Cirencester Town FC
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Match Report by Dave Pyzer
The third match of The Centurions pre-season preparations brought last season’s Southern League Premier Division Champions Hereford FC to The Corinium Stadium. As a result of their success ‘The Bulls’ will perform in the National League North for Season 2018-19 and this fixture is part of their preparations.
The Cirencester starting eleven contained four trialists - ‘keeper Luke Merchant, Dan Wheeler and Josh Beadle making their first starts, and Jordan Morris (started at Longlevens) - although they have all taken part in the previous friendlies.
The average age of the Cirencester back five is 21 years and unfortunately they got off to the worst possible start - conceding a goal within the first minute as Harry White blocked a clearance near his left touchline, latched onto the rebound and squared the ball for JAMIE BIRD to drive inside the left post. 0-1.
The home side reacted well to this setback as openings were created for Josh Beadle, Henry Spalding and Jordan Morris to shoot at the target in the first 15 minutes but the visitors were lively and tested the young home defence with ‘keeper Luke Merchant pulling off three amazing, close range, reaction saves in succession to prevent Hereford doubling their lead.
Jennison Myrie-Williams cut left into the right channel of the home penalty area and fired a left footed shot towards the near post that Merchant parried back to him, his second attempt was also blocked by the young ‘keeper but fell to Bird (just outside the 6 yard box) and once again Merchant reacted quickly to block.
At the mid-point of the half the dangerous Myrie-Williams repeated his earlier move (cut left from the right flank, but a little further out) to shoot just wide of the top left corner of the target.
Hereford pressed with some slick passing but Cirencester were dangerous on the break and on a couple of occasions Ellis Dunton intercepted to release Aidan Bennett down the left flank and he was ably supported by an over-lapping Louis Spalding.
As the half hour approached Dan Wheeler fed Beadle who moved into the visitor’s penalty area but he delayed his shot and was forced wide and eventually crowded out.
Shortly afterwards Hereford worked the ball down their right flank as Myrie-Williams, Keiran Thomas and Calvin Dinsley combined but the final cross was cut out by the home defence enabling Henry Spalding to switch play from left to right with a superb 40 yard pass to Bennett that resulted in a corner kick. Hereford cleared for Bird to gallop 30 yards down the right channel with Wheeler in hot pursuit – eventually laying the ball back to Henry Spalding to start again.
Half Time: 0-1
During the interval Cirencester made a few changes as ‘keeper Matt Wieczorek, Mike Pook, Ben Whitehead, Tommy Anderson and U18’s player Owen Windsor came on.
Hereford also made four changes as Marko Radovanovic, Callum Sainty, Mike Symons and Lee Lucas replaced Martin Horsell, Calvin Dinsley, Harry White and Jamie Bird.
The first penalty area action came after three minutes as Mike Symons burst into the left channel and Adam Connolly produced a block to concede a corner kick.
Shortly afterwards both sides had efforts at goal – Ben Whitehead for Cirencester and Jennison Myrie-Williams for Hereford.
Around the hour mark Cirencester produced a couple of flowing moves down their right flank as Will Christopher and Tommy Anderson combined, ably assisted by Henry Spalding, and at the mid-point of the half Aidan Bennett nearly equalised as his ‘scooped’ effort from close range nearly cleared replacement ‘keeper Marko Radovanovic who did well to push it over for a corner kick.
Minutes later Hereford scored their second as LEE LUCAS fired a free kick, from near the left front corner of the home penalty area, inside the near post - past an unsighted Matt Wieczorek. 0-2.
This was quickly followed by an overlapping run and cross from the left corner by Lewis Hall that reached Symons who struck the crossbar from right of the penalty spot.
MIKE SYMONS was not to be denied however and as the game entered the final 15 minutes Myrie-Williams reached the right by-line to pull the ball back for Symons to finish from the edge of the 6 yard box. 0-3.
Despite being three down Cirencester continued to play their passing football as they worked the ball forward and with a few minutes remaining Whitehead made a typical surging run, following a sharp turn, but his shot was blocked to deny Cirencester a consolation goal.
Full Time: 0-3
A very entertaining game with plenty of flowing football as the teams work to improve their fitness.
Attendance: 156 Referee: Dale Wootton
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
Luke Merchant (Matt Wieczorek 45), Will Christopher, Ellis Dunton, Mason Lewis (Adam Connolly 45), Louis Spalding (Owen Windsor 45), Josh Beadle (Mike Pook 45), Dan Wheeler (Tommy Anderson 45), Henry Spalding, Alan Griffin (Ben Whitehead 45), Jordan Morris (Max Arnold 59), Aidan Bennett.
HEREFORD FC:
Martin Horsell (Marko Radovanovic 45), Kieran Thomas, Lewis Hall, Billy Murphy (Harry Franklin 63), Jordon Liburd, Danny Greenslade, Keyon Reffell (Adam Hockey 8 – Connor Johnstone 63), Calvin Dinsley (Callum Sainty 45), Harry White (Mike Symons 45), Jamie Bird (Lee Lucas 45), Jennison Myrie-Williams,