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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Following their voluntary relegation at the end of last season The Centurions opened their Emirates FA Cup campaign at the Extra Preliminary Round stage with an away tie against local rivals FAIRFORD TOWN and were put to the sword by their neighbours as they conceded seven goals without reply.
Almost immediately from the kick-off the home side were awarded a free kick from their right flank that Henry Birkett delivered to left of the Penalty Spot for Will Davidson to head towards the right post where a scramble took place involving Jamal Lawrence before it was eventually cleared.
Two minutes later it was Cirencester’s turn as they were awarded a free kick in their left channel, 35 yards from goal, that Jack Freeman delivered to the far-right post where it was headed clear and shortly afterwards Jack Horrell sent a cross-field pass towards Lewis Thorne, as he overlapped, but it was intercepted by Tristan Haswell who saw his header collected by Oliver Rejek and he switched play back to the left flank where the ball was played down the line for Marcel Anie to embark on a 20 yard run and as he reached the corner Luke Hitchman came across and produced a thunderous tackle to stop his progress.
That was the opening five minutes so whilst it had been a positive start from Cirencester the home side had shown they meant business.
It was not long before the home side opened their account as Charlie McCrae intercepted and quickly fed JAMAL LAWRENCE to his left, and he poked the ball through the legs of the advancing ‘keeper, Sam Ayres, and inside the left post from the edge of the box. 1-0.
Following a corner kick for Fairford that was defended at the near post Cirencester responded with a long ball down the centre that was sliced by a defender, enabling the hardworking Kyle Chester to burst forward but his path was soon blocked so he laid it back to his support – eventually resulting in a throw-in to the home side.
Leading up to the mid-point of the half the diminutive Ed Taylor embarked on a skilful run that took him past a number of challenges until Hitchman produced another strong challenge in the centre circle to stop him.
During the next 15 minutes Cirencester enjoyed a positive period as a Freeman free kick tested ‘keeper Ben Mitchell, to be followed by some periods of neat passing before Chester cleverly cut inside but the home defence stood firm.
In amongst the period detailed above Birkett delivered a superb pass to Joe Shutt, overlapping to the right corner, who fired wide of the far-left post.
Leading up to the interval CHARLIE McCRAE collected a long ball from Shutt, turned and curled a terrific shot inside the far-left post. 2-0.
A few minutes later Ben Lodge and Birkett combined to feed Lawrence – resulting in a corner kick from the right that Danny Way delivered into the ‘mix’ on the edge of the visitors 6-yard box. A scramble followed with the ball striking the bar before a period of ‘pin-ball’ and a ‘handball’ block on the line that led to the offender being dismissed.
The resulting Penalty Kick was fired into the bottom left corner by JOE SHUTT.
Despite this further setback the visitors finished the half pressing their hosts.
Half Time: 3-0
As expected Fairford started the second half strongly as Way fired wide of the right post in the opening minute and McCrae had a low shot saved by Ayres shortly afterwards.
Five minutes into the half Kian McNally supplied Taylor who sent the ball across the front edge of the home box for Anie, left channel, to collect and shoot – bringing a low save from Mitchell.
Shortly afterwards Fairford worked the ball down their left flank, as Birkett switched the point of attack from right to left as he supplied Haswell, forward to Lodge who cut into the visitor’s box from the side edge – shot blocked for a corner kick that Davidson headed wide of the left post.
Two minutes later a Lawrence cross-field pass reached JOE SHUTT near the right front corner of the Cirencester box and he immediately struck a low half-volley inside the far-left post. 4-0.
On the hour McCrae delivered a pass down the centre that was not dealt with by Cirencester enabling JAMAL LAWRENCE to collect and move forward for a 1v1 with Ayres before tucking it inside the left post. 5-0.
Around the mid-point of the half Cirencester rallied, despite the score-line, as they produced multiple passes without really testing their hosts although a Horrell corner kick was caught at full stretch by Mitchell.
A few minutes after the mid-point CHARLES HOLLIDAY collected a pass from Birkett, cut inside to the right channel, 25-yards out, and fired in a shot that struck the right post on its way into the net. 6-0.
Fairford continued to press and five minutes from ‘time’ added their final goal when CHARLIE McCRAE received the ball, centre -25 yards out, moved forward and struck a right footed shot into the top right corner. 7-0.
A late strike from Way was blocked at his right post by Ayres with the rebound fired wide.
Full Time: 7-0
A dominant performance from the home side - who are well organised, have an uncompromising defence and lively forwards - but it must be said that the visitors battled to the end as the newly assembled squad search for team cohesion.
Attendance: 240 Referee: Albert Warr
FAIRFORD TOWN:
1. Ben Mitchell
2. Cameron Thomson
3. Tristan Haswell
4. Danny Way
5. Luke Hitchman
6. Will Davidson
7. Ben Lodge
8. Henry Birkett
9. Jamal Lawrence © 12, 60
10. Charlie McCrae 35, 85
11. Joe Shutt 40p, 57,
12. Charles Holliday (Ben Lodge-60mins) 72
14. Lewis Hutchinson (Jamal Lawrence-65mins)
15. Tom Spencer Luke Hitchman-75mins)
16. Cameron Sanchez (Will Davidson-79mins)
17. Dan Johns (GK)
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Sam Ayres
2. Lewis Thorne
3. Kian McNally
4. Oliver Rejek
5. Aidan Bennett ©
6. Jack Horrell
7. Edward Taylor
8. Ethan Rose
9. Kyle Chester
10. Jack Freeman
11. Marcel Anie
12. Josh Seller
14. Oakley James (Edward Taylor-65mins)
15. Bonsa Teshome
16. Jake Allen (Kyle Chester-79mins)
17. Jerzy Marszalek (Marcel Anie-65mins)
18. Thomas Suter