Cirencester Town FC
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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
Match report by Dave Pyzer
The Centurions travelled to the home of Melksham Town for this Gloucestershire Senior Challenge Cup First Round fixture against Forest Green Rovers U23’s and after a competitive game returned victorious to move into the Quarter Finals for an away match against Bristol City U23’s.
Cirencester Manager, John Brough, made a number of changes for this match as both Ellis Dunton and Joe Shepherd were available (suspended for the previous match), Aidan Bennett returned (injury), Nick Hancock moved across from the right flank to the left to replace Will Christopher (unavailable) whilst Reegan Messenger and Nick Peare retained their places from Saturday.
Forest Green kicked-off and a heavy pass early in the opening possession enabled Ciren keeper Alex Harris to get his first touch of the ball.
Cirencester replied with a fine opening move as they worked the ball down their left flank – Ellis Dunton heading on to Joe Shepherd who in turn headed the ball to Jordan Morris, inside to Levi Irving and a run to collect the return pass from Irving before taking it to the by-line but his cross was caught by ‘keeper Alfie Burnett.
The visitors then tried the right flank to reach the front corner of the Rovers box – defended so it was back to the left flank and a corner kick that was also defended.
A positive start for the visitors but the response from Rovers was swift as they attacked down their left flank to release Joshua Mason who sent a low cross towards the Penalty Spot where JAHMARI CLARKE darted forward to tuck his shot inside the left post. 1-0.
Cirencester responded to this early setback by working the ball down their left flank again to win a corner kick that Josh Nelmes headed over the target at the back post and this was soon followed by a superb cross-field pass from Jake Lee (right to left) to again release the busy Morris for another run down the left flank.
The home side then worked the ball down their left flank for Mason to deliver a low cross that Harris collected and after a period of ‘keep-ball’ Finley Bell cut right to unleash a shot from 25 yards that was wide of the left post.
As the mid-point of the half approached Shepherd slipped the ball to Irving who was fouled just outside the home box but Nick Peare drove the kick well over the bar but a few minutes later a free kick was awarded in the right corner that Morris delivered into the mix – headed away but soon recycled for Irving to supply Morris who fired narrowly wide of the right post from the left channel front edge of the home box.
During the next few minutes Cirencester pressed forward in search of a goal as Morris and Irving both fired over the bar before Reegan Messenger slipped Aidan Bennett for a run into the box but as he neared the by-line his cross was deflected into the grateful arms of ‘keeper Burnett.
Ten minutes to the interval and a Rovers attack down their right flank reached the side edge of the visitor’s box where the ball was pulled back to Charlie McCann, centre front edge of the box, who struck a fierce right footed shot at the target for Harris to dive and push round his right post. The resulting corner kick was defended.
Rovers then attacked down their left flank as Tyrese Omotoye created space with a couple of ‘step-overs’ before shooting wide of the left post.
Into the final minutes of the half and Cirencester worked the ball to their right corner where a free kick was awarded near the corner flag. Jordan Morris delivered the kick to the near post where NICK PEARE arrived, under pressure, to stoop and head the ball inside the near post. 1-1.
The final action of the half saw Sean O’Brien latch onto a loose ball near the centre front edge of the Cirencester box but Harris parried the shot and it was recycled to their right corner as the half ended.
Half Time: 1-1
A few minutes after the restart Dunton intercepted a pass to volley the ball up to Irving who moved it left to Morris and he charged to the left side edge of the home box to deliver a low cross that was blocked for a corner kick – defended.
As Cirencester pressed again to the right corner the ball was lost for Rovers to mount a quick counter attack as they switched play to their right flank and back to their left before cutting inside to release O’Brien who struck a firm low shot towards the left post that required another fine save from Harris.
A couple of minutes later as Cirencester worked the ball in the left corner, Morris - Dunton – Peare, cross deflected enabling a counter attack to the left corner and a shot from Reece Brown that Harris blocked.
For the next few minutes Rovers pressed and Cirencester battled to stay in the tie and as they countered at the mid-point of the half REEGAN MESSENGER produced two stunning tackles on the edge of the home box before the ball rebounded back to him and he instantly hammered it inside the left post. 1-2.
The home side responded as Omotoye broke into the right channel of the Cirencester box for Harris to block his shot. They then worked the ball down their left channel before supplying O’Brien who cut right before shooting wide of the right post.
Into the final 15 minutes and another superb cross-field pass from William Merrett reached it destination on the left flank for the ball to be worked inside and a shot that was part blocked for Harris to collect.
The game was being played a frantic pace with Rovers pushing forward and Ciren defending resolutely and countering with Dikshant Raut collecting a ball over the top of the Cirencester defence before poking it to Harris and Dunton firing wide of the left post.
Into the final 5 minutes and Cirencester worked the ball to the left corner as Morris laid it back to Dunton – a cross to the Penalty Spot where Aidan Bennett bundled it into the net under pressure but it was disallowed.
Sean O’Brien then cut in from the left flank to drive the ball low and hard towards the left post where Harris saved.
Cirencester reacted by working the ball to the left corner for a corner kick that was played short and eventually cleared down the Rovers right flank for Jose Marques to reach the by-line and send a low cross through the front edge of the Cirencester 6 yard box.
Full Time: 1-2
Forest Green Rovers had plenty of possession and produced some neat touches and passing football but Cirencester were in determined mood and battled to the end to be rewarded with a place in the Quarter Finals and an away match against Bristol City U23’s.
Attendance: ??? Referee: Ben Willaimson
Forest Green Rovers U23’s:
24. Alfie Burnett
38. Dikshant Raut
34. Zachariah McKenzie
35. William Merrett
32. Joshua Mason
40. Charlie McCann
29. Reece Brown
48. Sean O’Brien
45. Finley Bell
46. Jahmari Clarke 5
50. Tyrese Omotoye
37. Jose Marques (Charlie McCann-64mins)
42. Jotham McLaughlin (Finley Bell-85mins)
47. Darnell Goather-Braithwaite (Jahmari Clarke-72mins)
33. Keon Sanniola
43. Dylan John
Cirencester Town:
1. Alex Harris
2. Nick Hancock
3. Ellis Dunton
4. Nick Peare 42
5. Jake Lee ©
6. Josh Nelmes
7. Aidan Bennett
8. Reegan Messenger 67
9. Levi Irving
10. Joe Shepherd
11. Jordan Morris
12. Kenneth Mills (Levi Irving-74mins)
14. Joe Turley (Nick Peare-82mins)
15. Andrew Lewis (Joe Shepherd-44mins)
16. James Mortimer-Jones
17. Kevin Sawyer (GK)