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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In their 5th Pre-Season Friendly match in preparation for the new season Cirencester entertained Banbury United of the Southern League Premier Division (Central) and put in a hard working performance to restrict their opponents to a solitary goal despite the visitors having plenty of possession.
Once again there were a number of changes to the home sides starting eleven with Manager Charlie Griffin taking a second look at Jack Sparkes (Centre Back) and midfielder Tyreece Briscoe (ex Cheltenham Town) and a first look at ‘keeper Lewis Clayton (ex Cheltenham Town) and Centre Back Will Wellon (ex Evesham United).
The opening ten minutes was end-to-end as both sides tested their opponent’s defence but in the 12th minute Banbury took the lead when a cross from their right flank was collected by PABLO HEYSHAM as he moved across the front edge of the home penalty area from the left flank. When he reached the centre he struck a terrific right footed curling shot into the top right corner. 0-1.
Within minutes Cirencester created an opening when Josh Parsons sent a superb defence splitting pass down the left channel to Tommy Ouldridge as he burst into the visitors box to round the ‘keeper but Charlie Wise was across to block his shot.
The game was being played at a fast pace with chances at both ends as Parsons fired wide of the top left corner after an interception on the edge of the Banbury area, Heysham sending a low pass through the home 6 yard box from the left by-line, a 40 yard run from Will Christopher that took him to the edge of the Banbury area and Lester Davis an instinctive shot over the bar from the right front corner of the 6 yard box when supplied from the right by-line by Charlie Hawtin.
Cirencester finished strongly as the half was drawing to a close and after a neat move on the left flank involving Ouldridge, Parsons and Aidan Bennett the ball was initially cleared by the Banbury defence but re-cycled for Parsons to send a glancing header wide of the right post.
Half Time: 0-1
The second half was much the same with fast, free flowing football from both sides and whilst Banbury had plenty of possession some determined defending prevented them adding any further goals.
Both sides made two changes at the interval and within minutes Will Wellon brought the ball out of defence and embarked on a 30 yard run down the right channel before slipping the ball left towards Parsons.
Shortly afterwards Gedeon Okito slid the ball down the right channel into the Cirencester area for Jack Westbrook to collect as he cut in from the right flank. The winger drew ‘keeper Lewis Clayton before returning the ball to Okito but Clayton bravely dived at the feet of the incoming midfielder to bring the move to a halt.
Cirencester then had a couple of promising moves curtailed by an ‘offside’ flag and at the mid-point of the half Parsons switched play from left to right for Jordan Morris to slide the ball down the right channel for Jack Freeman to chase to the by-line where he was confronted by ‘keeper Jack Harding resulting in a goal kick.
Five minutes later Ouldridge intercepted a pass 30 yards out and instantly moved it to Morris on the edge of the Banbury area and he produced a clever turn to deceive his marker and followed up with a fierce shot over the bar.
Banbury replied as D’Nilson fed Ryan McDonald near the left front corner of the home box and he turned sharply to shoot but Clayton gathered comfortably.
Cirencester came close again when Freeman produced some incredible tight ball control to evade three incoming challenges as he broke into the visitor’s box before firing over the bar.
As the game was drawing to a close Banbury laid siege on the home goal but the defence stood firm with Jack Sparkes and Will Wellon prominent.
In the final minutes Cirencester felt aggrieved when they were not awarded a free kick on the edge of the Banbury box after Parsons struggled to keep his feet after being tripped. Perhaps if he had gone down a free kick might have been awarded.
In the 90th minute Cirencester worked the ball down their left flank for Will Tunnicliff to reach the left channel of the Banbury area. He shaped to shoot with his right foot but switched to his left and struck the bottom of the left post.
Full Time: 0-1
A hard working performance against a fast, mobile, well organised team with the much changed defence severely tested whilst a number of openings were also created in an entertaining match.
Attendance: 75 Referee: Haydn Lovender
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
Lewis Clayton (Sam Ayres 77), Will Christopher, Ben Tunnicliff, Jack Sparkes, Will Wellon, Tyreece Briscoe (Jack Freeman 46), Jonny Dennis, Tommy Ouldridge Alan Griffin, Josh Parsons, Aidan Bennett (Jordan Morris 46).
Unused Substitutes: Tommy Anderson, Michael Pook, Levi Irving.
BANBURY UNITED:
Alistair Worby (Jack Harding 59), Gedeon Okito (James Watts 75), Jacob Blackstock, George Nash (Ryan McDonald 65), Charlie Wise, Lee Henderson, Charlie Hawtin (A.N.Other 75), Giorgio Rasulo (Jack Westbrook 46), Lester Davis (D’Nilson 46), Pablo Heysham (Amer Awadh 75), Eddie Odhiambo (A.N.Other 59).