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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The Centurions first game in February brought WORCESTER RAIDERS to The Talent Hire Stadium for an Uhlsport Hellenic League – Premier Division fixture and after a competitive, scrappy game, due to the number of Free Kicks and Cards awarded, the 9-men of The Raiders secured the 3-points with the last kick of the game.
Prior to this match the visitors sat in 4th place in the table with 52 points from 26 games played whilst their hosts were in 6th place with 48 points from 28 games played – so an important match for both sides as they strive for a play-off place.
The last three encounters between the sides have ended in draws.
The Cirencester starting eleven had a number of changes from their last match against Pershore Town at the end of January with key absentees Ed Scott (suspended), Jonty Welch (injured) and Harlie Price (unavailable), whilst Aidan Bennett and Nick Peare were on the bench alongside Jordan Morris, Jack Freeman, and Bryan Stalley.
To cover these changes Elliott Keightley moved into the centre of the defence and new recruit Dan Hill took his place at left back. Jack Horrell, George Peare and Rhys Wells replaced Jonty Welch, Harlie Price and Nick Peare respectively. In addition, Aidan Bennett was also replaced by new signing Ieuan Bailey a Second Year Scholar on loan from Cheltenham Town.
The visitors kicked-off proceedings playing towards The Shed End of the stadium and within the opening minute home ‘keeper Ronnie Newbery had caught a cross and Jack Horrell had latched onto a loose ball at the other end to fire over the target from 20-yards so at this stage it looked promising – but how wrong we were as it descended into a game of numerous free kicks for minor challenges and ultimately Cards being issued.
The opening quarter was fairly well balanced with both sides having shots at the target – Adam Taylor cutting inside from the left wing to fire over for the visitors - but neither side really threatening the goal, but as the game entered the second quarter the visitors were beginning to look the more dangerous - although a couple of Cirencester moves down their right flank had culminated in a Theo Jeremy cross through the visitor’s box, and a Fraser Bell cross being punched clear by visiting ‘keeper Charlie Emery from above George Peare’s head at the far left post.
Mid-way into the second quarter the visitors sent an incisive pass down their right channel for Bailey Fuller to collect behind the home defence as he cut in from the wing to advance towards the right post where he ‘chipped’ the ball over the approaching Newbery for a supporting ADAM TAYLOR to finish from a couple of yards. 0-1.
Cirencester responded to the setback as debutant Ieuan Bailey carried the ball down the left flank to release Rhys Wells for a run to the left byline but his resulting cross was caught by Emery.
A couple of minutes later the visitors were awarded a corner kick that was headed into the back of the home net but the Referee signalled a ‘push’ and the ‘goal’ was disallowed.
During the final minutes of the half Cirencester reached both corners but failed to trouble their opponents and the final action of the half was a low shot from Jake Donnelley towards the left post that Newbery safely gathered.
Half Time: 0-1
Within minutes of the re-start the home side had been awarded a corner kick that led to Wells firing over the target and this was followed by some neat football as they worked the ball from left to right – Elliott Keightley to Bailey, inside to Horrell and out to Jeremy - but the resulting cross from the right corner was caught by Emery.
Almost immediately the visitors mounted a quick counter attack as they darted down their left channel before working the ball inside for Fuller to produce an audacious ‘back-heel’ that released Jordan Murphy into the right channel of the home box for a firm strike towards the top right corner that Newbery pushed over.
Around the hour mark Cirencester made a change to their formation and personnel and it was rewarded immediately as a tackle on the newly arrived Aidan Bennett on the right side-edge of the visitor’s box resulted in a free kick. Jack Horrell sent his low kick into the ‘mix’ in front of the goal and a couple of goal attempts later it rebounded to GEORGE PEARE who made no mistake from a couple of yards. 1-1.
Encouraged by their breakthrough Cirencester pressed forward as Wells delivered a cross into the visitor’s box – punched out by Emery and a quick counter followed that ultimately provided a corner kick from their right flank for the visitors and a goal-kick for the home side.
Around the mid-point of the half Horrell supplied Dan Hill who slipped the ball to Bennett and a cross along the front edge of the visitor’s 6-yard box followed but it was cleared to be recycled to the right corner and defended again.
Following this period of pressure from the home side, the visitors mounted a break down their left flank for Donnelley to reach the byline and his low pull-back eventually reached Prince Henry, right channel front edge of the home box, and he fired towards the bottom left post but was denied by a superb diving save from Newbery who pushed it around the post.
A few minutes later Donnelley was dismissed following two Yellow Cards and this was a sign of things to come as the game became fragmented due to substitutions, numerous free kicks for innocuous challenges and a flurry of cards.
Amongst this mayhem Cirencester mounted an attack that prompted Emery to leave his box to head clear and Nick Peare had a 25-yard effort tipped over by Emery that led to a corner kick and a step-over being cleared to Jack Freeman who fizzed his strike from outside the box narrowly wide of the left post.
A couple of minutes before the 90-minute mark The Raiders had their Captain, Jordan Murphy, dismissed to the ‘sin-bin’ (leaving them with 9-men on the pitch) and seven minutes later Cirencester were reduced to ten-men as Joe Turley was dismissed – I am reliably informed for the first time in his illustrious career.
Seven minutes into ‘added-time’ a Cirencester challenge resulted in a free kick from the visitor’s left flank, near the front corner of the home box, and this was delivered into the ‘mix’ in front of the goal where CAM MONTEITH darted forward to divert it into the net.
Seconds later the final whistle was blown and victory was secured by the visitors.
Full Time: 1-2
A competitive and fragmented game for the reasons stated.
Attendance: 130 Referee: Emmanuel Adeeko
CIRENCESTER TOWN:
1. Ronnie Newbery
2. Fraser Bell
3. Dan Hill
4. Elliott Keightley
5. Kyle Pitts ©
6. Joe Turley
7. Theo Jeremy
8. Jack Horrell
9. George Peare 61
10. Rhys Wells
11. Ieuan Bailey
12. Nick Peare (Jack Horrell-76mins)
14. Aidan Bennett (Ieuan Bailey-57mins)
15. Bryan Stalley
16. Jordan Morris (George Peare-87mins)
17. Jack Freeman (Rhys Wells-76mins)
WORCESTER RAIDERS:
1. Charlie Emery
2. Taylor Eades
3. Jake Donnelly
4. Cam Monteith 90+7
5. Jordan Stoddart
6. Nigel Hinkulow
7. Bailey Fuller
8. Fred King
9. Prince Henry
10. Jordan Murphy ©
11. Adam Taylor 34
12. George Patey
14. George Hadley (Prince Henry-82mins)
15. Jahdel Hamilton
16. Harry Lewis (Adam Taylor-90+4mins)
17. Ben Sanogo (Bailey Fuller-76mins)