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 made the short journey to Yate and despite a late rally were defeated by the current table toppers by the odd goal in three.
Prior to this match the home side sat at the top of Division 1 South with 27 points from their 12 games, 1 point ahead of 2nd placed Blackfield & Langley but with a game in hand, whilst Cirencester were in 5th place with 21 points from their 12 games.
In terms of current form examination of the ‘6-Match Form Guide’ table reveals Yate in 2nd place and Cirencester in 4th so another competitive game was in prospect for those attending.
The Cirencester starting eleven had an enforced change in goal as Mat Wieczorek (injured), Luke Merchant (holiday) and short-term replacement Martin Horsell (recalled by Hereford) were unavailable and as a result Charlie Griffin had secured the services of Australian Marko Radovanovic who has been playing for Buckland Athletic in the Toolstation Western League – Premier Division.
In addition Alex Albert had recovered from his injury and returned in the centre of defence alongside Adam Connolly with Ellis Dunton moving to right back to accommodate him. As a result Will Christopher took a seat on the bench alongside Henry Spalding who swapped places with Aidan Bennett.
As anticipated the match started at a quick pace from the off as both sides attacked, testing one another, and as a result neither side retained the ball for long during the early stages but gradually it settled into a pattern of Cirencester working their flanks and Yate delivering long balls in an attempt to get behind the Cirencester defence.
The home side did find the back of the net from one such move after 11 minutes but it was ruled out when an ‘offside’ flag was raised.
Shortly afterwards Ben Brooks burst forward to the centre front edge of the Cirencester penalty area looking to get on the end of a through ball but Louis Spalding had spotted his run and came inside to ‘nick’ the ball with a clever turn that enabled him to start a counter attack.
As the mid-point of the half was approaching Cirencester were enjoying a period of possession as Ellis Dunton advanced from halfway to fire over the home bar from 25 yards and then combined with Ben Whitehead and Tommy Anderson as they worked their way down the right flank.
Another move down the same flank, with Tommy Ouldridge added to the participants, resulted in a free kick to Yate and as is often the case when one side presses the other side scores and true to form Yate did just that.
When they countered the Cirencester attack they were awarded a free kick in their left corner that was delivered to the front edge of the Cirencester 6 yard box where a couple of contacts neither put it in the net or cleared it until JACK TWYMAN pounced to volley home from close range. 1-0.
Encouraged by their breakthrough Yate pressed again as they released Brooks to shoot from the right channel front edge of the area but ‘keeper Marko Radovanovic stood his ground and pushed it onto his left post to be cleared.
Yate were soon back again with Olly Mehew reaching the left by-line to pull the ball back, but behind his team-mates in the box, to find Twyman who was supporting to shoot straight into the arms of Radovanovic.
It was then Cirencester’s turn as they worked their left flank through Spalding and Aidan Bennett to the corner and their right flank as Whitehead slipped the ball to Anderson on the burst, forward to Alan Griffin, left to Bennett who took it to the left side edge of the home area before sending a low cross towards the near post where Anderson had continued his run but was just a foot short of making contact.
Further pressure from Cirencester resulted in a corner kick that was eventually fed to Spalding, as he darted to the left by-line, to cross into the mix where a free kick was awarded to the home side.
A minute later Cirencester were level as Mike Pook powerfully headed forward from the centre circle to Griffin who supplied Bennett on the left flank. Bennett carried the ball towards the left front corner of the box where he dummied left but went right to send a low curling shot towards the far right post. Yate ‘keeper Lewis Thomas dived forward but was unable to keep hold of the ball and ALAN GRIFFIN was on hand to tuck it inside the right post. 1-1.
Yate pressed during the last five minutes or so of the half but it remained all square going to the break.
Half Time: 1-1
During the interval Will Christopher replaced Adam Connolly and Ellis Dunton moved alongside Alex Albert.
Within a few minutes of the re-start Adam Price reached the right by-line to cross towards the front edge of the 6 yard box where Mehew darted forward but Radovanovic was quickly out to deny the striker from close range.
Cirencester began to settle and to work the ball forward to the corner, particularly the right, with some neat passing but once again as they were getting into their stride they suffered a setback as Yate countered down their left flank to a position on the touch-line, 25 yards out, where Nick Peare crossed to the far post. The cross drew Radovanovic from his line but dropped at the feet of BEN BROOKS who prodded inside the right post to regain the lead. 2-1.
Cirencester continued to work their flanks and from one Spalding began a charging run that took him past a couple of opponents to the edge of the box where he fired narrowly wide of the far right post.
Each time they attacked Yate countered quickly and from one long ball down their left flank George King produced a sublime piece of skill as he controlled the ball as it dropped over his head and cut right before sending a curling right footed shot towards the far right post where Radovanovic pushed it out.
A couple of minutes later fellow substitute Ross Langworthy cut in from the right flank to fire over the bar.
As the game neared the final five scheduled minutes Will Christopher combined with Anderson who crossed from the side edge of the area for Whitehead to shoot, right channel of the area – 10 yards out, parried by Thomas but collected by Jack Freeman, a little further away, who also shot but once again Thomas saved and this time it was cleared.
Cirencester continued to press and another neat move involving Anderson, Henry Spalding and Whitehead reached Bennett near the right side edge of the home area and from there he fired just wide of the far left post.
In the closing minute Langworthy got free for a 1v1 with Radovanovic but the ‘keeper won the battle.
Full Time: 2-1
An entertaining game with plenty of ‘end-to-end’ action and three opportunist goals.
Attendance: 255 Referee: Mr Ross Martin
YATE TOWN:
1. Lewis Thomas
2. Mayson Evans
3. Elliott Keightley
4. Nick Peare (C)
5. Josh Ford
6. Sam Boulton
7. Adam Price
8. Joe Guest
9. Olly Mehew
10. Ben Brooks 58
11. Jack Twyman 23
12. Ross Langworthy (Ben Brooks-77mins)
14. Sam Kamara
15. George King (Olly Mehew-62mins)
16. Will Dawes
17. David Sims-Burgess
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Marko Radovanovic
2. Ellis Dunton
3. Louis Spalding
4. Michael Pook
5. Alexandru Albert
6. Tommy Ouldridge
7. Tommy Anderson
8. Adam Connolly
9. Alan Griffin (C) 38
10. Ben Whitehead
11. Aidan Bennett
12. Henry Spalding (Alan Griffin-74mins)
14. Will Christopher (Adam Connolly-46mins)
15. Owen Windsor
16. James Mortimer-Jones
17. Jack Freeman (Tommy Ouldridge-74mins)