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 Centurions made the long trip to Bolitho Park, the home of Plymouth Parkway, to face ground-sharing TRURO CITY of the Southern League - Premier Division South in the Third Qualifying Round of The Buildbase FA Trophy and after a competitive encounter, that rarely featured any flowing football as the two sides cancelled one another out, lost to an instinctive strike in the 13th minute.
The match was originally scheduled for Saturday but was re-arranged to Sunday, due to Plymouth Parkway also being involved in the competition, and then following the heavy rain over the weekend was delayed until Tuesday evening.
The Cirencester squad continued to have a few absentees due to injury but a new face was on the bench as defender Niall Lovelock has joined on loan from Bristol Rovers – we hope you enjoy your period with us Niall.
The home side kicked off proceedings and during the opening ten minutes threatened on both flanks to win corner kicks whilst Cirencester responded with driving runs from Kinsly Murray and Harry Williams with the latter’s progress brought to a halt in the home penalty area resulting in a corner kick.
Following a Tom Handley interception and an exchange of passes with Williams the fullback reached the left corner to slip the ball inside to Josh Parsons but as he turned the ball was lost leading to a counter attack down the home sides right flank to the corner. The initial low cross was parried by a diving Alex Harris but rebounded into the path of EUAN POLLOCK who instinctively smashed the ball inside the far-left post. 1-0.
A few minutes later Pollock was released for a strong run from half-way, down the left channel, but as he entered the Cirencester penalty area, for a 1v1 with Harris, the ‘keeper advanced to block and dive on the loose ball.
Shortly before the mid-point of the half Cirencester produced a flowing move as Joe Turley played the ball inside to Josh Nelmes who clipped it from the centre circle towards the right corner for Williams to make ground and cross - resulting in a corner kick that Mike Pook delivered to the far post where Ellis Dunton headed wide of the left post.
At this stage Cirencester were showing signs of settling to their task but their hosts once again threatened down their left flank as Connor Riley-Lowe and Daniel Rooney combined, eventually leading to a shot from Niall Thompson that was blocked.
Shortly afterwards Shane White reached the right by-line to cross but Pollock’s header, from the right channel – 12 yards out, was safely caught by Harris.
When Cirencester responded down their right flank through Shayne Anson and Murray progress was halted by an ‘offside’ decision.
Just after the half-hour mark a Cirencester free kick was again delivered to Dunton at the far post and when he headed it into the mix it eventually found its way to the experienced home ‘keeper Luke McCormick.
As the interval loomed Harry Williams exchanged passes with Parsons before shooting into the arms of McCormick from just outside the home penalty area and shortly afterwards Nelmes won the ball to supply him near the right front corner of the home area where he cut left to shoot straight at McCormick who caught the ball.
In between these attacks Cirencester had also worked the ball along the edge of the home box to Handley who crossed from the left flank to the far post where Parsons’ header was collected by McCormick at his left post.
In the closing stages of the half Cirencester had been making a determined effort to get back on level terms as Anson played the ball down the right flank, Parsons produced a glancing header to supply Murray as he darted to the corner but the resulting cross was too long.
As Cirencester pressed Truro countered as the busy Pollock was once again released down the left channel for another 1v1 with Harris – blocked by the ‘keeper but recycled to Thompson on the right leading to a corner kick and goal-kick.
As Cirencester worked the ball forward again the whistle blew for half-time.
Half Time: 1-0
After the break Cirencester came out in determined mood and whilst Truro threatened from the re-start the visitors responded positively to mount attacks down their left flank as Handley charged forward to cross into the home box.
Shortly afterwards Nelmes battled for the ball to release Williams who was buffeted as he worked his way along the front edge of the Truro box before shooting into the arms of McCormick.
A clearance from Handley reached Parsons in the centre circle, who was unceremoniously dumped on his back, resulting in a free kick and corner kick to Cirencester that was defended.
The home response took them to the left corner and as the ball was delivered into the Cirencester penalty area it was cleared to William Dean who struck a fierce shot from 20 yards that Harris managed to divert for a corner kick.
On the hour as Truro pressed Jake Lee intercepted and supplied the ball to Murray, right flank-near half-way, and he turned and charged down the touchline to the corner where he was confronted by two opponents but as he cut inside he was adjudged to have fouled one of them and a free kick awarded to Truro - much to the surprise of the travelling supporters.
As the game entered the final quarter Cirencester were putting the home side under pressure more often with both Williams and Levi Irving reaching the left by-line to cross into the danger area and when Truro countered Ryan Brett had his shot blocked by Harris.
In the final few minutes Ryan Dickson headed over and Cirencester launched balls into the home box but were unable to get the necessary breakthrough to take the tie to penalties.
Full Time: 0-0
A much more positive second half from The Centurions - full of endeavour and commitment - without really testing the home 'keeper, but despite the effort they were unable to prolong their FA Trophy journey.
GOOD LUCK to TRURO in the First Round Proper.
Attendance: 102 Referee: Steve Annis
Truro City:
1. Luke McCormick
2. Niall Thompson
3. Connor Riley-Lowe
4. Cheick Diabete
6. Jamie Richards ©
5. Shane White
8. William Dean
9. Tyler Harvey
10. Daniel Rooney
11. Ryan Brett
14. Euan Pollock 13
19. Louis Rooney
7. Ryan Dickson (Euan Pollock-64mins)
12. Stuart Yetton
15. James Swan (Daniel Rooney-88mins)
16. Ellis Johnson (Niall Thompson-64mins)
Cirencester Town:
1. Alex Harris
2. Shayne Anson
3. Tom Handley
4. Michael Pook
5. Jake Lee ©
6. Ellis Dunton
7. Joe Turley
8. Josh Nelmes
9. Harry Williams
10. Josh Parsons
11. Kinsly Murray
12. Ross Gabriel (Michael Pook-80mins)
14. Niall Lovelock
15. Elliott Keightley
16. Levi Irving (Kinsly Murray-64mins)
17. James Mortimer-Jones