Cirencester Town FC
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Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Courtesy of Steve Rolfe Photography
Match Report by Dave Pyzer
The spectators who managed to make it to The Corinium Stadium for the early kick-off, due to flood-light issues, were treated to a pulsating, ‘end-to-end’ game with plenty of flowing football for the purists and superb fitness levels as it was played at a fast pace for the full 90 minutes.
As in several of their recent matches Cirencester succumbed to a very late goal, but this time in unfortunate circumstances, to lose by the dreaded 2-1 score-line for the seventh time this season.
In terms of the season so far prior to the match Wimborne Town sat in 10th position in the West Division table and 8th in the ‘6-match form guide’ table whilst Cirencester were 17th and 22nd respectively.
During the last couple of weeks there have been a number of departures from the Cirencester squad as Matt Coupe has moved to Swindon Supermarine, Jordan Stoddart to Worcester City, and Matt Jones to Farnborough.
Incoming faces on view for the home fans were Thom Jonkerman (goal-keeper on loan from Bristol Rovers) and Alexandru Albert (centre back recruited from Worcester City) and the return of Ellis Dunton after his recent sojourn at Malmesbury Victoria.
Due to the departures previously mentioned Alexandru Albert stepped into the side in place of Jordan Stoddart, Mason Lewis came in alongside him and Ellis Dunton moved to left back to cover for the departed Matt Jones. Thom Jonkerman made his home debut due to the continued absence through injury of Matt Wieczorek. Also coming into the starting eleven was Michael Pook in place of Aidan Bennett who sustained an horrific head wound at Mangotsfield that required 7 staples to hold it together.
The conditions for the match were ideal - cool and overcast - and within minutes of kick-off Wimborne showed their intent as Jack Lovell was set free on the left side of the home penalty area and his close range shot was deflected wide of the far right post by Thom Jonkerman to be cleared.
Cirencester responded through Ben Whitehead who saw his shot deflected for a corner kick that passed through the penalty area without contact.
Back came the visitors with two efforts involving Toby Holmes – the first a low cross from the left by-line was pushed away and cleared but the second saw him latch onto a loose ball in space, 25 yards from goal - on the centre line, enabling him to drive forward to the home penalty area for a 1v1 with an advancing Jonkerman who forced him to go to his right and blocked his resulting shot from the narrower angle.
Cirencester hit back with a deep ball to the edge of the Wimborne penalty area that under pressure ‘keeper Gerard Benfield punched clear and as it dropped some 25 yards from goal, right channel, Tommy Anderson, seeing the ‘keeper off his line, attempted an instant, ambitious header towards goal. The ball seemed to be in the air for an age as everyone in the ground waited to see if it would drop under the bar and into the vacant net but the young winger had connected so well it cleared the cross-bar.
A few minutes later after some build-up play on the left flank Wimborne took the lead when BILLY MAYBURY received the ball 25 yards out, left channel, and fired a right footed thunderbolt that flew into the top right corner giving Jonkerman absolutely no chance to save. 0-1.
Within minutes of the setback Anderson cut–in from the right corner into the penalty area and fired a couple of left footed shots that were blocked but it had the effect of encouraging Cirencester to press more and mount attacks down their left flank as Jack Horrell, Henry Spalding and Ellis Dunton combined to work the ball to the corner and cross into the box – headed clear.
Just after the half hour Will Christopher galloped to the right corner and crossed to the back post where Spalding’s right footed effort was wide of the left post.
Cirencester were finishing the half strongly and a short corner and cross from the right by Spalding produced a strong appeal for hand-ball that went unheeded and resulted in a corner kick from the left. The strength of the appeal led to Michael Pook receiving a Yellow Card for his protestations.
With two minutes of normal time remaining Cirencester were awarded a free kick a few yards outside the Wimborne area, left of centre, and instead of sending it into the mix Horrell played a cleverly disguised ball to the left side edge of the area where Dunton struck a fierce shot at goal that Benfield parried. The follow-up shot was blocked and the danger cleared.
Half Time: 0-1
Cirencester had left the pitch with the ‘bit between their teeth’ and started the second half in similar fashion as Adam Connolly collected a ball just outside the Wimborne area and had a pot at goal. It struck and dropped into the path of Whitehead, right of the penalty spot, who fired towards the right post forcing Benfield to push it round for a corner kick.
The home side were moving the ball around the pitch fluidly with Pook often involved sending fast, low accurate passes to switch the point of attack or working the ball down the flanks from full-backs, through midfield to attackers and in the early period Spalding and Whitehead fired over the bar.
