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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Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Match photos supplied by Graham Hill
‘The Centurions were back at The Corinium Stadium, following their disappointing mid-week home defeat, to face The Bricks of Hadley FC and after a much more dynamic performance were denied by some last gasp blocks by the visitors ‘keeper, Luke Ward.
Early in December Hadley inflicted a 1-0 defeat on The Centurions and since then they have played four more games and obtained a further 6 points but remain in 13th place in the league table prior to this game with 26 points. Their current form based on their last 6 games places them 4th in the table whilst Cirencester are 5th and 2nd respectively.
Following the mid-week defeat Manager, John Brough, has made a couple of changes to the starting eleven as Nick Hancock replaces Jay Simpson (ill) and Nick Peare and Jordan Morris replace Andy Lewis and Zac Guinan (on the bench).
The visitors kicked-off and sent the ball towards their left corner where Jake Lee headed it away for Cirencester to mount an attack down their right flank that was repelled and returned for Luke Alfano to cross into the home box and this time it was cleared for Levi Irving to make a strong run to the left corner and by-line where his deflected cross was caught by ‘keeper Luke Ward near his right post.
From these early exchanges it appeared that a competitive game was in prospect and so it turned out.
Shortly afterwards as the visitors worked their right flank they lost the ball and Joe Shepherd quickly released LEVI IRVING to the left channel front edge of their box where he evaded an incoming challenge and rounded the ‘keeper to tuck his shot into the net. 1-0.
A few minutes later Hadley launched a free kick into the home box and this led to a corner kick from the right followed by one from the left that Cirencester survived but it wasn’t long before a punt downfield was headed on by Jordan Edwards and as he chased after his own header Alex Harris left his box to head clear but it fell to EDWARD DAVIS who promptly clipped it over the cover defence and into the back of the net from 25 yards, left channel. 1-1.
Encouraged, Hadley pressed again to win a corner kick from the left that Nick Peare headed at the near post and Josh Nelmes completed the clearance but it was collected by Davis and slipped right to Billy Hayes who shot wide of the left post from 35 yards.
At the mid-point of the half Irving collected the ball just inside the visitors half and played it left to Jordan Morris who sent it down the flank towards the left corner where Irving chased, collected and pulled it back from the by-line towards an incoming Shepherd, left channel – 15 yards out, and his instant right footed volley was caught by Ward.
Cirencester were soon back again as a free kick was delivered by Joe Turley into the ‘mix’ for Peare to head – defended to Nelmes who attempted an overhead kick that resulted in a corner kick from the right that was cleared and collected by Morris who cut right to supply Peare, and he in turn sent it from left to right for Nick Hancock to lay it off for Will Christopher to delivere a curling cross towards the Penalty Spot where a fast arriving Shepherd headed it into the grateful arms of Ward.
During the next 15 minutes Cirencester enjoyed plenty of possession as they pressed their opponents but with little threat until five minutes before the interval when Shepherd released Irving to the right side edge of the Hadley box where he squared it to the Penalty Spot for an incoming Peare to shoot over the bar.
As the half drew to a close Hadley mounted a couple of attacks as Darnell-Joe Luke slipped the ball to George Alfieri who reached the right by-line to cross to the back post – defended and cleared, but they were soon back again with a free kick on the right-side edge of the centre circle. Moise Ndandani delivered the kick to the left corner where Christopher conceded a throw-in that eventually produced a cross into the home box that was cleared.
Half Time:1-1
The game had been played at a frantic pace and it continued after the interval.
From the re-start Cirencester attacked down their left flank and when Nelmes delivered the ball deep into the corner Irving chased after it to gain possession but was knocked to the ground – nothing given. Moments later Irving was on the deck again – nothing given, but undeterred shortly afterwards he squared the ball to his left for Peare to line up a fierce shot, left channel – 35 yards out, at the target that Ward parried before collecting.
In a fast and promising start Cirencester then tried the right flank but once again Ward read the situation to take the ball off Hancock’s toe and a few minutes later he caught a Morris cross from the Cirencester left flank.
As Hadley attempted to work the ball forward it was intercepted by Irving who laid it off to Ellis Dunton, he played it down the line to Peare, left flank half-way, who produced quick feet in a tight situation to avoid a challenge and send the ball forward to Shepherd, left channel - 25 yards out, and he instantly flicked the ball into the path of JORDAN MORRIS as he charged into the Hadley box, advanced and calmly slid the ball past the oncoming Ward and inside the right post. 2-1.
After a couple of Cirencester attacks Hadley responded as Ajong made a strong run down their right flank before another move ended in the left corner due to an ‘offside’ flag.
As Hadley worked the ball forward again it was intercepted by Dunton and fed to Irving but Hadley dealt with the threat.
Around the mid-point of the half Cirencester were pressing forward regularly and Hadley mounting occasional counter attacks – reaching the left corner and releasing Ajong for a run down their right channel – that were defended.
Shortly before the 80-minute point Hadley were awarded a couple of free kicks - the second of which was near the right channel front edge of the home box and Davis fired it narrowly over the top right corner.
Cirencester responded as Christopher and Hancock combined for the former to clip the ball towards the near-right post where Morris poked it wide.
Into the final ten scheduled minutes and Hadley pressed forward as Hayes delivered a cross-field pass from the right flank – 40 yards out, to the left front corner of the home box where Christopher cleared the initial danger but it was recycled to Bodac Ebengo, right channel – 35 yards out, who shot wide of the right post.
This was soon followed by Finley Aldridge working his way to the left corner, right to Luke Alfano, right to Peter Rosemin – defended but recycled to LUKE ALFANO, left channel – 22 yards out, who clipped the ball over incoming challenges into the top left corner. 2-2.
This signalled another surge as both sides pressed for a winner - Nelmes collected a Hadley clearance and sent the ball right to Hancock who exchanged passes with Irving to reach the by-line but the resulting cross was high – goal kick.
Hadley countered as Davis delivered a superb pass behind the home defence for Ajong to collect and charge into the home box for a 1v1 with Harris that the ‘keeper won.
Four minutes of ‘added-time’ were announced and in the final minute the Hadley goal led a charmed life as Ward blocked efforts from Morris and Irving before Shepherd also blocked another Irving effort.
Full Time: 2-2
A terrific game of football for the neutral with both sides really going for it – a credit to their fitness levels.
Cirencester performed much closer to their usual level and created enough chances, and could have won it during the goalmouth scramble in the final minute, but credit to Hadley who never gave up and had some chances of their own.
Attendance: 143 Referee: Philip Staynings
Cirencester Town:
1. Alex Harris
2. Will Christopher
3. Ellis Dunton
4. Joe Turley
5. Jake Lee ©
6. Josh Nelmes
7. Nick Hancock
8. Nick Peare
9. Levi Irving 7
10. Joe Shepherd
11. Jordan Morris 57
12. Zac Guinan
14. Reegan Messenger (Nick Hancock-89mins)
15. Andy Lewis (Nick Peare-85mins)
17. Kevin Sawyer (GK)
Hadley FC:
1. Luke Ward
2. George Alfieri
3. Thomas Milton
4. Darnell-Joe Luke
5. Moise Ndandani
6. Bodac Ebengo
7. Lawrence Ajong
8. Billy Hayes
9. Jordan Edwards
10. Edward Davis 19
11. Luke Alfano 83
12. Peter Rosemin (Darnell-Joe Luke-74mins)
14. Finley Aldridge (Jordan Edwards-65mins)
15. Herbie Townsend
16. Billy Bird