ST NICHOLAS V CIRENCESTER TOWN UNDER 16

St Nicks 2 - 1 Cirencester Town
Emily Allen


Cirencester made the trip to Chipping Sodbury with St. Nicks needing all 3 points to force a play off at the end of the season, providing both teams win their remaining fixtures.

Cirencester’s experimental line up had to be changed within minutes as it became clear St. Nicks were playing with 3 up front in a bid to take the game to Ciren.
St Nicks started brightly forcing Ciren back but the experienced defence held firm. Ciren took the lead against the run of play on 12 minutes, when Emily Allen stabbed home from close range after the St Nicks keeper fumbled a corner .
The game became very scrappy as St Nicks pushed hard for the equaliser but were always denied clear cut chances by resolute defending. Cirencester began to settle and starting to play the flowing football we have seen previously but the final ball was missing and the chances were few and far between. The game became a stale mate as St Nick’s pressure was soaked up by Cirencester’s solid defence. On 38 minutes Nelly Forbes, the Centurions skipper, put in a crunching tackle on a St. Nicks forward which left both players on the floor. After 5 minutes of treatment neither player was able to continue, with Nelly insisting on watching the rest of the game before being taken to hospital. We have since learned that Nelly will be out for at least 4 weeks with strained knee ligaments, we wish her a speedy recovery.
Sub Jemma Brittain came into the fray and with a major reshuffle at the back the Ciren defence were barely settled when Ellie Maynard was caught in possession allowing the St. Nicks winger to cross for their centre forward to score from close in at the far post.


HT 1-1


The second half started brightly as both teams had half chances to add to
there first half tally. St Nicks came closest only to be denied by an acrobatic save by Rebekah Nash in the Ciren goal, tipping a deflected shot around her right hand post at the last minute.
St Nicks pressed for the all important second goal but it was Ciren who still tried to pass the ball, creating numerous decent opportunities but never really looking like the killer blow was there.
Rebekah Nash again made several important blocks as St Nicks gained momentum. Cirencester reminded us all of what a good team they can be with the move of the match on 21 minutes. Ciren`s flowing passing move fell to Katie Kingshott who’s dangerous cross was scrambled clear. Just when Ciren were beginning to dominate St Nicks scored what turned out to be the winner with 15 minutes to go. Cirencester failed to clear there lines properly, resulting in the winger whipping in a cross to the
back post for the striker to stab home. Cirencester looked deflated, and as they hadn’t played in 4 weeks, began to tire but almost grabbed an equaliser at the death when a flick on from a long throw was headed straight at the St. Nicks keeper. The whistle blew to St Nicks delight with Ciren looking dejected as they suffered there first league defeat for two and a half years.


Providing neither team drop a point the title will now be decided in a play off at the end of the season.

Cirencester:
Rebekah Nash, Keelie Russel , Elle Maynard , Chyna Collings , Nelly Forbes,
Hayley Desborough, Sammie Smith, Kallie Roberts, Emily Allen, Frances
Wilson, Katie Kingshott, Jemma Brittain and Charlotte Nash