GLOS GIRLS LEAGUE, UNDER 16S, SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER 2007 KO 10.30AM

Cirencester Town 1    St Nicholas  0

The long awaited top of the table clash between the only 2 remaining unbeaten teams went ahead, in freezing conditions, with both managers agreeing that the quality of the stadium pitch presented no danger to the players. Playing on that surface gave both sides the opportunity to play their football.

The game started at a blistering pace, with both teams showing their nerves and aware that there was a lot at stake after the 3 – 3 draw at Chipping Sodbury in the autumn.

Ciren had an early chance when a well placed corner from Katie Kingshott was headed just wide by the Centurions captain Nelly Forbes. St Nics responded but Rebekah Nash, the Ciren keeper, was quick off her line to clear confidently and accurately.

Both sides had strong spells without a clear cut chance falling to either side. During a period of St. Nicks possession, Ciren counter-attacked when Kallie Roberts intercepted and almost broke the deadlock. Katie Kingshott controlled the pass out from Roberts in midfield before sending in a defence splitting pass that found Emily Allen who shot just wide under pressure.

The Ciren defence were under a lot of pressure at times but battled strongly with Hayley Desborough her usual solid self, moving well to be first to the ball and giving nothing away. The best chance of a hectic first half fell to Ciren's Chyna Collings who, from an Ellie Maynard corner, headed wide when unmarked beyond the far post.

St Nics had finished the first half looking the stronger side and continued into the second with heavy pressure on the Ciren 18 yard box. Again they didn’t really create a clear opportunity at goal with the Ciren defence marking doggedly and closing down all the gaps.

St Nics came very close when a goalmouth scramble saw Hayley Desborough just manage to clear from her own line under pressure from the St. Nics forwards.

Ciren dug deep, composed themselves and controlled the ball well enough to swing the game back in their favour. Now creating pressure of their own on the St Nics back line, Ciren built a promising attack down the right 17 minutes into the second half.

With the Ciren forward movement dragging their defence all over the place, the visitors failed to clear cleanly when the cross finally came zipping into the box. The ball was worked neatly by Ciren to put Sammie Smith into space 15 yards out. She calmly stroked it into the net for the all important leading goal, to Ciren.

The rest of the half was frantic with St Nics on the attack and Ciren battling to keep their lead. They showed great commitment and dug deep, finding enough to hold St. Nics off until the final whistle.

St Nics efforts had probably deserved at least a draw. In contrast to the game in October when St Nics snatched a last minute equaliser, Ciren had a greater tactical awareness and used their substitutes well as key defenders tired.

The win puts Ciren six points clear at the top of the table but the South Glos team have a game in hand. The Girls now have a 3 week winter break before they travel to Cheltenham on January 6th.

Cirencester`s squad (all played): Rebekah Nash, Hayley Desborough, Keelie Russell, Chyna Collings, Nelly Forbes, Kallie Roberts, Katie Kingshott, Frances Wilson, Emily Allen, Ellie Maynard, Sammie Smith, Aimee Thomson, Gemma Brittain and Sam Bremner.

St Nicolas squad:  not available

Ref: Mr Richard Collins       Att: 43