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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The second pre-season friendly match of the day, in preparation for the 2020-21 Season, brought Gloucester based side Longlevens to The Corinium Stadium.
The visitors were in 6th place in the ‘Hellenic League - Premier Division’ when the 2019-20 season was brought to an abrupt halt.
The long delay in returning to football had enabled a number of players to recover from their injuries – Shayne Anson, Josh Parsons, Tommy Anderson and John Dennis – and they were all included in the starting eleven along with new ‘keeper Alex Harris (formerly Merthyr Town) , Roger James (formerly of North Leigh) and the returning Ellis Dunton.
Once again the match was to be played with a ‘Drinks Break’ around the mid-point of each half and it was the visitors who kicked off proceedings playing towards The Shed end of the ground.
Cirencester created the first threat in the opening minutes as Jordan Morris played the ball up to Levi Irving who moved it on to Josh Parsons near the left corner and his cross was cut out for a corner kick that was defended.
Longlevens responded almost immediately as Harry Emmett struck a left footed shot from 25 yards that was blocked.
The home side had started reasonably well as the three players previously mentioned combined again but Parsons effort from the edge of the area was blocked for a corner kick and a Tommy Anderson strike brought a save from ‘keeper Kane Winman diving to his right but the visitors were very dangerous on the counter with the willing HARRY EMMETT often the outlet and his effort was rewarded when he opened the scoring after latching onto a loose ‘back-pass’ to finish into the vacant home net. 0-1.
Five minutes later it was time for the first ‘Drinks Break’.
After the break Cirencester continued to work the ball forward, with Roger James often involved down the right flank, but whoever approached the Longlevens penalty area was quickly surrounded to prevent further progress and once they had the ball the visitors countered quickly.
Longlevens doubled their advantage as another speedy counter down their right flank drew the home defence across the pitch enabling a supporting WILL EMERY to receive the ball in space as he approached the area. Home ‘keeper Alex Harris advanced as the ‘Levens man entered the box to clip his shot towards the right post and whilst Harris managed to get a hand to the shot he was unable to prevent it entering his net. 0-2.
To make matters worse for Cirencester the visitors scored again on the stroke of half time when they won the ball and worked it forward to the edge of the home box for JOE HASWELL to strike a low shot inside the far left post. 0-3.
Half Time: 0-3
Shortly before the interval Cirencester Manager John Brough had left his position in the stand to prepare for his ‘half-time discussion’ and it was soon evident what had transpired as his troops moved the ball quicker and closed down their opponents with more urgency.
Within 3 minutes of the re-start Cirencester worked the ball down their right flank for a corner kick followed by a free kick just outside the visitor’s box – fired over the bar.
This was soon followed by a 40 yard pass from James, near the home penalty area, to John Dennis on the left flank who delivered a 30 yard pass into the path of a charging Parsons – fouled. Once again the resulting free kick was fired over the bar.
Midway through the quarter Brad Martin took a quick free for Longlevens and delivered it to the penalty spot and after bobbing about it ricocheted to Jack Cornell who fired wide of the right post.
Cirencester were certainly making a determined effort to open their account as Winman pushed a header wide, Parsons fired over and James pulled his effort wide of the left post.
Another ‘Drinks Break’ and into the final quarter.
Within a minute Martin intercepted a pass and fired wide of the left post and Cirencester responded with a move that released Morris to send a low cross through the box that James was unable to convert.
In the final few minutes both ‘keepers were involved as they made good catches from deep crosses.
Full Time: 0-3
Despite Cirencester having plenty of possession in the first half it was their visitors that looked the more competitive and dangerous.
After the half-time interval the home side responded to the challenge but were unable to break down a stubborn defence.
A good first workout for the squad that lets them know they have plenty of room for improvement in the forthcoming matches.
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
Alex Harris, Tom Anderson, Jordan Morris, Joe Turley, Shayne Anson, Ellis Dunton, Roger James, Jack Freeman, Levi Irving, Josh Parsons, John Dennis, Jack Rockett, Tom Phillips, Harry Staddon.
LONGLEVENS:
Kane Winman, Isaac Johns, George Callinan, Ben Williams, Ellis Sausman, Ollie Long, Tommy Callinan, Shaun O’Connor, Harry Emmett, Brad Martin, Will Emery, Jack Cornell, Joe Haswell, Callum McGuirk, James Barnett, Cam Williams, Adam Wallace (GK).