Cirencester Town FC
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Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Match photos supplied by Graham Hill
Comparative near-neighbours KIDLINGTON FC was the destination for The Centurions for the second August Bank Holiday league fixture and in perfect sunny, dry conditions the match produced a goal-less first half, followed by the home side scoring soon after the interval and adding a second shortly before the final whistle to secure the 3 points.
With only three games played so far, the fortunes for the sides on view differ greatly as prior to kick-off Kidlington sat in 5th place with 6 points from their games whilst Cirencester were in a disappointing 17th place with only 1 point to date.
As a result of the non-availability, through injury, of his Strikers Manager John Brough took the decision to move Captain Jake Lee to the front line in a bid to add some fire-power as Jake began his career as a Striker before moving into defence.
The game started positively enough for the visitors as straight from the kick-off the ball was worked to the left corner leading to a corner kick that was eventually returned to the taker, Nick Hancock, who clipped the ball to the Penalty Spot where Reegan Messenger headed towards goal – bringing a finger-tip save from home custodian Joseph Gorman as he tipped it over his bar.
The home side replied with a break down their left channel as Lewis Baldwin fed Ryan Knight who crossed from the left corner but ‘keeper Alex Harris caught the ball to end that threat.
During the opening stages of the match Cirencester often threatened down their left flank whilst the home side mounted occasional counters and around the 15-minute mark Jake Lee headed the ball on to Sergio Mills who lobbed the ball into the path of Levi Irving as he darted to the left channel front edge of the home box but his resulting shot was over the bar.
Kidlington responded with a couple of attacks that produced corner kicks and a shot over the bar from John Dennis.
Around the mid-point Ellis Dunton played the ball up to Lee who headed it on for Mills to carry to the left side edge of the home box but his resulting cross was cleared.
Shortly afterwards Kidlington countered as a pass was delivered from the left channel to the right channel front edge of the Cirencester Penalty Area for Knight to collect and shoot but an advancing Harris blocked his effort and gathered the ball.
A Drinks Break was taken at this point and almost immediately afterwards Harris delivered a free kick to Lee who headed it to Jordan Morris as he overlapped to the left by-line to cross – a left wing corner kick followed that was defended at the near post.
Another Cirencester attack down their right flank enabled Jordan Lymn to reach the by-line to cross to the back post where Irving headed wide of the far-right post.
Kidlington responded to attack down their left flank before switching to the right but after a series of throw-ins a free kick was conceded and the immediate danger was over for the visitors.
As the interval loomed Hancock delivered another free kick to the left channel of the home box where Lee headed it back across the box and after a scramble Messenger managed to get his shot away from right of the Penalty Spot but it was blocked near the goal-line and cleared.
As Kidlington pressed towards the end of the half Cirencester stood firm and countered.
Half Time: 0-0
Within minutes of the re-start Cirencester were awarded a free kick that earned the culprit a Yellow Card and when the kick was taken Gorman had to make a low save at his right post.
A couple of minutes later as Kidlington reached their right corner the ball was crossed to the left flank for Billy Gillett to collect and clip back into the mix around the visitors Penalty Spot and after a scramble it fell to SAMUEL JENKINS who struck a ‘bobbling’ shot that bounced through a ruck of players and inside the right post to open the scoring, 1-0.
The sides then exchanged several free kicks that came to nought but one from Dunton, left channel – 25 yards out, sailed just over the head of Lee and his marker but nearly crept inside the right post.
As Cirencester continued to press in search of an equaliser Gorman pushed a Frankie Johnson effort around his left post but generally the home side were dealing with balls into their box comfortably and just after the mid-point of the half Knight collected a pass near the left front corner of the Cirencester box before driving the ball at the target. Alex Harris parried his shot and the danger was cleared.
Another Drinks Break soon followed and it seemed to lift the home side as they pressed for Rhys Wells to shoot over and he followed this up by driving the ball towards the Penalty Spot where a heavy touch enabled Harris to drop on the ball.
Back came Cirencester as Johnson supplied Morris who reached the left by-line to cut back into the Penalty Area but his cross was caught by Gorman.
Cirencester pressed again to deliver several crosses and shots into the home box but Kidlington stood firm and as the end of the game loomed Gorman delivered a free kick from inside his half to the right channel front edge of the Cirencester box. An aerial duel followed and the ball broke to the left for THOMAS MOORE to burst forward and strike a left footed shot inside the right post to seal the victory.
Full Time: 2-0
The match was a ‘scrappy’ affair with neither side getting a grip of the ball, punctuated by so many free kicks it was impossible to get any rhythm to the play, and as a result it was not one for the football purists.
Attendance: 142 Referee: Callum Fisk
Kidlington FC:
1. Joseph Gorman
2. Samuel Jenkins 49
3. Mark Flanagan
4. Lewis Baldwin
5. Daniel Comer
6. Oliver Goddard
7. Billy Gillett
8. Thomas Moore © 89
9. Ryan Knight
10. Lucas Northover
11. John Dennis
12. Connor Mattimore
14. Tom Griffiths (Lucas Northover-67mins)
15. Rhys Wells (Billy Gillett-61mins
16. Declan Peart
17. Luke Noble
Cirencester Town:
1. Alex Harris
2. Josh Nelmes
3. Jordan Morris
4. Joe Turley
5. Jake Lee ©
6. Ellis Dunton
7. Jordan Lymn
8. Reegan Messenger
9. Levi Irving
10. Sergio Mills
11. Nick Hancock
12. Ross Gabriel (Jordan Lymn-82mins)
14. Frankie Johnson (Sergio Mills-55mins)
15. Tyreece Briscoe
16. James Mortimer-Jones
17. Louie Barnfather (GK)