Friendly Saturday 28th July 2007 2.45pm

Haverfordwest County 0 Cirencester Town 0

On a perfect pitch, one of the reasons why this long away trip had been arranged, two good teams had a real go at each other. In spite of chances being created neither attack could do enough to beat two determined defences.

For manager Adi Viveash, it was a positive result against a good team and he was very pleased with the display from his squad.

After a shaky start, with too much possession being conceded far too easily, Ciren were bright throughout and they very much dominated the second half.

The Bluebirds squandered the first opening on 21 minutes, a long free kick from the right by Terry Evans being met by Jon Coates who should have done better than head over under no pressure at all.

Even under the cosh, Ciren looked to play football and with Chris Collins and Lee Molyneux passing out from the back Kevin Davies was always up for rampaging up the right to support the attack.

His rocket shot late on in the game ended a well worked move - but off target .....

But his run and cross on 25 minutes was typical of his excellent display today.

Breaking at pace, he was beyond Jones and picked out Ian McSherry clear in the box. Shez maybe should have realised that the pace of the counter had left the Bluebird defence stranded but, thinking he was under challenge and getting no shout to tell him he was free and clear, he first timed over the bar with Lee Kendall exposed in front of him.

On 30 minutes Dan Hilder brought the Welsh Non-League International ‘keeper to the only difficult save of the match, supporting well in attack and then latching on to a clever Nathan Lightbody cut back after Nick Stanley had worked the space wide on the right.

Wayne Jones got himself free beyond the far post for a nod back to a free on 39 minutes, with this time Simon Gilderdale guilty of the wild slash wide and high. The words from the Ciren coaches in the half time break closed off those marking lapses and Haverfordwest had nary a chance second half.

Ciren were impressive in the next 20 minutes. Close crisp passing, determined running and very quick defence kept The Bluebirds on the back foot. It was impressive stuff and it took determined defending by Gilderdale and Phil Collins to keep Nick Stanley and Nathan Lightbody at bay.

It is never easy getting your timing back after a long lay-off and there may have been moments when luck could have gone his way.

But, if you don’t get in and attack the ball, you’ll never make those chances. Today, Nathan again showed he is getting there, winning this one off a fierce move and cross and unlucky that Snakes was inches away from the loose ball.

Harry Etheridge made a difference when he came on after an hour, linking well up the right with Kevin Davies who was confident that he could break beyond him and cause tremors in the home defence.

On the left Dan Hilder again showed he not only has blistering pace but a searching left foot cross and an appreciation of a good pass. His linking with Shez, especially in that sweet spell early second half, was encouraging.

With newcomers Steve Robinson and then John Els introduced into midfield and continuing the good work, with quick feet and close control releasing Phil Hall and Snaky Stanley, time after time it looked as if Ciren would turn their dominance into a result.

Snaky Stanley was perhaps the most unlucky, a thunderbolt from 25 yards on 84 minutes beating Kemp to rocket off the crossbar and then bounce out off the keeper’s back.

Ollie Holder, back into the training squad after trying out with a variety of clubs so far in pre-season, had a few minutes at the end replacing Hilds. He had a few interesting moments but will probably have the chance to show he is worthy of consideration in the Pewsey Vale match on Tuesday evening.

Mr Viveash was pleased at the end. “They, inevitably, left their legs on the bus early on but that defence is settling well. I like the way they worked at it with a lively forward line to subdue.”

“Second half, for 20 minutes, we played the way I want us to play. And, they stayed fit and sharp to the end.”

“ Even now, no more than a couple of players are guaranteed a starting place and I was very pleased that the performance of the subs coming on kept the quality of the play at a high level. This is going to be a competitive team this year.”


The Bluebirds: Lee Kendall [Shane Kemp(?) 45], Terry Evans, Wayne Jones Y 28 [Peter Thomas 45], Simon Gilderdale (c), Phil Collins, Neil Thomas, Chris O’ Sullivan, Jon Coates, Andy Phillips [Dan Hopper 70], Mike Preddle [Steve McNabney 40], Lee Heudgells [Adam Raymond 45]

Centurions: Matt Bulman, Kevin Davis, Dan Hilder [Ollie Holder 86], Alex Stanley, Lee Molyneux, Chris Collins (c), Nathan Haisley [Steve Robinson 70], Michael Jackson [John Els 75], Nathan Lightbody [Phil Hall 67], Nick Stanley, Ian McSherry [Harry Etheridge 65]

Ref: Mr A Wilson, Tenby

Att: 191

Ciren MoM: Chris Collins