Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
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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
Cirencester hosted former tenants Gloucester City of The National League – South Division in the latest friendly match played at The Corinium Stadium.
Gloucester are managed by former Centurions Marc Richards and Will Morford.
The Cirencester starting eleven had a few changes from the match against Chippenham Town earlier in the week as Manager Charlie Griffin was keen to spread the action and give everyone some game time especially as there is another Friendly Match against Forest Green Rovers on Monday.
The first half was uneventful in terms of goals but the visitors took the game to Cirencester as Joe Hanks burst through near the left side edge of the penalty area to drive a fierce shot at the target – Matt Wieczorek blocked it and caught the rebound from the incoming Chris Knowles at close quarters.
Wieczorek was called into action shortly afterwards when Knowles latched onto an under-hit back-pass and the ‘keeper’s outstretched hand took it off his toe.
City were dominating possession with Cirencester mounting counter attacks down their flanks, especially during the second quarter, with Aidan Bennett and Ben Whitehead nearly getting on the end of the resultant crosses. Owen Windsor made ground at pace, from half-way to the left side edge of the City area, laid it back to Henry Spalding who crossed to the far post where ‘keeper Matt Yates caught it above Bennett’s head as he darted forward.
With ten minutes to the break Jamal Lawrence collected a pass near the penalty spot but Wieczorek was quickly out to block and when the ball rebounded to Jake Mawford he recovered to catch the resulting cross.
As the half was drawing to a close a neat City move involving Hanks, Mawford and Jake Jackson near the left front corner of the home penalty area created room for Mawford to shoot but once again Wieczorek made the catch.
A minute later the action was at the other end as Henry Spalding fired over from 30 yards and this was quickly followed by a series of passes between Whitehead, Windsor, Louis Spalding, Mason Lewis and Will Christopher that took the home side from left to right and down the line to Bennett where the latter was crowded out in the corner.
Half Time: 0-0
During the interval both sides made a couple of changes in personnel and within 5 minutes City opened the scoring following a Hanks free kick, just outside the penalty area – centre, that Wieczorek blocked at his right post but JAKE JACKSON was quickest to the rebound to finish from the centre front edge of the 6 yard box. 0-1.
Minutes later City were back again as a corner kick from the left was headed back into the mix for Sam Avery to poke towards goal but Will Christopher was in position to clear off the line.
Just after the hour Joe Hanks sent a curling pass, from the left channel - 25 yards out, towards the far right channel of the penalty area where Ben Seymour collected and cut back left but as he did so there was contact and he fell to ground and the Referee, Waldemar Malek, awarded a penalty kick. JAKE JACKSON stepped up and tucked the spot kick inside the right post. 0-2.
Despite this setback Cirencester continued to play their football and were rewarded when Jack Freeman won the ball near the centre circle and slipped it to BEN WHITEHEAD who charged down the centre, avoiding challenges to reach the centre front edge of the City penalty area, and once there he confidently tucked it away to give Cirencester a life-line. 1-2.
As in the first half Cirencester were beginning to see a bit more of the ball in the final quarter with Whitehead and Tommy Anderson having shots blocked. Soon to be followed by Henry Spalding and Jordan Morris combining down the left to supply Whitehead but as the striker shaped to shoot it was taken off his toe.
In the final minutes Cirencester nearly snatched a draw as a quick free kick near the centre circle was played to Ellis Dunton, forward to Whitehead, slipped to the right side edge of the City area where Anderson collected and sent a low cross to the back post. Henry Spalding darted forward to collect but somehow Matt Yates blocked his effort from close range to deny Cirencester an equaliser.
The final penalty area action of the game was at the Cirencester end as the home side defended a corner kick.
Full Time: 1-2
A good run-out for both squads with Gloucester City dominating possession whilst being solid at the back.
Cirencester were difficult to break down and stuck to their task against loftier opponents to enjoy their best moments in the second quarter of each half.
Attendance: 164 Referee: Waldemar Malek
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
Matt Wieczorek (Luke Kuczynski 65), Will Christopher, Louis Spalding (Max Arnold 73), Mason Lewis (Ellis Dunton 45), Jack Freeman (Jordan Morris 73), Henry Spalding, Owen Windsor (Tommy Anderson 65), Adam Connolly (S.Farr 45), Alan Griffin (James Mortimer-Jones 83), Ben Whitehead, Aidan Bennett.
Gloucester City:
Matt Yates, Isaac Kelly (Josh Thomas 45), Noah Smerdon, Joe Hanks (Joe Parker 65), Spencer Hamilton (Mike Green 73), Sam Avery (C), Jake Mawford (Ryan Beckinsale 73), Chris Knowles, Jake Jackson (Will Morford 73), Jamal Lawrence (Ben Seymour 45, Jamie Edge 65), Adam Page (Dan King 73).