Cirencester Town FC
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Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
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BetVictor Southern League 2019/20
Division 1 South
Slimbridge 0 – 3 Cirencester Town
Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Courtesy of Steve Rolfe Photography
Cirencester made the short trip to Slimbridge for their latest League match after a week of change at The Corinium Stadium as three players left the Club in the preceding 48 hours and a new Manager was appointed but despite the turmoil they still managed to produce a determined performance to bring back the 3 points.
New Manager John Brough met the players on Thursday and was greeted with the news of the departures and that influential midfielder Mike Pook was suspended. In addition two other players were returning from long-term injury (Tommy Ouldridge and Josh Parsons) and one was absent through illness (Ash Harper) so to say the least his resources for his first game were depleted.
As would be expected, based on the above, the starting eleven had an unusual look as a number of players took to the well groomed pitch in different positions to usual – Jordan Morris in unfamiliar territory at right back and Jonny Dennis in central midfield – but there was the more familiar sight of James Mortimer-Jones ‘guarding the fort’ behind Dennis and Jack Freeman.
In addition Academy student Levi Irving took on the mantle of main striker following the departure of the hard-working Alan Griffin.
In terms of current form the two sides have both secured 4 points from their last six games but Slimbridge have 19 points from 14 games to sit in 10th place in the table whilst Cirencester are 15th with 13 points from 13 games.
The home side kicked off in difficult conditions, due to a swirling wind, and immediately attacked down their left flank but conceded a free kick when they switched to their right enabling Cirencester to get a touch of the ball.
Almost immediately the visitor’s began to work their left flank and as the ball was fed to Jonny Dennis, in a central position – 30 yards from goal, he spotted TOUMANI SIDIBE making a darting run towards the right channel front edge of the home box from his flank and quickly slid the ball into his path. Slimbridge ‘keeper Lewis Adams entered the race for the ball but Sidibe just got there first and managed to toe-poke it past the advancing ‘keeper and in off the inside of the far left post. 0-1.
Slimbridge responded by working the ball down their right flank to the corner and crossed towards the penalty spot where it was partially cleared dropping to Myron Turner on the edge of the box and he struck a firm left footed shot that brought a solid save from ‘keeper Lewis Clayton, diving to his left.
As the game ‘warmed-up’ Jack Freeman was busy battling for the ball on half-way before supporting Sidibe and Dennis as they worked the ball back to the centre front edge of the home box where his fierce strike was pushed out by Adams.
Shortly after the mid-point of the half Cirencester produced some neat football as they worked the ball forward with several players involved but the final ball was too long enabling Adams to collect.
The visitors attacked the right flank as Sidibe and Levi Irving – who had been showing some good movement and link play – worked to the corner before Will Peck intervened to send it back to Adams to clear.
Slimbridge countered down their right flank where the initial threat was defended but immediately recovered leading to a free kick near the centre circle that Adams delivered to the left channel of the Cirencester penalty area where the header was partially blocked with the ball dropping into space, just in front of the 6 yard box, Rhys Sarson was quickest to react but his shot was diverted for a corner kick that Christian Turner headed wide of the left post from near the penalty spot.
Into the final ten minutes of the half and Danny King sent a cross-field pass from the left towards the right front corner of the visitors box leading to a race between Leighton Tuodolo and Clayton and in the subsequent challenge the ball broke for Will Tunnicliff to complete the clearance.
As the interval loomed there was a period of play when neither side was able to produce any clear threat as they cancelled one another out near the Slimbridge left touchline.
Half Time: 0-1
Almost immediately from the re-start Cirencester were awarded a free kick that Freeman fired wide of the far left post from near the right front corner of the home box and this was soon followed by a Dennis shot that flew over the bar from a central position 20 yards out.
Slimbridge responded as Joel White played the ball forward to Sarson, 30 yards out, and he moved it right to Tuodolo who took on Tunnicliff near the corner resulting in a free kick to Cirencester. The kick reached LEVI IRVING as he burst down the centre, collecting the ball 25 yards from goal, for a 1v1 as he entered the box and with great composure the young striker calmly tucked the ball under an advancing Adams. 0-2.
The home side reacted very positively to this further setback and pressed forward as they mounted a series of attacks, particularly the left flank, with King prominent but Cirencester were proving resilient.
On the hour as Cirencester defended Dennis collected a clearance kick and charged some 40 yards down the left channel before he was stopped – leading to a free kick and shot from Sidibe that was blocked.
Around the mid-point of the half Christian Turner, Peck and King combined again but the resulting cross was caught by Clayton.
A couple of minutes later Cirencester struck again when TOMMY ANDERSON charged down the left channel to the front edge of the penalty area where he was met by Adams who parried his first effort but Anderson was not to be denied and he chased after the ball to finish inside the far right post from a very narrow angle, a yard or so from the left by-line, with his left foot. 0-3.
With nothing to lose Slimbridge pressed forward and although they had plenty of possession they were unable to break through the stubborn visitors rear-guard whilst Cirencester kept the home defence busy with swift counter attacks.
Full Time: 0-3
Given the circumstances leading up to this game Cirencester Manager John Brough must have been pleased with the application and determination of his new team with every one of them putting in a shift.
Attendance: 124
Referee: Dean Steathe
SLIMBRIDGE:
1. Lewis Adams
2. Aaron Nesbeth
3. William Peck
4. Michael Ford
5. Joel White (C)
6. Christian Turner
7. Danny King)
8. Adam Price
9. Rhys Sarson
10. Myron Turner
11. Leighton Tuodolo
12. Ryan Beckinsale (Adam Price-67mins)
14. Dion Chambers
15. James Spruce (Leighton Tuodolo-60mins)
16. Jamie Martin (Rhys Sarson-60mins)
17. Dean Turner
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Lewis Clayton
2. Jordan Morris
3. Will Tunnicliff
4. James Mortimer-Jones
5. Shayne Anson (C)
6. Will Wellon
7. Tommy Anderson 69
8. Jack Freeman
9. Levi Irving 53
10. John Dennis
11. Toumani Sidibe 5
12. Tommy Ouldridge (Tommy Anderson-84mins)
14. Max Lloyd
15. Sam Farr
16. Josh Parsons
17. Scott Rose (GK)