On the hour Cirencester worked the ball down the centre and right as Whitehead fed Spalding but his right footed shot from the edge of the area lacked the power to trouble the agile Benfield.
A couple of minutes later Pook sent a free kick from the right flank into the visitor’s area where Dunton headed down for Whitehead who was quickly closed down. The ball broke to Horrell but he too was challenged for the ball to land in the arms of the relieved Benfield.
The home side were increasing the pressure and Spalding was released by Whitehead into the penalty area but his low ‘cross-cum-shot’ passed though the front of the 6 yard box without contact.
Another burst down the right flank from Christopher also resulted in a low cross passing through the 6 yard box without contact.
At the mid-point of the half Wimborne were given the opportunity to increase their lead as Luke Burbidge rolled Mason Lewis just inside the home area and fell to ground with the Referee awarding a very fortunate penalty kick. Toby Holmes stepped up to take the kick and drove the ball down the centre where Jonkerman, diving to his right, somehow managed to block it with his legs. It rebounded to the left of the area (Wimborne viewpoint) where Lee Francis struck a superb left footed volley back at goal. Amazingly Jonkerman had recovered to his feet and managed to block that effort as well.
As is often the case a few minutes later the opponents score (Cirencester in this case).
Cirencester were awarded a free kick to the right of the Wimborne penalty area that Horrell sent to the back post where Spalding laid it off to Pook just outside the area, left front corner, and he promptly sent it to the right of the penalty spot for ELLIS DUNTON to head over Benfield and inside the left post. 1-1.
Shortly afterwards Cirencester felt they should have been awarded a penalty kick as Benfield pushed Anderson out of his way to catch a ball into the box but instead the Referee awarded the ‘keeper a Yellow Card for his protests about something.
Throughout the match Christopher and Anderson had been combining well as their understanding of one another’s play improves with the fullback often overlapping to the corner or supplying his winger and just after the incident with the ‘keeper Anderson went on a typical winger’s weaving run as he dribbled past four opponents and crossed towards the back post but unfortunately with no end product.
Into the last ten minutes a strong challenge by Dunton on Toby Holmes in the centre circle resulted in the ball breaking to Burbridge who burst into the home box for a 1v1 with Jonkerman that the ‘keeper won as he dived on the ball at Burbridge’s feet.
As the game entered the final minute of normal time Lewis, who had not let the penalty decision against him affect his game made two excellent tackles in his area to win the ball and clear the danger, blocked a shot on the line after Jonkerman had made the initial save - but all was undone immediately following this as Jonkerman rolled the ball along the ground in preparation to launch it up-field but he hadn’t noticed a lurking opponent who ran from behind him to pinch the ball. The ball broke to TOBY HOLMES who had the simple task of rolling it into the empty net. 1-2.
There was still time for another incident at the other end as Anderson carried the ball to the right corner and crossed for the ball to drop under the bar, near post. Alan Griffin, who had replaced Pook moments earlier for his first action since mid September, attacked the ball and bundled it into the net but was adjudged to have fouled Benfield in the process and a free kick was awarded.
Full Time: 1-2
Another terrific game of football for the independent spectator but the result was hard to take for the Cirencester faithful.
Both sides were a credit to non-league football.
The young on-loan ‘keeper Thom Jonkerman was distraught at the end of the game and it was good to see players from both sides trying to console him. He will surely learn from his mistake and he should take comfort from his outstanding performance during the rest of the game particularly his double save of the penalty kick.
There were a number of stand-out performances and Alexandru Albert can be pleased with his debut as he had only met his new team-mates once, at training on Tuesday, before the game.
Attendance: 128
Referee: Harry Moore
Cirencester Town:
1. Thom Jonkerman
2. Will Christopher
3. Ellis Dunton 76
4. Mason Lewis
5. Alexandru Albert
6. Michael Pook
7. Henry Spalding
8. Adam Connolly (C)
9. Jack Horrell
10. Ben Whitehead
11. Tommy Anderson
12. James Mortimer-Jones
14. Alan Griffin (Michael Pook-93mins)
Wimborne Town:
1. Gerard Benfield
2. Stefan Penny
3. Loyd Cole
4. Sam Davidson
5. Matty Oldring
6. Louis Kellaway
7. Billy Maybury (C) 19
8. Luke Holmes
9. Tobias Holmes 90
10. Luke Burbridge
11. Jack Lovell
12. Scott Arnold
13. David Walsh
14. James Stoke (Tobias Holmes-93mins)
16. Sam Bayston (Luke Holmes-77mins)
18. Lee Francis (Stefan Penny-68mins)