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 made the short journey to Stroud for their latest Uhlsport Hellenic League – Premier Division fixture to take on near neighbours BRIMSCOMBE & THRUPP, who have also had a difficult start to the season, and it was the hosts that took the initiative as they opened the scoring within a minute of kick-off before going on to secure victory in this ‘bottom-of-the-table’ clash.
With both sides failing to secure any points so far this season and as a result being bottom of the Division - and thereby becoming the strongest teams in the Division (supporting all the teams above them) - it was a ‘must-win’ match.
Both Clubs have had a difficult start to the new campaign as they both lost their playing squads from last season and as a result are having to rebuild.
The home side however made the perfect start as straight from the kick-off they worked the ball to Paul Fahy who galloped down their right flank, resulting in a corner kick that was delivered to the Penalty Spot where it was contested before dropping into the path of an alert LEROY ODIERO who pounced to head it into the net from the edge of the 6-yard box. 1-0.
Five minutes later Cirencester were two down when, as they worked their way along their left flank, they lost the ball enabling ‘Brimmy’ to counter quickly as Joe Stokes received the ball near the centre circle and embarked on a strong run down the left channel, riding a couple of challenges as he went, before sending the ball across the pitch and behind the visitor’s defence for Fahy to collect. The winger made ground into the Penalty Area before striking a firm shot towards the far-left post where a supporting DAN MARTIN arrived to force the ball into the net. 2-0.
It had been a torrid start for the visitors who mounted attacks down their flanks in reply, but were met with uncompromising challenges to halt their progress, before the hosts countered with several positive runs down their flanks from Fahy and Jamie Martin.
As the mid-point of the half approached Fahy burst into the right channel of the Cirencester box and unleashed an effort that struck the left post and resulted in a couple of corner kicks before the threat to the Cirencester goal was cleared.
Whilst the home side were threatening in attack and solid in defence the visitors were still attempting to get a foothold in the game with Marcel Anie particularly prominent on the right flank and leading up to the half-hour mark Finley Bell delivered a free kick (for a foul on the busy Anie) to the far-left post where Dave Bampton headed wide of the post.
During this period both Anie and Aidan Bennett took pots at the target but there was insufficient venom in the strikes to trouble custodian Billy Thomas.
As is often the case when you miss chances at one end opponents tend to capitalise at the other and this match was no exception as a cross-field pass released Fahy for another run to the corner and his low cross towards the front edge of the visitor’s 6-yard box was neatly tucked in by DAN MARTIN. 3-0.
Undeterred Cirencester pushed forward down their flanks as Finlay Skittrall galloped down the left – pass intercepted and Anie had two shots at goal – both defended before a deep cross from Jack Freeman was caught by Thomas.
The Cirencester defence was also getting to grips with their opponents as Lewis Thorne stopped a couple of dangerous runs with well-timed tackles during the latter stages of the half.
It had been a promising end to the half for the visitors but could they make the break-through after the interval.
Half Time: 3-0
During the interval the visitors made a couple of changes, as Luca Robinson and Ethan Rose replaced Anie and Skittrall respectively, and this had an immediate impact as Robinson charged down the right flank and was brought to a swift halt with a free kick being awarded. Finley Bell delivered the kick to the left channel of the home Penalty Area where it was cleared to a lurking Freeman who volleyed wide of the left post.
A couple of minutes later Robinson reached the right corner and delivered a low cross to the front edge of the 6-yard box where an incoming Bennett volleyed wide of the left post.
The home response was a strike from Stokes, following a knock-down, that flew over the bar.
Cirencester then mounted an attack down their left flank as Jordan Morris fed Freeman for a cross to the near post where Bennett’s header was deflected wide leading to a couple of corner kicks.
The visitors were beginning to threaten more often now as Oliver Rejek released Robinson for another run and cross that went past the far-left post untouched.
Moments later OLLIE REJEK collected the ball, right channel, and moved forward before striking a firm shot from 35-yards into the top left corner of the home goal. 3-1.
Encouraged Cirencester pressed again as Thomas caught a cross and Freeman fired wide of the left post before Thorne sent the ball down his flank for Bennett to chase and cross from the by-line, collected by Freeman in the left corner who slipped it inside to a charging Morris who was tripped as he entered the home box – Penalty Kick. The Captain, Aidan Bennett, took responsibility and stepped forward but made too strong a connection and the kick flew over the bar - reprieve for ‘Brimmy’ who made a couple of substitutions.
As the game entered the final 15 scheduled minutes Cirencester were really pressing but wayward shooting prevented them adding to their tally as Craig Graham fired narrowly wide of the right post and Morris and Ethen Rose over the bar before Robinson ‘fizzed’ a cross through the home box.
Into the final minutes - Bennett fired over the target and when a Cirencester corner kick was cleared down-field by the home side for James Thomas to chase he was unceremoniously brought down as he approached the visitors box by ‘keeper Sam Ayres - who received a Yellow Card for his troubles.
Full Time: 3-1
A spirited fight-back in the second half from Cirencester but in the end the early goals cost them enabling their hosts to secure victory and their first points of the new season - taking them off the bottom of the table to be replaced by their visitors.
Attendance: 163 Referee: Andrew Bower
BRIMSCOMBE & THRUPP:
1. Billy Thomas
2. Callum Blackford
3. Jamie Lock
4. Luke Finch ©
5. Josh Kerr
6. Leroy Odiero 1
7. Paul Fahy
8. Colby Kemper
9. Dan Martin 6, 31
10. Joe Stokes
11. Jamie Martin
12. Kyle Gibbs (Paul Fahy-70mins)
14. Adam Foster (Luke Finch-85mins)
15. Raiyan Ahmed (Jamie Martin-53mins)
16. Deqwon Ebanks (Dan Martin-72mins)
17. James Thomas (Joe Stokes-62mins)
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Sam Ayres
2. Lewis Thorne
3. Jordan Morris
4. Finley Bell
5. Dave Bampton
6. Jack Horrell
7. Finlay Skittrall
8. Oliver Rejek 58
9. Aidan Bennett ©
10. Jack Freeman
11. Marcel Anie
12. Ethan Rose (Marcel Anie-46mins)
14. Craig Graham (Dave Bampton-75mins)
15. Edward Taylor
16. Jerzy Marszalek
17. Luca Robinson (Finlay Skittrall-46mins)