Cirencester Town FC
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Cirencester Town FC
The home of football, corporate events, courses and celebrations
Click photo to view a slideshow of photos from the match
Match photos supplied by Graham Hill
Cirencester returned to The Talent Hire Stadium for an Uhlsport Hellenic League – Premier Division fixture against HEREFORD PEGASUS and despite a strong start – with a goal in the opening minute and a 3-2 lead at the interval - it took a late Penalty Kick to share the spoils in an entertaining, eight-goal thriller.
A review of the league performances so far for the teams revealed that prior to this game Hereford Pegasus sat in 6th place in the League Table with 18 points from their 11 games played whilst Cirencester were in 14th place with 9 points from 10 games – both sides having lost 5 games.
Last season both sides secured a 2-0 victory in their home fixtures.
The home side kicked-off playing towards The Arena end of the ground and were awarded an early free kick from their right flank that Fraser Bell delivered to the far-left post where a scramble for possession took place before ED SCOTT smashed the ball into the roof of the net from about 6-yards to open the scoring. 1-0.
The re-start to the right corner resulted in a Cirencester throw-in and counter attack down their left flank that resulted in a Jordan Morris cross and follow-up shot being blocked but the home side were soon back as they worked their right flank with some intricate passing providing a corner kick and Ethan Rose strike.
Before the ten-minute mark Cirencester were awarded a corner kick from the left flank that Aidan Bennett headed back into the mix where it was cleared.
At this point the visitors mounted their first attack as they reached the right byline before the cross passed over the home bar – soon to be followed by Jordan Williamson working his way across the pitch, from right to left, before Fraser Bell nicked it off him to concede a throw-in.
Back came Cirencester and as the mid-point of the half approached another neat move released Finley Bell into the visitor’s box where he drew the attention of several opponents before finally releasing the ball to JONTY WELCH who struck a firm shot inside the left post from 20-yards, 2-0.
A couple of minutes later Jack Freeman won the ball and immediately supplied Rose who slipped it into the visitor’s box for Harlie Price to collect and shoot towards the right post – saved by Matt Gwynne.
Shortly after the mid-point of the half the elusive Williamson made a run down the right channel into the home box, applied the brakes, and laid the ball across the front edge of the area for a supporting JACK CRESSWELL to place his shot inside the left post. 2-1.
Cirencester responded to the setback as another Fraser Bell free kick to the far-left post was headed over the target by Freeman and Welch delivered a cross-field pass to Fraser Bell who fired wide of the target.
At the half hour mark Hereford mounted an attack down their right flank and were awarded a free kick that Jamie Price sent into the home box – diverted for a corner kick from the right that was played short and returned to Jamie Price so that he could deliver from a different angle to the back post where JORDAN WILLIAMSON rose to head back across the goal into the net. 2-2.
Immediately from the re-start the ball was played back to ‘keeper Ronnie Newbery who launched it down the right channel and this resulted in a defender attempting to head the ball back to an advancing Gwynne but HARLIE PRICE nipped in to intercept and lob the advanced ‘keeper and into the net to regain the lead. 3-2.
A hectic ten minutes followed as Sean Cooke sent the ball down the left flank for Harrison Summers to chase but Kyle Pitts had spotted the danger and came across to clear before Finley Bell sent a low cross through the front edge of the visitor’s 6-yard box with Harlie Price just short of making contact.
There was still time for Jamie Price to send a free kick into the home box where Pitts headed clear, Williamson to mount a run that resulted in a strike over the bar for the visitors, and Freeman to fire a free kick into the defensive ‘wall’ before he was released into the right channel of the Hereford box to shoot into the side netting.
Half Time: 3-2
Within a few minutes of the re-start the visitor’s mounted an attack down their left flank as the dynamic, elusive Williamson reached the left byline to cross to the back post where an incoming Summers volleyed against the home crossbar – such was the force of his volley it rebounded back into his midriff and out for a goal-kick.
