Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Courtesy of Steve Rolfe Photography
Match Report by Dave Pyzer
For the fourth time this season Cirencester faced ‘play-off’ chasing Banbury United - but full of optimism despite having lost on the three previous occasions as a result of their improved performance at Hitchin Town on Monday – and gave their hosts a run for their money.
Prior to this match Banbury were 6th in both the Premier Division table and the ‘6-Match Form Guide’ table whilst Cirencester were 23rd and 16th respectively.
To cover the absence of Glyn Garner the Management Team had secured the services of goal-keeper Connor Thompson (ex Gloucester City, Chippenham Town, North Leigh). Both Dan Demkiv and Kerry Morgan returned to the starting eleven and the versatile Aidan Bennett switched to right back in his 251st game for the Club. The formation however remained 4-4-2 with Demkiv taking the role alongside Alan Griffin as Manager Charlie Griffin returned to the bench so that he could assess proceedings.
Cirencester kicked off but it was Banbury who mounted the first attack as Tom Winters played the ball down the left channel for Manny Duku to collect but as he crossed Matt Coupe had read the danger and was on hand to intercept.
A few minutes later Cirencester threatened down their left flank as Kerry Morgan and an overlapping Ellis Dunton exchanged passes in the corner before Morgan drove to the by-line and crossed. Alan Griffin looked to get on the end of the cross resulting in the first corner kick of the match that Banbury successfully defended.
The first serious attempt at goal came from Dan Demkiv as he fired a shot from the front edge of the penalty area narrowly wide of the right post.
The match had started at a fair pace and it was the home side that retained possession for a period as they searched for an opening, eventually winning a corner kick from the right. As the kick came in it rebounded of a Cirencester defender into the path of LUKE CARNELL who wasted no time in prodding it towards goal, from right of the penalty spot, where it struck the outstretched foot of ‘stand-in’ goal-keeper Connor Thompson and into the net behind his left post. 1-0.
Cirencester responded by attacking down their right flank with a move involving Henry Spalding, Aidan Bennett, Adam Connolly and Demkiv who crossed from the corner to the front edge of the 6 yard box where the opportunity was missed.
During the next ten minutes Cirencester created another couple of chances as Bennett moved left along the front edge of the home penalty area and shot – blocked – fed to Morgan who fired narrowly wide of the left post. This was soon to be followed by a free kick near the right front corner of the Banbury area that Spalding sent into the box – it was cleared to a waiting James Mortimer-Jones who laid it to Morgan who drove the ball into the side netting.
On the half hour Matt Coupe won a challenge, near halfway, and slipped the ball to Spalding who flicked it into the path of Demkiv as he raced to the right by-line before crossing but Jack Westbrook was in position to intercept at the near post.
Five minutes later Banbury were awarded a free kick that reached Ricky Johnson who headed wide of the right post.
During the last five minutes of the half there was a flurry of activity at both ends - as Zac McEachran kept the ball despite several challenges as he made progress down the left channel and Bennett crossed from the right by-line to the back post resulting in a long ‘throw-in’ from the left flank into the penalty area that the home side survived - but no further goals.
Half Time: 1-0
Almost immediately from the re-start Cirencester had a pot at goal as Alan Griffin headed the ball into the path of Morgan who wasted no time in firing towards the left post where Jack Harding made a good save.
Cirencester continued to push forward and Alan Griffin was presented with a 1 v 1 with the ‘keeper that Harding blocked with the ball rebounding to Morgan who chipped it towards the top right corner. Harding did very well to get back and push it wide of his goal but the danger wasn’t over as Demkiv collected the ball and moved away before turning and sending it to Alan Griffin, near the penalty spot, who headed it towards the bottom left corner. Harding dived to his right and ‘scooped’ the ball away from his goal and despite strong appeals the officials ignored claims that it had crossed the line.
To make matters worse for Cirencester a few minutes later CONOR McDONAGH looked to be ‘offside’ when he collected the ball behind their back line, right channel, and moved forward before confidently tucking it inside the far left post to double their score. 2-0.
Whilst Cirencester were still feeling aggrieved Jack Self burst forward and fired a shot that struck the left post before being cleared. This was followed by a deep cross from the left flank that reached Winters at the back post but his effort was blocked by Dunton for a corner kick.
At the mid-point of the half Demkiv received the ball on the right flank, twisted and turned to create space for a cross to Bennett as he darted towards the front edge of the 6 yard box. Bennett’s header passed narrowly over the home crossbar.
Three minutes later the home side had a clear chance to increase their lead as Winters received a pass on the left flank, drew Matt Liddiard and slipped the ball inside to Ricky Johnson. The striker blasted his effort high over the bar from the edge of the penalty area as a covering Dunton closed in.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes Charlie Griffin entered the fray and looked poised to get on the end of a DAN DEMKIV cross from the right flank. His presence was enough to distract Harding and the ball went directly into the back of the net, inside the left post. 2-1.
Encouraged Cirencester increased the pressure and when Liddiard released Bennett to the left side edge of the home penalty area his cross went through the 6 yard box untouched and wide of the far right post.
Seven minutes of normal time to go and Demkiv again crossed from the right – Harding punched, another header towards goal – Harding punched again but struck Johnson with his follow through – down he went. Ball cleared, game stopped and Johnson received attention.
One minute into ‘added-time’ and Cirencester pressure resulted in a corner kick from their left that Bennett sent into the area where it bobbed about like a cork in the sea with headers and blocks before eventually being cleared.
Three minutes into ‘added-time’ and a Banbury clearance kick was collected by McDonagh on halfway and he charged towards the Cirencester area, down the right flank, before rolling his shot wide of the far post.
A minute later it was all over and Banbury had the result that keeps their ‘play-off’ hopes alive whilst Cirencester could only ponder what they have to do to score.
Full Time: 2-1
A very entertaining game for the neutral.
Plenty of effort from Cirencester against a well organised side in a decent run of form.
The home ‘keeper was the busier of the two on view and made several good saves to keep Cirencester at bay.
Next up the very important home clash with St. Neots who secured a narrow victory over Redditch to move them up to 19th in the table.
Attendance: 374
Referee: Matthew Law (Leicester).
Banbury United:
1. Jack Harding
2. Eddie Odhiambo
3. Tom Bradbury
4. Marvin Martin
5. Jack Westbrook
6. Luke Carnell 18
7. Zac McEachran
8. Jack Self
9. Ricky Johnson
10. Manny Duku
11. Tom Winters
12. Callum White (Tom Winters-82mins)
14. Darius Browne
15. Mark Bell
16. Adrian Boitos
17. Conor McDonagh (Manny Duku-46mins) 57
Cirencester Town:
1. Connor Thompson
2. Aidan Bennett
3. Ellis Dunton
4. James Mortimer-Jones
5. Matt Liddiard (C)
6. Matt Coupe
7. Henry Spalding
8. Adam Connolly
9. Alan Griffin
10. Dan Demkiv 77
11. Kerry Morgan
12. Ryan Elliott
14. Kieran Diaz-Benitez (Kerry Morgan-60mins)
15. Lewis Thompson
16. Charlie Griffin (Henry Spalding-76mins)
17. Scott Rose (GK)