Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Courtesy of Steve Rolfe Photography
Match Report by Dave Pyzer
In another highly entertaining game at The Corinium Stadium the home side conceded a goal in the final minutes to go out of the GFA Senior Challenge Cup at the first hurdle.
Both sides contributed to a highly entertaining game of fast, flowing football as they moved the ball about the pitch in an ‘end-to-end’ encounter - particularly during the second half - that was ultimately decided by two defensive errors from the home side.
The visitors, from the National League South – two levels higher than Cirencester, have recently appointed a new manager, Chris Todd, and this match was his second in charge of the team and he took the opportunity to have a look at a number of his young, up and coming players alongside some more established ones.
Cirencester Manager, Charlie Griffin, also elected to rest some of his squad whilst welcoming back Mike Pook who has now served his three match suspension.
The home side came out of the blocks quickly as within the first five minutes Ben Whitehead and Jack Freeman had pots at the Gloucester goal – Whitehead wide of the right post and Freeman bringing a low save from ‘keeper Adam Forster at his left post that resulted in a corner kick.
Encouraged, Cirencester pressed down both flanks as Freeman released Tommy Anderson for a run down the right channel before slipping the ball wide to Will Christopher who delivered a cross into the box for Wes Atkinson to block and concede a corner kick.
Cirencester then tried the left flank as they switched play for Jordan Morris to cross towards the penalty spot and another corner kick that was defended – and only 10 minutes had passed.
At this stage the home side were moving the ball quickly from side to side, either via centre backs Ellis Dunton and Adam Connolly, or Mike Pook who was displaying his range of passing from the centre of the pitch, and as a result Morris and Anderson became very busy making runs down their respective flanks.
With 17 minutes on the clock Connolly passed the ball to Dunton who started a run from inside his own half that took him to the right corner where he slipped it left to Whitehead, right to Dunton, back to Christopher, as they searched for an opportunity to cross that never came – lost for a throw-in to Gloucester.
Before the mid-point of the half was reached Tommy Ouldridge fired at the target from 25 yards and his effort was blocked to be collected by Louis Spalding who sent a low shot past the right post from the left channel.
On the occasions that Gloucester began to work the ball forward, initially down their right flank, the home defence coped comfortably and when the visitors attempted to switch play to the left Anderson was on hand to intercept.
As the half hour mark was reached Cirencester were awarded a free kick, right of centre - 25 yards out, that Freeman drove towards the bottom right post where Forster dived to save.
Cirencester continued to produce many flowing moves throughout the first half with Morris particularly prominent on the left, and Christopher and Anderson on the right but often the final ball did not reach its intended target to provide the breakthrough they were searching for.
Into the final ten minutes and Gloucester were coming to terms with the 3G pitch and beginning to probe the Cirencester defence – one particular pass down the left channel into the area was chased by Jamal Lawrence but Luke Merchant spotted the danger and dashed from his line to dive at the strikers feet to prevent any further progress.
As the half was drawing to a close Whitehead threaded a pass inside the right back for Spalding to collect and cross, and shortly afterwards Ouldridge made a weaving run into the Gloucester penalty area, right channel, where his shot was saved by Forster.
Half Time: 0-0
After the interval Gloucester started in positive mood and within four minutes they made the breakthrough as ‘keeper Luke Merchant ‘scuffed’ his kick straight to JAMIE EDGE, centre - 25 yards out, who immediately advances on the exposed custodian to slot under him as he advanced. 0-1.
Cirencester responded well to the setback as Morris fed Spalding who evaded several challenges as he worked his way down the left channel before slipping the ball left to Freeman who crossed from the left corner, blocked but back to him to cross again - this time reaching the far post where Anderson collected to shoot low and hard, blocked near the goal-line and cleared.
A few minutes later Pook delivered a ball from the left flank to the penalty spot where Whitehead darted forward to send his glancing header wide of the right post.
