Cirencester Town FC
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Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Courtesy of Steve Rolfe Photography
Cirencester returned to league action, following their FA Trophy exit at the hands of Basingstoke Town last week, to face long term adversaries Mangotsfield United and following a solid performance recorded an emphatic win to ‘leap-frog’ their opponents in the league table.
During the week Manager Charlie Griffin had secured the services of Jay Malshanskyj from Weston-Super-Mare and he took up a starting position alongside Alan Griffin.
The visitors set the game in motion but within the first minute Cirencester were on the attack as they drove down their left flank, towards The Arena end of the ground, for John Dennis to work his way along the by-line before crossing towards the near post where it was intercepted.
Cirencester had come out of the blocks very quickly and moments later, following more action in the left corner, Mike Pook delivered a free kick towards the penalty spot where Alan Griffin produced a shot on the turn that was collected by ‘keeper Liam Armstrong.
Not wishing to be outdone the action switched to the right flank as Ollie Artwell worked his way to the front edge of the visitors box, right channel, before cutting right and firing past the left post.
Shortly after the ten minute mark Mangotsfield worked the ball down their left flank as Steve Kaca fed Dan Demkiv who moved it inside to Robbie Cox, back to Kaca, forward to Demkiv who returned it to Cox where it was lost – but it was a sign they were beginning to settle.
A minute later Cirencester opened their account as Pook sent the ball from the centre circle to Artwell on the right flank, inside to JACK FREEMAN, who carried it forward a few strides before sending a left footed curling shot towards the far left post from 25 yards. En-route it clipped a defender before entering the top left corner of the goal. 1-0.
Mangotsfield responded by working the ball down their left flank again to an area just outside the left front corner of the home penalty area where they retained possession for a period as they searched for an opening but Cirencester closed them down to secure the ball and counter leading to a corner kick from the left that resulted in a back post header from Griffin being pushed wide for a corner kick from the right. This time Griffin headed over from left of the penalty spot.
Just after the mid-point of the half Freeman sent a terrific pass down the left channel for Jay Malshanskyj to collect as he burst into the penalty area. The eager forward took the shot on as Armstrong advanced and it was diverted into the side netting – corner kick. The young ‘keeper pushed the kick out to concede another kick from the right – defended.
As Cirencester attacked down their left flank the ball was lost resulting in a quick counter attack as Mangotsfield launched the ball over the home defence for Demkiv to chase and collect just inside the right channel of the home area but his shot was comfortably saved by ‘keeper Lewis Clayton.
During the next few minutes Cirencester pressed down their right flank with Artwell and Isaiah Jones combining to test the visitors defence.
As the half entered the final ten minutes Mangotsfield made a determined effort to get back level but each time they approached the Cirencester area the ball was lost for the home side to mount counter attacks but without adding to their solitary goal.
Half Time: 1-0
The question on the minds of home support at the interval was would Cirencester rue their lack of goals from the amount of possession they had had?
Immediately from the re-start Cirencester attacked down their left flank before sending the ball into the box where it was cleared to Artwell just outside the area, right channel, who drove it straight back to a grateful Armstrong.
A few minutes later Artwell combined with Jones who crossed from the right flank to Dennis at the back post and he headed back across the goal-mouth where Malshanskyj failed to make contact as he arrived at pace.
Cirencester had started positively but Mangotsfield wanted some of the action and they worked the ball down their right flank - Demkiv, Ben Brooks, Sekani Simpson, Demkiv and Brooks again – leading to a corner kick that Griffin headed clear.
The visitors tried again as Tom Hillman made ground to the right corner to cross – cut out for a corner kick that reached Clayton Fortune but he was crowded out preventing a shot.
As in the first half, 14 minutes in, and following a Mangotsfield attack Cirencester scored again when the ball was worked down their right flank before being fed to Malshanskyj as he moved across the front edge of the visitors penalty area, right to left. Despite it being his debut and no doubt eager to score himself he unselfishly moved the ball on to JOHN DENNIS, who was totally free to the left of the penalty spot, and the winger duly obliged by curling the ball inside the right post. 2-0.
Three minutes later the debutant got his reward following a corner kick from the right that reached Griffin at the back post. The striker headed at the target and Armstrong got a part block on it but as it dropped JAY MALSHANSKYJ was on the spot to finish from a couple of yards. 3-0.
Mangotsfield almost replied a couple of minutes later when the dangerous Demkiv received the ball near the centre front edge of the home penalty area and without hesitating he struck a fierce shot at the goal – Clayton managed to push it wide but into the path of a supporting Harry Simons, as he arrived in the right channel of the area, but in his eagerness to get his shot away (before a recovering Clayton could get into position) he fired into the side netting.
During the next ten minutes Cirencester produced some neat flowing football as they worked the ball down their flanks with a Griffin header caught by Armstrong and a shot narrowly wide of the left post.
Into the final 15 minutes and Fortune, who was now spending more time as an attacker, had a shot deflected wide of the left post for a corner kick that was defended.
With five scheduled minutes remaining Mangotsfield worked the ball from left to right resulting in a shot from Simons that was parried by Clayton and cleared by Jones (who was fouled in the process – leading to a free kick and danger over).
As the game was drawing to a close Cirencester added two more goals when they took a free kick near the right front corner of the visitors box – Freeman, Tommy Anderson, Pook, Anderson and back to JACK FREEMAN as he moved along the front edge of the box before unleashing a fierce strike that flew into the top left corner. 4-0.
This was soon followed by JAY MALSHANSKYJ chasing after a ball to the edge of the box and when the ‘keeper missed his clearance kick he had the simple task of tapping the ball home to complete the scoring. 5-0.
Full Time: 5-0
The answer to the half-time question was obviously – No.
Cirencester had produced a solid all round team performance to earn the three points and debutant Jay Malshanskyj will undoubtedly be pleased with his contribution – two goals and an ‘Assist’.
Attendance: 171
Referee: Richard Walker (Redditch)
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Lewis Clayton
2. Isaiah Jones
3. Will Tunnicliff
4. Michael Pook
5. Shayne Anson
6. Will Wellon
7. Oliver Artwell
8. Jack Freeman 14, 88
9. Alan Griffin (C)
10. Jay Malshankyj 62, 90+2
11. John Dennis 59
12. Aidan Bennett (Shayne Anson-66mins)
14. James Mortimer-Jones
15. Tommy Anderson (John Dennis-85mins)
16. Levi Irving (Alan Griffin-82mins)
17. Adam Connolly
MANGOTSFIELD UNITED:
1. Liam Armstrong
2. Sekani Simpson (C)
3. Steve Kaca
4. Robbie Cox
5. Lee Hartshorn
6. Clayton Fortune
7. Ben Brooks
8. Thomas Llewellyn
9. Dan Demkiv
10. Jordan Rogers
11. Tom Hillman
12. Treyvond Anderson
14. Harry Simons (Ben Brooks-62mins)
15. Mircea Ilea
16. Harrison Lea (Robbie Cox-67mins)
17. James Ollis