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 the season draws to a close Cirencester were once again on the road - to face another ‘in form’ opponent in the shape of PERSHORE TOWN at the Recruit12 Community Stadium - in an Uhlsport Hellenic League – Premier Division fixture and following a hard-fought match of endeavour and entertaining football honours were even at the final whistle.
Prior to this match Pershore Town sat in 7th place in the league table with 62 points from 37 games played whilst Cirencester had 35 points from 36 games to sit in 16th place. The reverse fixture, back in November 2024, was a victory for ‘The Plums’ by 2-0.
Examination of current form reveals that Pershore have won four of their last five fixtures - the only defeat coming at the hands of Royal Wootton Bassett Town in early March – whilst Cirencester have won two, drawn one, and lost two of their last five fixtures although in their last match they won the Wiseman Lighting (UHL) Floodlit Cup at Westlands FC.
The game started at a brisk pace with early chances at both ends - as Harrison Reeves spotted a near post run from Aidan Bennett and directed his cross towards it to find home custodian Joe Stockton and shortly afterwards Bailey Fuller was through for a 1v1 with Cirencester ‘keeper Ronnie Newbery who spread himself to prevent an opening goal.
At the 15-minute mark a Reeves free kick landed at the feet of Ed Scott who hooked it at the target for Stockton to make the catch.
The home side increased the pressure during the next few minutes as a cross from Fuller was met on the half-volley by Harlie Price to fly narrowly over the Cirencester goal frame and moments later Fuller fired another effort straight at Newbery.
As the 30-minute mark approached Bennett fired over the target and Reeves stole the ball in midfield to break through for a 1v1 with Stockton who stopped him in his tracks for Sacha Everard to clear.
Five minutes later Pershore opened the scoring when HARLIE PRICE managed to guide his header from a Fuller cross into the top right corner. 1-0.
Cirencester responded positively to the setback as Scott had the ball in the back of the home net from close range – disallowed for ‘offside’.
As the half was drawing to a close Fraser Bell fired wide when a Bennett shot was deflected into his path, Newbery dived to his left to deny another Pershore strike, and Bennett had the ball in the home net as he challenged for a cross with Stockton – disallowed for a foul.
Half Time: 1-0
Cirencester came out for the second period in determined mood and in the opening minute a Finley Bell cross from the right flank found Bennett free at the front post but he failed to find the target, and a few minutes later a Bennett ‘flick-on’ header at the near post found Dave Bampton and his header bounced at the feet of Stockton to be cleared.
Shortly before the mid-point of the half FINLEY BELL fired a low, hard strike towards the bottom left corner that took a slight deflection off a defender to find the back of the home net. 1-1.
Both sides began to make substitutions after this point but the action was still frantic and in the final minutes Bonsa Teshome fell to the ground in a contest with Stockton but was awarded a Yellow Card by the Referee for ‘diving’.
As Cirencester continued to press, they were awarded a corner kick that produced an acrobatic effort from Teshome that was just wide of the target.
In ‘added-time’ Cirencester defended a Pershore corner kick and Fraser Bell fired into the side-netting for it to remain all-square at the final whistle.
Full Time: 1-1
A competitive and entertaining match with plenty of action at both ends of the pitch as the home side looked to end their league season on a high and Cirencester looked to secure their place in the Division for next season.
Attendance: 125 Referee: ?????
PERSHORE TOWN:
1. Joe Stockton
2. Taylor Eades
3. Sean Cooke
4. Steve Webb ©
5. Luke Carsley
6. Sacha Everard
7. Reiss Taylor-Randle
8. Cameron Monteith
9. Harlie Price 34
10. Bailey Fuller
11. James Baldwin
12. Jake Donnelly (Cam Monteith-67mins)
14. James Douglas (Steve Webb-76mins)
15. Reece Day
16. Petar Tonchev
17. Raiyan Ahmed
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Ronnie Newbery
2. Ogaga Edward
3. Jordan Morris
4. Edward Scott
5. Kyle Pitts
6. Jack Horrell
7. Fraser Bell
8. Dave Bampton
9. Aidan Bennett ©
10. Finley Bell 65
11. Harrison Reeves
12. Ethan Rose (Ogaga Edward-67mins)
14. Ross Gabriel (Aidan Bennett-90+1mins)
16. Jack Freeman
17. Bonsa Teshome (Dave Bampton-71mins)
18. Harry Titchener (Jack Horrell-78mins)