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
CIRENCESTER TOWN made the short hop along the A417 to face a Fairford Town side very much in the running for a play-off spot. On the night though, they more than matched their higher placed opponents and were somewhat unlucky to return with just a point for their efforts, with their hosts equalising with virtually the last kick of the game.
Absentees included Ollie Rejek, Jayden Stratford and Lewis Thorne (injuries) and Dave Bampton (suspension). Recent signing Kyle Pitts was on the bench, as were Jack Freeman, Harley Arnold, Craig Graham and Freddie Whitehead.
It was Ciren who started the game much the brighter, knocking the ball round well on a difficult, uneven surface. Skipper Aidan Bennett, midfielders Jack Horrell and Finley Bell, and wide men Harrison Reeves and Jordan Morris all looked lively in the early exchanges.
The opening goal for the visitors came on thirteen minutes when neat, quick-feet football by Bell and Reeves, found left full-back Morris on the overlap. His powerful run and pinpoint delivery was met by the onrushing AIDAN BENNETT who powered his header past Fairford ‘keeper Harrison Ellis.
The visitors created one or two other chances in the first half. Firstly, the lively Bell hit a fizzing shot just past the far upright, and that was followed by a speculative Ed Scott header from a well drilled corner that just cleared the bar.
The home team had a very lacklustre first 45 minutes and were probably pleased to go in for their half-time cuppa trailing by just the single goal.
After a delay to the start of the second half, where the referee deliberated for several minutes on whether the game should continue because of the frosty surface, it was Fairford who started much the stronger; it almost being a mirror image of the first half. Ciren ‘keeper Ronnie Newberry was called into action on several occasions, mainly to smother attempts from onrushing Fairford players. On 52 minutes though, the home side got themselves back in the game. Wide man CHARLIE HOLLIDAY cut inside from the right, evaded two tackles, before sending a brilliant in-swinging shot past Newberry from all of 25 yards.
It was the wake-up call the visitors needed and they started to play the same neat football of the first 45. Although it was end-to-end in the last 20 minutes, there were few gilt-edged chances for either side.
Then, in the dying embers of the game, the Centurions restored their lead. A quick passing counter involving sub Jack Freeman, Ogaga Edward, Fin Bell and skipper Aidan Bennett finally fell to the feet of HARRISON REEVES, who coolly slotted home from ten yards.
An astounding amount of ‘time-added’ seemed to be played, during which time skipper Bennett made a remarkable goal bound block, only for Fairford centre back JOSH BLYTH to bundle the ball over the line from the resulting corner.
It was tough for Cirencester to concede so late in the game which, consequently, denied them two valuable points.
Special mention must go to young centre back Ed Scott who was brilliant throughout.
Final score: Fairford Town 2-2 Cirencester Town
Attendance: 122 Referee: Unknown
FAIRFORD TOWN:
1. Harrison Ellis
2. Henry Birkett
3. Harrison Iddles
4. Danny Way
5. Luke Hitchman
6. Josh Blyth 90+4
7. Charlie Holliday 52
8. Joah Hall
9. Jamal Lawrence ©
10. Harrison Edwards
11. Ben Lodge
12. Joe Shutt (Harrison Edwards-87mins)
14. Charlie McCrae (Harrison Iddles-65mins)
15. Dan-Lewis Bamana
16. Eddie Lewis
17. Tom Chamberlain (Ben Lodge-76mins)
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Ronnie Newbery
2. Ogaga Edward
3. Jordan Morris
4. Jonathan Aitkenhead
5. Edward Scott
6. Jack Horrell
7. Finley Bell
8. Ethan Rose
9. Ross Gabriel
10. Aidan Bennett © 13
11. Harrison Reeves 90
12. Harley Arnold
14. Craig Graham
15. Kyle Pitts (Jonathan Aitkenhead-58mins)
16. Freddie Whitehead
17. Jack Freeman (Ross Gabriel-86mins)