Cirencester Town FC
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Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Match photos supplied by Graham Hill
The third Pre-Season Friendly, as the new season approaches, brought former adversaries CHIPPENHAM TOWN of the National League - South to The Corinium Stadium and after the home side had opened the scoring the visitors responded a few minutes later to score two quick goals mid-way through the second half to win the match.
On a warm afternoon ‘The Bluebirds’ kicked off playing towards ‘The Shed’ end of the ground to attack down their left flank for their Trialist to have his shot, from the left channel of the home Penalty Area, blocked for a corner kick that resulted in a free kick to Cirencester as ‘keeper Alex Harris punched the ball clear.
Cirencester responded immediately as Ellis Dunton carried the ball down the left channel before switching play to Jordan Lymn who had his shot blocked leading to a corner kick and a drive from Dunton that was caught by ‘keeper Will Henry.
A very positive start to the match.
By the mid-point of the half Chippenham had attacked to the right corner a couple of times and their Trialist had headed wide of the left post whilst Cirencester’s Sergio Mills had fired over the bar from the edge of the box following some neat approach play.
During the second quarter play was very competitive and end-to-end.
Luke Russo cut right from the left front corner of the home box and fired towards the far-right post forcing Harris to dive to push away. The ‘keeper was in action shortly afterwards when he had to push a Joe Hanks free kick over his cross-bar.
In between these events Cirencester threatened with a couple of free kicks and a cross to the back post – all of which were dealt with by The Bluebirds defence.
In the closing minutes of the half Alefe Santos ‘twisted and turned’ to work his way to the left by-line but his cross was too long and the danger cleared.
Half Time: 0-0
Cirencester began the second half positively as a good move involving several players released Lymn to the right corner but his low cross was safely gathered by Henry.
This was soon followed by Theo Lewis clipping the woodwork with his free kick from 25 yards - right channel and Lymn sending another low cross from the side edge of the Chippenham box for Henry to intervene again.
Chippenham responded to press for the next few minutes as a free kick led to a corner kick and a low cross from the by-line but Cirencester survived and mounted a quick counter attack as Lewis supplied Ross Gabriel who in turn supplied LEVI IRVING and he calmly tucked his shot inside the left post from right of the Penalty Spot. 1-0.
Within minutes Joe Parker received a pass from Eddie Jones on the edge of the home box, turned sharply and clipped his shot over the bar.
This was soon followed by Will King volleying a cross over the bar from just outside the 6-yard box but he was not to be denied as two minutes later when Hanks sent a deep cross to the far post WILL KING headed it back across goal and inside the right post. 1-1.
Two minutes later MATT JONES struck a firm, low free kick inside the left post from 25 yards – left channel. 1-2.
During the last ten minutes Santos cut in from the left flank to deliver a superb pass to King on the edge of the box and his shot brought a fine save from Harris.
As the game was drawing to a close Joe Parker fired wide of the target a couple of times and Cirencester worked the ball down their right flank leading to a free kick that Nick Hancock delivered to the edge of the 6-yard box where Jake Lee’s header was pushed over the bar by Henry.
Full Time: 1-2
A good competitive game with both defences proving difficult to break down as they prepare for the season ahead.
Referee: Dale Wootton
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
Alex Harris, Josh Nelmes, Jordan Morris, Joe Turley Nick Peare 69), Jake Lee ©, Ellis Dunton, Jordan Lymn, Reegan Messenger (Tyreece Briscoe 46), Ross Gabriel (Dan Austin 69), Sergio Mills (L.Irving 57), Theo Lewis (Nick Hancock 69).
CHIPPENHAM TOWN:
Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Matt Jones, Landon Golding, Pablo Martinez, Callum Gunner (Tom Mehew 52), Trialist (Noah Coppin 52), Alex Bray (Alfie Santos 28), Joe Hanks, Joe Parker, Luke Russo (Will King 15), Caine Bradbury.