Cirencester Town FC
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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
In an eagerly anticipated match between two sides in the top four of the Division it was second placed Yate that took the points to end Cirencester’s six match unbeaten run.
Cirencester’s recent good run of form has taken them to the top of the ‘6-match Form Guide’ table with 5 wins and a draw and prior to this match Yate sat in 5th place with 3 wins and a draw in their last six games so a very competitive match was in prospect.
As a result of Adam Connolly and Louis Spalding not being fully fit Charlie Griffin made some adjustments to his team formation with Ellis Dunton moving back into the centre of the defence and Jordan Morris to full back, enabling Tommy Anderson to return on the wing.
Throughout the match, in addition to their opponents, there was a strong wind for the players to contend with but they still managed to produce a match that entertained those present due to the uncertainty of the result until the final whistle – due in this respect to some of the decisions made by the officials and depending on which camp you were supporting.
The home side kicked off playing into the wind, towards The Arena end of the ground, and despite the difficult windy conditions both sides started positively as they probed their opponents with few real threats on goal until near the mid-point of the half when Mat Wieczorek was called upon to make a spectacular save as he pushed a 35 yard effort from Yate Captain Nick Peare over his cross-bar.
A few minutes later Cirencester broke the deadlock with a quick, incisive move down the centre as Aidan Bennett slipped the ball forward from the centre circle to Alan Griffin who held the ball momentarily before sliding a well weighted pass into the path of BEN WHITEHEAD as he burst forward. The prolific striker took the ball to the front edge of the Yate penalty area, moving from right to left, to strike a firm shot inside the right post. 1-0.
Encouraged Cirencester continued to press for the next few minutes as another flowing move created a shooting chance for Bennett, then Whitehead worked a position inside the visitor’s box before dragging his shot wide of the right post, and Jack Freeman fired wide of the same post.
During this period Yate countered to win a free kick and corner kick that were both defended.
Eight minutes before the interval the first controversial moment occurred (depending on which camp you were supporting) as a long throw from the left flank by Mike Pook produced some ‘head-tennis’. It was initially headed away from goal to be headed back into the penalty area by Freeman, then headed on by Bennett to Griffin who also headed it on towards the front edge of the 6 yard box, right channel, where Whitehead volleyed it into the net. The Referee pointed to the centre circle indicating a goal had been scored but following protests from Yate players he discussed the action with his Assistant (who had not raised his flag) and reversed his decision.
As is often the case Yate took full advantage to equalise two minutes later when a corner kick was punched clear by Wieczorek to be collected by DAVID SIMS-BURGESS just outside the penalty area and he promptly smashed it through a ruck of players into the net. There were strong appeals for handball from Cirencester as in creating the shooting opportunity the ball had made contact with his arm and fallen nicely for the strike but these were dismissed by the Referee. 1-1.
The final few minutes of the half were frantic but failed to add to the score-line.
Half Time: 1-1
Within 2 minutes of the re-start Yate scored another as a quick break fed Joe Guest in the right channel of the home penalty area and he managed to send a low cross from the right front corner of the 6 yard box to the back post where NICK PEARE was arriving to complete the task with a ‘tap-in’. 1-2.
As Cirencester pressed in search of an equaliser they had to be wary of quick counter attacks from Yate and around the hour mark Olly Mehew chased a ball to the left by-line to play it back into the path of Michael Bryant who fired over the bar from the edge of the box.
Despite plenty of possession, crosses, corner kicks and shots Cirencester were finding it difficult to break down a well organised Yate defence and when they did break through they were thwarted by ‘backs-to-the-wall’ defending as Yate threw bodies in the way.
With five scheduled minutes remaining a quickly taken Yate free kick found Mehew and once again he laid the ball into the path of a team-mate, this time Sims-Burgess, but the outcome was the same – over the bar.
Into the final minute and another Cirencester attack down their left flank resulted in a cross from Bennett that resulted in a couple attempts from close range that were blocked and the Referee blowing his whistle and pointing at the Penalty Spot.
A melee ensued and eventually after the Referee, Andrew Genders, had consulted with both his Assistants he dismissed a Yate player and booked two others (one from each side). Having sorted that out he then found Yate ‘keeper Alexis Andre sitting on his goal line requesting attention.
Five minutes after the penalty kick had been awarded Whitehead fired it towards the bottom right post where Andre dived to parry and then gather. Moments later the final whistle blew for Yate to collect the three points on offer.
Full Time: 1-2
The game certainly lived up to expectations as the sides competed for everything throughout, including the difficult wind conditions, and add to that the various incidents and you have a match full of discussion points.
The joy of Non-League football.
Attendance: 215
Referee: Andrew Genders
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Mat Wieczorek
2. Will Christopher
3. Jordan Morris
4. Michael Pook
5. Ellis Dunton
6. Baboucarr Jarra
7. Tommy Anderson
8. Jack Freeman
9. Alan Griffin (C)
10. Ben Whitehead 28
11. Aidan Bennett
12. Louis Spalding
14. Adam Connolly
15. James Mortimer-Jones
16. Sam Ayres (GK)
YATE TOWN:
1. Alexis Andre Jnr.
2. Nick Humphreys
3. Elliott Keightley
4. Nick Peare (C) 47
5. Josh Ford
6. Sam Boulton
7. Adam Price
8. Joe Guest
9. Olly Mehew
10. Michael Bryant
11. David Sims-Burgess 39
12. Ross Langworthy (Michael Bryant-84mins)
14. Ben Brooks
15. Sam Kamara
16. Ross Milloy