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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
This match was the fourth between the sides this season and the results to date are very even with a win each and a draw although the last encounter took place at The Corinium Stadium and ‘The Rovers’ ran out convincing 4-0 winners in the FA Trophy replay in October.
In terms of current form – based on the ‘6-match form guide’ – Paulton sit in 12th place in the table whilst Cirencester were 4th prior to this is game. Their league positions are 16th and 13th respectively and there is an eleven point gap but Paulton have 3 games in hand over their hosts.
Following the tough mid-week encounter on the heavy pitch at Bishops Cleeve the Cirencester Manager, Charlie Griffin, made one change to the starting eleven with Henry Spalding taking the place of James Mortimer-Jones as the 3G pitch suits the ‘silky’ skills of the youngster.
Cirencester kicked off and made a very sloppy start as a loose pass in the opening 10 seconds led to a free kick for the visitors in a central position 20 yards out. Fortunately for them Josh Morgan-Williams effort was easily saved by Thom Jonkerman.
The home side responded immediately as Aidan Bennett flashed a shot just wide of the left post.
Paulton had started confidently and after the busy opening minute, with efforts at both ends, they soon won a corner kick on their right flank that former Chippenham Town left back, Nuno Felix, sent low to the near post where Jonkerman did well to keep it out. The ball was recycled back to Felix and he sent a deep cross towards the far left post where SAM HEDGES rose to head into the top left corner. 0-1.
Within a couple of minutes Cirencester made a break down their left flank as Bennett drove to the corner and sent a low cross toward the penalty spot where Ben Whitehead was steaming-in to support but the prolific striker glanced his effort narrowly wide of the right post with his right foot.
During these early minutes Bennett was particularly busy down the left flank but his game ended prematurely after 20 minutes when he was injured – to be replaced by Alan Griffin.
Just before his departure as Cirencester pressed again with Ellis Dunton and Whitehead in support the visitors countered down their right flank leading to a low cross from David Sims that passed through the home penalty area with Jack Ball just unable to reach it.
Minutes later Sims was there again as he cut the ball back from the by-line but it was deflected behind its intended target and the danger cleared.
At the mid-point of the half Griffin headed the ball inside to Mike Pook who fed Tommy Ouldridge as he raced down the centre to the left channel front edge of the Paulton area where he fired wide of the left post.
Cirencester came close to equalising shortly afterwards when Henry Spalding sent a curling free kick from the right channel, 25 yards out, towards the top left corner forcing a ‘finger-tip’ save from Andrew Hannah to keep it out. Mike Pook’s resulting corner kick from the left reached Alex Albert at the back post and his powerful header struck the right post and rebounded for a ‘throw-in’ in the right corner.
Whilst the hosts were pressing Paulton were still very dangerous on the break and Sims was released down the right flank where he got the better of a couple of defenders before slipping the ball inside to Jack Ball who sent a low shot past the far left post from the right channel of the area.
Undeterred Cirencester continued to push forward in search of an equaliser and five minutes before the scheduled break they were rewarded by a goal of simplicity in terms of its execution.
Alex Albert intercepted a Paulton pass in a central position 15 yards inside his half and quickly moved it forward to Spalding, just inside the Paulton half. Spalding took one glance and spotting the visitors defence to be high and flat he sent a perfectly weighted pass down the left channel for BEN WHITEHEAD to latch on to and drive forward to the edge of the area before clinically finishing inside the left post. 1-1.
In the final few minutes of the half Paulton reacted positively to the setback as Sims crossed from the right for Jonkerman to punch out and when the ball dropped Mitch Tippins fired a half volley over the bar and on the stroke of half time a Kyle Knott cross from the right was headed wide of the left post by Josh Ford.
Half Time: 1-1
The visitors came out of the blocks for the second half instantly as Sims drove into the home penalty area but his progress was blocked and it wasn’t long before Cirencester attacked down their left flank as Dunton over-lapped to have his cross cut-out for a corner kick that Hannah punched clear for a throw on the right flank.