Cirencester responded as Harlie Price headed a free kick wide of the right post before Morris released Bennett for a run down their left flank and the visitors busy Williamson fired wide of the right post following a run down their left flank.
Ten minutes after the interval Hereford levelled when a back pass to Newbery was chased down by Summers who blocked his clearance kick before slipping the ball to JORDAN WILLIAMSON who had his first shot blocked before he lashed the ball inside the left post from 12 yards. 3-3
After another Cirencester attack had been foiled the visitors pressed and were awarded a corner kick that Scott headed clear but it was soon back again as Jamie Price delivered a free kick from their right flank to the far-left post where Williamson headed back across goal for HARRISON SUMMERS to drive into the net from a few yards. 3-4.
Undeterred The Centurions continued to press forward as Morris charged to the left byline before clipping his cross onto the net and substitute Alfonso Dias released Finley Bell to the right corner but his cross was defended and cleared.
Moments later Dias did well to retain the ball, when surrounded by opponents, to supply Bennett for a run and low cross that was deflected for a corner kick – goal kick was the result but Cirencester were soon back again as the Bell brothers combined to reach the right corner – throw-in to Cirencester.
Jack Lewis then supplied Fraser Bell who reached the right byline but his cross was blocked so they tried the other flank as they searched for an equaliser and following an attack to the left corner the home side were awarded a corner kick from the left that Fraser Bell delivered to the back post – Pitts rose to head down but Gwynne managed to divert it around his left post for another corner kick from the right. Fraser Bell sent this kick towards the Penalty Spot where two Cirencester players were clattered to the ground with the Referee awarding a Penalty Kick. HARLIE PRICE stepped forward and struck his spot-kick towards the right post and into the net – despite Gwynne getting a hand to it. 4-4.
Once again, the final ten-minute period was hectic as both sides battled for the three points – Dias produced great feet to evade challenges as he burst forward to shoot wide of the left post and Summers also fired wide of the target.
Home ‘keeper Newbery left his box to enter a heading duel with Zach Johnston before Scott blocked a Summers effort in the goalmouth and with five minutes remaining Lewis released Harlie Price into the visitor’s box for a 1v1 with Gwynne. The ‘keeper blocked his first effort towards the left post and then managed to divert his second.
Into ‘added-time’ and the visitors were awarded a free kick 25-yards out, right of centre, and Captain Williamson took responsibility as he stepped forward to shoot towards the top right corner of the goal – Newbery jumped sideways to push it around his left post to deny Williamson his hat-trick and the visitor’s victory.
There was still time for the visitors to defend a free kick and Harlie Price to send a late strike from a narrow angle across the face of the visitor’s goal.
Full Time: 4-4
A very entertaining game for any neutral supporter’s present - with plenty of goals, goalmouth incident and entertaining football on display.
After a slow start the visitors pushed their hosts who were guilty of overplaying in their opponent’s box – particularly in the first half.
Attendance: 127 Referee: Ireneos Christodoulou
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Ronnie Newberry
2. Fraser Bell
3. Aidan Bennett ©
4. Ed Scott 1
5. Kyle Pitts
6. Jonty Welch 20
7. Finley Bell
8. Ethan Rose
9. Harlie Price 33, 79p
10. Jack Freeman
11. Jordan Morris
12. Alfonso Dias (Jack Freeman-65mins)
14. Harley Arnold
15. Harry Titchener
16. Jack Lewis (Ethan Rose-69mins)
17. Josh Sawyer (GK)
HEREFORD PEGASUS:
1. Matt Gwynne
2. Matt James
3. Sean Cooke
4. Jamie Price
5. Callum Nowell
6. Kyle Panniers
7. Harry Pitman
8. Mike Burgess
9. Jack Cresswell 25
10. Jordan Williamson © 32, 55
11. Harrison Summers 60
12. Zach Johnston (Mike Burgess-80mins)
14. Rory Thompson (Callum Nowell-90mins)
15. Aleks Striunga (Harrison Summers-87mins)
16. Kostas Striunga
21. Matt Apperley