Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Match photos supplied by Graham Hill
Cirencester returned to league action as they entertained Paulton Rovers at The Corinium Stadium and for the neutral spectator what wonderful entertainment it was - with a goal in the first minute, followed by a second within the first half hour and a penalty on the stroke of half-time for the visitors, whilst the home side pulled a goal back in the first half and added three more after the interval to take the three points on offer.
Cirencester had a couple of changes to the side of recent games as Tommy Anderson (having recovered from the rib injury that has kept him out of the squad since early September) replaced Kinsly Murray (who has returned to Bristol Rovers following his loan period) and the inclusion of Niall Lovelock who has joined on loan (also from Bristol Rovers) in place of Shayne Anson.
Following their run of three successive defeats The Centurions were in need of a positive result and in Paulton Rovers they faced a side in a good run of form having won 4 of their last 5 games, moving up to 8th place in the league table in the process.
Cirencester kicked off towards The Shed end of the stadium and almost immediately lost the ball which was delivered to the left channel of the home penalty area where EDWARD BUTCHER collected it and promptly smashed it into the back of the net to give his side the lead in the opening minute. 0-1.
What an opening for the visitors – if there had been any doubt before the game it was now clear why they were moving up the table.
The home side responded to test both flanks and the visitors replied with an attack down the right channel and cross that was blocked.
Ellis Dunton then clipped a couple of balls behind the Paulton defence to the left corner - the first for Josh Parsons to collect and cross (caught by ‘keeper Aaron Sainsbury) - and the second to Levi Irving who was fouled as he cut inside resulting in a free kick that Tommy Anderson delivered to the far post and surprisingly out without contact.
Leading up to the mid-point of the half Cirencester were pressing forward in search of a goal as Parsons fired a free kick from 25 yards over the bar and then Irving crossed from the left by-line for Tommy Anderson, right channel of the penalty area, to head back into the mix for Parsons to swivel and shoot – blocked.
A couple of minutes later Cirencester worked the right corner then switched to the left to win a corner kick that eventually reached Parsons who once again had his shot blocked.
As Cirencester threatened again the ball was lost and quickly sent forward for LEIGHTON THOMAS to collect in the left channel of the home box and his firm, low shot entered the net inside the far-right post. 0-2.
Four minutes later home ‘keeper Alex Harris punted the ball downfield to the edge of the Paulton box where a visiting defender headed it over the advancing Sainsbury leaving JOSH PARSONS the task of chasing the ball to fire into the vacant net. 1-2.
Encouraged Cirencester continued to press forward whilst Paulton were quick to counter as demonstrated when Butcher reached the left by-line and pulled the ball back towards the penalty spot where Liban Ibrahim shot over the bar.
As the half entered the last ten minutes Cirencester were pressing hard for an equaliser as Harry Williams, Parsons and Irving worked the ball to the left corner and back for Tom Handley to deliver his cross to the far-right post – defended soon to be followed by a Williams free kick being punched clear by Sainsbury and recycled via Dunton and Anderson back to Williams who had his volley blocked.
A couple of minutes later Williams slid the ball through for Parsons to collect, left channel – 15 yards out, and he advanced to shoot over the near post.
As is often the case when a side is pressing, the opposition mount a quick counter to score and this Paulton did as on the stroke of half-time they released Butcher into the home box where he was brought to ground – Penalty Kick and Yellow Card for the culprit. LEIGHTON THOMAS stepped forward and drove his spot kick inside the right post as Harris dived in the opposite direction. 1-3.
In added-time Butcher had a shot blocked and Joe Turley played a superb volley pass to release Irving to charge to the left by-line but his resulting cross was too long.
Half Time: 1-3
It must have been some kind of ‘pep-talk’ during the interval as within two minutes Cirencester reduced the arrears.
Paulton kicked off and launched the ball towards the left flank where Shayne Anson won the heading duel to release Anderson down the right flank. Eventually the ball was played back to Anson who sent a deep cross to the far-left post where Irving headed it across goal and against the right post and as it dropped JOSH PARSONS bundled it over the line. 2-3.
Cirencester were back in the game and pressed forward as an Irving cross was blocked for a corner kick and another move resulted in a sliced clearance from a defender being collected by Sainsbury.
Paulton responding through the dangerous Butcher, who was having a real battle with Anson, as he raced to the left by-line to win a corner kick.
As the hour mark approached Cirencester worked the ball to Parsons, centre front edge of the visitor’s box, who moved the ball left to Williams – shot blocked rebounding to Irving – shot blocked for a corner kick from the left. Tommy Anderson delivered the kick to the far post where Dunton headed against the bar and JAKE LEE headed the rebound over the line. 3-3.
A minute later Cirencester took the lead following an Anson throw-in that was sent down the right flank towards Williams for a covering defender to concede a corner kick. This time Anderson sent the kick to the near post where LEVI IRVING produced a superb header to give his side the lead. 4-3.
With the bit between their teeth Cirencester continued to threaten as Lee headed a corner kick over the bar and shortly afterwards another corner kick led to Joe Turley and Irving having shots blocked.
In between these corner kicks Thomas released Butcher into the home box but he fired over the bar.
Shortly after the mid-point of the half and following a Cirencester corner kick Paulton countered for Butcher to drive into the home box again for a possible 1v1 with Harris but Dunton came across to block with the ball rebounding to Harris.
It wasn’t long before Cirencester were back on the attack as Anderson fired narrowly wide of the left post and Parsons shot over the bar. The returning Brad Gray then fired a free kick from near the left front corner of the Paulton box just past the right post.
As the game was drawing to a close Handley embarked on a couple of excursions down the left flank and Gray fired another free kick over the top right corner from a similar position to his previous kick.
Full Time: 4-3
What an amazing turn-around – the proverbial game of two halves.
An enthralling match, full of entertainment and suspense with seven goals – what more could you want from a football match?
After obtaining the lead Cirencester continued to press forward, keeping Paulton on the back foot in the process, to secure the three points.
A determined recovery from The Centurions against opponents that often cause them problems.
Attendance: 229 Referee: Jack Clench
Cirencester Town:
1. Alex Harris
2. Niall Lovelock
3. Tom Handley
4. Joe Turley
5. Jake Lee © 58
6. Ellis Dunton
7. Tommy Anderson
8. Josh Nelmes
9. Harry Williams
10. Josh Parsons 28, 47
11. Levi Irving 59
12. Shayne Anson (Niall Lovelock-33mins)
14. Bradley Gray (Harry Williams-74mins)
15. Ross Gabriel
16. Michael Pook (Tommy Anderson-80mins)
17. Aidan Bennett
Paulton Rovers:
1. Aaron Sainsbury
2. James Byrne
3. Nuno Felix (C)
4. Neil Martin
5. Daniel Dempsey
6. George Fowler
7. Adam Kelly
8. David O’Hare
9. Leighton Thomas 24, 44p
10. Liban Ibrahim
11. Edward Butcher 1
12. Will Harvey (Adam Kelly-69mins)
14. Leo Eglin (Liban Ibrahim-74mins)
15. Thierry Swaby (Leighton Thomas-77mins)
16. Joe Paradise
18. Christopher Cooke