Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Match Report by Dave Pyzer
The latest visitors to The Corinium Stadium were Slough Town who have had a solid start to their League campaign, having obtained 10 points from their 5 games, and prior to this match were in 5th place in the Premier Division table.
The home side had a couple of changes to their starting eleven as Scott Bevan (Tonsillitis) and James Mortimer-Jones (holiday) were unavailable and as a result the versatile Aidan Bennett moved across from right to left back, Kyle Lapham came in at right back and Adam Connolly took the berth in midfield.
Before the match spectators were entertained by The Phoenix Flames cheerleaders who did well to perform their routine in difficult conditions due to the downpour in the lead-up to the kick-off. Their performance and commitment was warmly appreciated by all.
Slough kicked-off proceedings playing towards the Arena end of the ground and launched the ball to the left corner. From the goal kick that followed Harvey Rivers sent the ball up his right flank where Matt Liddiard headed it on to Charlie Griffin and he in turn moved it on to Ross Langworthy further down the flank. Paul Stonehouse covered for the visitors and returned the ball back to the left corner and a smart exchange of passes between Simon Dunn and Lewis Putman led to a dangerous cross into the home penalty area from Putman.
The positive start from Slough was rewarded four minutes into the match when a through ball down the right channel was collected by GAVIN JAMES and he calmly placed his right footed shot inside the far left post to give his side a very early lead. 0-1.
Cirencester responded to the setback three minutes later as Griffin shot wide of the right post when well placed and Ollie Knight made darting runs down the left flank that resulted in crosses and ‘half-chances’ for Langworthy who shot over the bar on the turn.
The early goal gave Slough a platform and confidence to play positive football as it put Cirencester on the ‘back-foot’ and they took full advantage as 15 minutes into the match Dunn drove down the centre of the pitch and into the home penalty area where Adam Connolly blocked his shot to concede a corner kick. Lewis Putman took the kick from the left and a rehearsed move where the Slough players grouped together on the front edge of the penalty area before darting to pre-determined positions followed. Harvey Rivers managed to punch the ball clear.
As the mid-point of the half approached Slough were awarded a throw-in on their right flank, level with the penalty spot, and Guy Hollis produced a huge throw that sent the ball to the penalty spot where James blasted over the bar.
Shortly afterwards Slough won another throw-in on their right flank and once again Hollis launched it into the home penalty area. This time Warren Harris collected the ball and fired his shot towards the inside of the left post but Rivers dived full length to push it round his post for a corner kick that was cleared down the Cirencester left flank.
Slough were soon back again as they moved the ball from left flank to right corner with quick, crisp passing but Cirencester stood firm.
Into the final ten minutes and Liddiard moved the ball out to Langworthy on the right flank, back to Kyle Lapham, returned to Langworthy, deep cross to Knight on the far side of the Slough penalty area. Knight did well to keep the ball in play as he headed it away from goal for Griffin to collect and be awarded a free kick on the central front edge of the area. Griffin and Chris Taylor lined up the kick from 20 yards and after Taylor stepped over the ball Griffin fired a curling right footed shot towards the inside of the right post only to see Mark Scott dive full length to his left to push it round his post. When the corner kick came in Griffin headed wide of the left post.
Six minutes from the interval Knight produced a superb sharp turn in the Slough area that beat two defenders in one move to create space for a cross to the far post for Griffin. The experienced striker headed it back towards the penalty spot but Slough managed to intercept and clear.
With a minute of the half remaining Liddiard won the ball in the centre circle and played a terrific pass into the path of Langworthy as he darted to the front right corner of the Slough penalty area. Langworthy collected the pass, cut left, then right, before firing a low right footed shot wide of the far post.
Half Time: 0 – 0
Slough started the second half in positive fashion and the Cirencester defence was put under immense pressure with Ben Brown and James Coates particularly prominent as they put their bodies on the line to block.
Somewhat against the run of play the home side levelled the score when a lurking CHARLIE GRIFFIN intercepted a ‘back-pass’ meant for ‘keeper Scott, down the Cirencester right channel, and after rounding the charging ‘keeper - forcing him wide to the right side edge of the Slough penalty area - he calmly tucked the ball inside the far left post from a very narrow angle. 1-1.
Four minutes later Slough restored their lead after a counter attack and a cross-field pass from Charlie Moone picked out LEWIS PUTMAN in space in the left channel of the Cirencester penalty area and he placed a low left footed shot inside the far right post. 1-2.
Cirencester responded with a counter attack down their left flank that led to Connolly firing over the bar from 25 yards and a Knight cross from the left flank that reached Griffin at the back post but he headed wide of the post.
As the game entered the final ten minutes Slough increased their lead as Harris carried the ball to the by-line on the right and crossed to the back post. Rivers jumped to punch the ball out but it evaded his finger-tips and GAVIN JAMES was on hand to head home off the inside of the left post. 1-3.
Four minutes later Slough had the ball in the back of the home net again but it was ruled out for ‘handball’.
With four minutes to go Lee Smith sent a free kick from the left flank to the back post where Griffin headed wide of the target.
Cirencester were finishing strongly and it was the turn of Slough to defend resolutely as Langworthy crossed from the right by-line to Smith at the back post but his effort was blocked for a corner kick from the left.
Aidan Bennett then struck a fierce right footed shot from 30 yards that fizzed wide of the left post.
On the stroke of fulltime Slough counter attacked as Moone broke to the right corner and crossed for Putman to collect in space near the penalty spot for a 1 v 1 with Rivers. The ‘keeper was the victor as he stayed large and saved with his legs before gathering the ball.
A minute later Kallum Youngsam produced some clever footwork on the front right corner of the Slough area that took him past his markers enabling him to cross to the far post where a charging Liddiard saw his shot blocked and cleared.
Final Score: 1 - 0
Slough Town displayed the reason why they are at the top end of the table with a complete performance and Cirencester showed resolve to ‘hang in there’ when put under severe pressure.
The home side created some good chances and hopefully once they begin to convert them they will collect some points.
Attendance: 125
Referee: Robert Cockle
Cirencester Town:
1. Harvey Rivers
2. Kyle Lapham
3. Aidan Bennett
4. James Coates
5. Matt Liddiard (C)
6. Ben Brown
7. Chris Taylor
8. Adam Connolly
9. Charlie Griffin 65
10. Ollie Knight
11. Ross Langworthy
12. Lee Smith (Ollie Knight -72mins)
14. Kalum Youngsam (Chris Taylor-82mins)
15. Jody Bevan
Slough Town:
1. Mark Scott
2. Sean Fraser (C)
3. Paul Stonehouse
4. Guy Hollis
5. Mark Nisbet
6. Lee Togwell
7. Lewis Putman 69
8. Simon Dunn
9. Lee Barney
10. Gavin James 4, 80
11. Warren Harris
12. Josh Jackman (Warren Harris-85mins)
14. Brad Hewitt (Guy Hollis-82mins)
15. Nathan Webb
16. James Dobson
17. Charlie Moone (Lee Barney-67mins)