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 Centurions returned to The Talent Hire Stadium for a Wiseman Lighting (UHL) Floodlit Cup – First Round fixture, following their best of seven goals away victory on Saturday, and were taken to task by neighbours MALMESBURY VICTORIA who produced a clinical display to knock their hosts, and current Floodlit Cup holders, out of the competition.
To put some context into the fixture - prior to the match neighbours, MALMESBURY VICTORIA, were in 6th place in the Uhlsport Hellenic League – Division One table with 24 points from their 15 games played whilst Cirencester Town sat in the same position in the Premier Division with 26 points from 17 games played, and as ‘The Vics’ used the Talent Hire Stadium for their match against Wellington on Saturday there would be no significant ground advantage.
The hosts, having played seven successive matches at home, played on grass for the first time on Saturday since 4th October and the softer surface had taken its toll so a number of the U18 squad were ‘drafted in’ so that players could be ‘rested’ before the fixture against second placed Droitwich Spa at the weekend.
Cirencester started the match positively with two attempts on goal from George Peare and a shot from Theo Jeremy into the side-netting in the opening minutes but it was their visitors who showed how it was done six minutes into the match with their first attack, as ELLIS McSHARRY burst into the home box, rode a challenge, had his first shot parried by ‘keeper Josh Sawyer before netting the rebound from 12-yards. 0-1.
The home side responded to the setback as they worked the ball to the left corner before switching to the right as George Peare collected the ball in the corner to cross towards the near post where it was blocked, rebounding to Jack Freeman who had his shot blocked and cleared.
Moments later Jeremy fired a free kick over the Malmesbury crossbar before the visitor’s delivered a free kick of their own into the home box where Nick Peare headed out.
As the mid-point of the half approached, Freeman did well to retain and release the ball to a team-mate as he was surrounded, right channel 30 yards out, for another attack to take shape before it petered out with a strong pass to the right byline resulting in a goal-kick.
At the mid-point Cirencester worked their left flank with Jeremy sending the ball down the flank for an overlapping Aidan Williams to chase, collect and cross to the front edge of 6-yard box where it was headed over by Freeman.
Shortly after the mid-point a ‘clash of heads’ near half-way, following an aerial challenge, resulted in Cirencester debutant Bryan Stalley and ‘The Vics’ Mohamed Shariff having to be replaced.
A few minutes later Jeremy reached the left byline and crossed towards the area in front of the Penalty Spot where a supporting George Peare clipped the top of the bar.
‘The Vics’ response was a low cross from Kameran Muhid, left corner, towards the Penalty Spot that resulted in a challenge between Jonathan Sendra and his opponent rebounding to be cleared followed by some intricate footwork from Callum Parsons as he worked his way into the home box.
Five minutes later Sawyer sent the ball down the centre of the pitch for Jack Horrell to head onwards from the centre circle for Finley Bell to collect and charge down the right channel into the visitor’s box where he was confronted by ‘keeper Noah Sunter who made the required save for his side.
As the interval loomed Malmesbury worked the ball down their right flank to the corner to fire a low drive at the target but Sawyer had the effort covered and made the save at his left post.
Half Time: 0-1
Although the visitors restarted the game after the break for Parsons to fire over the bar it was their hosts that pressed for the opening ten minutes as a number of crosses were defended and a Nick Peare 40-yarder flew over the bar.
As the hour-mark approached Malmesbury worked their right flank to be awarded a corner kick that Nick Peare headed away for Williams to clear down the pitch but moments later Peare put Sawyer under pressure as a wayward back-pass required the young ‘keeper to head the ball before he could kick it – with the clearance collected by Gio Wrona who promptly fired well over the bar from 20-yards.
Before he could catch his breath, Sawyer was in action again – this time making a brave save at the feet of Muhid as he burst through.
As the game entered the final quarter Williams produced some clever footwork as he flicked the ball over an incoming challenge on half-way before cutting inside to pass to Alfie Baker.
Just before the 75-minute mark Omaree Cox, who had just joined the contest, made a darting run to the right corner to cross towards the back post where CALLUM PARSONS arrived to smash the ball into the top left corner. 0-2.
Within a minute Finley Bell had the ball in the Malmesbury box and managed to work his way past several defenders and poke it past Sunter towards the open goal but George Peare arrived to finish the job and was then ‘flagged offside’ and the ‘goal’ disallowed.
During the next few minutes Nick Peare headed a free kick wide at the right post and Ed Scott did very well to retain the ball under pressure from two opponents before the visitors worked the ball to their right corner again for a throw-in that reached Parsons who instantly turned and shot from the right front corner of the home box – the alert Sawyer making the save.
As the visitors attacked again Cox entered the home box running towards the right corner but the incoming challenge proved to be too strong in the eyes of the officials and a Penalty Kick was awarded - CALLUM PARSONS stepped forward to drive it inside the left post as Sawyer dived in the opposite direction. 0-3.
At the 90-minute mark a pass down the right channel landed just outside the home box and as a defender turned and Sawyer advanced to collect OMAREE COX nipped between them to lob the ‘keeper and into the empty net. 0-4.
In added-time Cirencester were awarded a free kick near the right corner and Fraser Bell delivered it into the mix in front of the goal where it was cleared to a lurking Scott, left of the Penalty Spot – 15-yards out, and he instantly fired it towards the target – blocked and a PENALTY KICK awarded for ‘handball’. HARLIE PRICE drove the spot-kick inside the right post as Sunter dived in the opposite direction for a consolation goal. 1-4.
Full Time: 1-4
A disappointing performance from the Cup holders who hadn’t brought their shooting boots but well done to Malmesbury who certainly had.
GOOD LUCK to MALMESBURY VICTORIA in the competition and for the rest of your season.
Attendance: 100 Referee: Andrew Bower
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Josh Sawyer
2. Fraser Bell
3. Aidan Williams
4. Jonathan Sendra
5. Nick Peare
6. Jack Horrell
7. Finley Bell
8. Bryan Stalley
9. George Peare
10. Jack Freeman
11. Theo Jeremy
12. Ed Scott (Jack Horrell-72mins)
14. Joe Turley (Bryan Stalley-28mins)
15. Harlie Price (Jack Freeman-50mins) 90+5P
16. Harley Arnold (Finley Bell-82mins)
17. Alfie Baker (Jonathan Sendra-61mins)
MALMESBURY VICTORIA
1. Noah Sunter
2. George Kick
3. George Evatt
14. Ashley Taylor
20. Scott Chilcott
6. Obinna Nwoke
22. Mohamed Shariff
27. Ellis McSharry 7
8. Ben Patey
19. Kameran Muhid
23. Callum Parsons 74, 84P
10. Gio Wrona (Mohamed Shariff-28mins)
18. Omaree Cox (Kameran Muhid-67mins) 89
7. Ruben Allaway (E.McSharry-46mins)
16. Tom Steele (George Kick-76mins)
17. Mani Roper