Cirencester Town FC
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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’s 10-game unbeaten run in the Uhlsport Hellenic League – Premier Division came to an end at the hands of high-flying ROMAN GLASS St. GEORGE at Oaklands Park, the Gloucestershire FA Headquarters, following a controversial opening goal for the hosts and a performance from the visitors that showed glimpses of the levels of recent weeks.
Prior to this match ROMAN GLASS ST. GEORGE sat in 2nd place in the Uhlsport Hellenic League – Premier Division table with 43 points obtained from their 22 games so far whilst Cirencester were in 6th place with 32 points from 19 games.
The reverse fixture in early September resulted in a 1-2 victory for ‘The Glass’ but since then Cirencester have completed 10 games without defeat (7-wins, 3-draws) and as a result entered today’s fixture with some confidence that they could get a result.
On the team front there was one change to the starting eleven that secured victory at Highworth Town last week as Theo Jeremy was unavailable due to illness – Jack Freeman taking his place.
The game started at a brisk pace as the home side kicked-off to launch the ball to their right corner to be cleared and recycled to their left flank for Joe McClennan to shoot from 25 yards – caught by ‘keeper Ronnie Newbery.
Within minutes the ball was at the other end of the pitch as Jonty Welch delivered it to the right corner to yield a corner kick that was headed clear at the near post but returned by Jack Freeman into the home box for another clearance and counter attack as Dan Stoneman charged down their right channel and into the visitors box, pursued by Ed Scott who produced a well-timed tackle to block his strike for Newbery to collect.
As Cirencester responded they were awarded a couple of free kicks that Fraser Bell delivered from their right flank towards the far-left post where George Peare headed across the goal-mouth – both cleared.
The visitors then worked their left flank as Scott, Jordan Morris and Joe Turley combined to reach the corner but a ‘handball’ decision brought the threat to an end.
Having been under pressure for the last few minutes the home side responded as Conor Hartley supplied Stoneman who slipped the ball down the right-side edge of the visitor’s box for an overlapping Harvey Tierney to chase and cross – caught by Newbery.
During the next few minutes home ‘keeper Rob Brown was called into action a couple of times as he was required to leave his box to clear the ball off the pitch and punch a free kick clear.
It had been a busy opening quarter but just after the mid-point Stoneman took a free kick for the home side from the right channel, 25-yards out, and drove it towards the right post for Newbery to push it out and as it was being recycled on the right flank the Assistant Referee raised his flag to indicate the ball had gone out of play, causing a moment’s hesitation from the visitors, as the ball was sent across the pitch to the left flank. JOE McCLENNAN collected the ball and immediately delivered a cross that dropped over the head of Newbery to land inside the far-right post. The Referee awarded the goal and amongst the remonstrations from Cirencester sent Harlie Price to the ‘sin-bin’ for having the temerity to ask the Assistant Referee to speak to the Referee - who also refused to discuss with his Assistant - and the goal stood. 1-0.
During the next ten minutes Cirencester were awarded a couple of free kicks that Bell delivered into the home box - Kyle Pitts headed the first towards the far-right post where Brown gathered and the second Brown caught.
In between Loui Ward sent a cross-field pass to the right channel of the Cirencester box for an advanced Tierney to collect but he was quickly closed down and the danger averted.
Back came Cirencester as Bell crossed to the Penalty Spot where Welch fired at the target on the turn – blocked and cleared for a counter attack as Elliott Gardner charged into the Cirencester box, left channel. Ed Scott came across to challenge – and his tackle resulted in a Penalty Kick. Home Captain, JENNISON WILLIAMS stepped forward and calmly tucked the kick inside the left post as Newbery dived in the opposite direction. 2-0.
Cirencester responded positively to this further setback as they worked the ball to the left corner and then the right as Aidan Bennett exchanged passes with Bell to cross to Welch who headed over the target from near the Penalty Spot.
Half Time: 2-0
After the interval Cirencester started positively as they worked the ball to the right corner and inside for George Peare to supply Bennett and his cross was deflected for a corner kick that produced a well-worked routine to provide space for Price to shoot – blocked on the goal-line and cleared
Cirencester were soon back again as a Freeman free kick was delivered to the front edge of the home 6-yard box where George Peare’s header was partially blocked for Brown to chase and collect.
A couple of minutes later Brown punted the ball down the centre for Hartley to head on, chased and collected by Gardner who advanced into the visitor’s box to shoot – blocked by Newbery as he advanced.
Leading up to the hour mark the ball was worked to Bennett who fired a left footed shot from the edge of the home box to Brown before Nick Peare had an effort blocked and cleared.
At the hour mark the home side produced some neat passing football to work the ball from left to right as they kept possession for a couple of minutes.
Cirencester replied with some equally neat passing as they worked their left flank but the resulting cross was too close to Brown who made the necessary catch.
Just after the mid-point of the half a Morris free kick was delivered to the Penalty Spot where Nick Peare headed on but Brown was quick to react and collected the ball before incoming opponents could get to it.
As the game entered the final scheduled ten minutes Pitts sent the ball to Price who controlled it on his chest before slipping it to Nick Peare who shot - blocked, rebounding back to him but his cross was caught by Brown.
In ‘added time’ Roman Glass pressed and moments before the final whistle TYLER WOOD was gifted the ball and he took full advantage as he burst into the Cirencester box to tuck his shot inside the far-right post. 3-0.
Full Time: 3-0
A disappointing end to the unbeaten run for the visitors, having started the run after being beaten by ‘The Glass’ who then ended the run, as Cirencester never really reached the levels of performance reached during the run.
Never-the-less, well done Centurions.
We have another important game next week against long-time adversaries Cinderford Town and now that we have reached the top end of the table we are there to be shot at!!
Attendance: 75 Referee: Alex Matthews
Roman Glass St. George:
1. Rob Brown
2. Harvey Tierney
3. Matt Spiller
4. Joe Budd
5. Kynan Murchison
6. Loui Ward
7. Joe McClennan 25
8. Jennison Williams © 37p
9. Elliott Gardner
10. Conor Hartley
11. Dan Stoneman
12. Charlie Boorman
14. Nathan Hall (Joe Budd-33mins)
15. Tyler Wood (Elliott Gardner-74mins) 90+4
16. Jamarni Langlais (Conor Hartley-78mins)
17. Josh Egan
Cirencester Town:
1. Ronnie Newbeery
2. Fraser Bell
3. Jordan Morris
4. Ed Scott
5. Kyle Pitts
6. Joe Turley
7. Aidan Bennett ©
8. Jonty Welch
9. Harlie Price
10. George Peare
11. Jack Freeman
12. Nick Peare (Jack Freeman-58mins)
14. Jack Horrell (Jonty Welch-78mins)
15. Bryan Stalley (Aidan Bennett-84mins)
16. Alfonso Dias (George Peare-70mins)
17. Josh Sawyer (GK)