During the next few minutes Cirencester worked the ball forward with purpose as Whitehead’s shot was blocked, Tommy Anderson fired over the bar, Spalding’s low cross and Ouldridge’s shot were safely gathered by Hannah.
Just on the hour mark Cirencester survived a scare as Morgan-Williams collected the ball to the left of the penalty spot and fired wide of the left post.
This was soon followed by a free kick from the left flank that Dale Evans sent towards the penalty spot for Griffin to defend as he headed over his own bar to concede a corner kick that was defended by Pook.
At the mid-point of the half Dunton played the ball down the left flank to Whitehead who carried it to the front edge of the Paulton area where a covering challenge produced a corner kick that was defended.
Cirencester were now playing with the confidence seen in recent weeks on the 3G surface – producing some flowing football as they worked the ball forward. Tommy Anderson who had been having a tremendous tussle with the experienced Felix was beginning to find more space as he sent crosses into the visitor’s area. One of these resulted in a corner kick that Spalding sent to the near post where Dunton headed narrowly wide under pressure from Joe Hillard.
As Cirencester pressed Paulton were dangerous on the counter and when Hillard broke down the right he slipped the ball left to Morgan-Williams who fired over the bar from the edge of the home area.
A minute later Cirencester had the goal they had been searching for. Tommy Ouldridge battled with two opponents on the right front corner of the Paulton area and was rewarded for his effort as he managed to poke the ball along the edge towards BEN WHITEHEAD who wasted no time in smashing a low shot inside the bottom right corner – giving Hannah absolutely no chance to save. 2-1.
A couple of minutes later Griffin headed the ball into the path of Whitehead as he burst down the centre and on to the front edge of the area and as Hannah advanced the striker aimed his shot towards the bottom right corner. The ‘keeper dived left to push it wide not realising that Anderson was charging forward in support. In his haste the winger struck his shot over the bar.
Back came Cirencester as Dunton released Whitehead again and this time the striker fired narrowly over the top left corner from the front edge of the area.
Cirencester had had the chance to kill the game off but hadn’t and Paulton made a determined effort to make them pay in the last few minutes as crosses were sent into the home box. On the stroke of the scheduled 90 minutes Paulton were awarded a free kick on the left that resulted in a corner kick so they sent everyone forward, including their ‘keeper. This was defended for a second corner kick and once again Cirencester survived as in their eagerness Paulton committed a foul and the resultant free kick eased the pressure until the final whistle.
Full Time: 2-1
Yet another exciting game at The Corinium Stadium from two committed sides.
Cirencester will be pleased to have obtained the points against tough opponents and in the last two games have shown the resilience and character to ‘dig a result out’.
Attendance: 121 Referee: Craig Scriven (Somerset)
Cirencester Town:
1. Thom Jonkerman
2. Will Christopher
3. Ellis Dunton
4. Michael Pook
5. Alexandru Albert
6. Tommy Ouldridge
7. Tommy Anderson
8. Adam Connolly (C)
9. Aidan Bennett
10. Ben Whitehead 40, 83
11. Henry Spalding
12. Alan Griffin (Aidan Bennett-20mins)
14. Max Lloyd
15. James Mortimer-Jones (Henry Spalding-85mins)
16. Mason Lewis
17. Scott Rose (GK)
Paulton Rovers:
1. Andrew Hannah
2. Kyle Knott
3. Nuno Felix
4. Sam Hedges 7
5. Josh Ford (C)
6. Mitch Tippins
7. David Sims
8. Dale Evans
9. Jack Ball
10. Josh Morgan-Williams
11. Josh Cann
12. Omar Simpson (Jack Ball-70mins)
14. Joe Hillard (David Sims-77mins)
15. Joe Guest
16. Joe Chandler (Sam Hedges-58mins)
17. James Byrne