Cirencester Town FC
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Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
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Bulpit Lane the home of ‘The Crusaders’ - National League South side HUNGERFORD TOWN - was the destination of ‘The Centurions’ for this Third Qualifying Round of The Emirates FA Cup and what a battle they put up as they pulled-back a two-goal deficit against opponents from two levels higher in the National Pyramid, despite missing an earlier Penalty Kick, before conceding a goal in ‘added-time’ to leave the competition.
The Cirencester team-sheet saw the return of Aidan Bennett to the starting eleven and Nick Peare and Mike Pook to the bench as players gradually return from injury but there are still a number of absences from the squad – Tommy Anderson, Jordan Morris and Nick Hancock.
Cirencester started positively as they kicked-off, playing down the slope and into the rain, to work both flanks in the opening minutes leading to a free kick, followed by a corner kick that required a punch from ‘keeper Luke Cairney to clear the danger, and a follow-up corner from the other flank that resulted in an ambitious over-head kick from Josh Nelmes, back to goal, that cleared the bar.
The reply from Hungerford was a long kick from Cairney to the right corner that resulted in a Matt Jones corner kick from the right that Nana Kyei stepped over to allow the ball to run to Keith Emmerson who had his shot from the left channel front edge of the area blocked for a Cirencester counter attack to the right corner that was comfortably defended.
Shortly afterwards Josh Parsons fired a free kick, awarded for a trip on Tom Handley as he charged down the left channel before slipping the ball to Levi Irving, just wide of the far-right post and soon after he slipped the ball left to Handley who delivered a clever ball into the path of Irving who produced some impressive footwork to evaded a couple of challenges as he entered the home box before squaring the ball – blocked by Cairney but reaching Nelmes outside the box who was fouled for a Cirencester free kick near the left front corner of the area. The kick was deflected for James Rusby to complete the clearance.
Cirencester were really pressing, particularly down their left flank through Handley and Irving – supported by Parsons, at this stage and an Irving back-heel found Parsons who had his low shot saved by Cairney at his right post.
When Hungerford did mount an attack they found the visitors defence in determined mood - as represented by a firm tackle from Shayne Anson when Jones advanced - but they were showing signs of getting into the game by the 30-minute mark as they worked the ball from left to right involving several players. The final cross was cut-out by Jake Lee leading to a throw-in and shot from Rhys Tyler that was well over.
A few minutes later Ryan Seager and Tyler combined on the right flank resulting in the latter’s shot requiring a save from ‘keeper Alex Harris, followed by a corner kick that was eventually sent back in for Harris to catch.
Into the final ten minutes before the break and it was more ‘end-to-end’ as Parsons fired wide of the right post and Kyei brought another fine save from Harris.
On the stroke of the interval Parsons won a corner kick that once again Cariney punched off the top of Ellis Dunton’s head to clear the danger.
Half Time: 0-0
Within 3 minutes of the re-start Hungerford opened the scoring as they worked the ball from the centre to the left channel to shoot – deflected for a corner kick from the left that was played short and back before being crossed into the mix and on to KEITH EMMERSON who tucked it inside the right post from a few yards. 1-0.
Cirencester were continuing to threaten down their left flank as Nelmes released Parsons who shot into the side-netting whilst Kyei was causing problems for Cirencester with his movement as he set-up Chris Flood who struck the right post from the left channel of the penalty area.
At the mid-point of the half Dunton sent a raking pass to the right corner for Ben Whitehead to collect and take to the by-line to cross – cleared but re-cycled to Parsons who shot at the target from the right channel, 20 yards out, his effort struck a defender’s arm as he charged to block and the well-placed Referee pointed to the spot for a Penalty Kick. Levi Irving stepped up to take the kick and Cairney dived right to save and whilst Cirencester recovered the ball to press again they lost it for a counter attack down the left channel as Kyei galloped to the left by-line where he crossed for RYAN SEAGER to bundle over the line. 2-0.
With nothing to lose Cirencester pressed forward to win a throw-in near the left corner and Mike Pook launched it towards the near post where Irving headed-on, bringing a save from Cairney but the ball dropped invitingly to ELLIS DUNTON and he immediately volleyed it into the back of the net from a few yards to give Cirencester a life-line. 2-1.
A couple of minutes later Nelmes slipped the ball to Parsons, forward to Irving who reached the left by-line where his cross was blocked for a corner kick that Parsons delivered to the far post for Dunton to head goal-wards – parried by Cairney but pounced on by BEN WHITEHEAD who headed home from a couple of yards. 2-2.
Game on.
With 7 minutes of ‘normal time’ remaining Hungerford were reduced to ten men - when Callum Willmoth was dismissed for a second Yellow Card - as the game was becoming tense and stretched but there was still time for Whitehead to fire over before Rusby came forward to launch a couple of long throws into the Cirencester box and from one of these Simo Mbonkwi sent a low cross from the left by-line towards the near post where RYAN SEAGER darted forward to smash it inside the post. 3-2.
Cirencester responded to threaten but Hungerford remained solid to secure victory and a place in the next round.
Full Time: 3-2
A very entertaining cup-tie for the neutral in dreadful conditions with plenty of commitment, endeavour and skill on display - a credit to non-league football.
The Centurions should be proud of their performance, as they certainly tested their opponents from two levels higher in the National Pyramid, although no doubt disappointed at the result.
Good Luck to Hungerford Town in the next round.
Attendance: 361 Referee: Ross Martin
Hungerford Town:
1. Luke Cairney
5. Keith Emmerson 48
6. James Rusby ©
8. Callum Willmoth
9. Ryan Seager 69, 90+1
10. Chris Flood
11. Matt Jones
12. Nana Kyei
17. George Smith
23. Rhys Tyler
32. Kyle Bailey
2. Louis McGrory (Matt Jones-73mins)
3. Curtis Angell
18. Warren Bentley
20. Sol Wanjau-Smith (Chris Flood-86mins)
22. Matt Berry-Hargreaves
24. Simo Mbonkwi (Nana Kyei-74mins)
GK. Matt Crowther
Cirencester Town:
1. Alex Harris
2. Shayne Anson
3. Tom Handley
4. Joe Turley
5. Jake Lee ©
6. Ellis Dunton 75
7. Joe Shepherd
8. Josh Nelmes
9. Aidan Bennett
10. Josh Parsons
11. Levi Irving
12. Ben Whitehead (Aidan Bennett-60mins) 77
14. Ross Gabriel (Levi Irving-84mins)
15. Elliott Keightley
16. Nick Peare
17. Michael Pook (Joe Shepherd-70mins)
18. James Mortimer-Jones