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
Cirencester returned to The Corinium Stadium to face Evesham United in a match that was important to both sides in their quest for a ‘play-off’ place at the end of the season and after a hard fought match the home side took the points with two second half goals.
Evesham United have been in, or on the fringe, of the ‘play-off’ positions all season and would undoubtedly test ‘The Centurions’ resolve as the season was reaching its conclusion. Both sides are at the top end of the ‘6-Match Form Guide’ table (Cirencester 3rd, Evesham 5th) and the League table (Cirencester 4th, Evesham 6th).
In the continued absence of the injured Ben Whitehead there was one change to the starting line-up for the home side as England Schools U18 International Owen Windsor made his league debut.
The home side kicked off playing towards the Arena end of the ground in perfect conditions but suffered a very early setback when ‘keeper Mat Wieczorek pulled up after a couple of minutes and had to be replaced by young Development Team ‘keeper Sam Ayres who produced a very accomplished performance with a couple of exceptional saves on his debut.
The other debutant, Owen Windsor, also started with plenty of confidence as he used his pace to attack down the left flank to reach the by-line where he crossed to the front edge of the 6 yard box where the diminutive Tommy Anderson arrived to out-jump his marker to send a glancing head onto the inside of the far right post. As the ball bounced down it was quickly cleared for a throw-in that eventually resulted in Jack Freeman firing wide of the right post from the right channel front edge of the visitor’s penalty area.
Moments later Sam Ayres faced his first test as Kane Simpson drove a fierce cross-shot at his goal but the young ‘keeper pushed it over his bar to concede a corner kick.
The game was picking up pace with attack and counter attack from both sides as it became ‘end to end’, interspersed with free kicks, and from one of these Simpson powered his kick against the right post. The ball was re-cycled and fed back into the mix and after several blocks it was cleared to Evesham’s right flank and delivered to Steve Davies, just inside the penalty area, who turned and shot in one motion but Ayres was in position to make the catch.
As the mid-point neared Windsor released Anderson into the right channel of the Evesham penalty area but the advancing ‘keeper Andrew Hannah blocked his shot for a corner kick that Freeman delivered to the back post where Babz Jarra headed into the 6 yard box. Alan Griffin stuck out a foot and flicked it towards the left post where it was blocked near the goal-line and cleared downfield.
Back came Cirencester as Ellis Dunton carried the ball across the pitch, from left to right, to supply Will Christopher who sent it to the right side edge of the penalty area as Freeman made a run to collect and lay it back to Anderson – fouled – and the resulting kick cleared at the back post.
Not to be outdone Evesham then attacked down their right flank as the speedy Marley Thomas took the ball to the right corner before playing it inside for Davies to cross but it was cut-out for a corner kick – defended by Griffin.
Shortly afterwards Thomas was released to the right channel of the home penalty area, after a Windsor effort had been blocked, where he chipped the ball over the advancing Ayres but also over the bar.
As the half hour approached Anderson intercepted a goal kick and cut left from his flank before supplying Griffin, in the left channel of the Evesham box, but his volley was caught by a well positioned Hannah.
A few minutes later Aidan Bennett sent a cross-field pass to Griffin who fed Anderson but once again his shot from the right channel was blocked for a corner kick that was supplied to Christopher who struck a fierce drive towards the top right corner of the goal but it was tipped over for another corner kick that Griffin headed wide of the left post.
The action was soon at the other end as Thomas cut in from the right flank to cross – blocked for a corner kick. Adam Page took the kick and sent a curling left footed effort that struck the far left post before Jarra cleared for a corner kick from the left that reached Shayne Anson at the back post but under pressure his header was wide of the target.
The match continued in this ‘end-to-end’ fashion until the interval and despite plenty of attacks there were no goals to show for their efforts.
Half Time: 0-0
Immediately from the re-start Cirencester won the ball and attacked down their right flank as Anderson crossed for Hannah to catch and launch a counter attack to the left corner and after several blocks Evesham had a corner kick that Mike Pook cleared.
The second half had started as the first had ended and within minutes Windsor won the ball in the right corner to release Anderson into the right channel of the Evesham area where he struck a firm left footed shot that was blocked, rebounding to Bennett who fired over.
