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 visited Glevum Park to face Hellenic League Premier Division side Tuffley Rovers – who finished in 10th position last term - for their latest Pre-Season Friendly match and came away with a 3-3 draw after leading 3-1 in an entertaining, competitive match. The Gloucester team are managed by former Centurions Mark Pritchett and Shayne Anson.
The visitors had a number of new faces in the starting line-up with former Cirencester Academy goalkeeper Arie Peursum between the sticks, trialists Taylor Cordell (right back) and Gaye Hinsa (midfield), Development Team players Max Arnold (left back) and Sam Walsh (striker) all making their first appearances alongside Ellis Dunton, Mason Lewis (defence), James Mortimer-Jones, Henry Spalding and Connor Teague (midfield) and Felipe Barcelos (striker).
Almost immediately from the kick-off Cirencester had the ball and mounted an attack down their right flank with Sam Walsh and Felipe Barcelos combining.
Six minutes into the match Cirencester had a scare when Warren Mann intercepted a throw from ‘keeper Arie Peursum and slipped the ball right to Jamal Lawrence who fired high over the bar from the centre front edge of the penalty area.
A minute later Cirencester opened the scoring as Barcelos received the ball in the left channel, 25 yards out, and ‘scooped’ it to CONNOR TEAGUE as he darted toward the front edge of the home penalty area. Teague collected the pass and calmly slipped it inside the left post as the ‘keeper, Dave Evans, advanced. 0-1.
Shortly afterwards trialist Gaye Hinsa produced a sparkling 20 yard run of pace and balance as he evaded challenges to enter the home penalty area and fire a right footed shot against the right post.
During the first quarter Cirencester were looking lively and moving the ball quickly whilst Tuffley were dangerous on the break down their flanks but once they neared the penalty area Mason Lewis and Ellis Dunton, in the centre of the back four, dealt with any threat to start the build-up process again.
As the half hour approached the home side were beginning to have more of the ball with Courtney Hamilton prompting from the centre of the park and feeding Brett James on the right flank in particular.
A move down their left flank reached Ashley Davies, near the left channel front edge of the Cirencester penalty area, and he laid the ball back to Liam Wright who carried it in an arcing run into the right channel of the area with Hinsa in hot pursuit resulting in a partial block and corner kick.
A few minutes later Tristan Haswell advanced down the left flank, pushed the ball past his marker and with determination chased after it to collect inside the side edge of the penalty area before sending a low cross towards the far post where ASHLEY DAVIES darted forward to convert from the edge of the 6 yard box. 1-1.
Half Time: 1-1
Four minutes from the interval Aidan Bennett had replaced Henry Spalding (ankle injury) and during the break Adam Connolly replaced Connor Teague otherwise the players and formation remained the same for the second half.
Within minutes of the re-start Cirencester should have regained the lead as Walsh had two stabs at goal from the centre front edge of the 6 yard box but the ball got stuck under his feet enabling Evans to pick it up.
The home response was a deep cross from Mann, on the left flank, to the back post where Davies was arriving at pace but he sliced his volley wide of the right post.
During the next few minutes both ‘keepers were called into action as Peursum parried a shot from Mann and Evans saved a Barcelos effort after Walsh had slipped him through on goal.
Just after the hour mark Cirencester did regain the lead as BEN WHITEHEAD, who had only been on the pitch a few minutes, received the ball from Bennett some 35 yards out and without hesitating struck a fierce, low left footed drive that clipped the inside of the left post on its way into net. 1-2.
Before the re-start Cirencester made their fourth change since the interval and as a result Bennett moved to left back.
At the mid-point of the half Bennett received the ball from Jack Horrell, as he over-lapped down the left flank, and cut right into the area before unleashing a right footed shot that rebounded off the far post.
At this stage Cirencester were comfortably passing the ball around the pitch and with fifteen minutes to go Alan Griffin laid the ball off to FELIPE BARCELOS, ten yards inside the Cirencester half, and he charged down the left channel to the front edge of the area before cutting right and placing his shot inside the right post. 1-3.
Undaunted Tuffley pulled a goal back three minutes later when Lawrence crossed from the right to the far post where Shayne Bradley headed the ball back to a supporting SAM HILL who was on hand to head home from the edge of the 6 yard box. 2-3.
With nothing to lose Tuffley pressed down their right flank again and Lawrence, near the right corner, squared the ball to SHAYNE BRADLEY, right channel front edge of the penalty area, who struck a fierce shot into the top right corner to level the score. 3-3.
Full Time: 3-3
This was a very entertaining and competitive game with flowing football and some superbly taken goals.
Cirencester made seven changes to their personnel during the second half and this disrupted their rhythm but credit to Tuffley who never gave it up and showed tremendous resilience as they finished the game in the ascendancy against what was by then a strong Cirencester eleven.
Tuffley Rovers:
Dave Evans, Sam Hill, Tristan Haswell, Shayne Anson, Courtney Hamilton, Ben Tunnicliff, Warren Mann, Ashley Davies, Jamal Lawrence, Alex O’Leary, Brett James, Shayne Bradley, Jamie Goodwin, Liam Wright, Christian Manners, Mark Pritchett, Jack Overthrow.
Cirencester Town:
Arie Peursum, Taylor Cordell, Ellis Dunton, Mason Lewis, Max Arnold, James Mortimer-Jones, Connor Teague, Gaye Hinsa, Henry Spalding, Sam Walsh, Felipe Barcelos, Adam Connolly, Aidan Bennett, Jordan Stoddart, Alan Griffin, Ryan Elliott, Ben Whitehead, Jack Watts, Jack Horrell.