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
‘Play-off’ chasing Leighton Town were the latest visitors to The Talent Hire Stadium and it was ‘The Reds’ that took the lead twice, but their hosts scored two cracking goals to level before the interval, and despite much promise in an end-to-end second half neither side managed to break through and the points were shared.
In terms of league positions and current form prior to the match – Leighton Town sat in 7th place in the league table with 41 points from 27 games played whilst Cirencester were in 8th place with 40 points from 29 games played.
Examination of the ‘6-Match Form Guide’ table reveals that ‘The Reds’ have secured 12 points from their last 6 games whilst ‘The Centurions’ have obtained 5 points to sit in 4th and 15th places respectively in the relevant table.
The reverse fixture in September resulted in a goal-less draw so another tough match was anticipated.
Starting Eleven – There was a couple of changes to the starting eleven as Dan Hill sustained an injury last week at Stotfold and was replaced by Cameron Walters who has recovered from his injury. On the other flank Jordan Morris returned following his recent injury in place of Charlie Johnson who takes a seat on the bench as a precaution.
The bench had a new recruit as 18-year-old Josh Keyes joined the Club on loan from Swindon Town in mid-week.
Cirencester kicked-off playing towards The Arena end of the ground for Nick Peare to immediately launch the ball across the pitch towards the right corner for Luca Robinson to collect and run at the visitor’s defence – resulting in a goal-kick.
‘The Reds’ replied as Louie Barrett made a strong run down their right flank to be rewarded with a corner kick as Peare blocked his cross.
Leighton had certainly come to play and the opening ten minutes was very lively as both sides countered quickly with Felix Miles prominent on the left flank as he burst into the visitor’s box and Ben Whitehead having a snap-shot from 30-yards pass wide of the right post whilst Cameron Walters was called upon to clear a dangerous cross from Barrett as he reached the right byline.
Following some intricate passing from The Centurions, as they worked their way down their left flank, Harry Burns delivered a cross-cum-shot into the Leighton goalmouth that ‘keeper Xavier Comas Leon pushed over his crossbar.
The visitors replied as Sebastian Simpson played the ball down the left channel into the Ciren box for Jake Watkinson to chase but Jake Lee had spotted the danger and cleared it for a throw-in that was recycled to their right flank before being returned to the left for Simpson to send a cross to the far post where LOUIE BARRETT robbed a home defender before smashing the ball into the net. 0-1.
Cirencester responded to the setback as they pressed down both flanks and they were rewarded five minutes later as Burns and Whitehead combined to supply REEGAN MESSENGER who found space on the centre front edge of the visitor’s box before bursting forward and unleashing a fierce left-footed shot that flew past Leon. 1-1.
The home side were soon back again as Miles fired over the bar and from the resulting goal-kick Finlay Brennan embarked on a charging run down the left flank to the corner where he delivered a purposeful cross that was met by the head of ALBIE HALL at the back post. 1-2.
A minute later Watkinson reached the right byline where his cross rebounded to Barrett who worked his way along the front edge of the home box before his pass towards the left post was diverted for a corner kick and eventually a free kick to Cirencester.
Shortly afterwards another Cirencester free kick was delivered into the visitor’s box and when it was cleared it dropped to a supporting Joe Turley who volleyed it narrowly wide of the right post.
Cirencester were increasing the pressure on their opponents and they were rewarded with a magnificent goal as Peare delivered a precise cross-field pass to Robinson who galloped down the right flank to the side edge of the Leighton box and as he neared the byline he delivered a superb cross for an incoming HARRY BURNS to produce an incredibly brave diving header at the back post to level the score once again. 2-2.
In the final few minutes before the interval Lee intercepted a cross near his box before carrying it 30-yards into the Leighton half and Hall latched onto a loose ball in the home box but his shot was blocked by custodian Stuart Nelson.
Half Time: 2-2
Following the eventful first half much was anticipated of the second and throughout there was the expectation of another goal from either side as both pressed forward at every opportunity.
Immediately from the re-start Charlie Johnson intercepted a pass towards the right corner and started a counter attack that petered out when Leon collected a pass into his box.
Moments later Ben Farrell slid the ball behind the home defence for Barrett to collect and reach the byline but Nelson was quickly out to block his cross.
Shortly after the hour mark Cirencester had a strong shout for handball as Leon left his box to clear the danger but Referee Luke Bowles declared the contact had been with the ‘keeper’s shoulder.
At the mid-point of the half Whitehead worked his way along the right byline but his cross towards the far-left post where Johnson was arriving was deflected for a corner kick and a couple of minutes later Whitehead latched onto a Johnson header to burst towards the visitor’s box where he was upended – with the culprit awarded a Yellow Card.
After Leighton had reached their left corner a couple of times to be denied Messenger received the ball in midfield and slipped it to Burns who fired at the target from 35 yards with Leon parrying his effort and Whitehead being declared offside as he followed-up.
Into the final scheduled ten minutes and Walters won the ball on half-way before sending it to Aidan Bennett who rode a couple of challenges as he worked his way to the front edge of the visitor’s box where his shot passed narrowly wide of the far-right post.
With three minutes remaining Peare produced a precise ‘chip’ into the Leighton box for Whitehead to chase and this resulted in a corner kick as a defender came across to clear. Debutant Josh Keyes delivered the kick to the far-post where Johnson headed wide of the target.
In ‘added-time’ Keyes collected a cross-field pass from Johnson and darted towards the right corner before slipping the ball to Burns who took it to the byline but his cross was blocked.
The second half had promised much but neither side was able to make the breakthrough.
Full Time: 2-2
After three successive defeats a welcome result for The Centurions who battled hard throughout and reacted positively to going behind twice to score two superb goals.
Attendance: 230 Referee: Luke Bowles
Cirencester Town:
1. Stuart Nelson
2. Cameron Walters
3. Jordan Morris
4. Reegan Messenger 23
5. Jake Lee ©
6. Nick Peare
7. Luca Robinson
8. Joseph Turley
9. Harry Burns 41
10. Ben Whitehead
11. Felix Miles
12. Aidan Bennett (Luca Robinson-81mins)
14. Charlie Johnson (Jordan Morris-24mins)
15. Joshua Keyes (Felix Miles-65mins)
16. Willem Pooley
17. Josh Seller
LEIGHTON TOWN:
1. Xavier Comas Leon
2. Luke Pyman
3. Finlay Brennan
4. Ben Farrell
5. Declan Peart
6. Sebastian Simpson ©
7. Louie Barrett 18
8. Charlie Pattison
9. Jake Watkinson
10. Albie Hall 29
11. Harry Williams
12. Finley Jaggard (Harry Williams-89mins)
14. Jack Sayell (Albie Hall-89mins)
15. Lance Williams (Louie Barrett-74mins)