Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
55.png){kind=logo}
Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Courtesy of Steve Rolfe Photography
Match Report by Dave Pyzer
Cirencester returned to league action with a short trip down the M4 to meet Mangotsfield United and although they came away with a point it was an opportunity lost as the home side were reduced to 10 men after 30 minutes.
In terms of league positions and current form prior to the game Mangotsfield were in 21st position with 9 points from 12 games whilst Cirencester were 16th with 13 points from the same number of games. Current form, based on the ‘6-match form guide’ table places Mangotsfield 19th to Cirencester’s 16th so not a lot in it at present.
The Cirencester starting eleven had a couple of changes from the eleven that started the mid-week FA Trophy replay against Paulton Rovers. Matt Wieczorek is still troubled by the ankle he had in the first FA Trophy match at Paulton and as a result Charlie Griffin had recruited the services of Thom Jonkerman from Bristol Rovers for a month and he made his debut in goal. He would certainly be familiar with his surroundings having recently completed a loan stint at Mangotsfield. In addition the returning Ellis Dunton took a position alongside Jordan Stoddart in the back four enabling Adam Connolly to take his usual position in the centre of midfield instead of the centre of the back four.
The home side kicked off on a damp pitch following the rain earlier in the day and immediately attacked down their left flank to the corner but lost the ball for Cirencester to counter.
Mangotsfield were lively from the off as Kane Simpson charged down an attempted clearance and supplied Cameron Allen who struck his first-time shot over the bar. Minutes later Allen crossed from the left but it was cut-out enabling Henry Spalding to charge down the left channel to half way before passing to Ben Whitehead – out to Aidan Bennett on the left flank and a cross that Whitehead collected to shoot – blocked and a counter attack launched eventually leading to the first corner kick of the match. When the kick came in Allen’s shot was blocked by new ‘keeper Thom Jonkerman’s foot followed by a Will Christopher block.
As the fifteen minute mark approached Cirencester were beginning to get into the game and after Tommy Anderson intercepted a pass on half way he played the ball inside to Whitehead, left to Spalding as he drove forward, on to Bennett. Cirencester probed the Mangotsfield penalty area and Spalding laid the ball back to a supporting Matt Jones who sent a cross from the left channel, 25 yards out, to Anderson near the right front corner of the area. Anderson darted towards the by-line before sending a low cross into the 6 yard box where AIDAN BENNETT applied the finishing touch from a couple of yards. 0-1.
Encouraged Cirencester pressed down the right flank with Anderson in particular causing the home defence some problems with his pace and quick feet.
At the mid-point of the half Jonkerman sent the ball to Whitehead on half-way, back to Jack Horrell who struck a superb 35 yard pass for Anderson to collect in the right corner and more pressure that he home side survived. Shortly afterwards the lively Anderson made a break down the centre and into the penalty area for a 1v1 with ‘keeper George Dorrington who advanced and managed to get a block on the winger’s shot with the ball rebounding up into his arms.
Just before the half hour mark Mangotsfield were reduced to ten men as Nick Peare who had been very busy during the opening exchanges, in attack and defence, was awarded a straight Red Card following a contact that left Bennett with a 2” gash on the top of his head. A loose ball bounced left of centre, 25 yards out, and the defender attempted to clear but his out-stretched foot made contact with Bennett as he too darted forward to collect the ball.
Whilst Bennett received treatment Mangotsfield sacrificed Jay Malpas to bring on defender Jordan Williams and then Bennett was replaced by Michael Pook.
With the extra man Cirencester pressed as the half was drawing to a close with Whitehead collecting a ball down the centre for a 1v1 with Dorrington near the penalty spot. The ‘keeper forced Whitehead wide and from a narrow angle, near the left side edge of the 6 yard box, Whitehead turned quickly and instantly fired towards goal but his effort struck the outside of the far right post and was cleared.
Despite being a man down Mangotsfield were dangerous on the break with Jake Gardner sending a deep cross into the box that Jordan Stoddart headed clear under pressure.