This was soon followed by an Evesham corner kick from their left flank that was defended leading to a counter attack as Dunton carried and delivered to Windsor who moved right before supplying Bennett. His shot was blocked but collected by Anderson who sent it to the back post where a looping Griffin header landed on top of the net, just above the left post.
Eight minutes into the second half the deadlock was finally broken as Cirencester produced an incredible piece of passing football that would have graced any top level game as they worked the right flank into the Evesham penalty area. Tommy Anderson slipped the ball back to Christopher, inside to Griffin, forward to a breaking Windsor as he entered the box, right to Pook (who popped up near the by-line) to deliver a pass to ALAN GRIFFIN who had made his way to the right front channel of the 6 yard box to side-foot home. Quick accurate, slick passing. 1-0.
Within minutes Cirencester were back again as Pook played a short free kick to Freeman who struck a firm low shot from 25 yards that brought a solid save from Hannah as he dived to his right.
Another slick move from Cirencester as Pook supplied Griffin who back heeled into the path of Windsor as he burst forward to carry to the visitor’s box resulted in a block and corner kick from which Nick Hancock charged forward to cross from their right flank – Ayres made the catch to end the danger.
Shortly afterwards Toumani Sidibe, who had changed wings to the right, burst into the right channel of the Cirencester penalty area to strike the right post, rebounding to Page who fired over.
As the mid-point of the half approached Pook slid a free kick down the line to Anderson who crossed to the far post where Bennett chipped over the ‘keeper onto the right post and as it rebounded Anderson’s follow-up shot was deflected over for a corner kick.
Evesham responded as Davies received a pass near the front edge of the home penalty area, right channel, and shot towards the far left post – Ayres dived right to push his effort away leading to a counter attack as Windsor back-heeled to Freeman who struck a powerful shot from the centre front edge of the area only to see Hannah produce a similar save to Ayres as he dived to his left. Two superb saves within 30 seconds of each other at opposite ends of the pitch.
The home side were using their flanks to good effect and 5 minutes after the mid-point of the half another flowing move from left back to right wing resulted in a second goal as Dunton fed Windsor who headed on to Freeman, out to Anderson who crossed into the box where it fell to OWEN WINDSOR and he struck a right footed shot into the top right corner for his first senior goal for Cirencester - followed by an impressive celebratory cartwheel. 2-0.
A couple of minutes later another flowing move reached Anderson who had his first shot parried before sending his follow-up effort over the bar.
With nothing to lose Evesham began to make their substitutions and pressed forward - Hancock delivered a cross from the right towards the left channel of the box where Ayres managed to punch clear under pressure, Davies found space near the right corner, Sidibe had a shot partially blocked for Ayres to collect and Simpson nearly latched onto a through ball but was denied by Ayres diving at his feet to smother - but Cirencester were not to be denied their victory and defended resolutely whilst counter attacking with pace.
Full Time: 2-0
Yet another terrific game for the neutral to watch with plenty of goalmouth action and quick flowing football on display - a credit to the Southern League.
Both sides had their moments but Cirencester took the honours on the day with a fantastic opening goal and some neat flowing football.
The two debutants, Owen Windsor and Sam Ayres, should be proud of their performances as they were both in the thick of the action throughout – WELL DONE.
There were many other excellent performances in this very important game - keep it up lads as we go into the final five games.
Attendance: 232
Referee: Daniel Robinson
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Mat Wieczorek
2. Will Christopher
3. Ellis Dunton
4. Michael Pook
5. Baboucarr Jarra
6. Jack Freeman
7. Tommy Anderson
8. Adam Connolly
9. Alan Griffin (C) 53
10. Owen Windsor 72
11. Aidan Bennett
12. Jordan Morris (Tommy Anderson-83mins)
14. James Mortimer-Jones
15. Louis Spalding (Aidan Bennett-90mins)
16. Sam Ayres (GK) (Mat Wieczorek-5mins)
EVESHAM UNITED:
1. Andrew Hannah
2. Nick Hancock
3. Adam Page
4. Joseph Turley
5. Shayne Anson (C)
6. Will Wellon
7. Marley Thomas
8. Ashley Williams
9. Kane Simpson
10. Stephen Davies
11. Toumani Sidibe
12. Liam Harding
13. Conor Thompson (GK)
14. Carl Brown (Ashley Williams-74mins)
15. Kye Simpson (Nick Hancock-81mins)
16. Lucas Price (Marley Thomas-86mins)