Cirencester Town (3) 6, Guildford City (0) 1
Consecutive away trips to the leading sides in the division have seen City fall to two heavy defeats, shipping 18 goals in the process. After the trauma of conceding 12 goals at Merthyr this was a test of the squad’s resilience. Granted another six goals conceded is far from acceptable but this was at least a different performance. City in fact opened in a bright and confident manner. On just three minutes Dom Ogun was inches away from converting a through ball but was just unable to get a strong enough connection. A defensive mistake then saw Lee Smith through on goal for the home side and but fortunately for Guildford his effort went just wide.
On 17 minutes Ben Walshe’s early ball just eluded Joel Greaves and then seconds later Joel Greaves astute pass put Dom Ogun through on goal. Pushed further wide than he would have liked Ogun’s left foot shot from 20 yards sizzled just past the woodwork. Then against the general run of play City lost possession deep in their half and almost immediately the ball was in City’s net courtesy of Lee Smith at the far post from Steve Davies’s low cross. After a good start this appeared to hit Guildford hard and within a further nine minutes the visitors were three goals in arrears. Firstly Leigh Henry found himself in acres of space in the box to slot home at will and on 30 minutes Matt Liddiard headed in at the far post after a fine build up. City managed to rally and they finished the half strongly. Sweeney fans behind the goal twice felt Joel Greaves had been unfairly challenged in the box but referee Andrew Newell thought differently.
Then just as the half came to a close Joel Greaves fired in a fierce effort that went just wide from 30 yards. There was still time for Dammy Bada to make a fantastic run down the left but sadly his cross was over hit and just eluded the waiting strikers in the box. A minute later Bruce McPhail found himself on the edge of the box and his curling effort on the turn just cleared the crossbar.
Half-time Cirencester Town 3, Guildford City 0
The second period opened much as the first with genuine thoughts that an early City goal would put them back into the game. The outcome of the match though was finally decided in the home side’s favour on 63 minutes, courtesy of Steve Davies apparently eluding offside and lobbing the ball home from 35 yards. City fans were incandescent at the number of decisions apparently going against their side. This frustration was shared on the pitch and three yellow cards were picked up directly as a result.
Cirens fifth goal came after another error in the visitor’s defence. After an almighty scramble it was deemed the ball had gone in last off of Dammy Bada. Bada was able to bounce back by being involved in getting City on the score sheet. Cirencester’s defence for once failed to deal with the incoming Dammy Bada free-kick and Jamie Thoroughgood was on hand to fire home from close range. As the clock counted down Ciren scored a sixth in stoppage time, Will Morford tapping in unopposed.
Team: Antony Hall, Bruce McPhail (James Jewers 67), Dammy Bada, Elvis Defreitas, Jamie Thoroughgood, Ben Rayner, Jordan Taylor, Ben Walshe, Sam Spencer (Anthony Bridgeman 67), Joel Greaves, Dom Ogun (Callum Attwood 84). Unused subs: Danny Williams, Nuno Pereira.
Yellow cards: Antony Hall, Elvis Defreitas, Ben Walshe, Joel Greaves.
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Andrew Newell
Attendance – 94
Photographs are online here