Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Match Report by Dave Pyzer
In a change to the previously advertised fixture former tenants Royal Wootton Bassett Town (Hellenic League - Premier Division) returned to The Corinium Stadium - in place of Hungerford Town (National League –South) who were playing Swindon Town – as opponents for Cirencester’s 3rd pre-season friendly.
The visitors are managed by two former Centurions in Sam Collier (Manager) and Matt Bulman (Assistant Manager).
After a bright start that saw Josh Parsons embark on a driving run down the left channel, a multi-pass move from back to front and a superb defence splitting pass from Tommy Ouldridge to Ben Tunnicliff within the first ten minutes it all went pear shaped as the visitors scored two goals in as many minutes.
A series of quick passes from ‘Bassett’ worked the ball to the edge of the home penalty area where Callum Parsons slipped the ball into the path of BRADLEY PAGIRIOLO as he darted from right to left to collect and with great composure slip it past ‘keeper Sam Ayres as he advanced. 0-1.
Moments later the visitors were awarded a free kick a few yards outside the home penalty area, left channel, and this was confidently placed around the ‘wall’ and inside the left post by CALLUM PARSONS. 0-2.
A minute later the ‘shell-shocked’ home side then provided another great opportunity for their opponents when a loose pass was collected by Callum Parsons and quickly fed to Rhys Telmash in space, 20 yards out - right channel, but he excitedly blazed it over the bar.
Cirencester then rallied as Shayne Anson struck the outside of the left post following a corner kick before he supplied a cross from the right flank that Alan Griffin headed over.
Shortly after the mid-point of the half the home side reduced the arrears as Mike Pook delivered a free kick from the left front corner of the ‘Bassett’ area to the edge of the 6 yard box where Josh Parsons effort was blocked to ALAN GRIFFIN who bundled it over the line at the right post. 1-2.
With signs of a comeback from Cirencester they were caught on the break as ‘Bassett’ countered for Pagiriolo to strike the right post from 25 yards and as the ball rebounded RHYS TELMASH was lurking to tuck it into the empty net. 1-3.
Both sides had chances going to the break.
Half Time: 1-3
After the break it was the visitors who pushed on with more positive play but just before the hour mark their defence showed they were fully committed when Adam Corcoran produced an incredibly determined block on an Aidan Bennett piledriver.
Three minutes later ‘Bassett’ scored the first of four goals in an eight minute spell as RHYS TELMASH again proved to be ‘Jonny on the spot’ as he tucked in his second from near the penalty spot after Ayres had parried an effort from Callum Wright. 1-4.
A minute later Callum Parsons fed Wright who squared to RHYS TELMASH for a ‘tap-in’ to complete his hat-trick. 1-5.
This was immediately followed by a fierce strike from CALLUM PARSONS that flew inside the left post. 1-6.
To add to Cirencester’s woes a neat turn and shot by ALFIE PRESLEY from near the edge of the box finished in the back of the home net. 1-7.
With ten minutes remaining Cirencester scored a consolation goal when RHYS SARSON powered a header inside the left post after a determined dribble from Josh Parsons enabled him to reach the left by-line to cross to the penalty spot. 2-7.
Shortly afterwards Tommy Ouldridge headed a cross from the right flank wide of the left post and Josh Parsons cut in from the left flank to be denied by the out-stretched hand of ‘keeper Declan Lehman but it was too little too late and the unlikely recovery never materialised.
Full Time: 2-7
After the early setback Cirencester never recovered as Royal Wootton Bassett Town produced a solid all-round team performance to dominate the second half in particular.
Attendance: 92 Referee: Malek Waldemar
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
Sam Ayres, Will Christopher (Miles Arnold 75), Ben Tunnicliff, Mike Pook, Shayne Anson, Will Peck (Adam Connolly 55), Aidan Bennett (Max Lloyd 83), Tom Ouldridge, Alan Griffin, Josh Parsons, Jordan Morris (Rhys Sarson 62).
Unused Subs:-
Sam Farr, Levi Irving.
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT TOWN:
Declan Lehman, Tinkse Gwavava, Tyrone Leigh, Jonny Daviole, Adam Corcoran, Tom Cole, Mani Roper, Caine Bandbury, Rhys Telmash, Callum Parsons, Bradley Pagiriolo.
Substitutes:-
Tony Joyce, John Akinhead, Callum Wright, Gio Wrona, Alfie Presley.