross Langworthy, who had replaced Adam Connolly, made a strong 40 yard run down the right flank and as he neared the corner he crossed to the back post where Griffin got his head to the ball under pressure from two defenders but his effort went narrowly wide of the left post.  

Frome then thought they had scored a third after a flowing move on their right flank involving Page and Davies ended with Bryant putting the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside.

Cirencester countered and Griffin, near the penalty spot, laid the ball back to Mortimer-Jones who struck a fierce drive from the front edge of the area that Chitty managed to parry but Mortimer-Jones recovered the ball and once again fired at goal. Chitty saved with his legs and the danger was cleared.

Almost immediately Frome launched a long ball to the left corner that the willing Davies chased down, turned at the by-line, and crossed to the right channel front edge of the home penalty area where DAN CLEVERLEY was supporting and he struck a sublime right footed volley inside the left post. 1-3.

Cirencester had a couple of opportunities after this but it was not their day and in the last six minutes Frome began to play ‘keep-ball’ near the right corner as they ran the clock down.

With three minutes of normal time remaining George Miller over-lapped on the right to the by-line and pulled the ball back for JAKE JACKSON to complete the scoring with a finish at the near post.

Final Score:     1 - 4

Cirencester started both periods well and produced some flowing football but they were unable to break down a stubborn, well organised and determined Frome defence.

Frome looked dangerous throughout as they moved forward with Jono Davies prominent.

Attendance:     124

Referee:          Matthew Rushton

Cirencester Town: