Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Match Report by Dave Pyzer
Cirencester hosted local rivals Swindon Supermarine, of the Southern League Premier Division (South), in their opening Pre-Season Friendly match and the sides produced an entertaining seven-goal thriller.
The visitors kicked off proceedings and took the lead after ten minutes when HARRY WILLIAMS was on hand to finish after Sam Ayres had parried an initial shot from Henry Spalding. 0-1.
Within a minute Cirencester levelled when a Ben Tunnicliff cross from the left corner was diverted past Martin Horsall by a covering defender for an OWN GOAL. 1-1.
‘Marine’ pressed to create a couple of good chances but it was the hosts who took the lead when Mike Pook sent a deep cross from the right flank to the far post where Aidan Bennett flicked it to the edge of the 6 yard box for a supporting TOMMY OULDRIDGE to tuck it inside the left post. 2-1.
As the visitors pressed again a neat exchange between Brad Hooper and Jamie Edge resulted in a 1v1 between Hooper and Ayres but the ‘keeper was in position to make the save.
A few minutes later BRAD HOOPER was involved again as he levelled from the penalty spot after Williams was brought down as he darted into the home penalty area. 2-2.
Leading up to the interval ‘Marine’ created a couple of chances with Williams coming closest as Ayres pushed his effort onto his cross-bar for a corner kick.
Half Time: 2-2
During the break ‘Marine’ made a number of changes whilst Cirencester made three and it was the home side who started strongly as Horsall made three solid saves within the first six minutes to prevent trialist Jonny Dennis, Josh Parsons and Will Christopher getting on the score-sheet.
On the hour more substitutions were made and shortly afterwards ‘Marine’ regained the lead following a free kick from the left front corner of the home penalty area that Bradley Gray fired at the target - Ayres parried leading to a couple more blocks before the ball found its way back to DAVE BAMPTON, 25 yards out – right channel, and his fierce strike rocketed into the top right corner. 2-3.
At the mid-point of the half more changes were made and once again a few minutes later ‘Marine’ scored again as JOE SHEPPARD converted a cross from the right flank at the back post. 2-4.
Two minutes later a fine Cirencester move reduced the deficit as Miles Arnold embarked on a strong run down the right flank before feeding trialist Rhys Sarson who flicked the ball on for a rampaging JACK FREEMAN to collect inside the right channel of the visitor’s penalty area. The midfielder cut left and struck a firm shot inside the far left post. 3-4.
During the closing stages Levi Irving came close to scoring a couple of times and Sarson saw an effort blocked whilst Stuart Fleetwood released Gray into the right channel of the home area where he fired over the bar.
Full Time: 3-4
In hot, sticky conditions the teams put on an entertaining game of fast and furious football that belied their limited amount of training to date.
A very useful ‘work-out’ for the teams – with no drinks breaks!
Attendance: 203 Referee: Haydn Lavender
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
Sam Ayres, Will Christopher (Miles Arnold 68), Ben Tunnicliff (Will Peck 46), Mike Pook (Nathan Davies 55), Shayne Anson, Tom Ouldridge (Jack Freeman 46), Jonny Dennis (Ben Aitken 68), Adam Connolly (Sam Farr 68), Alan Griffin (Rhys Sarson 60), Josh Parsons (Levi Irving 68), Aidan Bennett (Max Lloyd 60).
SWINDON SUPERMARINE:
Martin Horsall, Ben Withey (Dan Williamson 46), Louis Spalding (Michael Hopkins 46), Jamie Edge (Dave Bampton 46), Matt Williams, Matt Liddiard (Matt Coupe 46), Henry Spalding (Calvin Dinsley 46), Brad Hooper (Joe Shepherd 46), Bradley Gray, Harry Williams (Ollie Rycek 60), Ryan Campbell (Stuart Fleetwood 46).