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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As a result of their Voluntary Relegation from the Southern League, Cirencester Town were placed into The Isuzu FA Vase for Season 2024-25 and entered the competition at the First Qualifying Round stage and this took them to Bristol to meet OLDLAND ABBOTONIANS and despite a spirited display, they conceded a late goal to end their involvement.
Oldland Abbotonians’ compete in the Toolstation Western League - Premier Division and have obtained 6 points from their opening 5 games to sit in 11th place in the relevant table.
Due to non-availability Cirencester took a young squad to Bristol and also had to shuffle the pack in terms of team positions, as Aidan Bennett and Lewis Thorne moved into the centre of the defence and new recruit Ogaga Edward took up a position at right back. Another new signing, Jerzy Marszalek, made his first start as the central striker.
The home side kicked off on a warm afternoon, playing into the wind on a superb surface – especially considering the rain during the morning – and immediately attacked down their left flank to the corner, before laying the ball back to Jack Mills who delivered a cross into the visitor’s box that was cleared to a lurking Ishi Okonmah who struck a firm shot from 25 yards that crashed against the crossbar.
After more possession from the home side down their left flank Cirencester responded as Ogaga Edward and Bonsa Teshome combined to reach the right corner where a free kick was awarded. Home custodian Ashton Trott caught Jack Freeman’s kick at his left post but the visitors were soon back as Jerzy Marszalek won the ball to release Freeman for a run to the right corner and this time his pass inside was deflected for Trott to collect.
It had been an encouraging start for Cirencester as they pressed to the right corner before Teshome and Ethan Rose combined to send a pass down the left flank for Marszalek to chase but the experienced Casey Woodman had spotted the threat and came across to send it back to Trott to clear.
A few minutes later Teshome intercepted a goal-kick and immediately charged forward but his shot from left of centre, 25 yards out, was deflected to Trott.
The home side were working the ball across the pitch, and down their left flank in particular at this stage, but any threat was being dealt with enabling Cirencester to counter quickly but at the mid-point of the half Tom Blake’s snap-shot towards the bottom left post from 25 yards, left channel, required Cirencester ‘keeper Sam Ayres to dive full length to push it away.
A minute later Ibrahima Sarr sent a deep cross from the right flank towards the far-left post and this resulted in a corner kick that Aidan Bennett headed clear but the home side were soon back again as they mounted some concerted pressure on their visitors – as Brandon Oputeri reached the left by-line for his cross to reach the far post where Harry Haughton sent it back into the ‘mix’ – defended and cleared, but recycled as Sarr sent it down their right channel for Matthew Green to collect and charge – stopped by Lewis Thorne but broke free for Thorne to win again.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes it was a very open affair but neither side had the required cutting edge – Teshome cross from the left caught by Trott, Oputeri shot not powerful enough to trouble Ayres, Okonmah fired wide of the target - so it remained goal-less at the interval.
Half Time: 0-0
From the re-start Cirencester also attacked down their left flank before trying the right for a counter attack to follow as Oputeri reached the left corner, but his cross was behind the incoming support for the danger to be cleared.
A minute later Okonmah mounted a strong run down the left channel that resulted in a free kick from 30 yards. Jack Freeman headed the ball out for a corner kick from the home sides left flank that Blake delivered to the near post where Cash Vinall headed wide.
Cirencester replied as Teshome galloped down their left flank but his progress was halted and a free kick awarded that Finley Bell sent through the 6-yard box without contact.
Jordan Morris then released Teshome for another run at Sarr who cleared the initial threat but the ball was recycled to Freeman who shot from 25 yards, left channel, and this resulted in a corner kick that was eventually cleared.
On the hour Sarr crossed to the far-left post where Vinall popped up to head into the grateful arms of Ayres.
Cirencester then worked the ball across their back line and down the left flank to Teshome who produced a neat piece of skill to evade two would-be tackles to run on to the left channel but his shot was narrowly wide of the far-right post.
Following an altercation the resulting free kick was delivered by Bell to the left channel of the home box where it was headed across to Marszalek who moved right to avoid a challenge before turning sharply to shoot into the side-netting (top right corner).
Around the mid-point The Abbots mounted a sustained period of pressure that included a couple of shots from Blake, a low drive from Sarr that was narrowly wide of the far-left post and a corner kick that was caught by Ayres.
A number of substitutions followed and as the game entered the final ten scheduled minutes the home side struck the crossbar following a free kick and volley – offside.
A minute later The Abbots scored when a long clearance was collected, right channel – 25 yards out, by OWEN McCALLUM who quickly took stock before clipping the ball over the charging Ayres and into the vacant net. 1-0.
Within a couple of minutes Blake cut in from the right flank and evaded a couple of challenges on his way into the Penalty Area where he was brought to ground and a Penalty Kick awarded. Tom Blake took the spot kick himself, sending it down the middle, but as Ayres dived to his right he managed to divert it away from goal with his foot.
During the final few minutes The Abbots pressed as McCallum’s header was caught by Ayres and Blake fired an effort into the side netting.
Full Time: 1-0
A spirited performance from Cirencester against more experienced opponents but it is The Abbots that advance to the next round.
Attendance: ??? Referee: Zak Angell
OLDLAND ABBOTONIANS:
1. Ashton Trott
2. Ibahima Sarr
3. Jack Mills
4. Cash Vinall
5. Casey Woodman ©
6. Ishi Okonmah
7. Kristian Miller
8. Harry Haughton
9. Matthew Green
10. Tom Blake
11. Brandon Oputeri
12. Max Dyer (Kristian Miller-8mins)
14. Ashley Hawkins (Matthew Green-87mins)
15. George Bishop (Ishi Okonmah-80mins)
16. Owen McCallum (Brandon Oputeri-75mins) 83
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Sam Ayres
2. Ogaga Edward
3. Jordan Morris
4. Finley Bell
5. Aidan Bennett ©
6. Lewis Thorne
7. Ethan Rose
8. Oliver Rejek
9. Jerzy Marszalek
10. Jack Freeman
11. Bonsa Teshome
12. Finlay Skittrall (Ogaga Edward-88mins)
14. Oakley James
15. Harley Arnold (Bonsa Teshome-88mins)
16. Edward Taylor (Jerzy Marszalek-78mins)
17. Ronnie Newberry (GK)