A free kick soon followed and again it was sent into the visitor’s box to be cleared to Spalding who charged down the left channel before slipping the ball left to Anderson. The winger carried it forward into the home penalty area and as Dorrington advanced he struck a powerful shot that crashed against the crossbar and rebounded out.
On the stroke of half-time there was action at both ends as Anderson fed Horrell, in space in the right channel of the area, and his fierce shot towards the right post was blocked by Dorrington and a counter attack launched that resulted in a Simpson shot from the left channel of the area being blocked by Jonkerman and a follow-up effort being taken off the toe of George Lloyd by Ellis Dunton.
Half Time: 0-1
During the interval Mangotsfield brought on another defender, Ollie Price, in place of Cameron Allen and rearranged their formation to a back three and within the opening couple of minutes they were awarded a corner kick that reached Simpson who blazed over the bar.
Eight minutes into the half Cirencester won the first of the many corner kicks they were to have during the half but failed to take advantage and as they had plenty of possession a feature of their play was the switching of play from flank to flank but Mangotsfield stood firm whilst mounting quick counter attacks – particularly down their right flank with Gardner often involved.
Just before the mid-point of the half the home side created an opening for Simpson near the left front corner of the Cirencester 6 yard box but Dunton got across to partially block his shot enabling Jonkerman to gather.
Shortly afterwards following a period of pressure and an overlap on the right flank involving Horrell and Christopher the visitors had another corner kick that the home side defended before countering through the busy Simpson who was faced by Adam Connolly 35 yards out, right flank. Connolly won the ball to end the threat and start a move for Cirencester that resulted in a corner kick on the right wing.
Cirencester continued to press and created a number of opportunities but the home defence blocked and blocked again.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes Mangotsfield’s Tom Warren fired over the bar and Simpson was unable to control a ball over the top and behind the Cirencester defence but minutes later a well worked move on their right flank produced the equalising goal. Charlie Maddison received the ball near the right channel front edge of the penalty area and faced with a couple of defenders he clipped a clever pass between them for Gardner to dart in from the right corner to collect. The full-back then sent a low cross into the 6 yard box where KANE SIMPSON finished from a few yards. 1-1.
Cirencester responded with yet more pressure as Whitehead, Spalding and Horrell fired at goal but the home side survived.
Into the last couple of minutes and Spalding was released by Whitehead to drive forward for a 1v1 with Dorrington. The ‘keeper blocked his first shot towards the bottom right corner and Spalding managed to recover the rebound but again his effort was blocked.
The final goal-mouth action was seconds before the end of the game as Dorrington produced a sensational diving save to his left to prevent a Dunton header that looked destined for the top right corner entering his net and secure a point for his team.
Full Time: 1-1
A game of plenty of attacks but little end product.
The ten men of Mangotsfield worked hard to keep Cirencester out whilst countering quickly to keep their visitors on their toes.
Cirencester produced some excellent approach play but were unable to break through a determined, resolute defence.
Attendance: 127 Referee: Ben Williamson (Melksham)
Mangotsfield United:
1. George Dorrington
2. Jake Gardner
3. Nick Peare
4. Robert Hobbs
5. Josh Nelmes (C)
6. Ed Weeks
7. Tom Warren
8. Cameron Allen
9. Kane Simpson 79
10. Jay Malpas
11. George Lloyd
12. Charlie Maddison (George Lloyd-64mins)
14. Jorda Williams (Jay Malpas-30mins)
15. Ollie Price (Cameron Allen-46mins)
16. Jake Sinclair
Cirencester Town:
1. Thom Jonkerman
2. Will Christopher
3. Matt Jones
4. Jack Horrell
5. Jordan Stoddart
6. Ellis Dunton
7. Tommy Anderson
8. Adam Connolly (C)
9. Aidan Bennett 18
10. Ben Whitehead
11. Henry Spalding
12. Mason Lewis
14. James Mortimer-Jones
15. Scott Rose (GK)
18. Michael Pook (Aidan Bennett-32mins)