Cirencester Town FC
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Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
The final Pre-season Friendly match for The Centurions brought GLOUCESTER CITY to The Talent Hire Stadium and following their relegation from the National League - North Division at the end of last season they brought a strong squad, including several trialists, to check on their preparations for the Southern League – Premier Division South.
The visitors made an incredible start to the match as they scored within the first minute when a pass out of defence was intercepted on the edge of the home box and immediately delivered to the back post where it was smashed into the net. 0-1.
Two minutes later City added a second when a corner kick from the left was sent to the back post to be headed back into the mix on the edge of the 6-yard box for a tap-in from close range. 0-2.
Despite being two goals down in three minutes Cirencester responded a few minutes later when a firm strike from Jack Freeman, left channel – 25 yards out, struck the right post and rebounded towards an incoming Jayden Stratford and his shot from right of the Penalty Spot was blocked by ‘keeper Thompson who smothered the ball before Aidan Bennett could take advantage.
Almost immediately City reacted as a corner kick from the right produced a well-worked routine as the low delivery was stepped over by two City players before it reached a third who was cutting across the front edge of the home box to drive it into the bottom right corner. 0-3.
Undeterred Cirencester’s Jesse Thompson sent a cross-field pass, from right to left, for Marcel to collect and carry to the edge of the City box where he cut right to shoot – his effort being gathered by Thompson at the second attempt.
Moments later Bonse sent a pass down the centre for Stratford to collect and as he broke into the City box he was quickly surrounded and his pass along the front edge of the box intercepted.
Jordan Morris then delivered a pass to Bennett as he entered the left side of the City box – shot blocked and cleared.
Almost immediately Cirencester had to make a substitution as Stratford pulled up when darting across the centre circle to be replaced by Oliver Rejek.
Leading up to the mid-point of the half Cirencester had enjoyed some possession whilst being severally tested by the power of City and a move of note for the home side saw them work the ball out of defence (left side) and forward before switching play to their right flank with multiple passes.
Into the final 15 minutes of the half and City began to increase the pressure on the home side as the ball was worked across the pitch to No.15 who produced some clever footwork to create room for a shot that was narrowly wide of the far-right post.
Moments later Pinchard embarked on a run down the left channel before slipping the ball to No.15 who crossed from the left corner into the home box resulting in a corner from the left followed by one from the right which reached Pinchard who fired wide of the far-right post.
The final few minutes were dominated by City.
Half Time: 0–3
Within four minutes of the re-start a City Trialist sent the ball across the home box to be collected by No.15 who drove it against the top right corner of the Cirencester goal-frame and
the home side responded with a couple of neat moves of their own that involved several players and culminated in a low cross from Bonse being cut out by ‘keeper Thompson and a shot from Marcel, after a strong run, being caught by Thompson.
Around the hour-mark City added another following a corner kick and powerful header from left of the Penalty Spot. 0-4.
Cirencester then pressed to the right corner as Bonse cut along the by-line and left to work a position to shoot – blocked and cleared for City to work forward and across the pitch before being recycled for a firm shot from the left channel front edge of the home box into the bottom right corner. 0-5.
Once again City began to dominate possession but there were still glimpses of Cirencester potential as they stuck to the task – Morris collecting a pass to skilfully reach the City box and cross to the back post, a multiple-pass move out of defence to reach the left corner, Jack Horrell a strong run down the centre and a Bennett shot that was saved.
Full Time: 0-5
A dominant performance from City and a determined performance from The Centurions who stuck to their task.
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
Sam Ayres (GK), Lewis Thorne, Jordan Morris, Jack Horrell, Jesse Thompson, Charlie Hewlett, Bonse, Jayden Stratford, Aidan Bennett ©, Jack Freeman, Marcel.
Substitutes:- Kian McNally, Jake Allen, Josh Seller, Kyle Chester, Oliver Rejek, Harry Edwards.
GLOUCESTER CITY:
Thompson (GK), Reckford, Duffus, B-Everton, Leadbitter, Pinchard, Dawson, Hanks, Trialist A, Smalley, Trialist B.
Substitutes:- Grubb, Ball, Williams, Emmett, Trialists C-H.