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
‘The Centurions’ returned to The Corinium Stadium for a re-arranged, mid-week match against Barton Rovers, following their last gasp win against Aylesbury United at the weekend, and struggled to break through the visitors well organised defence whilst conceding a goal in each half to end their 5-game winning run.
Comparison of the league positions and current form of the teams prior to the match revealed that the visitors sat at the bottom of the table with 11 points from their 22 games played whilst Cirencester were in 5th place with 37 points from the same number of games. Examination of the ‘6-Match Form Guide’ table revealed that ‘The Rovers’ were in 17th place and Cirencester 2nd place with 2 points and 15 points respectively.
The Cirencester starting eleven was unchanged from the previous match.
The visitors kicked-off and immediately launched the ball to the left corner to concede a throw-in that enabled Cirencester to work the ball down their right flank before switching to their left.
A minute later Cirencester were awarded a free kick, right corner 25 yards out, that Joe Turley delivered to the near post where Zac Guinan made a darting run to head, accompanied by a defender, that resulted in a corner kick.
The visitors responded with a break to their right corner and a high cross to the back post that Will Christopher defended and Andy Lewis cleared.
Back came Cirencester as the ball was worked along the front edge of the visitors Penalty Area, from left to right, as Levi Irving won the ball to move it left to Jay Simpson – right foot shot blocked on the line, rebound to Guinan – shot blocked on the line again and cleared for a corner kick followed by a glancing header from Irving past the far-left post.
It had certainly been a positive start from the home side but as they pressed again the ball was lost for Barton to counter attack as Urijah Gordon-Douglas fed Martel Powell and he crossed from the right corner to the near post where KIERAN HAMILTON arrived to neatly head inside the right post. 0-1.
From this point onwards Cirencester pressed and probed, switching play across the pitch in search of an opening but none were to be found as the visitors dug-in – winning headers and crosses being blocked at source or caught by ‘keeper Matthew Boylan.
In between defending The Rovers mounted the occasional counter without causing too many problems to the home defence.
As the interval approached the Cirencester front line switched places to try something different and a deep cross from Ellis Dunton was collected by Simpson, right channel front edge of the visitors box, and he cut left to fire over the top left corner of the goal-frame.
Half Time: 0-1
From the re-start Cirencester attacked to the left corner and when the visitors defence cleared the ball downfield Kian Wilkes produced a moment of skill as in one-move he plucked the ball out of the air and avoided an incoming challenge to charge down the right channel but he couldn’t get past the cover defence who won the ball and started a counter that enabled Guinan to pounce on an error and enter into the area where Boylan quickly advanced to block.
The urgency appeared to have increased after the break and when Christopher played the ball down the right touch-line for Simpson to collect his cross from the corner was deflected for Boylan to gather before the incoming Guinan could reach it.
Barton responded with a strong run from Wilkes, down the right flank to the by-line but his cross passed through the home 6-yard box without contact to be cleared.
Another cross from Christopher soon followed for Joe Shepherd to head wide of the right post from near the Penalty Spot as the pressure mounted.
Around the hour mark Cirencester made a couple of substitutions and as they reorganised, Andy Lewis into the back line in place of Josh Nelmes, ‘keeper Alex Harris was called upon to make a point blank save from Gordon-Douglas and Jake Lee to block and clear the follow-up effort.
As Cirencester worked the ball down their right flank again the cross was caught by Boylan and launched down the pitch for another error that enabled KIERAN HAMILTON to collect and tuck into the back of the net. 0-2.
A few minutes later Wilkes embarked on another long run to the edge of the home box but Harris made the block to deny him.
With nothing to lose Cirencester continued to press forward but couldn’t find a way through the resolute visitors defence and when they were awarded a free kick, right channel – 22 yards out, Nick Peare beat the ‘wall’ but struck the bottom of the left post with the rebound being cleared.
By this point Cirencester were living dangerously and Barton were countering quickly and after a double substitution for the visitors Harris was called into action again to block with his feet and Turley the follow-up.
With five minutes of normal time remaining Cirencester were reduced to ten men when last man Dunton was dismissed for a shirt tug on Wilkes as he reached the edge of the home box.
The resulting free kick was driven into the ‘wall’ and the follow-up blocked by Peare who immediately started a counter attack – switching play to the right flank.
At the 90-minute mark the ball was played to the right corner where Shepherd flattened the defender in front of the home dug-out in his attempt to get the ball and he too was dismissed leaving Cirencester with nine men for the final few minutes.
Full Time: 0-2
A disappointing performance from Cirencester who despite having plenty of possession never really tested the visitors defence and were caught-out on the counter attack.
Barton Rovers came with a game plan and carried it out to perfection and deserved their victory.
Attendance: 120 Referee: Adam Gregory
Cirencester Town:
1. Alex Harris
2. Will Christopher
3. Ellis Dunton
4. Joe Turley
5. Jake Lee ©
6. Josh Nelmes
7. Jay Simpson
8. Andy Lewis
9. Levi Irving
10. Zac Guinan
11. Joe Shepherd
12. Nick Hancock
14. Reegan Messenger (Zac Guinan-58mins)
15. Nick Peare (Josh Nelmes-60mins)
16. Aidan Bennett (Andy Lewis-72mins)
17. Kevin Sawyer (GK)
Barton Rovers:
1. Matthew Boylan
2. Jameel Murshid
3. Lewis Williams
4. Kieran Gauthier
5. Jemale Olayinka
6. Mathieu Racine
7. Martel Powell ©
8. Kian Wilkes
10. Serhan Dogruer
11. Kieran Hamilton 13, 66
19. Urijah Gordon-Douglas
9. Scott Joseph (Urijah Gordon-Douglas-80mins)
12. Joshua Adeyileka
14. Elton Anning (Serhan Dogruer-80mins)
15. Lewis Thomas (Jemale Olayinka-32mins)
16. Leon Cashman