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 first Uhlsport Hellenic League – Premier Division match of the new season took The Centurions to Thornhill Park to meet SLIMBRIDGE and after a very competitive game, including a Centurion dismissal, The Swans recovered from a 2-0 deficit to win with virtually the last kick of the game.
Last season ‘The Swans’ did the ‘double over Cirencester with a 2-0 win at The Talent Hire Stadium and a 1-0 victory at Thornhill Park to finish in 16th place in the league table – Cirencester ended the season one place above them so a tough match was anticipated.
On a wet evening that created a pitch for a fast-paced, ‘end to end’ encounter it certainly lived up to expectations.
The Centurions kicked off, defending the Clubhouse end of the ground, and immediately attacked down their right flank but the initial threat was dealt with for a counter attack to follow that Jordan Morris repelled.
Slimbridge soon returned as they mounted an attack down their left channel as Jack Smith chased a through ball but Ed Scott had spotted the danger and came across to clear for a home throw-in in the corner. The ball eventually reached Joe Stokes who cut right and shot – Cirencester ‘keeper Ronnie Newbery dived across his goal to punch and divert from his goal – resulting in a corner kick that was recycled but ended in an ‘offside’ decision.
It had been a positive opening few minutes for the hosts but five minutes into the match Jonty Welch collected the ball near the centre circle and immediately sent it wide to the left flank for Harrison Reeves to drive forward to the left channel of the home box before delivering a low cross towards the 6-yard box where HARLIE PRICE arrived to slide the ball inside the right post for a goal on his Cirencester debut. 0-1.
Following a free kick that Stokes sent over the top left corner of the Cirencester goal the visitors produced some neat football that resulted in a corner kick and a counter attack from the home side.
A few minutes later a combination of Jayden Stratford and Price managed to secure the ball, passing it left to Finley Bell, back to Stratford who sent a deep cross to the far-left post that resulted in a corner kick and a clearance off the home goal-line as a defender sliced his attempted clearance.
Just before the mid-point of the half Price, Finley Bell and Stratford combined to slip a ball into the home box for Price to collect and shoot – blocked and pounced on by ‘keeper Stephen Sarkodie before Stratford could reach it.
The match continued with attacks and counter attacks from both sides but little threat on either goal until Price volleyed the ball from distance in the final minutes and it clipped the base of the right post.
Half Time: 0-1
The home side pressed from the re-start to reach the left corner where Cirencester worked the ball out of defence with neat passing, one-touch football, until Morris neared the half-way line and sent a cross-field pass to Stratford on the opposite right flank. Stratford quickly moved the ball on to Price, as he darted across the home box, to fire wide of the right post.
The Swans replied immediately as Joe Shutt supplied Jack W. Smith on the burst to the centre front edge of the Cirencester box where he fired at the target and this brought a full-length diving save from Newbery to concede a corner kick.
During the next few minutes Cirencester tested the home defence as Sarkodie left his line to clear from Price and an effort from Reeves was cleared off the line.
Shortly before the hour Jack Horrell won the ball and held off challenges to supply Fraser Bell and he sent the ball to the right corner where his brother Finley chased to collect but his shot was deflected by an advancing Sarkodie for a corner kick.
By this stage Slimbridge had made a couple of substitutions and the pace of Raiyan Ahmed was proving dangerous to the Cirencester defence and one of his breaks required Newbery to parry his resulting shot.
A period of head tennis followed for a few minutes before, at the mid-point of the half, HARLIE PRICE received an intended ’back-pass’, rounded the ‘keeper, and finished into an open goal. 0-2.
Five minutes later it all changed when Cirencester were reduced to ten men for ‘an off the ball incident’ following a challenge - a harsh decision - a 'talking to' and Yellow Cards for both the players involved would have been more appropriate.
In an effort to cover the dismissal Cirencester changed their formation by putting three at the back and five in midfield, but whilst they were adapting the home side took full advantage with two goals in as many minutes – the first when JACK W. SMITH reached the left channel of the Cirencester box to send a low shot that struck the inside of the far-right post before rebounding into the net, and the second as a result of another strong run from Ahmed, followed by a shot that Newbery parried for a supporting JACK SMITH to finish from the edge of the 6-yard box. 2-2.
At the 90-minute mark the home side secured victory when another cross from the left flank was partially blocked at the near post but broke free for an incoming CASEY COLLINS to scramble it over the line from close range. 3-2.
Full Time: 3-2
A competitive game with plenty of action at both ends of the pitch in a game that changed dramatically after the dismissal.
Attendance: 203 Referee: Alan Robinson
SLIMBRIDGE:
1. Stephen Sarkodie
2. Joe Hunt
3. Jacob Rogers
4. Kian Kang
5. Charlie Hitchings ©
6. Bogdan Mara
7. Joe Stokes
8. Toby Soule
9. Jack Smith 83
10. Jack W. Smith 81
11. Joe Shutt
12. Cameron Blacker (Joe Hunt-89mins)
14. Raiyan Ahmed (Joe Shutt-56mins)
15. Casey Collins (Kian King-56mins) 90
16. Hadyn Evans (Jack W.Smith-90+6mins)
17. Ryan Ponting (Bogdan Mara-65mins)
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Ronnie Newbery
2. Fraser Bell
3. Jordan Morris
4. Ed Scott
5. Kyle Pitts ©
6. Jack Horrell
7. Jayden Stratford
8. Jonty Welch
9. Harlie Price 5, 68
10. Finley Bell
11. Harrison Reeves
12. Oliver Pitt (Jonty Welch-80mins)
14. Jack Freeman (Harlie Price-80mins)
15. George Peare (Harrison Reeves-78mins)
16. Ethan Rose
17. Elliott Keightley (Jayden Stratford-70mins)