Five minutes later the prolific Cirencester striker fired narrowly over the bar as Cirencester continued to press leading to a corner kick that Pook played short to Connolly as he advanced but his shot was deflected high into the air enabling Forster to make the catch.
Just after the hour mark Cirencester finally levelled as Spalding won the ball near half-way and quickly fed Freeman who in turn sent it across the front edge of the penalty area where TOMMY ANDERSON was arriving at pace to smash it inside the left post. 1-1.
At the mid-point of the half Dunton broke up a Gloucester attack as he headed the ball to Ouldridge who supplied Freeman and he delivered a terrific pass inside the right back for the busy Morris to collect, round the advancing Forster and strike the left post from a narrow angle.
Cirencester had ‘the bit between their teeth’ and were really pressing for another as Freeman was denied after a neat move involving several players down the right flank, and a low cross from Anderson was cut out at the near post from the same flank, soon to be followed by a charging run from Connolly who advanced 40 yards down the left channel before shooting wide of the left post.
In reply Gloucester delivered the ball into the right channel of the home area where Harry Williams collected and seeing Merchant closing he attempted to ‘chip’ the advancing ‘keeper who pushed it wide for a corner kick that reached Matt Liddiard at the back post. Once again the ‘keeper was in position to make the all-important catch at his right post to deny the former Cirencester Skipper.
A couple of minutes later Merchant was quick to leave his line to collect at the feet of Jake Mawford as he looked to collect just inside the right channel of the home area.
During this period Gloucester had been looking more dangerous and after Cirencester lost the ball they countered down their left channel to feed JAKE MAWFORD near the left channel front edge of the home penalty area where, with his back to goal, he moved left as he turned to strike a right footed curling shot inside the far right post. 1-2.
Three minutes later it was all-square again as Dunton played the ball up to Aidan Bennett, who had just entered the fray, to head on to Whitehead who flicked the ball into the path of Anderson as he burst down the right flank. BEN WHITEHEAD turned to sprint down the right channel and Anderson returned the ball to him as he entered the penalty area and from there he struck a sweet right-footed shot inside the far left post. 2-2.
As the 90 minute mark neared and ‘added-time’ loomed Cirencester presented Gloucester with another ‘gilt-edged’ chance that they gratefully took as Dunton was presented with the ball inside his own penalty area and when the defender, who had had a fine game, attempted to move it on it got stuck under his feet and JAKE MAWFORD ‘picked his pocket’ to drive forward and finish from a few yards. 2-3.
In ‘added-time’ Cirencester broke down the left flank before switching to the right for Christopher to deliver a cross towards the penalty spot as Ouldridge burst forward but the midfielder’s effort at pace cleared the cross-bar and Gloucester were through to the next round of the competition.
Full Time: 2-3
This was another fabulous game of football – with plenty of fast, flowing football to savour.
A valiant effort from Cirencester but it was not to be.
GOOD LUCK to Gloucester City in the next round.
Attendance: 91
Referee: Ross Martin
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Luke Merchant
2. Will Christopher
3. Louis Spalding
4. Michael Pook
5. Ellis Dunton
6. Tommy Ouldridge
7. Tommy Anderson 63
8. Adam Connolly (C)
9. Jack Freeman
10. Ben Whitehead 86
11. Jordan Morris
12. Alan Griffin
14. Henry Spalding
15. Aidan Bennett (Jack Freeman-85mins)
16. Owen Windsor (Jordan Morris-79mins)
17. James Mortimer-Jones
GLOUCESTER CITY:
1. Adam Forster
2. Isaac Kelly
3. Adam Page
4. Matt Liddiard
5. Wes Atkinson
6. Jamie Edge (C) 49
7. Dan King
8. Jake Mawford 83, 89
9. Harry Williams
10. Miles Ferguson
11. Jamal Lawrence
12. James Unwin (Wes Atkinson-18mins)
14. Spencer Hamilton
15. Chris Knowles