Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Long term Gloucestershire rivals Cinderford Town were the latest team to visit The Corinium Stadium and as usual a competitive game ensued with the bonus for those attending of eight goals.
Over the years a number of players have performed for both Clubs and this has developed into a rivalry that adds to the matches between them. In addition Cinderford defeated The Centurions 3-1 at The Causeway in the first game of the season to add a bit more to the contest but it has to be said that whilst Cirencester are in a transition since the arrival of John Brough (who also managed Cinderford to promotion) The Foresters have a number of injuries to contend with so an interesting game was in prospect.
The relative league positions before the game were Cinderford 9th and Cirencester 10th although Cinderford have played 3 fewer games than their hosts but in terms of form Cirencester have obtained 11 points from their last 6 games to Cinderford’s 7 points.
New recruit Bradley Gray (ex Swindon Supermarine) made his debut on the right wing with Tommy Anderson given a free role behind Levi Irving and it proved to be a masterstroke as he was awarded Man of the Match after the game.
The game kicked off in difficult weather conditions for football – a strong wind down the pitch and fine rain – and this added to the contest in no small measure as the hosts played into the wind in the first half making it difficult to judge the weight of pass with several curling away from their intended target whilst for the visitors a pass could prove to be too strong.
Despite the above comment the game started at a positive pace with Cirencester earning a corner kick in the first minute that was comfortably defended.
Almost immediately the home side were back again as Levi Irving charged to the right corner before slipping the ball inside towards a supporting Brad Gray, but behind him, leading to a clearance that was collected by Jordan Morris who ran down the right channel before moving left across the front edge of the penalty area to shoot wide of the left post.
After this initial burst by Cirencester the visitors began to work their right flank leading to a free kick 10 yards inside the home half that reached Callum Wood who headed wide of the right post from left of the penalty spot.
During this period of pressure from the visitors they were awarded ‘throw-ins’ from the right corner that Sam Turl launched into the home penalty area and delivered a couple of crosses to test the home defence – one of which came about as Marley Thomas, on the edge of the area, slipped Blaine Waugh through to near the by-line but ‘keeper Lewis Clayton pounced on it before it could reach its intended target.
As the mid-point of the half arrived Morris intercepted a Cinderford pass inside the Ciren half and moved it on to Gray who carried it down the right flank before delivering it into the box leading to a corner kick from the left that required a number of blocks from the visitors defence.
Shortly afterwards Gray was heavily involved again as he released Tommy Anderson to the right corner resulting in a throw-in and cross from Gray that eventually led to a free kick and a Jonny Dennis shot past the left post.
During the next few minutes Gray released Morris who reached the by-line and combined with Anderson to set Irving free to work his way left to supply Dennis but his resulting shot was cleared leading to a free kick 25 yards out, central position. Brad Gray clipped the kick towards the left post but en-route it took a slight deflection and looped to WILL WELLON as he came in to produce a cushioned header that dropped inside the far right post. 1-0.
Cinderford countered as Thomas collected the ball inside the home area and fired a fierce drive over the bar.
As the half drew to a close Dennis had a shot blocked and another one narrowly wide of the right post.
Half Time: 1-0
The first half had been busy and entertaining with plenty of goalmouth action but the second was on another level with two goals in the first 4 minutes.
From the re-start Morris charged to the right by-line leading to an Anderson burst to a similar position but his cross passed through the front edge of the 6 yard box.
Moments later Cinderford attacked to the left corner to win a corner kick that CRAIG NORMAN headed inside the left post to level. 1-1.
Within a minute Cirencester were awarded a free kick, right channel – 35 yards out, that Gray delivered to the centre front edge of the visitor’s box and when it was cleared it was collected by TOMMY ANDERSON who smashed the ball from the right channel of the box, 15 yards out, at the target. Cinderford ‘keeper Andy Hannah took the sting out of the shot but it still reached the goal-line and as a defender attempted to clear Anderson followed up to ensure it finished in the back of the net. 2-1.
Five minutes later Cinderford mounted an attack that reached the home penalty area where Clayton dived at the feet of Waugh as he burst through with the rebound falling to a supporting Ben Watkins but he fired wide of the left post from 12 yards.
Another five minutes and it was Cirencester that missed a golden chance to increase their lead as a punt down the centre landed 25 yards out where the busy Anderson robbed a defender to move into the box for a 1v1 with Hannah but he fired wide of the left post.
Undeterred Cirencester attacked again as Gray exchanged passes with Dennis and then delivered a cross from the right flank towards the right front corner of the 6 yard box where LEVI IRVING darted forward to produce a glancing header that struck the inside of the far left post on its way into the net. 3-1.
With a two-goal cushion Cirencester continued to press as Anderson collected the ball in the left channel, 35 yards out, and slipped the ball wide to JONNY DENNIS as he cut in from the touchline to drive to the centre of the pitch, 25 yards out, where he struck a firm, low shot inside the left post. 4-1.
With nothing to lose Cinderford pressed forward during the final 15 minutes and a free kick from the right flank, 35 yards out, was delivered by Lorcan Sheehan towards the left side edge of the home area where it was volleyed into the mix just in front edge of the penalty spot. Lewis Clayton punched it, then blocked at point blank range with the ball rebounding to CRAIG NORMAN who headed home from close range. 4-2.
As the game was drawing to a close Toumani Sidibe drew a good save from Hannah and Josh Nelmes headed a free kick wide of the left post but the scoring was not over as in ‘added-time’ an Anderson cross from the right flank was diverted into the net for an OWN GOAL. 5-2.
A few minutes later Sheehan sent the ball down the right channel into the area and the defenders challenge resulted in a Penalty Kick being awarded. CRAIG NORMAN stepped up to smash the ball inside the right post to complete the scoring and his hat-trick.
Full Time: 5-3
A thoroughly entertaining match with plenty of commitment, endeavour and quality on display from both sides and some terrific goals – what more can you want?
Attendance: 173
Referee: Richard Walker (Redditch)
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Lewis Clayton
2. Jordan Morris
3. Will Tunnicliff
4. Michael Pook (C)
5. Josh Nelmes
6. Will Wellon 37
7. Tommy Anderson 49
8. Nick Hancock
9. Levi Irving 62
10. Bradley Gray
11. John Dennis 66
12. Toumani Sidibe (John Dennis-71mins)
14. Jack Freeman (Tommy Anderson-90+2mins)
15. Jordan Murray (Bradley Gray-77mins)
16. James Mortimer-Jones
17. Scott Rose (GK)
CINDERFORD TOWN:
1. Andy Hannah
2. Sam Turl
3. Callum Wood
4. Joe Turley
5. Thomas Wright
6. Andy Lewis (C)
7. Blaine Waugh
8. Craig Norman 48, 76, 90+4
9. James Harding
10. Ben Watkins
11. Marley Thomas
12. Josh Hunt
14. Lorcan Sheehan (Ben Watkins-61mins)
15. Sammie Hicks
16 Aaron Basford (James Harding-68mins)
17. Nick Rhodes (Thomas Wright-61mins)